Anxiety/Panic attacks

[The Third Rider]

OK it seems like I have developed a anxiety/panic attack disoder over the last two months and now I have panic attacks daily. I want to know if anyone here is familiar with them and what I can do. I have already setup an appointment with my doctor and I am sure she will send me to a psychologist or psychiatrists for treatment.

[CzeCze]

Remember to breathe.

The professionals should be able to give you better advice

One word of caution -- when you have that much anxiety/panic running through you, it's easy to develop OCD-ish habits as a way to compensate. Example: focus your excess negative energy into counting numbers or repeating a mantra to yourself to calm yourself. I'm not sure these things would be considered 'healthy' either.

Hopefully your doctors can give you better coping mechanisms, 'cures', medication.

[LostInNerSpace]

I have them. I used to have quite severe panic attacks. Now they are fairly mild.

My theory is that it's about Fe. The fact that I have an incredible amount of control when the emotion is about me supports the idea that I may be low on Fi.

It is a result of thinking too much about what other people may or may not be thinking. This might explain why it seems to be fairly common for INTPs.

This is my line of reasoning with myself: I'm not doing anything wrong. If this person is misinterpreting my behavior, there's really not a whole lot I can do about it, so there is no reason to worry about it. This person does not know me. I can't read his or her mind.

Basically you have to allow yourself to be cool with unintentionally emotionally hurting other people with your behavior. At least that's the way it works for me. I'm working on a completely different approach which is much more interesting. I'll post if it works.

[Victor]

OK it seems like I have developed a anxiety/panic attack disoder over the last two months and now I have panic attacks daily. I want to know if anyone here is familiar with them and what I can do. I have already setup an appointment with my doctor and I am sure she will send me to a psychologist or psychiatrists for treatment.

I found a book by Ainslie Mears to be helpful. It is called - "Relief Without Drugs".

[Tallulah]

I used to have panic attacks. I found this book to be immensely helpful:

Amazon.com: The Panic Attack Recovery Book: Step-by-Step Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Change Your Life-Natural, Drug-Free, Fast Results: Shirley Swede, Seymour Jaffe: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Panic-Attack-Recovery-Step-Step/dp/0451200438/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221126593&sr=8-1)

It's very practical, and really gives you the tools you need to deal with anxiety. You definitely need to figure out what's triggering yours, but don't make the mistake of associating certain places where you've had the attacks with the attacks themselves--that kind of stuff causes a secondary reaction, and then you find yourself feeling like you don't have any control over them. Just remind yourself that it's just a panic attack, you won't die from it or anything, and concentrate on getting the focus outside yourself and breathing slowly. The book is a good all-around tool to help you re-direct the way you deal with stress.

Xanax helped a lot, too.

[The Third Rider]

Thanks guys I am have a REALLY hard time with my attacks. I get them daily and they are preventing me from sleeping, last night I got 1 hour of sleep. I am not sure exactly what triggers them and I am now constantly in fear of them which is extremely unhealthy. I can say that I have 20 different symptoms and its greatly affecting both my family and friends. It has taken over my life right now and I talked to the doctors, I have an appointment on monday so that I can start on medication. ALso do you guys believe that I should stay away from medication???

[Delilah]

:hug:

I have had them for years but have done a fairly good job at controlling them somewhat, or at least fighting through them, without medication.
One of the things that helps, aside from reminding myself to breathe slowly and calmly, is taking some quiet time, without distractions, to try and work back to the root cause / causes. Oftentimes when I work my way back, I realize that the issues that started it are not as tragic and overwhelming as my mind has allowed them to become. Then I mentally talk myself through them.
If yours are affecting your life and family then you should at least try the medication until you feel a bit stronger. I have considered it myself, but recently mine have been improving so I am holding off for now.

Good luck to you, I really do feel your pain.

[The Third Rider]

Thanks for all the help guys I feel a little better now.:hug:I do have a question though. I have always had sleeping problems but at night when I am trying to fall asleep my heart will have one prolongled heart beat that besically makes my whole blood pressure in my body drop and that wakes me up immidiatly. Its happenning to me constantly and I can't stay asleep. I tried drinking water with sugar but it made me extremely hyper. Any suggestions? Thanks!:D Also I will look to see if I can get that book.


EDIT: I found this article regarding Hypoglycemia.

Alternative Mental Health (http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/hypoglycemia.htm)

Sound quite interes, when my panic attack started saturday I had eaten 2 glaced doughnuts and had some pasta. Last night I felt like my blood pressure was low and drank some water with sugar and it made me extremely hyper real fast. Any of you guys think Hypoglycemia might be it?

