Anxiety/Panic Attacks - Page 4

sage4 · ‎10-29-2012

My son suffers from Panic Attacks after a car accident which caused brain trauma. He was put on Xanax and it helped. He decided to get off the Xanax so when he gets a panic attack, he controls it himself and also ask those around to please be quiet until it passes.

Abby Grace · ‎06-12-2011

This is my story-

I was able to manage them with exercise, and reducing caffeine. After a few, I was able to "catch" and stop them as soon as they started. My doctor prescribed medication, but I never took it. The funny thing is that they disappeared after menopause ( at least so far). I wonder if hormones were part of MY problem? Good luck!

Fitzallen · ‎03-31-2010

My panic attacks manifested themselves while I was driving. I stopped driving on highways back in 1990. I started using back roads or relied on others. I had no other limits and managed fine. But then in 2009, my life was thrown into upheaval and I could no longer drive even the back rosds but for a frw miles so I started using public transportation. I can't go to a therapist (though I have in the past) because I have no way to get there. My question for the Xanax users...can you handle them while driving? I use them when I fly abroad and they wipe me out. Good luck to the op . You are not alone.

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

When I take a Xanax while shopping or out in public, I do not get sleepy at all.

Fitzallen · ‎03-31-2010

Wow, I am snowed when I take one.

Msmeerkat · ‎11-16-2010

On 8/18/2014 dooBdoo said:
RickyRocky, There's plenty of good advice here. What helped me was finding a good therapist who taught me bio-feedback techniques, visualization, and self-hypnosis. I did accept medications at first but once I learned these practices I was able to slowly back off them until completely stopping the meds. I wish you, and everyone, success and peace on this journey.

I agree. I avoid drugs whenever possible. I believe in bio-feedback..thinking my mind created this, I can use my mind to release it. It was easier once I realized that! It's so easy to build up a 'fear'. It can be a result of stress build-up or mental exhaustion. I had some bad ones after I stopped smoking. Sipping ice cold water helped, focusing on how refreshing it felt. You can't really fight an attack, it makes it worse. I found diverting my mind helps. With things like driving, I imagine myself 'after the fact"...arriving at my destination, happy and relaxed. I do that with flying. I guess it's tricking my mind: if I can imagine it, it will be. I wish you luck!!!!!

ritasNo1Fan · ‎03-12-2010

I will try xanax. I am starting to panic these days

kivah · ‎03-11-2010

I started driving in 1968 when I was 27 yrs old - and drove everywhere. In 1995, when I was 54 yrs old, I started noticing that I would get panicky when being a passenger in a car --- even in a cab. It got so bad - last week my friend and her daughter came to my house --- we were celebrating her birthday and she was driving to a restaurant 1/2 hour away. It was still light out, and I almost couldn't catch my breath in the car - and I kept telling her to slow down. She's a very good driver, but I kept feeling like we're going to be involved in an accident. I could drive the streets around my house -- but if I have to get on the freeway (which is not often), I'm very nervous and literally pray all the way to my destination. I have read that the driving anxiety happens to mostly women, and starts at menopause -- which is exactly what happened to me. Also, years ago (I live in southern Calif) - the traffic was much lighter, the lanes on the street and freeway were much wider --- when stopped at a light, I can hear the car in the next lane swoosh by. Luckily, I'm retired - so I'm home most of the time --- but when I know I have to go somewhere, I get jittery. Thru the years, many cars ran into me --- and in 2000, an 18-wheeler backed up - and the back of the truck was on the hood of my car. Haven't quite recovered from that one. I wasn't moving in any of the accidents. Other than driving - or being a passenger in a car, I'm fine. I never told my doctor about it, but I think I need to do it. I'm afraid to take drugs - as I'll probably fall asleep. I'm not a pill-taker.

RickyRocky · ‎03-23-2010

First and foremost, thank you all so much for all of your advice and sharing your own stories. I have suffered from panic/anxiety for over 25 years. I get all the symptoms of panic. I am taking an antidepressant and it has helped somewhat. The anxiety comes from both the driving issue and the going to work issue. I seem to always get this way after being off a whole week. I also had a bout with Vertigo back in January while I was driving to work and I also think the memory of that helps "ratchet" up my anxiety. That was very, very scary.

My husband drove me to work this morning and once I got to work, I was able to calm myself down. I am feeling much better tonight and I'm hoping that I will still be calm tomorrow morning when the times comes around again to drive to work.

I have read all of your advice and I just can't thank you all enough. I will definitely be getting the books that some of you recommended.

BonnieBelle · ‎03-10-2010

When I feel one coming on, the only thing I can do is get up and move and walk and walk and keep drinking water until it passes. I get tunnel vision and feel like I'm having a heart attack.