My mom suffers from panic attacks. What is a good medication for her to take to get over them or get through them better? Thank you in advance!

You have to discuss this with her doctor. Very low doses of Tofranil, an old antidepressant, work as a selective central alpha-adrenergic blocker, and often turn Panic Attacks off 10 mg 2-3 times a day is all that is needed usually. Now this is a Prescription med, and is not a street drug, so you have to get her to discuss this with her physician. It is not a well known treatment. Most physicians use benzodiazipines. They help , but are sedating and may cause dependence.

My Panic Attacks ruined my life for years. I couldn’t sleep because I was afraid of getting them once all my usual distractions were put away. I couldn’t look at my reflection because I thought that that triggered them, I wouldn’t go in the bathroom at night unless absolutely necessary.
Its great to know people go through the same things so please leave a note. Thank you!

Hi Marrin, Its really a painful experience to have such panic attacks. I saw someone very closely, so I can realize a bit of your nightmare. You can visit the source link and try to keep yourself informed and updated about these attacks. Hope this will help you. Thanks, TC.

I have regular Panic Attacks around 10 or so a month but some months I wont have any. Why Do I miss them even though I feel great?

could be a number of reasons, its hard to say really. But its good that your asking yourself this question.

maybe you like the adrenaline rush of your heart pounding hard.
maybe you like the attention.
maybe you like feeling pain
maybe they give you some kind of escape,something to take your mind off of your problems
just speculating,,,keep searching

We are all crazy, those who try to understand why their craziness are philosophers.

I have panic disorder. My panic attacks happen precisely in closed spaces, like classrooms. I KNOW I will have a panic attack during my exams since I’ll have to be closed in a classroom 3 hours without permission to leave, in a hot place full of people.

What to do? I’m thinking of taking meds but then I’ll be VERY sleepy and not able to focus, plus meds make me sleepy but they don’t take the Panic Attacks away!

If your panic disorder is medically verified you can get accomodations for your condition during exams. It’s the law (at least in the US). They would have to provide breaks & etc. It’s just how it is.

If your panic disorder is not medically verified you have less options available to you. You already know you cannot take the drugs. This is something you already answered in your own post. You will have to work on techniques to cope with your condition if this is the case. I would suggest researching various stress management techniques. No one is saying it’s not difficult, but without a formal diagnosis/medical verification you are on your own.

Your 15 year old daughter is having Panic Attacks at school, and she’s missed about a weeks worth of school in the past 3 weeks because she:

She had a panic attack Thursday morning.

She came home and stayed home Friday as well.

She went in on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but came home halfway through the day due to a panic attack in a lesson after she was made to go into her lesson.

She stayed home Thursday and Friday.

Then today she started to walk to school but came home as she couldn’t cope.

What would you do?

You need to sit and have a chat with her, ask her why she thinks she is having panic attacks. If she isn’t having any at all whilst she is at home or anywhere else, then that would be an almost definite answer- school is whats causing them.

I was 15 when I 1st started getting them at school and it got to the point where I refused to go to school but my reason was because I had a terrible fear of being sick and would only feel really sick at school but anywhere else, I would feel fine. Mine esculated and I stopped leaving the house, went down to 6 stone and eventually got sent to a pyschologist by my family doctor and even though it took a good year of help, I managed to gain the weight and do what I used to. My mum was very worried, she didn’t know what was wrong at the time but it was basically anxiety. I am now just about 20 and still find it hard some days but if its nipped in the bud, your daughter will have a much better, less stressful outcome.

Good luck

I am confused when I read about Panic Attacks being bad, and exercises being good for us. Heart rate is up for both.

Heart rate for panic attacks is faster then exercising. I’ve felt a persons heart beat during a panic attack its much much higher then exercise. Thats why its bad. Also your body goes into survival mode during panic attacks which doesn’t help the situation.

im 16 and im going on a school fieldtrip for 1 week. I get really nervous and scared when im not with my parents or people that im comfortable with. I am going to be on a plane and i get attacks when there is crowded areas or just out of no where. Does anyone have advice on how to go on this trip and not get homesick or get a panic attack and want to come home?