[Mempy]

Thanks for all the help guys I feel a little better now.:hug:I do have a question though. I have always had sleeping problems but at night when I am trying to fall asleep my heart will have one prolongled heart beat that besically makes my whole blood pressure in my body drop and that wakes me up immidiatly. Its happenning to me constantly and I can't stay asleep. I tried drinking water with sugar but it made me extremely hyper. Any suggestions? Thanks!:D Also I will look to see if I can get that book.


EDIT: I found this article regarding Hypoglycemia.

Alternative Mental Health (http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/hypoglycemia.htm)

Sound quite interes, when my panic attack started saturday I had eaten 2 glaced doughnuts and had some pasta. Last night I felt like my blood pressure was low and drank some water with sugar and it made me extremely hyper real fast. Any of you guys think Hypoglycemia might be it?

Hmm. I notice a glaring similarity between you and my best friend, who is very prone to panic attacks. Like you, she seems very aware of what her heart is doing, and she often claims, with a hand over her heart, that it is beating irregularly or skipping a beat or something like that.

I really feel for her, and you, and anyone with panic attacks. She saw a psychiatrist who she said "asked all the right questions" and prescribed her some medication that really helped. I'd definitely suggest that course of action, at least until you feel stronger, as Delilah said.

I don't know what triggers panic attacks; it may be different for every person, but it MAY help to avoid caffeine. My anxiety and negative thoughts are often amplified by the stuff (I don't have panic attacks, though).

Rereading some of the posts in this thread, all I can think is :(.

[Tallulah]

Thanks for all the help guys I feel a little better now.:hug:I do have a question though. I have always had sleeping problems but at night when I am trying to fall asleep my heart will have one prolongled heart beat that besically makes my whole blood pressure in my body drop and that wakes me up immidiatly. Its happenning to me constantly and I can't stay asleep. I tried drinking water with sugar but it made me extremely hyper. Any suggestions? Thanks!:D Also I will look to see if I can get that book.


EDIT: I found this article regarding Hypoglycemia.

Alternative Mental Health (http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/hypoglycemia.htm)

Sound quite interes, when my panic attack started saturday I had eaten 2 glaced doughnuts and had some pasta. Last night I felt like my blood pressure was low and drank some water with sugar and it made me extremely hyper real fast. Any of you guys think Hypoglycemia might be it?

Diet can be a big factor, Third. When your body gets run down and your nerves are shot, you can be more sensitive to sugar. Controlling your blood sugar levels can help a lot. I started eating mini-meals, rather than 3 big ones, and I cut WAY back on sugar. That helped the attacks a LOT. Basically, just remember to eat complex carbs, not simple ones, and pair it with high-quality protein, every time you eat.

I would take the medication, especially at first. You need some immediate relief so you can better deal with the stuff that's likely causing the attacks. Don't feel bad about needing meds. You don't have to become dependent.

[dnivera]

Breathe deeply. Do 7-11 diaphragm breathing (count to 7 inhaling, exhale for a count of 11 or even longer). Repeat for several cycles. This triggers your body to relax and grounds your anima with the earth. Your anima is in your breath - reawaken yourself by deep breathing often.

Do yoga, tai chi, or other kind of meditative exercise.

Definitely talk to someone, preferably a professional; otherwise a close friend. Talk out your fears and what's going on in your mind. Don't be afraid to open up.

I am a high-anxiety person and have had lots of panic attacks in the past. As a result of 10 years of yoga, increased self-awareness, therapy, living a slower lifestyle and not putting so much pressure on myself, I've become a more chill person who deals better with stress. I highly recommend talking to a mental health professional or a group session.

My ENFP friend deals with anxiety with tranquilizing drugs. I think they have more of a placebo effect on her, personally.

[MedGirl]

Hi Third Rider,

Sorry you're going through this. I've personally never had panic attacks but I've worked with some patients that have them and I know that they symptoms can be really unbearable at time. The symptom you're describing of your heart feeling like it's skipping a beat is extremely characteristic of anxiety disorders and is almost 100% not caused by hypoglycemia. True hypoglycemia is really rare except in people who are diabetics and taking medications that lower their blood sugar too much. I bet that as you get treatment for the panic attacks, the insomnia and sensations with your heart and blood pressure will start to go away.

I also am a big proponent for meds, not for everyone and certainly not as the only avenue of treatment. But I've seen some people really debilitated by panic attacks who were greatly helped when they decided to give meds a try. It has nothing to do with being weak or not having self control- what you have is really a biological disorder that needs a biological treatment the same as high cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. I'm sure the doctor will have a good specific plan for you, but I bet a combination of meds as well as therapy to exam the underlying issues will greatly help you. Glad you're seeking help and I hope this gets better for you soon!

