I get panic attacks alot, what should I do?

Question

I get panic attacks pretty frequently or at least my grandmother and aunt say that's what they are. When I do have them my grandma gives me a pill called zanax. It seems to help, but should I see a doctor for this and get my own meds or see if there is a way to treat it? And if so, who or what type of doctor do I see?

Answer 1

first of all,Xanax is a great med.but you should not treat yourself.

Xanax can be addictive.I'll take your word that you have Panic

attacks.I suffered from Panic attacks.What helped me was seeing

a Psychiatrist for an evaluation.He suggested Prozac and threapy.

I suggest Cognitive Behavior Threapy by an expierenced Ph'D

In my case the Panic attackes ended in about three week's.

Usually there is an underlying depression,the Prozac will handle

that also.It's inportent that you see a therapist,not just take the med's

Good Luck

Answer 2

The first thing you should do is call your doctor. Right now. A doctor is the only one who can correctly diagnose what is happening with you.

Second, stop taking your grandmother's medication. It is illegal and could be very harmful to you. Again, a doctor is the one you should ask about different treatment options.

Before you go to the doctor, try to make a list of the symptoms you are having. Be as specific as you can. You can try to write in a journal every day as well. Bringing as much information as you can to your doctor can help him/her accurately diagnose you.

In the meantime, you can try some relaxation exercises. This one helps me sometimes. Lay down on your stomach either on the floor or a very firm bed. Bring your hands up under your head and rest your head on them. This position forces you to breath in a certain way that helps expand your lungs and helps to relax you.

Good luck and please go get help.

Answer 3

Yes you are wise to to think of seeing the doctor.Go to the GP and he can refer you further.

Answer 4

first of all , misuse of xanax can cause seizures especially when one suddenly stops taking it, you have no idea what dose you'd require for your body anyway, i'm sure it is not the same as your grandmothers. second, no one can diagnose you but a professional trained in diagnosing!!! third, you can control or manage panic attacks, or whatever anxiety you are experiencing, withOUT medications which build tolerance, dependence, and dangerous physical sideeffects.

if you don't want to bother with a psychologist or other talk therapist, you can try herbal medications such as valerian root, however these too don't come free of risks.

Vitamin B-1 (thiamine) and B6 are  better alternatives to take when you feel anxious. try the ones that you can dissolve on your tongue since they'll take immediate effect to calm your anxiety.

also PRACTICE breathing exercises every day like the one described here

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/altercomp/a/...

Answer 5

Xanax is a benzodiazapene (see www.drugs.com & www.rxlist.com) which can become addictive, and takes a very long time to taper off from; I'd try the following for several weeks. They should be sufficient.

View the techniques for control of anxiety/panic attacks, in section 8, at ezy build, below. Begin, on this first occasion, only, by holding your breath for 5, or 10 seconds: this will give you the confidence to realise that YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR BREATHING, but not pass out, or die (your autonomic nervous system resumes breathing, if you become unconscious). Understand panic attacks, and what triggers them, in your life (if it is unresolved anxiety, or stress, see sections 6, or 42, respectively). The paper bag method works for most people: try it.  

   If you are fairly suggestible, the following are reliable: http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/

Your last alternative is psychotherapy, to address its fundamental cause: read section 1, and examine the http://1-800-therapist.com/  website, and use the locators, and phone book. I used to suffer from panic attacks, until I questioned what had changed in my life, at, or just before that time, to trigger them. For some people, this is enough. These days, I have instilled the habit of, whenever a situation occurs where panic is likely, I visualise a large, "STOP!" sign, as vividly as possible, followed by repeating to myself: "stay calm" in my mind. You could try the same method. It usually takes 30 - 40 repetitions, for most people, to establish a new habit. I also suggest that you learn, then practise the controlled breathing technique, until competent, then employ it, at the very first sign of a panic attack.  

   Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from panic attacks, I deeply and completely accept myself." Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms (as do medications/herbal remedies): you need to address the underlying cause, and this requires some form of therapy, and Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy has proved effective.

   Advice from a published psychiatrist on controlled breathing. (1.) Get a clock, or watch with a second timer. (2.) Practise for 5 minutes, 4 times daily, until proficient. (3.) Take a small breath in, and hold it, for 6 seconds. (4.) Think to yourself: "RELAX", just before breathing out. (5.) Try to feel a sense of releasing tension, as you breathe out. (6.) Breathe in for 3 seconds, then out, for 3 seconds. Try to make your breathing very smooth, and light, as you breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, or nose. (7.) For the next minute, continue to breathe in, and out, every 3 seconds. (8.) Go back to step 3, at the end of the minute, and proceed through to step 7, doing this for 5 minutes. Use this at the very first sign of a panic attack starting, or any time you feel anxious, or tense.  

   Because many people can't access/afford professional therapy, I include the EFT, and EMDR variant for them to try, free of charge. Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy is generally available in most areas, but EMDR (see section 33) may well be worth trying, and is becoming more widespread.

  A variant of Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective, is on page N, of section 6, and I use it before the relaxation techniques, because I have found that it makes them quicker to employ, and more effective.        

        It may also help to minimise, or eliminate caffeine products from your life (coffee can be a trigger) and sugar. Xylitol, or Stevia is preferable, (health food stores) or fruit sugar (fructose, such as "Fruisana", from supermarket sugar aisles) or even a little honey. Minimise/eliminate consumption of highly processed foods, particularly grain products, such as white bread, donuts, cake, cookies/biscuits, or anything with sugar. Opt for more wholefoods, non-starchy vegetables, and fruit.  

Answer 6

Negative emotions (like sadness, stress, anger, etc.) causes your Serotonin production to be low; when your Serotonin level is low, you are more prone to getting Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, etc.

Medication like Antidepressants (SSRI - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) helps to boost Serotonin level.

But there are natural ways to do it without medication. There's this strange herb called "St John's Wort" - it is said to be more effective than Prozac. No, it is not for mild depression only and ignore those sayings. In fact, it does help anxiety and panic-attacks as St John's Wort works like prozac. Other natural ways will be exercise, diet, more exposure to light, etc.

The problem is that, even if your Serotonin is balanced... you have that "learned behavior" in your mind. You need to break that initial cycle to destroy that learned behavior - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) does this. A technique that you can use without CBT will be Distraction... There are several other techniques to help cope them!

Ok, to use Distraction: Firstly, try to....

Extracted from Source.

Answer 7

Here's a technique that I learnt to help me get through my panic attacks quickly...

I simply repeat the words 'cream cake' over and over in my head as quickly as I can without stopping.    You could use any word or words you like really but that's what I chose (because I like cream cakes).  It apparently works because it doesn't give your brain time to process the panicky thoughts and so helps you to relax again.  Seems strange I know ... but it works for me!

There's also a free ebook that I found really useful called 'Get Rid of Panic and Anxiety for Good'. If you want to take a look you can find it at: http://curepanicattacks.premiergold.info...    Even though I got it for free it has helped me absolutely loads!