How much is too much?

Grady,

You may have only one or two panic attacks in your lifetime. But if you have had several panic attacks and have spent long periods in constant fear of another attack, you may have a chronic condition called panic disorder. This sounds a bit like what is happening with you. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you change thinking (cognitive) patterns that trigger your fears and panic attacks. It can also help you change the way you react (behave) to anxious or fearful situations. During therapy sessions, you learn to recognize things that trigger your panic attacks or make them worse, such as specific thoughts or situations. You also learn ways to cope with the anxiety and physical symptoms associated with panic attacks. I am wondering if you have access to CBT therapy in your area.  If not and you are interested I will post the link to a free online website for CBT.

How often to take your medication - I would consult your physician,  the one that prescribed it.

I have only had 3 panic attacks in my life as everything else has just been anxiety at different levels.

I wish you peace.

Kindly,

Kitt

Thank you for replying so quickly! I don't take any meds on a daily basis, well nexium, but it is for acid reflux. I am not sure if I have a CBT therapy in my area or not. I have never heard of CBT therapy. What exactly is it? Can I check it out online? I would love to have the website.

I am pretty sure what brought this all on, I have recently stopped speaking to my father. Not by my choice. I am not sure if he has been "diagnosed" withit, but I am pretty sure he is a paranoid schizophrenic, June 21 he called me and asked why I was having his phone bugged and more of that paranoid stuff! He has a girlfriend who swares she saw us(me and my 2 brothers) looking in their windows, which we have not. I have tried to call him and he hasn't called back. I wrote him a very long letter letting him know how I am feeling about this whole situation and I even sent him a birthday card at the beginning of September with pictures of his 1 and only grandson and I still haven't heard from him. I guess I think I could live without talking to him myself, but how does a grown man not care if he see's his only grandson again. He used to visit 1-2 times a week! I like to think it doesn't bother me, but deep down it does. This whole panic attack anxiety attack really started then. I guess I had always kind of felt a panic come on, but I have been able to talk myself out of having an attack since I was pregnant with my boy who is now 2and a half. I had to deliver 6 weeks earily because of my blood pressure and all the nurses always coming intomy room telling me to calm down which then sent me into panic thinking I was dying! That is when it all really kicked in. But I have gone on a diet and quit drinking pepsi and down to 1 cup of coffee a day, I thought I was doing great, off all my blood pressure meds then this all happened with my dad. Since then Ihave not been myself. Get axiety when ever I go out of my house I might as well say.!

What are breathing techniques or other things to make it all go away! I have lorazopam 1mg but I would rather not have to be depended on any medication. Please help!

Hi Grady,

I used to be adamantly opposed to medication considering only all-natural and alternative treatment approaches. I still strongly believe in them, but I've come to accept that traditional medication does have its place too. I would encourage you to share your concerns about the medication with your doctor. I was mostly concerned about all the potential and often frightening side effects as well as the possibility of becoming addicted. But in my darkest moment my family helped me to find a compassionate psychiatrist who reassured me that he would work with me and help me to find the right combination and dosage of medications and work with my concerns along the way so that I would be comfortable with the medications that we (not him alone) decided upon. Having that kind of relationship with your doctor makes a big difference.

As far as your dad... wow. I'm sorry to hear what's going on. Has he ever been to a professional to be evaluated? If he really does have schizophrenia or anything else for that matter there is help available; there are options. In the meantime it could potentially explain some of his behavior. A person with schizophrenia is not in touch with reality and so he may not truly comprehend how he's acting or what he's doing to his family. I understand that you're hurt; but it may not be the true him that you're seeing right now.

And hopefully if you get into therapy for yourself you'd have someone who you can talk to not just about the panic attacks, but also about your father and how to help/ if to help, etc...

You also said that you feel like you're going crazy and asked how often a person is supposed to have a panic attack. The short answer is that there is no answer. It's different for every person. But I can tell you that the more you worry about it, the more you wonder if you're going crazy, the more you sit around wondering when the next attack will strike, the more you're prone to have. But it sounds like you're putting the pieces together which is great. The combination of the right kind and frequency of medication, along with counseling, and understanding the stressors in your life that may be leading you to panic are all important steps towards wellness. Do you remember what you did that helped the panic back when you were pregnant? Those types of techniques and attitude changes are what counseling can help with so that you don't become dependent exclusively on medication. Good luck!