[LostInNerSpace]

Do yoga, tai chi, or other kind of meditative exercise.


Yes. Tai Chi and meditation. Definately! I forgot about that.

This is the best book I've found on anxiety:

Amazon.com: Hope and Help for Your Nerves (Signet): Claire Weekes: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Help-Your-Nerves-Signet/dp/0451167228/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221192004&sr=8-1)

Also try this:

Amazon.com: 8 Minute Meditation: Quiet Your Mind. Change Your Life.: Victor Davich: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Minute-Meditation-Quiet-Mind-Change/dp/0399529950/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221192041&sr=8-1)

[The Third Rider]

Thanks for the help guys. It started happening to me almost only on saturday nights up until last saturday night when it started and than they keep going for 3 straight days and they also kept me from sleeping. I already made peace with myself, and I am controlling them a lot better. Right now I am very calm and I am not scared of them like I was. I have it in the back of my head that they are going to happen again so I am not as scared and I can supress my anxiety. I am still going to try to get some medicine, but I still don't know what triggers them, I am not afraid a specific thing or place or have a traumatic past. I will look to see if I can get those books though, I am sure that they are going to help me a lot.

[alicia91]

I find the only thing that controls mine other than drugs is following a low-carb diet. I definately believe that it has something to do with blood sugar levels (at least in some people). It's commonly talked about on some of the low-carb internet boards that I frequent so I know that I'm not alone. In my case I do better if I eat less frequently (3 square meals per day) since insulin is released every time you eat regardless of what you are consuming.

Prior to discovering this I tried some of the self-help books and found that they were somewhat useful in handling a panic attack, however most of them assume that you have certain fears/issues that are troubling you. In my case, there were no issues that I could identify.

Recently I did an experiment, after eating low-carb all summer, I went on a carb kick and whamo - anxiety is back. so I'm back on the program. Exercise and meditation also help me.

[Travo7]

Hey Third Rider,

Some of your posts sound exactly like my wife's experience, who btw, is an ENFJ. She had panic attacks every night, wouldn't sleep, and when she did she would wake me up in the middle of the night thinking she was going to have a heart attack (panic attacks and indigestion are often mistaken for heart attacks). Initially I could talk to her and calm her down, but the attacks became worse with time, to the point where she HAD to get medical help.

They gave her zoloft, and frankly, it worked very well. I'm not saying that they are right for everyone, or that there are no alternative treatments, but in my wife's case it was the only thing that helped her.


I hope this helps in some way. :)

[dal]

In my experience this sounds more like an anxiety disorder than panic attacks. Panic attacks are usually very acute and can be serious enough to call an ambulance. Anxiety attacks tend to be lower grade, but last for days or weeks at a time.

I don't know how you've gotten this far without medication. I was in the emergency room the first day. If you have not gone already, you need to see your doctor. You need to get an EKG and blood test to rule out certain medical conditions. You may or may not need medication, but if you do you need to be careful because some of them are extremely addictive and should not be taken for extended periods of time.

The next step is modifying your lifestyle. If you can, clear your schedule for a few days so that you can sleep and relax. Exercise (walking or other low-impact) during this time, since movement seems to help. Examine your life to determine what may be causing the attacks. Anxiety attacks are often brought on by things like overwork, concern for your family, poor personal health, and drastic life changes.

If you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages, eat a lot of fast or processed foods, or just generally have a poor diet, chances are that adjusting it will help. I went from drinking somewhere around a half dozen cups of caffeinated tea per day to the same amound of herbal tea, and from fast food burgers to healthier home-cooked meals.

Hope this helps :)
Dal

[SolitaryPenguin]

I used to have crippling attacks about 7 years ago, to the point of passing out. I eventually found, through reading and a lot of yoga and meditation, that most of my attacks were becoming larger than they should just by my thinking about the attack coming on (anxiety begets more anxiety)

I had thought about taking meds, and I am sure they would have helped, but I chose a more spiritual and introspective route, and got myself straight.

I've been attack free for about 3 years now, and when I feel even the slightest inkling of one, I am able to get out of it almost immediately.

I feel for you, those were some shitty times. Good luck getting better.

