Panic Attacks

[Anonymous]

I don't really like posting things anonymously, but to tell the truth, I'm just out right embarrassed about this. I get panic attacks, and I hate them so much...They weren't really a problem up until about a month ago, now that they are starting to get so....tedious..and frequent...I don't like the feeling I get before, during, or after, them...feels like death.

[heartstrings]

what makes you have panic attacks? who have you talked to about it? have you had them in public places? is it affecting your everyday life enough to the extent that you might be willing to see a medical professional to help?

[My Dreams killed me]

Don't know, no one, and yes, but not as often as I have them in private. No I won't see a doctor, they don't do much to help in the wrong one, as I think I've may said once or twice before, I refuse to take medication

[Markme]

i know you refuse to take medication, so perhaps try a herbal or natural alternative.
Would you consider something like that?

ive seen quite a few people that were close to me experience panic attacks, alot of them didnt take medication.
But the ones that did, it helped them immensely.

[My Dreams killed me]

herbal I might be into, but no prescriptions, I've seen to many times when the drugs just made it worse, not better.

[nelvannya]

Not to discredit what Mark said... but I do not believe you need meds or herbal meds.
I personally think that you need to recoginze the signs of a panic attack...
For example when I have, excuse me, had panic attacks about Jay or my weight, they began with me staring off into space, then I would start to breath heavy, then I would think "hmmm I'm having a panic attack" the I would try to talk myself out of it, and by then I was too far into the attack to control it.
But I realized that when I stared to breath heavy, that is when I need to take action, take control of the situtation
I am a big advocate (as I have posted before) of discover your triggers. You might not be able to control the cause, but you can prevent it from furthering.
Find your beginnings... do you stare off into space, do you start to breath heavy, figure out your panic attacks... so that you can stop them dead in their tracks.
My friend has just died, and I nearly had my first panic attack in a year last night, but even with such a burden I was capable of saying NO, but that is because I know my triggers
I know that you are smart enough to find your triggers and strong enough to stop them

[nelvannya]

Check out the new article in the Disorder section, titled Stop Breathe Count to Three

[My Dreams killed me]

it's a great article, and I belive it to be true, but the only thing I don't understand, How do I "stop breathing" if I'm already feeling like I've lost all my breathe.....

[battlepoet]

to start of with i think you are incredibly brave to be able to shun drugs on principle, i genuinely don't know how you can do it, i had a series of panic attacks when i was younger, i was constantly scared of death, and couldnt leave my bedroom without being drunk enough to numb me. i know the diazepam and citalopram pulled me through, yes tranqs can be incredibly addictive, when you start taking them as soon as you wake up for years and years then yes you have a problem but if you get a prescription you generally have to follow a course and stop when you run out of pills. If you'd rather go the herbal route then i recommend st johns wort (a natural anti-depressant) and Valerian root which is a relaxant, both come in pills, you should be able to pick them up in pharmacies or even supermarkets.

ultimately you need to talk to a health professional, you don't need to take medication, in fact there are plenty of therapies available, cognitive behavioral therapy for example will help you recognize why you are having attacks and how to change the feelings you have about yourself so it doesn't happen.

i really hope you get through this, i know its fucking horrible having panic attacks and not enough people understand how awful it feels especially having to suffer them on a regular basis, if you want any more info about alternative medication, therapies etc just PM me and i'll give you some links.

[nelvannya]

Sorry it is more of Stop, Breathe... as in take a moment to wind your watch, think about what is going on and take action

[My Dreams killed me]

thanks all...and I used to be adictted to pain killers so I know the risks of medication.

[nelvannya]

Okay so how is your panic attacks going now?
Give us an update! Lols I'm in a very hyper mood today, I do apologize

[My Dreams killed me]

I've been very relaxed, thought nothing stressfull has come up so far...so I really have no way of telling...

[nelvannya]

Understandable... but at least you have had some time to relax. That is always good

[My Dreams killed me]

So they all tell me...Hey Nev, could you close the thread, it seems to be preety much a done deal...