Panic attacks wake me up every night

Here is a list of links that you can try...perhaps you will find help in something new? Aslo below, I have copied my favorite breathing exercise, which has gotten me through...and prevented many attacks!

Have you had any improvement? Let us know how your progress is coming along. Do you have any support near by? I hope that you do have someone that you can reach out to in your area.

We are here for you...keep posting!



Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions

Panic attack relief exercises:

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

Free on-line CBT programs:

http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome

Peaceand Rest,
I am sorry you have been dx with "broken heart syndrome". Broken heart syndrome symptoms may be brought on by the heart's reaction to a surge of stress hormones. In broken heart syndrome, a part of your heart temporarily enlarges and doesn't pump well, while the remainder of the heart functions normally or with even more forceful contractions. You probably already learned this from your Cardiologist so forgive me if I am repeating info to you. I moderate the heart Forum also.

It's thought that a surge of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, might temporarily damage the hearts of some people.

There's no proven therapy to prevent additional episodes; however, many doctors recommend long-term treatment with beta blockers or similar medications that block the potentially damaging effects of stress hormones on the heart.

Managing stress in your life is also important. Have you ever tried journaling? Journaling allows you to clarify your thoughts and feelings thereby gaining valuable self-knowledge. Journaling can counteract many of the harmful effects of stress.

Please remember I am not a physician so these are my own personal thoughts.

I wish you peace,
Kitt

I've had a massive panic disorder since the pregnancy of my child 7 years ago. I've been hospitalized over and over for it and I quite sick of being afraid all the time. Something I've studied over and over again how physical activity helps overcome anxiety. From my experience mine was so severe I wouldn't leave the house for months, just the thought would throw me into a fit of panic so bad I would pass out over and over again. So I started out slowly, I walked through my house for a week, then gradually starte walking up the stairs outside to my house, then the week after walking in circles around my house, then on the sidewalk in front on my house, then down a little more an a little more. It took me 2 months to learn how to walk the block! Eventually I joined a gym, then would take classes that lasted an hour. Boy was that tough at first! Then I started driving again, and 3 years later got a job. Now I'm in a rough patch, I had to quit my job because I broke my wrist, 6 weeks of being in the house brought me almost all the way back to where I started but I have the confidence of knowing I did it before and it can be done again. I am taking an SSRI to help treat the anxiety and Xanax for full on attacks. It's helped a lot. Reading and keeping myself busy keeps my stressful thoughts at bay for most the time. I know it's SO HARD!!! I've been there, you need to find something that works for you. You have to literally force yourself to try. Goodluck