Anxiety and Diet - Panic Disorders Message Board

lovelikeheroine · 02-15-2005, 01:05 AM

I have been having severe panic attacks for 2 to 3 years now, although I have suffered anxiety my entire life. School is a big focal point for me, and honestly I blame my mother - her pressure on me to continuously get straight a's made school a huge ball of anxiety. But anyways, thats not what I'm posting about.

Recently I was reading on some key foods that can help with anxiety, and since I have been on an enormous amount of drugs, the only ones which seem to work in conjunction with each other are lorazopam, paxil (although i hate it, because it makes me somewhat suicidal) and hydrocodiene, I want to change my diet so I can get off of them. I don't like being drugged up. At the moment I'm on a lot of drugs because I've had some strange panic attacks where I have almost died (I had one in the bath, almost drowned and had another really bad one in the car) and my family and friends don't want to risk it. I can understand their fear, for its very scary...Anyways, I've read so far that whole wheat foods are very good, and salmon.. but does anyone else know any others? I try to stay away from caffiene and sugar, and I don't drink (unless its a small glass of wine at a nice resturant every once and awhile).

Any help with the panic would be appreciated. I've been through many pysch's and doctors, and we can't seem to find what triggers it. I first started having them after I went through a very disturbing sickness in '02. I used to have very severe depression, but I believe my anxiety monster has just eaten it alive, so at least some good has come of it.

hry33 · 02-15-2005, 01:15 PM

are you sure they are panic attacks and not siezures of some type
there arent any foods to avoid unless you are getting panic attacks from food allergies which can occasionally happen

panic attacks from anxiety often just happen and searching for triggers isnt helpful, IMO

jade112 · 02-15-2005, 01:28 PM

Hello-

I was reading your post and although I personally am not sure how to answer your question about what you can eat to help your moods, I do beleive food, nutrition & exercise are SOO powerful. You can get a nutritionist to reasearch your moods and history and they can compile an entire fitness and meal plan for your exact needs. They are wonderful!!!!

I also had a question for you. I thought hydrocodine was for pain, I was unaware that it is prescribed for other symptoms?

- Jade

lovelikeheroine · 02-15-2005, 11:43 PM

I've just started exercising 45 minutes every day, with a mixture of cardio and strenght. Its helped my panic immensely. They are panic attacks - although i had nerve damage from being sick, the doctors havent found anything that would suggest seizures.

I actually found that hydrocodine helps with panic by accident. I take it for my cramps (i have absolutely horrendous ones, and it runs in my family, my mom takes it also) and I had to take that for my cramps, and then my other drugs for my panic. I did that, and I had absolutely NO panic or anxiety while normally i have a twinge or the drugs don't work at all. So on days where it is absolutely necessary (and after asking my doctors if it was alright) I will take hydro to help (days that i cant miss school/work for fear of failing/getting fired) me cope.

jade112 · 02-16-2005, 10:14 AM

OK. Thats great that you found another use for a drug that seems to be helping you!! Its also great that you are exercising, I find it helps so much for me, and my panic... and other issues =)
I have had a really tuff couple weeks, its just one panic attack on top of another, I am exgausted!! I am not medicated anymore so I totallly rely on nutrition and exercise to help any way possible & if I stick with it..... it totally does. I have suffered/suffer with an Eating Disorder for 9 years and nutrition in a huge part of my life, and part of my panic, at lease thats what I believe. Anyway good luck with everything and keep me posted about the nutrition thing, if you decide to look into it.

Thanks
- Jade