Have you ever had a panic attack?

[VickiM68]

Do you regularly deal with anxiety? Find some tips here for how to prevent and control a panic attack, understanding and treating chronic anxiety, and ways to calm your anxiety. And, let us know what works for you to deal with anxiety.

[Tempest332]

Recently read something on eating sour candies curb an attack, actually it's diverting your brain to focus on something else.  Placing ice on certain areas of the body (cold therapy), then again one would think causing any kind of pain could divert thoughts away from a panic attack.

[auapplemac]

I read an article years ago about cancer patients visualizing their cancer and taking a baseball bat or hockey stick and swatting it.

I applied this to anxiety attacks I was experiencing at that time. As soon as I felt the first inkling of an attack coming on, I did the imaging. I could actually feel my muscles tightening as if I was really swinging at it. Helped immensely.

[tomjplan]

When I've felt emotionally out of control, I take one tyrosine tablet(amino acid supplement). Within 10 mins. I feel calm. It also helps to quit smoking and drinking if you have these addictions.

[DeliaW321719]

Yes I have experienced a few panic attacks.  I am a hypotist for many years and find that using my skills helps me.  I have awakened during the night having a panic attack.  Deep breathing and using my positive suggestions to myself always helps.  I use hypnosis to help others who may have panic attacks as well.  It is one of the best ways to help oneself without drugs.

[katherineh182016]

Meditation

[cn1973]

Yes

[sharonturner6]

Yes: I  get panic attacks & when I have one I will do a  breathing exercises Slow deep breathes in & out to calm myself down &  I usually have a  Panic Attack when driving when I get stuck in traffic or get blocked in when someone 's  car is to close. So what I do is tell myself that I will be okay & breathe in & out slowly. 

[JenniferS880013]

I had them from when I was five years old until I was about 19.  Every night in bed I would shake and sweat and hyperventilate and get nauseous. My mom didn't want to deal with it but my dad was so helpful, always stayed with me until it passed. I grew out of them with the help of therapists and with sports. It was terrible! I still have lots of anxiety but accept it.

[chgobrd]

As a psychotherapist I treat many people with anxiety and panic attacks. Two suggestions I give them is 1) Take a deep breath, hold it for a moment and then let it out very slowly. 2) find 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste. Both of these exercises gets the person out of their head and into the here and now (becoming mindful in todays parlance).  

[GilbertP168875]

Paper bags work: panic attack => hyperventilation,=> high levels of oxygen in the blood and body  yes oxygen too much oxygen makes you dizzy. 

Breathing in and out of a paper bag help elevate the carbon dioxide level in your blood (balancing the oxygen level). 

Without a paper bag we're not dead,  Deep breaths through your nose, and out through pursed lips, long slow breathing does much, or more, as a paper bag and it's easier to carry any where you might go. Also you can use it anytime you might want to practice being calm. If you have a "higher power"; keep that in mind while you practice long slow "anti panic attack breathing" now you're meditating. I won't tell anyone if you don't.

-gbp-      

[bc0717ky]

Yes. I have learned to breathe in. Hold my breath. Then breathe out

[MicheleM210618]

  If you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks that interfere with your daily routine, work, or your enjoyment of life (i.e. frequent and not just from major life stressors), then my best advice as a Registered Nurse AND someone who sufferred for years is to stop using bandaids to deal with them.  Over the counter meds and supplements/natural remedies should only be used for mild anxiety.  Family doctors are also NOT the best choice for this type of anxiety.  They give bandaids like Xanax or Valium which do not address the underlying issues and/or chemical imbalances that are leading to them AND are extremely addictive.  The absolute best thing you can do for yourself is to see a mental health specialist for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.  They can help you determine the underlying triggers for your anxiety/panic attacks and help you develop non-pharmaceutical ways to deal with them.  They will also do labwork to determine if an underlying chemical imbalance is a factor.  In addition, new DNA based labwork can identify what medications will or will NOT work for you, eliminating months of trial and error with medications.  And they will use medications that are significantly less habit forming than Xanax or Valium.

