panic attacks

[antjs]

i have just had 2 successive panic attacks this morning. I took xanax though my therapist did not prescribe for me any medication. my therapy with him is over. panic attacks for me are so severe. it is like waiting for death to happen in seconds.

any tips to use when you get that feeling that a panic attack is about to happen ? i dont want to get addicted to hypnotics. my therapist described for me the sand bag technique to stop a panic attack. sometimes it works sometimes not.

[christoff522]

i have just had 2 successive panic attacks this morning. I took xanax though my therapist did not prescribe for me any medication. my therapy with him is over. panic attacks for me are so severe. it is like waiting for death to happen in seconds.

any tips to use when you get that feeling that a panic attack is about to happen ? i dont want to get addicted to hypnotics. my therapist described for me the sand bag technique to stop a panic attack. sometimes it works sometimes not.

When dealing with panic attacks, sometimes the fear itself allows the attack to have more power than it deserves. People call it the fear of fear itself. I would recommend this, stop taking xanax. Its really not going to help. Its masking something that you have to go through.

When you get panic attacks, its going to take courage. Your particular fear is dying? You're scared of death. Okay well you need to get right with God then, then you won't have fear of death - yes.

When you get a panic attack, allow your rational mind to take over. You know its a panic attack, laugh at it. Seriously, laugh at it. It has no power over you other than fear, talk yourself through it, I believe the term is disassociate.

I'll admit I've had a couple of panic attacks recently, nothing major, but enough to make me think "oh dear". Its basically recovery from abuse.

Please, cease with the xanax. Stay away from prescription meds! Also, your panic attacks are no worse than the ones I used to get when I had panic disorder (Y) I'm here, I'm alive.

[antjs]

i have just had 2 successive panic attacks this morning. I took xanax though my therapist did not prescribe for me any medication. my therapy with him is over. panic attacks for me are so severe. it is like waiting for death to happen in seconds.

any tips to use when you get that feeling that a panic attack is about to happen ? i dont want to get addicted to hypnotics. my therapist described for me the sand bag technique to stop a panic attack. sometimes it works sometimes not.

When dealing with panic attacks, sometimes the fear itself allows the attack to have more power than it deserves. People call it the fear of fear itself. I would recommend this, stop taking xanax. Its really not going to help. Its masking something that you have to go through.

When you get panic attacks, its going to take courage. Your particular fear is dying? You're scared of death. Okay well you need to get right with God then, then you won't have fear of death - yes.

When you get a panic attack, allow your rational mind to take over. You know its a panic attack, laugh at it. Seriously, laugh at it. It has no power over you other than fear, talk yourself through it, I believe the term is disassociate.

I'll admit I've had a couple of panic attacks recently, nothing major, but enough to make me think "oh dear". Its basically recovery from abuse.

Please, cease with the xanax. Stay away from prescription meds! Also, your panic attacks are no worse than the ones I used to get when I had panic disorder (Y) I'm here, I'm alive.

i  agree i should not mask it with xanax. but i am saying this now as i am on xanax i feel relaxed. during the episode the heart beats, the high pressure, the tingling and numbing of hands and legs, the feeling that you are going to lose it in seconds and u can feel the countdown is just overwhelming. i might be able to deal with the psychological fear if i reassure myself that physiologically i am gonna pass this and be ok. i fear that my heart might stop as it beats so hard and so loud in my ears.

[KateCat]

Excellent advice from christoff522! This is exactly the present state of thinking by professionals who treat panic disorder. 

If you are concerned about the effects of panic on your heart, do get a cardiac consultation with a doctor. Most likely you will learn that you are a healthy young man with no signs of heart disease. With that fear out of the way, prepare to do just what christoff522 has suggested.

There is a significant risk of physical dependence when taking Xanax, but the greater risk is one of psychological dependence. In the end, it won't be meds that conquer your strong physical reactions, but you. So best to get started now and not let the Xanax take an unfortunate hold on your thinking.

People are now understanding that panic disorder is a fairly common problem. So . . . you can start today by googling techniques to reduce panic and anxiety. Daily practice, for instance, of breathing exercises designed specifically to calm the body and mind, will begin to pay off after a few weeks.

You can do this, but it's going to take some discipline and commitment. Don't take drugs . . . unless they are part of a monitored therapy program you are working on with a professional.

[corraline]

Hi antony

I have suffered panics attack in my life now and again.  I have been told to and have practiced moving through them.  Not trying to stop them.  I will do some deep breathing from my belly.  I get into fear that i will stop breathing so i do some self talk around it. i reassure myself and acknowledge what is going on. I will also at times if that is not working is to engage something  else for a few minutes (quick walk , start observing my surroundings )and then my breathing stabilizes and i realize that i will be okay.  I also try to ground myself.  Its just an imaginary visualization thing i do.  I imagine i am like a tree and my roots are sinking deep into the ground.  I feel more solid this way.   It helps me to stay present and not get lost into the fear and anxiety. Kind of combine these together or whatever seems to work best at the time.  I remember having a panic attack in a tent in the middle of nowhere at night when i was camping with my ex husband and children.  Yikes, i managed to settle myself and work that one out.  I was in great fear cause there just wasn't a heck of alot of resources where i was other than myself.  I did it.

hope some of these suggestions help you.