Panic Attacks
January 28, 2005 6:13 PM Subscribe
Those of you with panic disorders, how do you handle your panic attacks? Can you prevent them? What mental or physical practices have you developed to cope with them?
My close friend has just been diagnosed with panic disorder. She tends to have attacks in the middle of the night--rapid pulse, crushing fear, disassociation, tingling hands. She can feel them beginning to come on and has been experimenting with breathing techniques she picked up in yoga to prevent them from going full-blown, but she still has much to learn. Advice from others, including helpful web forums or other such resources that you can vouch for, would be most welcome.
My close friend has just been diagnosed with panic disorder. She tends to have attacks in the middle of the night--rapid pulse, crushing fear, disassociation, tingling hands. She can feel them beginning to come on and has been experimenting with breathing techniques she picked up in yoga to prevent them from going full-blown, but she still has much to learn. Advice from others, including helpful web forums or other such resources that you can vouch for, would be most welcome.
Best answer: This involves someone being within reach who can handle you. Generally you need someone to talk calmly to you no matter what you are doing (please, read this "NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE DOING.") The worse thing you can heard during a panic attack is, "If you don't fucking calm down I'm going to call 911." The person in panic doesn't care if you call 911, or if you blow up the world, they are still in their moment of (beautiful) psychosis.
A steady voice, strong follow through, and compassion will conquer this. Show that you care, but realize they are fully in mind, even though fully taken. Smile at them, tell them how amazing things are, how the world will be okay tomorrow, and how you will still love them. They are afraid, show them you are not, in the least bit, this is the ultimate perfection - that they are there, with you.
The above is slightly impossible, but possible. It requires amazingly levels of discipline and indistinguishable love. You have to adore the individual in panic to save them, if you do, you'll do this for them. Find their weaknesses and strengthen them, they want you, to help.
posted by sled at 6:29 PM on January 28, 2005
A steady voice, strong follow through, and compassion will conquer this. Show that you care, but realize they are fully in mind, even though fully taken. Smile at them, tell them how amazing things are, how the world will be okay tomorrow, and how you will still love them. They are afraid, show them you are not, in the least bit, this is the ultimate perfection - that they are there, with you.
The above is slightly impossible, but possible. It requires amazingly levels of discipline and indistinguishable love. You have to adore the individual in panic to save them, if you do, you'll do this for them. Find their weaknesses and strengthen them, they want you, to help.
posted by sled at 6:29 PM on January 28, 2005
I so don't want to provoke the all too familiar drugs vs. free will fight, but... if this is debilitating, she should at least explore pharmaceutical options, if only as a short-term stopgap. Not as a substitute for empowerment, but as a bridge to it.
posted by stonerose at 7:14 PM on January 28, 2005
posted by stonerose at 7:14 PM on January 28, 2005
Mine feel like a heart attack, so I generally retreat to somewhere I can lay down and curl up on my side. That or I take a shot of something and tell myself it's not happening. One day I'm going to die because I'll be having a real heart attack, and instead of calling 911, I'll be on the couch going, "NO, REALLY! I'M FINE!! Just waiting for the booze to kick in!"
posted by FunkyHelix at 7:15 PM on January 28, 2005
posted by FunkyHelix at 7:15 PM on January 28, 2005
I'm so sorry your friend is going through this. I had the same thing happen to me beginning about a year ago and was also diagnosed with panic disorder. I am a healthy person, I exercise daily, eat right, etc. I eventually chose to go on medication after years of resistance and it is the *only* thing that has permanently stopped the attacks. They prescribe SSRIs as the first line of pharmaceutical treatment for the disorder--most doctors try to stay away from prescribing benzodiazepines (xanax, ativan, etc.) They will often prescribe them along with an SSRI for the initial adjustment period of a medication (when I first started taking the medication I'm on (Celexa), I had a definite increase in the attacks, which I was warned about from my doctor...this can be lessened by gradually increasing medication.) If her doctor prescribes benzos as a first line of treatment, suggest that she get another opinion.