  For the majority of my life, I sufferred with severe anxiety and panic attacks.  I tried every herbal remedy and supplement available. I tried all kinds of relaxation techniques and took advice from everyone. I went from one medical doctor to another.  I was on Valium for years, which didn't do anything about the anxiety or panic attacks except make me forget about them and zone out on life. I developed severe depression and agoraphobia.  Finally I got fed up and checked myself into a mental health facility.  There I got the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.  That was almost 4 years ago and the difference it made in my life is astronomical.  I'm not going to pretend it was easy.  It wasn't just a matter of checking myself in and I was cured.  It has been 4 years of determination and hard work.  Fixing your mental health isn't something someone else can do for you.  But they can give you the tools you need to do the work.  

[BertyBGone]

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@MicheleM210618 wrote:

  If you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks that interfere with your daily routine, work, or your enjoyment of life (i.e. frequent and not just from major life stressors), then my best advice as a Registered Nurse AND someone who sufferred for years is to stop using bandaids to deal with them.  Over the counter meds and supplements/natural remedies should only be used for mild anxiety.  Family doctors are also NOT the best choice for this type of anxiety.  They give bandaids like Xanax or Valium which do not address the underlying issues and/or chemical imbalances that are leading to them AND are extremely addictive.  The absolute best thing you can do for yourself is to see a mental health specialist for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.  They can help you determine the underlying triggers for your anxiety/panic attacks and help you develop non-pharmaceutical ways to deal with them.  They will also do labwork to determine if an underlying chemical imbalance is a factor.  In addition, new DNA based labwork can identify what medications will or will NOT work for you, eliminating months of trial and error with medications.  And they will use medications that are significantly less habit forming than Xanax or Valium.

  For the majority of my life, I sufferred with severe anxiety and panic attacks.  I tried every herbal remedy and supplement available. I tried all kinds of relaxation techniques and took advice from everyone. I went from one medical doctor to another.  I was on Valium for years, which didn't do anything about the anxiety or panic attacks except make me forget about them and zone out on life. I developed severe depression and agoraphobia.  Finally I got fed up and checked myself into a mental health facility.  There I got the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.  That was almost 4 years ago and the difference it made in my life is astronomical.  I'm not going to pretend it was easy.  It wasn't just a matter of checking myself in and I was cured.  It has been 4 years of determination and hard work.  Fixing your mental health isn't something someone else can do for you.  But they can give you the tools you need to do the work.  

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Bravo, MicheleM, for speaking out about your struggles with panic attacks over the years.  You're now on the right track and I wish you continued success in conquering them.  

[jwillick]

I too had panic attacks like Michelle M described.  It ruined the best years of my life.  I was finally able to conquer 98% of them.  I am now 74 yrs old, but struggled from 26 yrs old until I was in my mid 40s. I also did the Valium and numerous doctors without appreciable results.  Eventually, I made a very determined effort to conquer this awful affliction that was ruining my life.  I couldn't drive, go to grocery stores alone, go shopping on my own, etc   It was extremely difficult, but it finally worked. I have my life back now and hope you do too.

[8strts]

I had one at work, which at the time did not know what was going on.

My body literally couldn't move.  I tried moving my arms but was locked in place. My feet couldn't move, only my eyes.  I realized my brain was operating like a computer and I heard a woom  noise, it started from my head, in waves down my entire body.  It was like configuring out the problem.  I heard the sound so loud-woom,woom -down my entire body to my feet.  What the hell, I thought.  The brain is like a computer, tried to fix the problem.

I was in that position for about 2 minutes.  When, I couldn't hear the noise, I could move my arms and feet once again and vowed to change my lifestyle.  My brain was trying to tell me something in a fast way.

I started to get myself into meditation, when in a panic attack, take #6 which is a Homepathic medicine, it calms the mind so quickly, better than anything on the market.  It literally takes everything your thinking of at that very moment and shoves it in back of you, so it's not in your face and you don't think about it.  It's called Hylands-Kali  Phosphate or #6, it's one of the of the 12 cell salts.  I used to take calm forte but this one works way better.  Even, to go to sleep and your brain refuses to be quieted, what ever your thinking about will be shoved to the back of you and you can drop off into sleep.  You can buy it at - Iherb.com - which is much cheaper than any drug store.

