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Thread: Panic Attacks

  1. #1
    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Panic Attacks

    Hey girls.

    I have constant hardcore panic attacks. They had calmed down for awhile and I had finished off my medication (Ativan) lately anyway, so I was doing fine.

    They're back. I'm having severe (one-two-three hour long sessions) panic attacks... it even wakes me up at night. I have no more medication and am unsure I want to go in to get more. I don't want to be dependant.

    Anybody have any advice or relaxation techniques... anything?


    Look like a woman
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    Work like a dog

    - My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success

  2. #2
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    My psychologist taught me to deal with them this way... she asked me how many times I had had a panic attack. I told her several, too many to count. She paused to let me think about that and then said, "You're still here to talk about it. Not a single one has killed you." For awhile after that, whenever I started feeling panicky, I would breathe deeply and remind myself that it's just a panic attack and they are harmless. It's just bullshit meaningless fear when there's nothing to be afraid of.

    Slow breathing and this sort of "mind over matter" thinking got rid of my panic attacks for the most part - I still have maybe one or two a year, but they're nowhere near as bad as they were.

  3. #3
    God/dess Lena's Avatar
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    Accupressure.

    I'll look it up later and give you more info, if you want.



  4. #4
    Veteran Member Korina's Avatar
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    I had them too. I think they were a result of abusing valium. I went through a rehab program last year in which my doc weened my off by giving me ativan. I also quit caffiene, starting doing more yoga and tried (although it's quite difficult for me) to keep a more regular sleep schedule.

    I still have problems sleeping so for the last year, I have been on very low doses of trazadone. It works for me and as a side effect, my panic attacks are very minimal.

    I can also drink coffee but usually just have a cup in the morning.

    I have medical insurance but trazadone is super affordable without it.

  5. #5
    Miss. Kristina Lee
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    look into some of lucinda bassetts books on agoraphobia and pnaic attacks they really helped me a lot.

  6. #6
    Featured Member red red red's Avatar
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    This might sound weird...

    I eat my way through panic attacks. It kind of helps tie me to the ground when they're really bad.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  7. #7
    Featured Member tampadancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    I'm sorry you're going through this.

    I went through a phase when I was having severe, frequent attacks about six months ago. I even called 911 and had paramedics come to my apartment because I swore I was having a heart attack. They are so scary...

    Yek is right, it is mind over matter, but during an anxiety attack, all rational thinking in thrown out the door. I still have them occassionally, and although logically I know that I am not dying, I cannot convince my body of that.

    The best way I have found to work through an attack without medication is walking around (I would go out and make laps around my apartment complex because I 'couldnt breathe' in my apartment), talking to someone (distraction and reassurance that you are okay), and breathing deeply and slowly - focus on making your heart beat slow.. close your eyes and visualize.

    I hope this helps

  8. #8
    Cally
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    I used to get them all the time, untill I convinced myself I was being stupid and panicing for nothing(I had a few so bad my ex took me to the hospital). You just have to stop thinking about them, they will eventually go away. Its all in the mind. My therapist told me once that I was having them because I was looking for something to be wrong with me, thriving for attention, he said that almost everyone that has these attacks is the same way.

  9. #9
    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    I've been hospitalized for panic attacks before. It's so terrifying.

    Last night I had one and it was lasting so long I finally got up and did the dishes! I was shaking and doing the dishes very fast (in retrospect, I might have to do them again...) and I was still shaking so I took a shower.

    There is something very specific causing these attacks. I don't want to talk about it to anyone online but I feel if I had someone I could talk to that REALLY would be nice, understanding and not tell anyone - it would really help.

    It's so weird, I wonder if it's happened to anyone else. When I get REALLY severe, flashes of things go before my eyes. Things I hardly or even don't remember. My boyfriend says it's probably memories from when I was little and that my brain is misfiring and remembering useless things. Anybody else have that problem?


    Look like a woman
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    Act like a lady
    Work like a dog

    - My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success

  10. #10
    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    Thanks Yek... your advice has been working the best so far.


    Look like a woman
    Think like a man
    Act like a lady
    Work like a dog

    - My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success

  11. #11
    Senior Member naughtylilminx's Avatar
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    My therapist told me that when I get them to make sure I write down when, where, how i felt and what I was doing. Thats so you can triger whats causing them. She told me to drastically cut down on any kind of caffine and to take vitamins. She also told me to breathe in slowly through my nose and then exhale through my mouth. If your with someone you can even have them give you a massage, talk you through it, hold you close, ect. whatever you think would make you feel better. And for at night try to take a nice calming bath or read a great book or watch a great movie before you go to bed. Sometimes you either need to be relaxed or you need to keep your mind off of things that maybe subconciously bothering you before you go to bed.

    I hope these work and I hope you start feeling better soon. I had them for years and still get them sometimes and I know its tough but they go away.

    ~kisses~
    If you love something let it go, If it comes back to you....

    Take it out back and bury it!

    Tell Kylie how you like it...

  12. #12
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    I am currently fighting panic attacks at night this week due to my upcoming flight. Usually I'm not afraid to fly, I just hate it. But a direct flight to JFK is bringing back 9/11 for me, for some reason, and I've been really freaking out about it. I'm flying Saturday morning so I'm just gonna work all night and try to sleep through the flight. Last night I was having a pretty bad panic attack so I just went to bed and concentrated on my breathing until I fell asleep. I'll probably be doing that for the next few days.

  13. #13
    Veteran Member katerina29's Avatar
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    I used to have them really badly for over 10 years. I read Lucinda Bassetts book From Panic to Power and that helped, I also did a relaxation tape. My Doctor told me that Anxiety is linked with depression (for me it was) and I started taking some antidepressants. Over the years the more confident I felt about myself the fewer attacks I had.

  14. #14
    Member bonniekat's Avatar
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    Default Re: Panic Attacks

    For years I have had anxiety and panic disorder that went undiagnosed and untreated. And while it is not the hallmark of my experience, I totally understand the thoughts you have during your episodes. Since I decided I did not want to become addicted to anti-anxiety medication or self medicate with alcohol (both of which can be effective in their own way) I looked for a therapist.

    I cannot recommend highly enough CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy. If you call around to therapists, they'll know the terminology and you can interview until you find one who suits you. It is not the stereotypical talking therapy. It is very action/solution oriented and actually incorporates many of the suggestions you have already received. It is also not something that requires a lifetime commitment. In a matter of months your life can change completely -- and I know how cheesy that sounds. In my case, I not only do not take medication, but I no longer have it in my house and I have not had an episode as you describe in a very long time. It won't cure you magically, but you'll be empowered and you will feel better for the long run. Best of luck whatever you choose.

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