All this aside, I do know that the APA's guidelines for treating the disorder are with cognitive behavioral therapy as a first line of treatment. I don't know where your friend lives but I live in Ann Arbor, and the University of Michigan has an anxiety disorders center...maybe there is something similar where she lives?
Another sort of hokey, but very useful source of help are Lucinda Basset's books & tapes--she has a whole "program" that is very infomercial-y, but the advice is solid and helpful.
Personally, I never found any of the breathing exercises, etc., to be of much help at all. I'd say that particularly if she's having them out of nowhere in the middle of the night, it might be worth seeing a doctor or therapist. It's also worth noting that any of these disorders can run in families--my mother has panic disorder as well, and became agoraphobic for a while when I was younger because she lived with it for so long without getting help--she didn't know what it was at the time. This was back before anyone knew much about the disorder. Does your friend have family members with the disorder? What works for them (at least pharmaceutically speaking) is more likely to work for her.
Wish her good luck.
posted by fabesfaves at 7:25 PM on January 28, 2005
All this aside, I do know that the APA's guidelines for treating the disorder are with cognitive behavioral therapy as a first line of treatment. I don't know where your friend lives but I live in Ann Arbor, and the University of Michigan has an anxiety disorders center...maybe there is something similar where she lives?
Another sort of hokey, but very useful source of help are Lucinda Basset's books & tapes--she has a whole "program" that is very infomercial-y, but the advice is solid and helpful.
Personally, I never found any of the breathing exercises, etc., to be of much help at all. I'd say that particularly if she's having them out of nowhere in the middle of the night, it might be worth seeing a doctor or therapist. It's also worth noting that any of these disorders can run in families--my mother has panic disorder as well, and became agoraphobic for a while when I was younger because she lived with it for so long without getting help--she didn't know what it was at the time. This was back before anyone knew much about the disorder. Does your friend have family members with the disorder? What works for them (at least pharmaceutically speaking) is more likely to work for her.
Wish her good luck.
posted by fabesfaves at 7:25 PM on January 28, 2005
I have a good friend who has these same panic attacks, but refuses to admit that they are panic attacks (despite a doctor's diagnosis and the fact that they are, without question, panic attacks.) She won't talk about it, becomes angry at the suggestion of taking medication. Yet, at times, she can't drive for a few weeks, because it seems so likely that she'll have a panic attack and veer clear off the road, as she's nearly done a couple of times.
What to do with a friend in this situation? It's becoming quite a problem.
posted by waldo at 8:20 PM on January 28, 2005
What to do with a friend in this situation? It's becoming quite a problem.
posted by waldo at 8:20 PM on January 28, 2005
I was told that mitral valve prolapse can cause panic attacks. I have MVP, and I do get panic attacks.
The only thing that helps for me is to use it against itself. When I have an attack, my hands become very cold. Placing my ice-cold hands on my face during the attack sometimes pulls me out of it. I wonder if using ice packs or otherwise distracting the body might help other people.
For me, the panic attacks have been a dangerous experience. I seem to most often get the attacks while I am driving. I once stopped my car on a highway heading into New York City because I was having an attack and could not drive. I don't know how I didn't cause an accident. I have been fortunate that the frequency of my attacks has dropped dramatically - to me it seemed that they dropped after I started meds for my hypothyroidism, and hypothyroidism can aggravate MVP.
If these dangerous situations are occurring with your friend, you might want to have them check with their doctor for treatment options. Not necessarily meds...perhaps the doctor will know ways to treat it.
posted by veronitron at 8:36 PM on January 28, 2005
The only thing that helps for me is to use it against itself. When I have an attack, my hands become very cold. Placing my ice-cold hands on my face during the attack sometimes pulls me out of it. I wonder if using ice packs or otherwise distracting the body might help other people.
