[Rio_]

Apologies if there's already a thread like this one somewhere, but I thought it'd be a good idea to put all we know about panic attacks in one place. So, feel free to post anything about them that you feel might help - websites, things that have helped you in the past, things your therapist has told you...don't worry if it seems obvious, someone might not know!

I'll start with one that's maybe a bit less obvious (I haven't seen it written down, anyway) - try drinking a glass of water. All the way through school, whenever someone was upset the teacher would offer them a glass of water, and I never understood why until my last year when it was the only thing that would calm my breathing down after a panic attack in an exam. Seems it's not easy to hyperventilate and drink at the same time.

[Perna]

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Rio_ said:
Seems it's not easy to hyperventilate and drink at the same time.

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LOL, Rio, reminds me of drinking water upside down and from the "opposite" side of the glass when you have the hiccups because the concentration and contortions get you breathing better and concentrating on what you're doing, etc.

If I have a panic attack I try to sit for a bit and use my head to look at what is going on around me and how that hasn't changed and isn't threatening, to ground myself.

[NewDawnFades]

Dear Rio,

Duran Duran!!! Very, very cool! One of my favorite bands of all time along New Order, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Erasure, etc. WWWWWWOOOOOOOHHHHHHOOOOOOO!!!!! Okay, now, what are we talking about? Oh yes, panic attacks...

I have heard and read that, like you pointed out, water helps some people calm down during an attack. Chamomile tea, cinnamon spice, decaffeinated coffee, or similar warm drink to soothe the nerves. For me, in particular, if it is possible, I will work out (weightlifting, running), preferably indoors (due to moderate agoraphobia). Two others are music and aromatherapy. Smooth jazz and classical are two of the more popular genres of music to calm down to. Lavender, chamomile, and witch hazel are some of the better calming herbs used in baths.

I have quite a few more, but, I want to be courteous to anyone else who would like to add to this. Thank you for the posting and take care of yourself...

Sincerely,

David (NewDawnFades)

[scott88keys]

Personally, I find a half milligram of Ativan to be helpful when I'm in a bad state.

Also, deep breathing. Music. . .

Reminding myself that this will not last. . .that I'll get through this. . .

I used to use cigarettes, but that didn't really help, I just thought it did (3 weeks clean!).

[Perna]

Congrats Scott on the 3 weeks!

[AAAAA]

Congrats Scott!!! I use cigarettes and ativan myself.

I believe I have generalized anxiety....and a couple of times, a former doctor gave me ativan for temporary use. It was amazing. But....that was in another province. I have moved and cannot find a general physician let alone a specialist. Can anybody recommend a site for personal control of anxiety attacks?

[kabluie]

Well, I hate the panic attacks, but at least these days I know they will pass and I won't die. They are a terrible embarrassment for me, and the worst happen at work or at a social gathering when I can't get away easily.

For me, concentrating on controlling my breathing helps, as does sitting down somewhere quiet. If I get some warning (the little queasies in the tummy or tingles/zaps) I take a quarter-mg of clonazepam (which unfortunately doesn't work as fast as alprazolam, but the psych is more willing to prescribe). Total time for an attack is usually less than 10 minutes, but I feel frazzled and out of sorts for an hour or more afterwards.

Anxiously yours,

Kablue