I have anxiety really bad. It is so bad that I shake at night (psuedo seizures). My depression contributes to my anxiety. I have things that calm me but medication is the miracle. I can't handle my anxiety very well without it I try but it just makes more anxiety. I have had anxiety as a diagnosis for about 3 years now. I try to deal but sometimes it gets very overwhelming.

Lynn

I am not sure if I have "anxiety attacks", but I have been experiencing a lot of stress lately due to some personal issues at home. I have taken my pulse when I'm feeling what I can only classify as an anxious episode, or "anxiety attack" and my heart beats about 105-110 beats per minute. I think that's high, right?

My doctor gave my a very low dose prescription for Xanax (.25 mg) to help me settle down for sleep, on occasion, when my mind is racing. But I'm reluctant to take it when I feel the anxiety like that, because I'm not sure if I'm actually having an anxiety attack or panic attack or whatever.

I'm going to speak with my doctor about it next week. Does anyone else have that same reaction to stress/anxiety? It's not so much that I can't function, but I do worry about the accelerated heart rate.

I have a very similar anxiety episodes. However, they are random and not specifically stress related. I am on Lexapro to keep my anxiety level on an even keel most of the time so they have been minimized greatly.

I don't take a tranquilizer for specific episodes, but I have friends for whom Xanax works wonders when they are panicking. Talk to your doctor, but don't be afraid to take the medicine as he or she indicates. It's supposed to help you!

I have lived with Panick attacks for several years. I didn't know what they were for the first 2 years. I thought I was seriously ill. I'd wake up gasping for air, pains in my chest, shortness of breath; my tongue would swell and be dry so I couldn't swallow. Heat waves would flush threw my body. Tingling would start in my hands and progress threw my body and my blood pressure would go sky high. I was convinced I was going to die. I called 911 and the ambulance took me to the hospital 9 times. They would say I had bronchitis and send me home. It got so bad I was having them for 4 - 5 hours back to back. It runt my marriage and I lost the love of my life. I thought I was going crazy. One day on the way home from the hospital I saw a sign for a psychiatrist. I U turned and walked in his office and told the secretary I think I'm going nuts and I can't live anymore like this. She had me in with the doctor in 15 min. That day changed my life.
He told me I was not crazy at all. It's called "Fight or Flight" It's a real problem but can be handled. "Fight or Flight" is the physical signs your body does when it is dying. Just like having a heart attack, car crash, etc, for a unknown reason scientist have not been able to figure out yet what cause it to trigger when you’re not dying. It has absolutely nothing to do with stress or mental problem. (Even though I have a long history of that).
Anxiety attacks are brought on by stress or some mental issues. But not Panick attacks. They are so named because your body is panicky which in turn causes you to Panick and hyperventilate.
Now when I have them, I tell myself I know for a fact I'm not going to die, this is not going to last, and I slow down my breathing. Also I put a wet cold wash cloth on my neck it helps and walking. The really best way to beat them is talking to someone about anything else. I will call my friend and tell her I am having a Panick attack to talk to me. She knows so she will start a conversations about anything . Once my mind gets distracted, the PA will stop.

So breath slowly, know you’re not dying, and you can handle them.

Anybody heard of the 21-7 technique? Not sure what it is. I would like to expire this but not buy it right out. Especially since it is a whole bundle. I would rather just have an ebook to start with.

I get panic attacks and back when I was 21 (I'm 38 now) my doctor also prescribed Zoloft which made my panic attacks MUCH worse. I discontinued the drug and instead use other methods to combat my panic attacks including taking Valium for acute instances (only when I fly- I'm terrified to fly), hypnosis, exercise, and talking it out. Oh, I did take Buspar for a while, as well. However, I got diagnosed last year with a thyroid disorder and once I got treated I don't think I've had a panic attack since. Thyroid problems are known contributors to anxiety, as are some other medical conditions.

The Human Mind Is Great , But It Also Can Be Your Enemy Especially When Your Tired Or Had A Bad Day , It Just Won't Stop Thinking . Ignore Your Mind When It Starts To Babble (as I Like To Say). Take A Deep Breath And Focus On The Good Hearth That You Have. What Your Mind Thinks Is Not Who You Are.
This Is A Fact Listen To Your Hearth.

I have had anxiet disorder for a few years but it got really bad just over a year ago with a few months of several times a day panic attacks. I couldn't go out, missed so many important days of my kids lives, was depressed because of it all. I got on 10 mg cipralex and life has been better. I still have anxiety before my period and when I ovulate and I take 1 mg Ativan maybe once every 4 months but I am coping much better. Still wish it were non existent but I am confident one day it will come. Anxiety sucks!

before your period? I was wondering if it is connected to that. What time frame?

(((hugs)))) I've had panic attacks off and on since I was in my early 20's. About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and the doctor put me on medication (took a couple of different meds before we landed on Paxil) to control the chronic aspects of the anxiety/depression and xanax for the breakthrough panic attacks.

From my perspective the medication has been an absolute lifesaver. I was reluctant and a bit nervous to take them but the difference in my life has been night and day.

I have had panic attacks for years and in the last several they got MUCH worse. Fortunately, I found an excellent psychologist. One of the techniques he taught me is called "Square Breathing." You breathe in for four counts slowly, hold it for four counts, breathe out for four counts, and then hold for four counts before you start over. It helps me. It gives you something to concentrate on other than the attack, it floods your brain with oxygen, and for some reason the holding breath thing helps me a lot.

I just bought the mindfulness workbook. I'm so looking forward to getting it in the mail! I struggle with mild anxiety, but the more I can do to control it, the better!

My doctor gave me Ativan to help with my panic attacks as well and her warned me to be cautious. Ativan is something you would usually take during an intense panic attack - I used to get them at school and at work all the time, and for me it was like all of my private issues that I'd like to keep to myself were on display for the whole world. It was embarrassing and uncomfortable, and the anxiety I got just from thinking about the fact that people knew how bad my anxiety was triggered my attacks. It was kind of a vicious cycle and Ativan DID help me until my doctor helped me find a medication better suited to my needs - I guess it really depends on the magnitude of the attack, but I found when if I had an attack at home (I usually have them at night or am woken up by them like you were) I try to take deep breathes and calm myself with other methods than medication as Ativan is an addictive drug, and can be dangerous.

Do you have an amazon link? I am interested in something like that too.
Let us know how it is too, please

I bought the anxiety and phobia workbook by Edmond (can't remember last name) but it's wonderful!!!! Such a great book!