For me, the panic attacks have been a dangerous experience. I seem to most often get the attacks while I am driving. I once stopped my car on a highway heading into New York City because I was having an attack and could not drive. I don't know how I didn't cause an accident. I have been fortunate that the frequency of my attacks has dropped dramatically - to me it seemed that they dropped after I started meds for my hypothyroidism, and hypothyroidism can aggravate MVP.
If these dangerous situations are occurring with your friend, you might want to have them check with their doctor for treatment options. Not necessarily meds...perhaps the doctor will know ways to treat it.
posted by veronitron at 8:36 PM on January 28, 2005
A lot of people, including mental health professionals I know, have been recommending The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook. Amazon, as usual, has an excerpt, and you'll notice the first paragraph on the first page starts: "Susan awakens suddenly almost every night, a couple of hours after going to sleep, with a tightness in her throat, a racing heart, dizziness, and a fear she's going to die." So I think it will definitely have lots of helpful suggestions.
waldo: you have to wait until she realizes she needs help, unfortunately.
posted by ori at 8:41 PM on January 28, 2005
waldo: you have to wait until she realizes she needs help, unfortunately.
posted by ori at 8:41 PM on January 28, 2005
Anxiety, I've observed in my years of practice, tends to 'spread'. It may initially have been situation dependent, but it is so strongly reinforcing that over time it becomes associated with things that simply have no reason to be anxiety-provoking.
If this has occurred - if the panic is disorderly - skillful use of medications under professional guidance can be quite helpful.
waldo: Your friend is using some defense mechanisms to deal with her neuroses. One of them is "denial." To my mind, I think it's generally a mistake to undermine defense mechanisms, especially if you don't have solutions for the source of the problem, whatever it is. Defense mechanisms are there to help you cope, and when you get rid of the ones that are operating, the new ones that emerge tend to be even less adaptive, which is what psychiatrists say to refer to behavior like self-mutilation, wandering in traffic, and stabbing you in the face.
Instead, just let her know that you're there for her if she ever wants to talk about it, and then, if she takes you up on it, just listen to her without offering advice, judgment, or opinions.
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:46 PM on January 28, 2005
If this has occurred - if the panic is disorderly - skillful use of medications under professional guidance can be quite helpful.
waldo: Your friend is using some defense mechanisms to deal with her neuroses. One of them is "denial." To my mind, I think it's generally a mistake to undermine defense mechanisms, especially if you don't have solutions for the source of the problem, whatever it is. Defense mechanisms are there to help you cope, and when you get rid of the ones that are operating, the new ones that emerge tend to be even less adaptive, which is what psychiatrists say to refer to behavior like self-mutilation, wandering in traffic, and stabbing you in the face.
Instead, just let her know that you're there for her if she ever wants to talk about it, and then, if she takes you up on it, just listen to her without offering advice, judgment, or opinions.
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:46 PM on January 28, 2005
I think dealing with an anxiety disorder is so personal in the way it seems no exact solution works for everyone. It's a lot of trial and error. I have an anxiety disorder, one that kept me nearly housebound for a year. At some point, I think, you have to say, "I'm not going to live like this," and always keep that mantra in the back of your mind, even when living at all might seem challenging.
I completely changed my diet. I've been a vegetarian for many years, but I cut out all caffeine and sugar and processed foods. Many people find eliminating diary and/or wheat is helpful, as well. I started exercising a little each day, even though, at first, exercise seemed to cause panic attacks because my body couldn't differentiate between a healthy racing heart and an adrenaline-filled one. I take vitamins, eat something small every few hours and drink lots of water.
