Anxiety/Panic attacks

[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]

Originally Posted by dnivera

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

Also try this:

Amazon.com: 8 Minute Meditation: Quiet Your Mind. Change Your Life.: Victor Davich: Books

[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() 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 ) 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 () 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.

[Nocapszy]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.