Persistent panic attacks... ?

Question

I think I'm having panic attacks. They come on out of nowhere, usually when I'm under a lot of stress (which is often due to my job), and they are so intense they stop me cold. I can't breathe and it seems like the entire room is spinning but I'm sitting still. Sometimes I get dizzy and sometimes trying to breathe is like gasping for air. I'm really concerned, and have no idea how to control them...please help...

Answer 1

hi, i know how you feel i have suffered with them since christmas!!

they are very scary, the best thing you can do when you have one is to stop calm and breathe into a paper bag, when you get like this your breathing speeds up, and you take to much carbon dioxie in. this is why a paper bag allows to slow it down. The best thing i did was go and talk to some one, they suggested heral tablets, you can get them from holland and barret, they are called argin nit and acconite, agin nit you take when you feel anxiety coming on, and the acconite is to take when you are having a painic attack.

what you must realize is as scary as they are, you can not die from one, and the worst you can do is faint, but as soon as you hit the floor you will automatically breath again.  

if you breath in and cant to 5 then breath out and repeat it untill you find your self calm down.

dont worry alot of people suffer from them, and i pitty with you as they are horrid!!

Answer 2

It certainly sounds like panic attacks.  I have had them for much of my life, not helped by a sudden menopause a couple of years ago, and do feel for you.  You are right in saying that they can be due to stress building up.... and suddenly washing over you like a tidal wave.

Trying to think of what might help....I live in the UK, and talking to my GP (family doctor) helped.  I was checked out for thyroid problems, and although it was not that as such, the endocrinologist gave me a prescription for Propranolol (Beta-blockers) which helps the symptoms I get, which are mainly shakiness and palpitations.  

It would be good to get an examination of your inner ear, I think, as feeling as if the room is spinning could be due to an infection or similar there.  Do see a doctor, hopefully one that you trust and can talk to easily about these symptoms.  It might be at least partly physical, and in any case, he or she should be able to pass you on to the right specialist.

I am a Christian and find prayer/going to church helpful....also having good friends to talk to.  Maybe you need to talk to someone about any issues in your life that have been bothering you, as well as your job...?  Do you have any particular fears or anxiety about anything?

Just a few thoughts, do get some help.

Answer 3

this started happening to me about 2 years ago.  I ended using a lot of sick days just because I felt the need to run home.  I had an overwhelming sense of fear and the need to get away.  I got a therapist and she seems to help. I was prescribed Xanex and I found that taking 5 minutes walks out my office building a few times a day helped.  The feeling of fear and/or being trapped slowly went away.  But there is no quick and easy fix.  Sorry, I'm been dealing with this for 2 years, my supervisor knows and is sympathetic.  Oh find a couple of coworkers that you feel comfortable with and have them be your 'safe' people.  Just have somebody you can go to or can come to you just to chat when you are having a panic attack.

Answer 4

get out somewhere nice on your breaks,learn to relax more,learn to relax using breath control,ask your doc if there is any non addictive medicine you can take for panic atticks or go to the health food store and talk to the person there .they usally have non addictive stuff that can help with anxiety.also eat more oats and things with vitamin c in..maybe go to a naturopath if u can afford one .they are good at diagnosing underlying causes of anxiety and stress

Answer 5

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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.

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All the best,

Seng

Answer 6

I get these too. What you need to do is deflate with a Counselor. Learn to talk to your brain. What causes the panic attacks is a misconception / wrongful thought about a situation. I would suggest you read, The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (Paperback)

by Edmund J. Bourne. It helped me a lot. Take it easy on yourself, people are not out to get you. Reprogram your negative thinking into a positive outlook.

Answer 7

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.

Stress is addressed in section 42: view page i first.

Answer 8

i can help you practice coping skills and concentration practice if you need you will get better. relax

Answer 9

My heart go's out to you. I have had 1 or 2 of these in the past. I think if they truly persist you should see a Dr. and tell him about this. There are medications that can help, along with talk therapy you should be able to overcome these attacks.

Answer 10

First, run don't walk to your doctor. Tell him exactly what you posted here. Sounds like panic attacks, but there could be other underlying reasons that only a doctor can diagnose. If you are truly having panic attacks and not any other physical problems causing your symptoms your doctor can give you anti anxiety medications, refer you to a doctor who can help you with other treatment modalities such as bio-feedback. Anti-anxiety medications work well for acute episodes but are not recommended for long term use due to the risk of becoming addicted physically and mentally. This class of drug is very hard to stop taking and has to be monitored by a doctor.

I would suggest you make an appointment with your doctor asap.