I did go to therapy and the most beneficial thing I learned was the idea of the thought train: whether it's noticeable or not, most panic attacks are caused by one tiny thought. Maybe it's triggered by a weird feeling in your body or an emotional association or who knows, but what builds the attack is the thought after that and the one after that. Though it seems absolutely impossible, you can break the train. It's not a matter of forcing yourself to stop thinking -- that'll only make it worse. It's a matter of stepping back calmly and letting the thought finish without adding fuel to it. I wish more than anything I could give your friend simple directions on how to do this; the fact is, it takes consistent practice. I still have attacks, but, for the most part, they last no longer than thirty seconds to a minute because I'm able to keep my thoughts from racing.
For night time attacks, I've found immediately turning on the lights and focusing on an object in the room calms me down. This is a reassurance to your senses that you are, in fact, no longer dreaming and are in a tangible world.
You should tell your friend to make sure she doesn't beat herself up over the attacks. They happen. If I have to quickly exit a room, fine. If if I can't go grocery shopping because I feel particularly anxious about crowds or sensory overload, then fine. I'll go tomorrow. A big worry is what people will think of you -- I've found if I need to leave a situation, even mid-sentence, people are understanding. Everyone has their own shit to deal with, too.
I didn't go the medicine route. My "recovery" might have been faster, but, to be honest, I feel like I've learned to deal with the behavior better the natural way. Cognitive-behavioral therapy worked for me.
Good luck to your friend! The yoga is a great start, and it's good she's receptive to other suggestions, as well.
posted by Zosia Blue at 9:40 PM on January 28, 2005 [1 favorite]
I completely changed my diet. I've been a vegetarian for many years, but I cut out all caffeine and sugar and processed foods. Many people find eliminating diary and/or wheat is helpful, as well. I started exercising a little each day, even though, at first, exercise seemed to cause panic attacks because my body couldn't differentiate between a healthy racing heart and an adrenaline-filled one. I take vitamins, eat something small every few hours and drink lots of water.
I did go to therapy and the most beneficial thing I learned was the idea of the thought train: whether it's noticeable or not, most panic attacks are caused by one tiny thought. Maybe it's triggered by a weird feeling in your body or an emotional association or who knows, but what builds the attack is the thought after that and the one after that. Though it seems absolutely impossible, you can break the train. It's not a matter of forcing yourself to stop thinking -- that'll only make it worse. It's a matter of stepping back calmly and letting the thought finish without adding fuel to it. I wish more than anything I could give your friend simple directions on how to do this; the fact is, it takes consistent practice. I still have attacks, but, for the most part, they last no longer than thirty seconds to a minute because I'm able to keep my thoughts from racing.
For night time attacks, I've found immediately turning on the lights and focusing on an object in the room calms me down. This is a reassurance to your senses that you are, in fact, no longer dreaming and are in a tangible world.
You should tell your friend to make sure she doesn't beat herself up over the attacks. They happen. If I have to quickly exit a room, fine. If if I can't go grocery shopping because I feel particularly anxious about crowds or sensory overload, then fine. I'll go tomorrow. A big worry is what people will think of you -- I've found if I need to leave a situation, even mid-sentence, people are understanding. Everyone has their own shit to deal with, too.
I didn't go the medicine route. My "recovery" might have been faster, but, to be honest, I feel like I've learned to deal with the behavior better the natural way. Cognitive-behavioral therapy worked for me.
Good luck to your friend! The yoga is a great start, and it's good she's receptive to other suggestions, as well.
posted by Zosia Blue at 9:40 PM on January 28, 2005 [1 favorite]
I wrote like 6 lengthy beautiful paragraphs & realized I could sum it up as follows - I have had panic attacks for 15 years, and at this point, although they're never totally cured, mine are pretty under control. Here are my tips:
1. The only way YOU can help your friend is to be there for her, don't ever scoff at her, and when she has one, help her get out of wherever she is and stay with her.
2. She needs to go get a full physical to reassure her that it's not her body - and it took me getting a stress test, heart monitor, EKG before that helped for me, but after that it really did help one hell of a lot.
3. This is what I think to myself: You are not at risk for a heart attack. And people don't have heart attacks 4 times a week anyway. This isn't a heart attack.
