I have several family members who suffer from Panic Attacks. I am not sure how to help them when they are in panic mode or their anxiety level increases. It breaks my heart to see them so upset and I feel so helpless. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to help someone who suffers from panic attacks?

You really can’t do much to help a person suffering from panic attacks. It only stands in their power and will in order to overcome them.

There are some step-by-step techniques that I have used to overcome panic, after suffering 4 long years of anxiety.

You can get more information here : http://www.relief-anxiety.info/

Good Luck!

I was curious about this. I have been recently diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder and I think I have been also diagnosed with Panic Disorder, but I am not sure. How many Panic Attacks does someone have to have to be diagnosed with Panic Disorder?

Negative emotions (like sadness, stress, anger, etc.) causes your Serotonin production to be low; when your Serotonin level is low, you are more prone to getting Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, etc.

Medication like Antidepressants (SSRI – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) helps to boost Serotonin level.

But there are natural ways to do it without medication. There’s this strange herb called "St John’s Wort" – it is said to be more effective than Prozac. No, it is not for mild depression only and ignore those sayings. In fact, it does help anxiety and panic-attacks as St John’s Wort works like prozac. Other natural ways will be exercise, diet, more exposure to light, etc.
The problem is that, even if your Serotonin is balanced… you have that "learned behavior" in your mind. You need to break that initial cycle to destroy that learned behavior – Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) does this. A technique that you can use without CBT will be Distraction… There are several other techniques to help cope them!
Ok, to use Distraction: Firstly, try to….

Extracted from Source.

I suffer from anxiety and Panic Attacks and if I get a bad one, I notice at the ER that my blood pressure shoots through the roof. Nothing TOO high but it can go 130/140s and very close to 150s, and the lower number can go into the 100-110 range.

Is this something I should be highly concerned with?

It normally drops to like 100 over 60 afterwards when I’m sedated, and it never stays at that level, but it can shoot up there in a matter of MINUTES!

Should I be concerned, becuase none of my doctors seem to be at all, whatsoever,

but people on this message board go crazy if you mention anything over 120/80.

I n eed some true advice.

I just saw a cardiologist today and he didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned.

He didn’t do any extensive tests on me since I Had heart palpitations frequently, but im also sick, so maybe during illness its more normal?

He said the palps and the anxiety/panic high bp are nothing to worry about.

Is this true?
I also notice that SOME times my LOWER number seems to be the most dramatically increased, and other times its the HIGHER number.

What could cause the lower one to increase, and what would cause the higher?

idk but its certianly not good for you. i have social anxiety with panic attacks, it sucks im on prozac for it and it really helps.

The Panic Attacks I’ve experienced very infrequently over the last several years have suddenly become horrifying and almost constant since I quit drinking.

I am twenty-seven, uninsured, and have very little money. My options seem to be: 1. Keep drinking (and even this is becoming less effective); or 2. Buy some kind of benzodiazapines off the street.

Any suggestions? Is there some kind of free detox program?

Funny you should ask; that sounds very similar to my situation for the past few years. I also used to self-medicate with alcohol…caused me a lot of court-mandated stuff and general misery. I’ve since quit drinking, but I remember the initial period was rough with the anxiety.

If you’re in the U.S., I think most average-sized towns have a health facility for flu shots and counseling for lower income folks. It is possible to go in and see a counselor about the anxiety, and possibly a psychiatrist will prescribe small-dose Xanax tablets (Alprazolam). I take 1-2 .5 milligram pills when needed. I must stress however, that these are considered addictive and classed as such. A lot depends on a person’s individual body chemistry. Alprazolam is the most widely-used and also the most effective short-term treatment of anxiety, if my memory serves me well.

The most important part is that I finally learned that when I drank, I actually had MORE anxiety. Because the morning after, you’re coming up from extreme relaxation into what seems like an agitated state, in comparison.

I tend to be long-winded, but mostly try to get in and see one of those counselors. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, by the way. Everyone and their dog needs to see a counselor every so often.

Also, please note that I am just an average Joe- A Professional will have the real answers.