A good way to start meditating, is think of a place, small place, like a garden, you can put whatever inside, animals, fountain, trees, flowers, birds, but start small and then each day, add something more.  Sit in your garden, feel the wind on your face, hear the birds sing, just look around and be in YOUR PLACE.

Do this everyday, can be outside, can be in your room, in your car, you only need minutes to make your brain relax.  It's training the brain, and your reptilian brain is on the back of your head,close to your neck and this brain, always says you don't have time!  And you say - Today, I do have time and jump in to your place!

Just try it and see what happens

[JenniferM147665]

I suffer from almost constant anxiety - I use a combination of prayer and xanax to get some relief.

[2Papa]

I haven’t had that problem since I retired and no longer have to deal with corporate bs!

[jdannunzio]

For either an acute or chronic anxiety, I suggest using L-THeanine, a derivative of green tea (2 100mg caps a day on an empty stomach).  It supposedly is as good as valium.  Also recommend Calms Forte - CVS carries them with their sleep aids, but you can take this homeopathic remedy to keep calm during the day also.

[wendy1453]

Before using any herbal supplements one needs to check with their doctor. Many medications interact with herbal meds  and can cause problems.

[LewisG30310]

I have had Panic Attacks since I was 20 years old and I was 39 years old.  I finaly figured out that I did not have to know why.  I finaly frealized that my subconscious was generating them.  I started to talk to my subcon and told him/her to knok it off i do not need to get or feel this panic attack.

It did not stop it at first.  My continude  awareness and response finaly broke through and I feel much more in control of my peacefull life. 

[auapplemac]

Similar, but slightly different. 

I read that cancer patients were told to visualize cancer and than punch it or attack it. It lit a lightbulb in my head and figured it might work for panic attacks.

When I would feel one coming on, I got angry and picked up an imaginary broom or hockey stick and visualized whacking away. I could actually feel a physical change in my muscles. To my amazement it actually worked. 

The success may be due to the fact that you can't hold two thoughts at the same time. The imagery and anger replaced the anxiety that had taken hold of my brain.

Hope thiis helps. Good luck, all. 

[t589356m]

I used to get panic attacks in my 20s all the time. At first I found them horrendous but then I found 2 ways to defeat them. The first is almost foolproof, the second is foolproof. The first is to do something really complicated with my brain, so in my case, since I'm mathematical, I do square roots in my head. It's complicated enough that my concentration breaks the panic attack - usually - in 30 seconds or a minute, and then I keep doing square roots for a few minutes after that. The second technique always works and fast. When I feel an attack coming on, I simply tense my thigh muscles and abdominal muscles really tight for a few seconds, then release and take a deep breath, then tense again, then release, repeating as long as necessary. This sucks away the nervous energy like magic. And since these 2 techniques work so well for me, I never get panic attacks anymore since I know they can be defeated and that robs them of their threatening, spiralling energy.

[cityjimmy]

I made progress using 1/2    , or 1 mg lorazepam. Or to do slowed measured count breathing in  & breathing out   and  a rest for  diversions    of Short meditations. Also simple prayers to repeat helped me. Become more active & less sedentary.  Mild exercerise  Become less a  worrier, and more all aaction via silver..

[aruzinsky]

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@VickiM68 wrote:

Do you regularly deal with anxiety? Find some tips here for how to prevent and control a panic attack, understanding and treating chronic anxiety, and ways to calm your anxiety. And, let us know what works for you to deal with anxiety.

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Yes and no.  The cure is to breath into a paper bag and the author, Barbara Stepko, of your article is remiss for not mentioning it.

[VickiM68]

Interesting--Breathing into a paper bag is my remedy for curing hiccups. And it usually works. I guess there's something about it regulating breath maybe?

[CSTAIN70]

PAPER BAG WORKS

[aruzinsky]

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@VickiM68 wrote:

Interesting--Breathing into a paper bag is my remedy for curing hiccups. And it usually works. I guess there's something about it regulating breath maybe?

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It has something to do with lowering the pH of the blood by increasing carbon dioxide.