4. This is the other thing I think to myself: Dying is hard. You aren't dying. Just keep on breathing and moving and going on, and eventually you won't feel like this anymore.
5. Panic is Fight or Flight, according to the anthropologists. So Fight is not an option - try flight. Walk, run, move. Keep moving until you feel better. I have walked many many MANY miles to stave off panic attacks.
6. You can't hyperventilate if you breathe only through your nose, or if you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
7. Never take Welbutrin, never try laughing gas at the dentist.
8. You look fine. Nobody can tell that you're having a panic attack until you tell them. It's all inside.
9. Hormones and hangovers are a deadly combination that often cause panic attacks. Just keep walking and repeating to yourself: Hormones and hangovers, hormones and hangovers.
10. Medication can totally help, you don't have to take it for the rest of your life, and you can get through this. It won't be around forever, and it's dealable with.
posted by mygothlaundry at 9:43 PM on January 28, 2005
1. The only way YOU can help your friend is to be there for her, don't ever scoff at her, and when she has one, help her get out of wherever she is and stay with her.
2. She needs to go get a full physical to reassure her that it's not her body - and it took me getting a stress test, heart monitor, EKG before that helped for me, but after that it really did help one hell of a lot.
3. This is what I think to myself: You are not at risk for a heart attack. And people don't have heart attacks 4 times a week anyway. This isn't a heart attack.
4. This is the other thing I think to myself: Dying is hard. You aren't dying. Just keep on breathing and moving and going on, and eventually you won't feel like this anymore.
5. Panic is Fight or Flight, according to the anthropologists. So Fight is not an option - try flight. Walk, run, move. Keep moving until you feel better. I have walked many many MANY miles to stave off panic attacks.
6. You can't hyperventilate if you breathe only through your nose, or if you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
7. Never take Welbutrin, never try laughing gas at the dentist.
8. You look fine. Nobody can tell that you're having a panic attack until you tell them. It's all inside.
9. Hormones and hangovers are a deadly combination that often cause panic attacks. Just keep walking and repeating to yourself: Hormones and hangovers, hormones and hangovers.
10. Medication can totally help, you don't have to take it for the rest of your life, and you can get through this. It won't be around forever, and it's dealable with.
posted by mygothlaundry at 9:43 PM on January 28, 2005
While medication may not be for everyone, once I started taking Paxil, the panic attacks went away. It was refreshing and liberating to feel "normal" again.
Perhaps it would help your friend to learn that what she's experiencing is not uncommon. Search through AskMe and you'll find several threads and comments (more than a few from me) about the condition.
posted by aladfar at 11:49 PM on January 28, 2005
Perhaps it would help your friend to learn that what she's experiencing is not uncommon. Search through AskMe and you'll find several threads and comments (more than a few from me) about the condition.
posted by aladfar at 11:49 PM on January 28, 2005
Things I've found that have helped me, YMMV:
1. Mentholated cough drops help me feel like I can breathe when I'm having an attack. I've talked to other people who have discovered this method as well.
2. Hot showers, if they are an option, can stop a pretty severe attack. I've no idea why.
3. No caffeine. None. At least during periods when I am prone to having a lot of anxiety. For that matter, no stimulants at all if you can avoid them. Read the labels on cold medicine to make sure they don't contain pseudoephedrine. No marijuana either.
4. Second mygothlaundry on hangovers. They are a HUGE trigger.
posted by kamikazegopher at 11:58 PM on January 28, 2005
1. Mentholated cough drops help me feel like I can breathe when I'm having an attack. I've talked to other people who have discovered this method as well.
2. Hot showers, if they are an option, can stop a pretty severe attack. I've no idea why.
3. No caffeine. None. At least during periods when I am prone to having a lot of anxiety. For that matter, no stimulants at all if you can avoid them. Read the labels on cold medicine to make sure they don't contain pseudoephedrine. No marijuana either.
