panic attacks caused by stress

[spidergirl69]

hey everyone,im new to this board.
Ive been getting these panic attacks that really scare me.Ive had maybe 7 in the last year.They are really bad and I always think that Im going to die.I think I got my anxiety from the dearth of my father which happened in june of 2001.When I ge these attacks I cant hardly breath,my heart is going like a million miles an hour and I feel numb and lighheaded.Ive also been getting them at night for the past 3 nights,theyre not really an attack,just a really bad feeling of emptiness.Maybe its cuz ive been staying up till 5 am and then sleeping in until 3.Anyways,Im just starting to read about anxiety disorders because I couldnt figure out what these attacks were.Im really scared to be looking on these boards because I get anxious just reading things on here.Can someone tell me what to do when I get a panic attack,or when I feel one coming on.My life would be alot easier if I wasnt afraid of these all the time becasue I'd know what to do when they happened...if anyone knows anything i can do,physically and mentally,please tell me...thanks so much and take care

[Mrs.romano]

FIRST OF ALL GO TO UR DOCTORS TO REASURE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YA EVEN THOUGH U KNOW ITS A CLASSIC PANIC ATTACK.. THEY SUCK BUT REALIZE THEY AINT GONNA KILL YA .THATS WHAT HELPS ME GET THROUGH MINE ..
REMEMBER TO BREATH AND WHILE HAVING ONE WALK AROUND UR HOUSE OR GO FOR A WALK THAT IS WHAT I DO ..
MAYBE ONE THING TRY HERBAL TEA.. GO TO A HERB PLACE ..
WELL GOOD LUCK ..

------------------
stacy

[Autumn Angel]

Back in Novemember 2001 I was having one attack everyday around the same time every night between 9pm and 11pm. The first one I ever had took me to the Er thinking I was having a heart attack because I had never had one before. They did an ecg..normal a chest xray..normal and bloodwork...normal. My stomach was burning like fire and they gave me something to freeze my esothagus and stomach and the chest pain went away. So I was sent home with a script for Losec. The next night I had another one still not knowing what they were but knowing my vital organs were ok I stayed home and called my mother. After telling her how I was feeling she told me it was anxiety/panic attack and brought me some Ativan. The attack left as fast as it came after I took half a pill 0.05mg. So I finally knew what they were but that didnt stop them from coming nightly it just helped me deal with them. When I felt one coming I would take my half Ativan and call someone my mom or a friend and just talk about anything. This helped alot but I wanted to know what caused them. It turned out it was my upcoming hysterectomy and since I had that done in May of 2002 I havent had near as many maybe one every 2 month or so but I think they are because I am still struggling with my TMJD and it is very painful. I went to my TMJ doc Monday and I have to have another surgery but the attacks are still at bay for now. I would suggest anything to keep your mind of the attack when you start getting one. If you dont like Ativan which has helped me very much...read a book, call a friend and try and breathe deep and slow and remember they wont kill you I think fear of death is alot of the reason my attacks got so severe. My best to you I know these attacks are no picnic we just have to deal with them the best we can and having a forum like this helps alot.

------------------
Cheers...Autumn
Female...42
TMJD for 12 years
Carpal Tunnel syndrome
Anxiety/Panic Attacks (cured now I think)
Teen daughters that have had medical problems and I will help and over advice on what areas I am knowledgable in.

[Bunty]

Hi there - this is what my doctor told me to do whenever I feel a panic attack coming on. Take a long slow breath and hold it in for 10 seconds. Let it out slowly whilst saying the word 'relax' to yourself. Then spend 10 minutes concentrating on breathing slowly and evenly. One breath in should last for 3 seconds and one breath out another 3 seconds. You can even time them with a watch!

If I'm feeling really awful, or I'm at work and don't have time to do breathing exercises, I take a small dose of an anti-anxiety medication. Mine's called Rivotril and it works wonders, but it's highly addictive so I try not to take it too often!

I guess the main thing to learn is that you don't need to be frightened of your panic attacks. They definitely won't kill you or cause something worse to happen - you just have to accept each attack and ride through it.

Hope that's of some help...good luck!