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Posted 8/28/2007 9:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all, I am chowch and think I have been suffering panic attacks for 7 years although I didnt realise what they were. I have learned that I need to be more open and talk more rather than holding everything in and fending for myself so here I am trying to learn new ways but still get panic/anxiety attacks and want help.
Posted 8/28/2007 11:58 AM (GMT 0)
Good Morning and WELCOME to HW

Yes you should be able to come to a place that you can open up and talk about anything you are going thru
This forum and the ppl are fantastic with support care and empathy for each other and for new members

Resources are at the side and just keep posting no such thing as a silly question I think anyways
There is NO judgement here either
Glad you found us and do hope you will stay with us here

be well
Have a great day

LYN
There are plenty of self help books and self help techniques like Relaxation,Breathing........Cognitive behavioural Therapy all talked about on here .........I think the ppl will be as supportive as possible for you
STAY with us ........LYN
Posted 8/28/2007 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
I am on a waiting list for CBT, should be round about Xmas that I should get an appointment. I have been having panic attacks for about 7 years although I don't think I had recognised the symptoms. I was put on a beta blocker, but my vision and head felt quite dizzy, so I have just stopped taking them. I understand the breathing techniques etc but have real trouble doing them - I fear passing out and the embarassment of it, so I want to learn very discreet ways of overcoming an attack etc, anyone got any ideas or help?
Posted 8/28/2007 2:14 PM (GMT 0)

Chow

Welcome to Healing Well and the A & P Forum.

I am sorry you are experiencing anxiety attacks. During an anxiety attack, focus on taking very slow, deep breaths. Avoid breathing fast and shallow.  It takes concentrating completely on your breathing but this method works for many people.

I am sure other members will have some other helpful ideas for you and again welcome to the family.

Posted 8/28/2007 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
I have never had any luck trying to discreetly overcome my panic episodes. That doesn't mean somebody else does not have a means. I usually get out of what ever situation I am in and start using breathing techniques regardless of where I am or what I am doing. I also take .5 mg Klonopin in these situations. That has helped me a lot with dealing while in the middle of the attack. Most of my friends and family know me though and if I have disappeared they assume im dealing with this issue and need some alone time. Being more open about it is important. I have had a lot of support from friends and family since I started dealing with these issues.

You should have seen my last girlfriend when I first had a panic attack in front of her. I have been having these for years and knew what was happening but she had no idea what was going on and I swear she started to freak out more than I did. This was right in front of some of her friends that I was just meeting for the first time. I am not sure whether there was any embarrassment factor for her but I sure could have cared less at the time. It was flight or flight for me back then and I sure left that sceen with as much grace and dignity as I could (I ran to my car as fast as I could and sat there for an hour).

My point is that we have a condition that many people  we encounter everyday will not be able empathize with. People who have epilepsy should not feel embarrassed when they have an attack and neither should we. They are both medical conditions that deserve understanding from others. But I encourage you to experiment on methods to help you through your attacks. Keep trying to work on improving your breathing. Going for walks helps me to release the adrenalin in my body.

Posted 8/28/2007 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
I recently admitted to my family and the doctor how I had been feeling, and my family have been excellent. I am finding it quite difficult just to talk though, which is why I thought it might be easier to do it on here. I recently gave up an executive position due to having a couple of panic attacks in the boardroom and thinking "this isn't for me", I now work part-time doing telesales and I also do aromatherapy parties in the evening and that's it. I now have the time to take my son to school and to relax - however, when someone says "what are you worrying about?!", I honestly can't answer them because I don't feel that I am worrying more than the norm about the usual things ie money, relationships, children etc etc

I have had a few attacks in my part time job and on a couple of occasions have had to leave work early, I have one minor attack at the start of one of my party's, but managed to get through it. I have read lots on the net and they all say embrace the attacks, which I find impossible to do, because I am so tense about another one starting that I am apparantley worrying all the time about it.

I do try breathing, but don't know if I am doing it right and I find it so hard to concentrate on anything other than the attack! Now that my family know I think I feel better. Subconsciously I know I have made all the right decisions but seem to be beating myself up in the mind all the same. Does that make sense?

I have just been to the library and got a book out on Tai Chi, which is meant to be good for stress and relaxation.

Posted 8/28/2007 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
When breathing, find a secluded quiet spot (you can use relaxing music aswell) and try to picture one inanimate object. Doesnt really matter what it is. For example, just try to imagine a quarter. Anytime you notice your mind starting to wander, go back to focussing on the quarter. If you keep doing this, the intervals between distractions should increase. Continue to take deep breaths while focussing on the object. Hopefully this will help with your breathing.
Posted 8/28/2007 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thankyou, I shall try it.
Posted 8/28/2007 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
welcome chowch!
Posted 8/29/2007 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
:-)  Welcome to the site.  I haven't been on it myself to long and I can tell you it has been helping me a lot.  When you realize how many people out there are having the same issue as you are, you find that you are not alone.

I have just started seeing a therapist to find out why I am suddenly having these attacks, they hit me every single morning and I too can't figure out why.  A lot has happened in my life in these last two years and I think my coping mechanism has hit the skids.

Right now, I am seeing a therapist once a week and she suggested that I take some medication to help prevent the morning attacks until we find out what the route of them are.  I am taking Xanax .25 three times a day and I haven't had an attack for the last four days.  I feel that getting these attacks is like an avalanche, the more you get them the more your body is conditioned to get them and they wont stop.  In taking the medication, I am hoping to recondition myself not to get them anymore and with the help of a therapist find out why this is happening to me, and then finally not have to take meds anymore.

In speaking to a lot of women in my age group 55+, I am finding out that getting these attacks all of a sudden is very common, something to do with hormones(?) or something.

Keep the faith, you will find out what will work for you, and keep coming to this site.  I find venting with stangers who don't know you lets you release some of the pent up emotions that can be causing your anxiety, and you can really get some really great advise here on how to handle the attacks when they come.

 

Posted 8/29/2007 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
Is Xanax an anti depressant and is it addictive? I sometimes think medication is the easy answer to stop these attacks but then I think I need to overcome them myself, so I am on nothing at the moment. I am only 30 which is another reason why I can't get my head around all of this, it just doesn't seem right that it should be happening to me.........I started a diary last night, wrote down everything that was hacking me off and I have to say it did feel quite good, but I had a terrible nights sleep last night, kept waking up every couple of hours etc, I just keep wondering whether it really can get any worse>!>
Posted 8/29/2007 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW

I started having PA's at age 8 or 9 and have had them all my life ..am 53
I use meds with self help techniques to get thru them
Meds are not an easy way out hun
Many ppl do not have the proper chemical balances in their system to fight the A/p and panic hence the reason for some SSRI's and other meds
I am sure all at one point or another have asked "WHY ME" ...I know I have but then I figure okay why not me lol.....
A/p has no particular preference...it can and will strike anyone at any given time IMHO....

I am glad you found us and do hope you will stick around and read the other threads and queations as well as get the support you need right here
It is a great group of ppl that do know what you are talking about and how you feel

Stay with us

LYN
Posted 8/29/2007 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
I have to say I have found it very helpful to know that I am not alone, and have just been prescribed Citalopram 20mg a day. I'm hoping they will be enough to get me over the worst, I am on a waiting list to see a CBT person locally, and hopefully that will help too.
Posted 8/29/2007 11:50 AM (GMT 0)

Good Morning Chow

Xanax is an anti-anxiety medication not an antidepressant. Sounds like your working on all the right things, keep it up.  Keep posting as the support here is awesome :)

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