4. Second mygothlaundry on hangovers. They are a HUGE trigger.
posted by kamikazegopher at 11:58 PM on January 28, 2005
Response by poster: I don't know where to start in thanking you all. So much useful information and, most of all, a real sense that my friend is not alone in what she is going through, (nor am I as a caregiver).
I used to have my own mild panic attacks several times a week when I was smoking pot and drinking coffee. Usually durring the rush right after smoking, I would get a sense that the world was impossibly flimsy, and that my life was like a candle in the wind, so to speak. Hot showers almost always helped. I have a feeling that what my friend is experiencing is different, though, and she doesn't smoke. I gave up both pot and caffeine and I haven't had anything similar since.
Nothing but good old meth for me from here on out! Thanks again!
posted by squirrel at 2:51 AM on January 29, 2005
I used to have my own mild panic attacks several times a week when I was smoking pot and drinking coffee. Usually durring the rush right after smoking, I would get a sense that the world was impossibly flimsy, and that my life was like a candle in the wind, so to speak. Hot showers almost always helped. I have a feeling that what my friend is experiencing is different, though, and she doesn't smoke. I gave up both pot and caffeine and I haven't had anything similar since.
Nothing but good old meth for me from here on out! Thanks again!
posted by squirrel at 2:51 AM on January 29, 2005
Never take Welbutrin. I second this. In fact, I'm convinced that Welbutrin, in the form of Zyban, triggered my panic attacks in the first place. I've been treated with cognitive behavioural therapy, which helps. For me though, controlling my breathing, (silly as it sounds, a paper bag helps with this), is the most important thing.
posted by punilux at 4:29 AM on January 29, 2005
posted by punilux at 4:29 AM on January 29, 2005
Best answer: This is a really good thread. I once had a panic in my therapist's office. She recommended a washcloth with very cold water on the face. It triggers a bunch of physiological responses, and stopped the panic attack. I used the technique a year ago when I had an episode of SVTs (Supra Ventricular Tachycardia), and it works some of the time for that, as well.
The SVTs were caused by an asthma inhaler, and I've had other experiences of one drug creating other problems, and the domino effect that medications can create. People really vary in their reactions to meds. The prescribing physician needs to be really good, and an experienced pharmacist might also help.
I carry Xanax, a fast-acting/short-acting version of valium. It has addictive potential and can be abused. I use it rarely, and only the smallest dosage. Under the tongue, a small amount will help me get an anxiety attack under control pretty fast. Just having it in my bag gives me a sense of security.
The best help for me is friends who will schedule a regular walk or other outdoor exercise. Sunshine may help, as well as the exercise and friendship.
Prozac touched off severe panic attacks, though reading the above makes me wonder if I might've adjusted. I take a very small dosage of Zoloft daily. I have a propensity towards depression, and increase the Zoloft during bad times. It makes the difference between staying in bed for a week and maintaining an outwardly normal life sometimes. Mostly, it helps me maintain a more even keel.
Playing Ball on Running Water by David Reynolds was very helpful to me. A sibling was greatly helped by Learned Optimismby Martin Seligman.
Good luck, Squirrel. Your friend is lucky to have you there.
posted by theora55 at 9:30 AM on January 29, 2005
The SVTs were caused by an asthma inhaler, and I've had other experiences of one drug creating other problems, and the domino effect that medications can create. People really vary in their reactions to meds. The prescribing physician needs to be really good, and an experienced pharmacist might also help.
I carry Xanax, a fast-acting/short-acting version of valium. It has addictive potential and can be abused. I use it rarely, and only the smallest dosage. Under the tongue, a small amount will help me get an anxiety attack under control pretty fast. Just having it in my bag gives me a sense of security.
The best help for me is friends who will schedule a regular walk or other outdoor exercise. Sunshine may help, as well as the exercise and friendship.
