I have had panic attacks since I was 11 years old and I need help on getting them under control

Question

I'm 16 years old and I have been having panic attacks since I was 11 years old, it started with nightmares and then it started to happen in the middle of the day and in class. I don't say anything to anyone I just put my head on my desk and freak out. Sometimes it is so scary that I just brake down and cry. My doctors and my family all know, and I take panic attack medicine and everything. It scares me because I don't even know if I can live on my own, which I would like to but I just can't control it anymore. And when they happen know body does anything my parents just start yelling and moving faster and talking about problems as soon as I say I am having a panic attack. My mom talks about how she is having pain and worry's more about her dog then me. So I am willing to try anything, I have tried paloty and yoga. I have tried meditating thinking positive and everything. any advice would be amazing

Answer 1

This is the most AMAZING book and will help you get your panic attacks under control. It has helped me with general anxiety and panic due to stress. I even keep index cards in my purse so I know what to say when it happens :o)

http://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Phobia-Wor...

Some basic ideas are: deep breathing when it happens, go for a walk to sidetrack yourself, touch the floor or something stable to ground yourself. They also give ways to keep it from reaching full blown panic and what to do when it does. The best advice they give is to ride it out and don't fight it, because that makes it work. Say, "ok, here we go again!" Please try the book.  

Answer 2

When you start to feel one coming on don't focus on it, that's what makes them begin and continue.  When one comes on just make yourself think about something else, focus your energy on something positive or just something that is happening around you.  Breathe deep breaths and tell yourself you aren't going to have one.  Immediately after saying this to yourself think about something else.  With practice you will be able to stop them before they even start.

Answer 3

It sounds like you have alot of un-needed stress in your life, I do not know were you are from, but please just go outside, get some air and think things out.  

Answer 4

I've had panic attacks since I was 13 (I'm now 26).  I know exactly how you feel.  I thought I'd never be able to drive or go to college.  Well, I've done that and so much more!!

First of all, you need to get a good support system.  Even though I was embarassed as a teenager about my problem, I found that talking about it to others, and a counselor helped so much.  Also, you may want to talk to your doctor about your medicine and the dosage if its not helping.  Keep up the yoga and pilates or any kind of work out.  But most of all, have faith that you WILL get better and there is help out there for you

Answer 5

Hi, I am the author of http://panicattackresearch.blogspot.com

Do not worry, I am not spamming my site - my site don't sell products or anything. My site is solely dedicated to panic-attacks or people whom have anxiety. I give tips on how to sleep even if you have anxiety.

Please do visit and post any questions there or here so that I can help you further.

I have been a sufferer for 12-years and am doing well. My blog is dedicated to help. I will be updating my blog every 5-7 days on new ways to cope anxiety. I have just made few good entries on coping - I hope it will help you.

I started out taking prozac 20mg daily.. then it dropped to 10mg and now I am just taking 5mg and still doing very well. I might be considering taking medication off my life.

And most importantly, I am here to help you because I know how it feels to have anxiety or panic attacks.

There are free tips and free items on relaxation and such for you to download!

All the best,

Seng

Answer 6

Sometimes I freak out but then I just go home lay in my bed and think of the saddest things and cry.

Answer 7

My doctor put me on Xanax which helped me to get through "young adulthood" so to speak.  It's such a tough and nerve wracking period in anyone's life so no wonder I - and you - felt such panic.  But once I ended college I couldn't take the Xanax anymore because it interfered with my "growth."  So I decided to kick the drugs which was really hard. But I did it and I'm so happy now.