I am 13 and have have two panic attacks. i havent gone to the doctor but their is anxiety disorder in my mums past. I had my first panic attack when i had a needle, and the second when i flew off fast scooter. i dont know how to deal with the attacks and my mum dosnt help, all she says is calm down and acts as if im embarrising. i htink she thinks im exagerating over little things. but when it happends its out of my control i cant stop shaking and hyperventilating, my hands freeze up and i had severe tingling in my face and a very pale face.Mum dosnt want to take me to the doctor or buy any medications. i agree with her when she says she dosnt want me on any strong perscribed drugs. she dosnt want to spend lots of money taking me to phyciatrists or phycologists(im not sure which one) but i want to get better. any advice. please give me good answers im realy stressed about it all

I get panic attacks too, I am 22 now but I started getting them when I was 14. I would not recommend medication, I was on medication for awhile when I was 16 and it really messed with my head a lot, it didn’t help that much I still got attacks. I think the best thing is to just learn to manage the attacks. If you start to feel really anxious or feel signs that one might be coming, try to find somewhere to sit down. When I get one I try to get outside where there is fresh air and sit down somewhere private and take deep breaths until it passes. It also helps to drink water. Panic Attacks can be scary, but the most important thing to remember is that you CANNOT die from a panic attack and it WILL pass, just keep telling yourself that when you are having one. The worst thing is getting them during school, I used to just go to the bathroom or nurse’s office. You will probably grow out of them eventually, a lot of teenagers get them. Mine have gotten less frequent the past few years, I only get 1 or 2 a year. Oh and be careful if you get older and start to experiment with alcohol, it can trigger attacks in a lot of people including me.

i have HORRIBLE Panic Attacks…but i am getting better=)
when u experience one..what are the dominant symptoms that you experience?

I have suffered from panic attacks for 5 years….when they first started I would get dizzy, every negative thing I could think of would race through my head, I would get cold but be sweating, my heart would race, I would shake, and my chest would hurt….after years of living with it, I got sick of them and did alot of research and realized that they can’t hurt me….the best way to overcome them is to understand what they are and that they won’t hurt you. after you realize this, when you start to feel them coming on you will be able to ignore them and eventually your brain will become accustomed to this and they will pass within seconds with no problem….good luck and God bless you….

Is there any herbal remedies for panic attacks?

View the techniques for control of panic attacks, in section 8, in my website, at ezy build, below, which I created to contain all the information that there isn’t enough space for, here. Begin, on this first occasion, only, by holding your breath for 5, or 10 seconds: this will give you the confidence to realise that YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR BREATHING, but not pass out, or die (your autonomic nervous system resumes breathing, if you become unconscious). Understand Panic Attacks, and what triggers them, in your life (if it is unresolved anxiety, or stress, see sections 6, or 42, respectively). The paper bag method works for most people: try it.

If you are fairly suggestible, the following are reliable: http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/
Your last alternative is psychotherapy, to address its fundamental cause: read section 1, and examine the http://1-800-therapist.com/ website, and use the locators, and phone book. I used to suffer from panic attacks, until I questioned what had changed in my life, at, or just before that time, to trigger them. For some people, this is enough. These days, I have instilled the habit of, whenever a situation occurs where panic is likely, I visualise a large, "STOP!" sign, as vividly as possible, followed by repeating to myself: "stay calm" in my mind. You could try the same method. It usually takes 30 – 40 repetitions, for most people, to establish a new habit. I also suggest that you learn, then practise the controlled breathing technique, until competent, then employ it, at the very first sign of a panic attack.

Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from panic attacks, I deeply and completely accept myself." Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms (as do medications/herbal remedies): you need to address the underlying cause, and this requires some form of therapy, and Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy has proved effective.

Advice from a published psychiatrist on controlled breathing. (1.) Get a clock, or watch with a second timer. (2.) Practise for 5 minutes, 4 times daily, until proficient. (3.) Take a small breath in, and hold it, for 6 seconds. (4.) Think to yourself: "RELAX", just before breathing out. (5.) Try to feel a sense of releasing tension, as you breathe out. (6.) Breathe in for 3 seconds, then out, for 3 seconds. Try to make your breathing very smooth, and light, as you breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, or nose. (7.) For the next minute, continue to breathe in, and out, every 3 seconds. (8.) Go back to step 3, at the end of the minute, and proceed through to step 7, doing this for 5 minutes. Use this at the very first sign of a panic attack starting, or any time you feel anxious, or tense.

Because many people can’t access/afford professional therapy, I include the EFT, and EMDR variant for them to try, free of charge. Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy is generally available in most areas, but EMDR (see section 33) may well be worth trying, and is becoming more widespread. (The following is a variant of EMDR therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective. It is currently the subject of much study by neuroscientists, to discover how it works. Don’t dismiss it, merely because it seems a little strange: give it a tryout!). Prior to using either of the methods in the above paragraph, or using it on its own, first sit comfortably, and take a deep breath.

