Panic attacks

[Mark2010]

Has anyone here ever experienced panic attacks? If so, how did you cope with them?

 

[gwenevere]

I don't know but I hope some one responds to your message. I don't know if I'm getting a panic attack or a heart attack.

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Has anyone here ever experienced panic attacks? If so, how did you cope with them?

YES. I started getting them in high school and they got to be so bad that I was put on homebound schooling for a while because I wouldn't leave the house. I managed to get off of homebound and went back to normal school and also started working full time... everything was alright for a while and then I started having them again and missing too much school and work. I struggled with them at the beginning of college, too, and for a long time I was only able to take online classes.

I don't really know exactly why, but I hardly have any at all anymore. And when I do get them, they aren't as severe and usually don't last that long. Now-a-days, I usually have an anxiety attack when I'm studying for midterms or finals. I just take a break from what I'm doing, sit down somewhere, and snuggle with my dog until it goes away. I think having the dog there helps me take my mind off myself.

 

[Mark2010]

Maybe I need a dog. Sometimes I hate being alone. Other times I hate being around people. Weird, I know.

 

[Snoofles]

i'm not sure if it was a panic attack or an anxiety attack. earlier this week, i had fallen asleep, then about fifteen minutes to half an hour later, i woke up, short of breath, my heart felt like it was racing, and i was crying. this has happened a couple of times before.

 

[Wormie]

I do. I find I can't breathe, and I get very hot. I haven't really worked out a good combatant against them.... yet. Ususally I will try to go outside (if my housemate isn't smoking - that makes it worse), and just sit in the cool breeze. I often find it's God's way of getting my attention, so I usually also pray. Within half an hour to an hour, I'm ok enough to go back to what I was doing.

 

[Tubachick]

Dogs can be VERY helpful. But anyways, i just to get panic attacks alot but then my doctor put me on some medicines called depicot ( i might have spelled that wrong) and Zoloft can they have worked so good. I hardly ever have them now. When i do its usually because i forgot to take my those medicines. maybe you should ask your doc about them. And i'll be praying for all of you. Godspeed!

 

[rfprewitt]

I get panic attacks a lot. Mostly when I'm around people or at church. I usually hide and calm down. SYmptoms are I can't breathe, everything starts spinning. Nausia usually occurs.

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Or you could have a therapist show you some things to do when you get a panic attack.

 

[Stacy4God]

I have had panik attacks for four years now. There were time when I would develop what I like to call a series for four weeks they would take over and then suddenly disappear. Six months would go by where they would go away and then before you knew it they were back and for longer periods of time. It was like one a night I believe at my worst time. I would wake up at 3:00 in the morning feeling like I was having a heart attack. All the oxygen in the world could not fill my lungs and I was crying upset, out of it and would get to the point of throwing up I was so beside myself. After four years of off again on again attack or series and numerous doctor appointments and every medical test known to man I finally sought help from a therapist where she proscribed a medication for panic and anxiety. Slowly I have gotten better. There are still times that are bad but it is easier to deal with. I find distraction like the said above here is one of the best tools. Above all seeking help really was the key that stopped the cycle. If there is anything I can do let me know, I know how it feels and it is one of the most horrible experiences! God Bless you and keep you safe!!

 

[Ivy]

Some things that I found helped me were: take my asthma meds (!); calcium supplements; lecithin (calming); cuddle up with my cat; take a long walk. If you believe in it, praying in tongues until the fear goes away helps. I used to keep Christian radio or music on all night long as well.

 

[Tenebrae]

I found after being on an anti depressant for the last 6 weeks its cut down the intensity of the anxiety.

Small things would set me off like doors banging that sort of thing. However one thing I did do when I had one in the middle of the super market I would make myself go back to the supermarket straight afterwards because I knew if I didnt it would be alot harder

 

[snowy27]

Has anyone here ever experienced panic attacks? If so, how did you cope with them?

I experienced panic but managed to overcome it. Now I never get any symptoms at all. This is a link to a book that helped me a lot
http://www.harpercollins.com.au/global_scripts/product_catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0207180407
Its called living with It, a survivors guide to panic by Bev Aisbett. The main thing I did was every time I experienced panic I just said to myself "stop". I acknowledged that my feelings of dizziness, chest pains, fear etc were just panic and that they would pass. The book explains it much better than I can, and its very easy to read, has cartoons in it too! For a while I got these symptoms every time I drove over the bridge, now panic doesn't even cross my mind.

 

[stealingheaven]

Has anyone here ever experienced panic attacks? If so, how did you cope with them?

Ive had anxiety with panic attacks for 10 years now. Mine happen as a result of stress in my life, they can happen anywhere at anytime. Physically I have a racing heart beat, I feel hot and dizzy, mentaly I feel distant as though I'm having an out of body experience. I know chances are high of me having an attack if I'm somewhere crowded like a busy bus or if I don't know where the 'exit' door is in a room for example. I used to take propranolol for when I had a panic attack but after seeing a therapist Ive learned to talk myself out of the attack, I still feel the physical symptoms but instead of taking the tablet, I can now cope without taking one by breathing techniques and talking to myself, it's helped a lot.

 

[pockleberry]

People here have mentioned pannic attacks and anxiety attacks is there any difference between them or is it just a name?
I've started getting attacks alot recently but I just feel really stupid when I do because I can't explain why the things that set me off do...

 

[JDDCH]

I think panic attacks and anxiety attacks are the same thing. I get them too and yeah, I'm embarassed about them. they completely shut me down and I can't explain what causes them. ... It's a horrifying thing and I kinda hate them. :s

 

[Bunn]

Have any of you ever taken to thought the idea that these panic attacks, some with no explantion, could be coming from our spiritual enemy?

I have dealt with panic attacks and do have others in my family and friends. But I do feel that at times, not always, this is one more form of spiritual oppression and opposition.

Just a thought.

 

[jenelis]

I am a survivor of crime and the experience left me with anxiety attacks-- used to be pretty severe. Thank GOD I am mostly over that now, I think thanks to a change of environment and state of mind.

To me the key was to learn to talk myself down. I had taken just a few Xanax just after the attack and I'd recommend it only for temporary use under the watchful eye of a doctor.

talking yourself down-- try and determine what ha set you off, then just be practical. Sometimes getting a drink helps me or massaging my arms, neck, back too. and repeating... its no big deal, its no big deal...

...that's about what I do.

Hope this might help someone.

-Jennifer

 

[Soulwings]

Yes. I've been getting panic attacks since I was about six years old. My throat tightens up, like I'm going to choke, and my hands usually writhe around. I've gotten really good at squeezing my thumbs so they pop. Heh. Some relief anyway ... I haven't come up with any good coping strategies, though, other than trying to distract myself.

 

[pockleberry]

Have any of you ever taken to thought the idea that these panic attacks, some with no explantion, could be coming from our spiritual enemy?

I have dealt with panic attacks and do have others in my family and friends. But I do feel that at times, not always, this is one more form of spiritual oppression and opposition.

Just a thought.

Yeah I have thought that especially because I get the alot at church things like the worship or everyone praying out loud sets me off. I get them other places as well and sometimes I think they have nothing to do with that but yeah the thought is there...