[The Third Rider]

Well, I am doing a lot better now. I do have to thank CzeCze a little bit though, I was a nervous wreck and when I read that I might develop OCD It scared the living shit out of me!!! XD (thanks a lot lol) But I got a grip on myself immediately and got full control of myself. My family has been a great support to me and I cannot thank my mother enough (provably never will either). I went to the doctor and it was a less than unspectacular meting, she was in a hurry it seems(:rolli:) and our conversation was brief. She told me how I felt and what not and what had happened to me and she sent me to talk to a physiologist. Either way she asked if I wanted medication but since I got a grip on myself and don't let those fears take me over like they did (I had a 4 straight days crash curse on what panic attacks are :D) I told her I would do without medication for now. The daily symptoms do piss me off though, my head sometimes feels like its getting compressed real hard and sometimes it feels numb. the back of my head feels stiff too and my ears are itchy at times. This also brings me to my next point, I asked her if I could be seen by and ear specialist to have my ears checked out. For the past 2 months my panic attacks had been happening almost exclusively on Saturday nights but I never really knew why, until I went to my Barber shop last Saturday where they were blasting music and my head felt like it was being smashed against a door and I got real anxious. It so happens that I help a friend of my DJ on Saturday nights (:headphne:) and I remember that the music made my anxiety pretty bad. It seems that people that have sensitive ears can also develop anxiety so I need to know if my ears are the reason why I am suffering. If not I guess I will just grab a bottle of tequila and call it a life.:D

[Nocapszy]

OK it seems like I have developed a anxiety/panic attack disoder over the last two months and now I have panic attacks daily. I want to know if anyone here is familiar with them and what I can do. I have already setup an appointment with my doctor and I am sure she will send me to a psychologist or psychiatrists for treatment.

Chances are, they're just going to give you dangerous and addicting drugs.
I'd say your best bet is to just cut the middle man out, and get them from your local dealer.

It's far less legal, but they have more potent stuff anyway.

Also this way, might not have to pay as much -- those doctors charge out the ass.
There's only a 10% chance you'll have to pay as much in legal fines.

[Jack Flak]

Also this way, might not have to pay as much -- those doctors charge out the ass.
The street markup for prescription drugs is high. Not that I think you're giving actual advice, by any means.

[The Third Rider]

Wow, I just noticed that most people here who have generalized anxiety are INTPs.

[Jennifer]

My theory is that it's about Fe.

That was my experience.

I usually had them in connection with social anxiety -- like I had violated some social rule (fair or not) and let my self-image in the hands of other people, to judge me or not.

I felt like I couldn't breathe, I'd get dizzy, sometimes my heart would speed up, my vision would blacken around the edges, and I had to put my head down. It would last 5-10 minutes for me.

I guess the other times I've gotten them (less) where when I felt I had no control over the world around me -- like suddenly I had lost large chunks of money or some other similar event. That's more a Te thing.

But there's the common denominator: The world was beyond my control, and I had somehow made myself vulnerable and thus was in real danger without my being able to do anything about it.

The more control I felt I had in my life -- either by being more proactive with events or by dismantling the "face" I wanted to project to others to win their approval -- the less and less I've had them.

Wow, I just noticed that most people here who have generalized anxiety are INTPs.

I was on Wellbutrin (extended release) for six years.

The type doesn't know how to process feelings, has trouble feeling comfortable in society, and is very aware of ambiguity in the world (and thus how few "answers" there are and how dangerous things could be). There's a lot of reason to be anxious, especially because you need to do things in life to succeed/survive that make you face these stressful situations.

For the past 2 months my panic attacks had been happening almost exclusively on Saturday nights but I never really knew why, until I went to my Barber shop last Saturday where they were blasting music and my head felt like it was being smashed against a door and I got real anxious. It so happens that I help a friend of my DJ on Saturday nights () and I remember that the music made my anxiety pretty bad. It seems that people that have sensitive ears can also develop anxiety ...

I also found that, after working in quiet all day long, going home to a rowdy house with loud kids would set me on edge instantly -- my head would swim, I'd utterly stress out, and I wanted to either scream and yell or else go crawl under my bed until I had had time to adjust to the stimulation. it wasn't just "irritation," i literally felt like I was going insane.

remember the fall of the House of Usher, by Poe? Yes, sensitivities to stimulation can result in anxiety if you're in an overstimulating environment.

[Mempy]

That was my experience.

I usually had them in connection with social anxiety -- like I had violated some social rule (fair or not) and let my self-image in the hands of other people, to judge me or not.

I felt like I couldn't breathe, I'd get dizzy, sometimes my heart would speed up, my vision would blacken around the edges, and I had to put my head down. It would last 5-10 minutes for me.

I guess the other times I've gotten them (less) where when I felt I had no control over the world around me -- like suddenly I had lost large chunks of money or some other similar event. That's more a Te thing.

But there's the common denominator: The world was beyond my control, and I had somehow made myself vulnerable and thus was in real danger without my being able to do anything about it.

