[Scaryangie]

I was just wondering if anyone reading this is actually cured of their panic attacks. Does it ever go away??
If anyone had been cured, how did you do it???
I am having a really terrible panicy day, I feel a major one coming on at anytime now. Anyone out there???? <font color="red"> </font>

[Scaryangie]

still no one out there? I would love to talk, am having such a bad day. I HATE PANIC ATTACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think panic attacks is something that can be cured. there are an infinite number of things that people can be afraid of on top of that there are so many problems in life be it physical, mental or natural disasters in which people can experience a bad experience causing PTSD and panic attacks is one of the symptoms for that. Even though there is no real cure for this there are ways to learn how to cope with what is causing the panic attacks such as therapy, self help books and classes that teach about panic topics/disorders and anxiety.

[hillbunnyb]

Slogging through stuff, becoming aware, learning to breath, therapy, work, work, work can diminish them. I don't know about cures.
Coming here, not feeling alone, getting a chuckle or an insight, or just distraction, helps me with my overall persective, which helps diffuse my general inensity, which helps diffuse the intensity and duration of my PAs.

[Parker10]

I agree that the "cure" rate would be rather low. In my personal situation, I had panic attacks for 17 years before being diagnosed, and have not had a panic attack in 15 years (will be 16 in Feb). I take one med, same dose the entire 15 years, learned as much as I possibly could about the symptoms, and what to do when my body tries to trick my brain into thinking there is a threat (which is what causes a panic attack). I think learning the breathing techniques, distraction techniques, and education and more education about panic attacks is the key to overcoming them. I HIGHLY recommend a book by Reneau Z. Peurifoy called "Anxiety, Phobias and Panic - Taking Charge and Conquering Fear". I facilitated a support group for 7 years and that book was our "bible". I have read most of the books out there on panic - and have never found any to come close to the one I mentioned.

I also think that those of use with panic disorder will always "be in recovery". Its the education and doing the work to learn the skills that keeps the panic at bay, and allows us to continue in "recovery".

I am sorry you are having a really bad day.....get distracted........stop the "stinkin thinkin", do some relaxation, use diaphragmatic breathing......all these will help !

[Scaryangie]

thanks for all the replys, my fellow panicky pals!

[SeptemberMorn]

I heartily second what Parker said. Panic at seeminly nothing is a misfiring of the adrenal gland. As far as I know, no one has found a "cure" but the right med with a gathering of all the information you can on how to defuse the attack is the best way to controlling them.

Best of luck to you.

[Lexicon78]

I used to have panic attacks several times a day. Now I don't have any. My panic attacks were due to abuse. Once I got out of the abusive situation and received a lot of intensive therapy in partial hospitalization for 3 years it seemed to just all go away. I had intensive group therapy, cognitive therapy, and DBT therapy, along with a homework group every day. (5 days a week for 6 hours a day). It really helped me out. What you have to do is talk about everything you are afraid to go into detail about...the specifics of trauma. That's the best advice I can give you right now.

[arli]

Hi,
I have been told that panic atack could be cured...In fact, my T told me that "there is nothing to be cured only with medicine" cause panic atacks are consequences of diferent traumatic expiriences.

I have had many panic atacks but after the latest scary expirience I decided to go to therapy again. T prescribed fluoxetine (prozac) and bromazepam, but also gave me instructions how to behave when I feel atack is comming.

The main thing is breathing - slow and deep, than visualisation of pleasant places or situations as well as positive confirmation. It works for me - I still have panic attacks but I learned how to "cut" it before it reaches its peak.

One more note - my T also told me that 95 percent af all panic attack have its root in not-solved-family-problems and that the reason are not always obvious. Acording to my T, every person with panic attack should first look at relationships in family, at level of comunication as well as at its own role and position in family.

I hope it helped you a little. TC

[kimmydawn]

I used to have 2-3 panic attacks daily and now may have one once per year.

being panic attack free can happen. it really can. I didn't think i'd ever be free of them. It took about six months of meds and then some bio-feedback, but it worked!

good luck!

KD

[Scaryangie]

thank you for all the input!!!!! Gives me hope!
Also, Happy Holidays to all of you!

[emma4ever]

Hi! This is my first time writing here, have had a look before but never said anything. So, I had panic attacks about 5 years ago. My sister had it the year before so when my heart started racing and I couldn't breathe in the middle of the night I called her straight away. I managed to get 6 sessions of cognitive therapy soon after the first attack and it helped me understand what happened to me and that I was not going to get insane or die. Maybe because I knew from the beginning what was happening and got help quickly I stopped getting them. Last summer I had one, I had so much pain in my lower back I couldn't get up from the toilet in the night, I got so afraid, my heart was racing, I couldn't see etc and I thought I would die. Then I recognized the symptoms as a panic attack. That made me calm down -it was 'just' a panic attack, I know that's not dangerous. I can imagine if you've had them for a long time it's harder to relearn the bodily responses. Anyway it doesn't seem to be impossible.
I still suffer of anxiety, fatigue, pain... btw. But the panic don't scare me anymore and therefor I don't get it.
Please feel free to write to me if you want. I wish you strength in the getting well process! Emma

[Scaryangie]

Thanks Emma!!

[Myzen]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
emma4ever said:
the panic don't scare me anymore and therefor I don't get it.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

That is exactly how it is for me too- wise words.

M.

[GoddessRhiannon]

just knowing there is hope...can make a world of difference