Then, without moving your head, move your eyes from the left, to the right, and back again, taking around a second to do so (say: a thousand and one: this takes approximately a second). Repeat this procedure (without the words, although you can count, subvocally if you like) 20 times. Then close your eyes and relax. Become aware of any tension or discomfort you feel. Then open your eyes, and take another deep breath, and repeat step one, closing your eyes, and relaxing afterwards, in the same manner. Then, repeat the procedure one last time. Some people may find that this is all they need do. With experience, you may find that you can practise this in public, with your eyes closed, which greatly widens the window of opportunity for its use, and avoids attracting unwanted attention. Try having a cup of "Tension Tamer", herbal tea, by Celestial Seasonings, (from supermarket tea, or health food aisles) or make some at home, and cool, then bottle, and drink as needed (I find it so strong tasting, that I need to drink it quickly, followed by something like fruit juice, to take away the taste, but others may find it more tolerable). C(h)amomile tea is a more palatable option. As with all herbal/green teas, use lemon/lime, and/or a little sweetener (NOT ARTIFICIAL!!!) but no cream, or milk.

Xylitol, or Stevia is preferable, (health food stores) or fruit sugar (fructose, such as "Fruisana", from supermarket sugar aisles) or even a little honey.

Hi, I was wondering if anybody knows if there’s any over the counter supplements that can be used to treat Panic Attacks and/or depression? I would love to discover some sort of supplements or medicine that would help prevent social anxieties specifically. Maybe I should find some sort of breathing exercises to help keep my heart rate down.

If you’re looking for over the counter supplements to cope with the panic attacks, try St Johns Wort and Omega 3 Fish oil. These 2 supplements have shown to play an important role in brain function.

I get frequent panic attacks after my "run in" with a heart problem I had a year ago. Panic Attacks for me comes in waves and does not leave me for 3 – 4 days. It makes me feel very scared and depressed and I am edgy all the time. I keep feeling pain sensations in my chest, back and arm and can’t get over the feeling – that I am going to die or get a heart attack.
I did go to the doctor and my heart specialist. They can’t find anything unusual in my heart …they have given me some medications for this panic disorder – xanax – but that freaks me out and the withdrawal symptoms are awful. Thanks

a panic attack is the worst type of anxiety…
it means that you haven’t used proper coping mechanisms when the anxiety started as mild, then turned to moderate, then to severe, and lastly into panic attacks…

your symptoms such as your chest pains and other referred pain may be the result of your anxiety.
your body reacts to what you are feeling so your heart beats too fast, that makes your chest painful…(since it pumps faster and lesser oxygen-rich blood is circulated to the body)

think of ways to deal with your anxiety, so that you will not get to the panic state…because if ur already in the panic state, the anxiety meds (anxiolytics) wont work unless you lessen the level of your anxiety back to severe, then to moderate…then if possible to mild…
honestly, it is hard to do that..so people just try to pop anxiety meds..

xanax is a potent drug…(meaning its very effective)
but if it worsens your condition, if you feel worse after taking it, then that’s not the anxiolytic for you..
Diazepam (Valium) is a milder one….and yet effective
unless you’re not in the panic state…

so i hope that answers your question….take the drug once you feel you are a bit anxious..
but the best way to manage that is through non-pharmacologic means…

do some of your hobbies, make yourself busy
talk to your friends, eat, cook,
listen to music, enjoy yourself,
dealing with anxiety varies from people to people..
you just have to know whats the best coping strategy for you..

thanks

I’ve suffered from panic attacks since I was very little, and my first major panic attack was when I was in the middle of a very busy restaurant. Another one was on a crowded train on my way to work and my heart-rate jumped like crazy.

If anyone out there experience those similar reactions.. What are the best treatments for ending these Panic Attacks? THANKS!

Having my own experience, speaking with others, and reading literature, I learned that "panic" is a defense mechanism that protects us from over-whelming anxiety. The problem therefore, is not the "panic", it’s the underlying anxiety.

I would suggest that you look into the "release-valve treatment," as it helped me a great deal with my anxiety. Also, do your reading and studying to give you a better understanding of the main causes and treatments of panic attacks.