Prozac touched off severe panic attacks, though reading the above makes me wonder if I might've adjusted. I take a very small dosage of Zoloft daily. I have a propensity towards depression, and increase the Zoloft during bad times. It makes the difference between staying in bed for a week and maintaining an outwardly normal life sometimes. Mostly, it helps me maintain a more even keel.
Playing Ball on Running Water by David Reynolds was very helpful to me. A sibling was greatly helped by Learned Optimismby Martin Seligman.
Good luck, Squirrel. Your friend is lucky to have you there.
posted by theora55 at 9:30 AM on January 29, 2005
I used to have some pretty bad panic attacks for a while (one should not use diet pills with ephedra, drink several cans of Red Bull a day, and take pseudoephedrine for a stuffy nose all at once, it's no good). They would come on when I was trying to sleep, so I would get up and watch tv, just to keep my mind off of my pounding heart, which helped. I tried to remind myself that healthy people rarely have heart attacks without other symptoms, and that I would feel better as soon as the panic passed. Once I realized what was causing the attacks, I dramatically cut down my caffeine intake, and now avoid anything with pseudoephedrine. Good luck.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 10:41 AM on January 29, 2005
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 10:41 AM on January 29, 2005
I tried to remind myself that healthy people rarely have heart attacks without other symptoms
Yeah - unless they're cranked to the gills on alpha agonists like ephedra, pseudoephedrine, caffeine, taurine, cocaine, and/or amphetamine.
The turn this thread has taken reminds me that folks who are having panic attacks ought to get their thyroids checked. Hyperthyroidism is not rare (although panic disorder is more frequent), and obviously the treatment is very different.
posted by ikkyu2 at 1:00 PM on January 29, 2005
Yeah - unless they're cranked to the gills on alpha agonists like ephedra, pseudoephedrine, caffeine, taurine, cocaine, and/or amphetamine.
The turn this thread has taken reminds me that folks who are having panic attacks ought to get their thyroids checked. Hyperthyroidism is not rare (although panic disorder is more frequent), and obviously the treatment is very different.
posted by ikkyu2 at 1:00 PM on January 29, 2005
The diving reflex helps - I've put my face into a sinkful of water to slow my heartbeat. And as mentioned above, a hot shower can calm me down. So can wrapping myself in blankets in front of a heater.
posted by goofyfoot at 4:41 PM on January 29, 2005
posted by goofyfoot at 4:41 PM on January 29, 2005
Just recognizing what's happening and getting on top of it has helped me tremendously.
I nearly called 911 when I had my first one a few years ago, and felt miserable until I went to the doctor (I had been travelling) and said I thought I'd had a heart attack or something. When she laughed in my face and said there's NO WAY you had a heart attack, I instantly felt better. She explained anxiety, that there's no physical threat, and that it's all just bullshit, I just tell myself when I feel the symptoms (generalized pain in the shoulders/elbows, tightening in the throat, lack of circulation in the fingers/toes) that it's all bullshit, and I can get the better of it.
I haven't had a significant episode in more than a year.
posted by jimfl at 6:10 PM on January 29, 2005
I nearly called 911 when I had my first one a few years ago, and felt miserable until I went to the doctor (I had been travelling) and said I thought I'd had a heart attack or something. When she laughed in my face and said there's NO WAY you had a heart attack, I instantly felt better. She explained anxiety, that there's no physical threat, and that it's all just bullshit, I just tell myself when I feel the symptoms (generalized pain in the shoulders/elbows, tightening in the throat, lack of circulation in the fingers/toes) that it's all bullshit, and I can get the better of it.
I haven't had a significant episode in more than a year.
posted by jimfl at 6:10 PM on January 29, 2005
I found there was an emotional trigger for my panic attacks. The anniversary of a death in the family was one of them, it led to a huge increase in panic.
I refused to take any type of SSRI-like drug, for biological reasons. Instead, I found the short-acting Xanax very powerful and useful. Up until that point I used alcohol to basically avoid the attacks -- a bad choice.