When you feel a panic attack coming, take several slow, deep breaths. Remind yourself that nothing bad is happening to you – it’s just a feeling, like any other feeling, and it can’t last forever. Try to step back from what you are feeling and look at it objectively – is there really anything to be panicking about? Is there actually anything bad happening to you, besides the uncomfortable sensations you’re feeling? Talk yourself down from your anxiety, until you are comfortable in the situation. Remember that the very worst thing that can happen is that you feel scared, and that feeling is only temporary – it can’t last forever, and once it’s over you will feel fine again.

I think that once you get going on the field trip, you will probably be having so much fun with your friends that you won’t even have time to be anxious or homesick. Just keep your mind focused on what’s going on around you – on the fun people are having, on what you’re learning, etc. – and don’t focus on any feelings of homesickness you might have. Remember that it’s only a week, and everything at home will be just how you left it when you get back. Good luck!

I am going to my doc who wants to put me on an antidepressant.
He put me on Zoloft which I did not tolerate well at all. He likes me to put input into things, and I would like to have an idea of which antidepressant for my Panic Attacks would be. He of course would make the final descion, but he does ask my opinion.
Any expierences out there?

Zoloft is an SSRI. All SSRIs cause some problems in the first month of treatment. They include:

nausea
drowsiness
headache
changes in weight and appetite
changes in sexual behaviour
increased feelings of depression and anxiety
tremors
increased sweating

But they will disappear after 1 month. SSRIs work differently in people. It is not able to predict which one will suit you best. You may have to try different drugs before you stick on to one.

SSRIs are:

(Trade names in parentheses)

citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil, Emocal, Sepram)
escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro, Cipralex, Esertia)
fluoxetine (Prozac, Fontex, Seromex, Seronil, Sarafem, Fluctin (EUR))
fluvoxamine maleate (Luvox, Faverin)
paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax, Deroxat)
sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral, Serlain)

Paroxetine has more approved indications than others but Fluoxetine is the long acting one. If you are a male you must select one with a shorter halflife (paroxetine or fluvoxamine) because you will be able to take drug holidays if you develop a sexual dysfunction later. All SSRIs cause sexual dysfunction in men.

Bupropion (amfebutamone) (brand names Wellbutrin and Zyban) is a different type of antidepressant. It is safer than SSRIs and doesn’t cause sexual side effects. Bupropion lowers seizure threshold but an extended release version of this drug is very safe. New studies show that Bupropion XL can be used for panic disorders.

Mirtazapine is also a safe drug without any sexual side effects that can be used for Panic Disorders. This drug may cause weight gain and it is sedative in low doses (a unique property of mirtazapine).

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressants

Select a drug which suits best to you.

My boyfriend and I are taking Amtrak, for a 27 hour ride. My boyfriend suffers from severe Panic Attacks and travel anxiety. We reserved a room so that we can lay down and feel a little bit isolated. We know it’s small, but he said it would help him. He is nervous enough about the ride, and i doubt he will be able to fall asleep with his nerves running wild. Besides listening to music, watching movies and reading, what do you recommend we do to keep entertained, to have fun, and to take his mind off traveling? Thanks!

What treatment options have you explored? I have panic disorder and I can tell you that it can be successfully treated and doesn’t have to continually interfere with your life like that. If it’s in treatment and not getting any relief, I just suggest trying an anti-anxiety drug or an antidepressant used for anxiety. Also relaxation exercises are wonderful.

I have severe Panic Attacks and I am on medication. My close friends know about this, and are wondering what they can do to help me WHILE i am having a panic attack. I am not sure what to tell them, so if you have any tips or comments, they are very apprieciated.

I get panic attacks also. What I tell my friends to do is to give me space and let me breath. When my friends start freaking out then I start to hyperventilate even more. Have one friend around you about five feet away ready to get you water or whatever you may need. I hope that this helped. <3 Feel Better