The more control I felt I had in my life -- either by being more proactive with events or by dismantling the "face" I wanted to project to others to win their approval -- the less and less I've had them.



I was on Wellbutrin (extended release) for six years.

The type doesn't know how to process feelings, has trouble feeling comfortable in society, and is very aware of ambiguity in the world (and thus how few "answers" there are and how dangerous things could be). There's a lot of reason to be anxious, especially because you need to do things in life to succeed/survive that make you face these stressful situations.


Wow. This describes me quite perfectly. I don't think I'm INTP, though. I mean, the T/F axis has for a long time seemed like the one I straddle the most, but... hmm. Whatever, I don't even know if it's relevant whether I'm T or F. Relevant to my life, that is, not to the topic.

The funny thing is - about control, though - is that the more that I seem to try to acquire it... well, let's put it like this. The more I try to be invulnerable and the more I try to shape my identity by repressing certain feelings and thoughts, the LESS control I seem to have. I seem to be less effective. Ineffective and unhappy.

Maybe a lot of my anxiety was caused by the sense that I was just ineffective, weak, not at all who I wanted to be. But it's possible - in fact, probable - to have the wrong criteria for who you want to be. Somehow, I think I got it into my head that there was something wrong with me that I felt certain things; that my outlook had to have been flawed, or else why would I have so much pain? But... I think it makes more sense to see emotions as natural, healthy, even if they hurt, even if they don't seem to fit with your capable, confident, all-around whatever - cool, smart, quick on the uptake - type of individual. Hmm. And a lot of my anxiety has gone now, in recent days, since realizing this. Realizing, yeah, you really ought to feel those things, and that it wasn't a lack of defenses that made me so helpless, but an overabundance of them - defenses against my feelings, against parts of me that just cannot be denied without serious repercussions - is what has helped me. I guess I feel like maybe I'm growing into myself. And there's a lot less confusion about who I ought to be and what I ought to feel, because I know that you cannot choose what you feel (well, you can, but it's not healthy). You can only choose what you DO.

And Jennifer, I got this idea from your book, actually, the one you recommended (Honoring the Self by Nathaniel Branden, in case anyone's curious). And it really makes sense, SO much of what he says, but THIS really helped. A lot. So thank, THANK YOU for recommending it to me. :) Really. I could just give you the BIGGEST HUG! *squeezes the breath out of you* :hug:

I usually had them in connection with social anxiety -- like I had violated some social rule (fair or not) and let my self-image in the hands of other people, to judge me or not.

Yeah, with regard to this... for a long time I've considered it terribly weak to be affected by what other people think of you. I thought, "A truly wise person would not base their self-worth on what other people think." And while this is true for the most part, I think I carried it too far. I think I started to think that I ought not to feel hurt by people, or embarrassed in social situations or after mistakes. But most of all, maybe, I thought I should not be afraid.

Essentially, I think for a long time I equated independence with not being affected by people, and this was the beginning of the end for me, lol. I was afraid to feel those things, and somewhere along the way I began to think I should not.

Pretty hard to keep up your self-esteem when what you base your self-esteem on is not being afraid.

But after a while, I think subconsciously you start to notice that there's a huge split between who you really are (what you really feel) and who you want to be (what you want to feel), and I think that's what was causing my anxiety, at least in part, if not in whole. And this is kind of what I mean when I'm referring to what you said about dismantling the face you want to project. But I'm thinking of it a little more broadly, and calling it self-image. Your self-image can be quite self-destructive, for lack of a better term. It can be... cruel, unreasonable, in the sense that it is an impossible ideal and cannot be achieved by anyone, but you hold yourself to that ideal nonetheless, perhaps because it seems necessary for your survival and happiness... when in reality, all it is doing is actually making you miserable, helpless, confused, anxious and troubled. You stack up defenses to make yourself feel safer, but all you feel is more helpless.

[Hmm]

I have heard about how severe anxiety/panic attacks just suddenly come on in adults who have never had them before. I wonder what causes this.

[Chaotictheorist]

I still have Panic and anxity attacks alot in my life. My heart feels like it is going to bust and sometimes I feel like I am going crazy and need to flee the place I am currently at. I have actually hidden in my bed under the covers trying to make it go away before. The best thing I can think of non-medical is to sit and count and wait for it to pass. I found that the attack doesn't last but maybe an hour or so.

I found it helpful to keep telling myself that everything is alright and nothing is wrong. I then try and rationalize all my responces and what caused them. I then figure out plans to avoid the triggers of said responces. When I do that I do not have to fear the attack because I know the cause of it.