Now, I've found the first onset of an attack has the same set of symptoms. I immediately go into a compulsive meditation upon the onset of these symptoms, it basically boils down to a repetition of the following line derived from the mind-body problem, "the flesh is weak, the mind is strong, this is just a panic attack."
Sounds bloody mad, but it works. Understanding it's just an attack, and the feeling of terror will subside, helps to obviate the problem. I don't touch Xanax anymore, I use my meditative line and found I've handled the situation well.
This is a terrible and debilitating problem. I wish your friend all the best in finding her way out of this.
posted by gsb at 11:16 PM on January 29, 2005
I refused to take any type of SSRI-like drug, for biological reasons. Instead, I found the short-acting Xanax very powerful and useful. Up until that point I used alcohol to basically avoid the attacks -- a bad choice.
Now, I've found the first onset of an attack has the same set of symptoms. I immediately go into a compulsive meditation upon the onset of these symptoms, it basically boils down to a repetition of the following line derived from the mind-body problem, "the flesh is weak, the mind is strong, this is just a panic attack."
Sounds bloody mad, but it works. Understanding it's just an attack, and the feeling of terror will subside, helps to obviate the problem. I don't touch Xanax anymore, I use my meditative line and found I've handled the situation well.
This is a terrible and debilitating problem. I wish your friend all the best in finding her way out of this.
posted by gsb at 11:16 PM on January 29, 2005
I have panic attacks rarely, but had a huge one this morning before work (because of work related stuff). I took an antihistimine (to slow and calm me down) and enjoyed a moment of personal sensual solitude, if you catch my drift. The combination helped immensely, but I know that was lucky. I'm making the call to get into a bit o' therapy and exercising more, as a way to help deal with stress as it builds and the anxiety that's trying to make me tweak right now.
My greatest support is my best friend, who knows exactly what to do when this happens: help me breathe, stay calm and level-headed, and use laughter whenever possible. He also asks me what's around me: a glass, a pen, my shoe, etc, to help ground my senses.
On preview: the last comment was 4 days ago, so this may have been useless. Oh well.
posted by moonbird at 3:47 PM on February 2, 2005
My greatest support is my best friend, who knows exactly what to do when this happens: help me breathe, stay calm and level-headed, and use laughter whenever possible. He also asks me what's around me: a glass, a pen, my shoe, etc, to help ground my senses.
On preview: the last comment was 4 days ago, so this may have been useless. Oh well.
posted by moonbird at 3:47 PM on February 2, 2005
7. Never take Welbutrin
Can't agree with that. I've had pretty bad panic attacks (especially the driving type mentioned by veronitron above) to various degrees as long as I can remember. About six months ago, my doctor put me on Wellbutrin, and I've only had a handful since. I don't know if it's removing some of the stress triggers that I had, or if it's because I've been more or less forced to cut way, way back on the caffeine, but I'm gonna go with wellbutrin good, here. YMMV, of course, but it's not all bad.
posted by majcher at 1:27 AM on February 4, 2005
Can't agree with that. I've had pretty bad panic attacks (especially the driving type mentioned by veronitron above) to various degrees as long as I can remember. About six months ago, my doctor put me on Wellbutrin, and I've only had a handful since. I don't know if it's removing some of the stress triggers that I had, or if it's because I've been more or less forced to cut way, way back on the caffeine, but I'm gonna go with wellbutrin good, here. YMMV, of course, but it's not all bad.
posted by majcher at 1:27 AM on February 4, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
My anxiety attacks present like asthma attacks (extreme difficulty breathing), except I don't have asthma, and there's no physical reason for me to get the attacks. I've been trying to work on using some of the tips for people with asthma. I hope this is helpful!
on preview - I suppose that isn't really a situation you can escape from! I wish your friend luck!
posted by nprigoda at 6:20 PM on January 28, 2005