Question:
I was having panic attacks before, but they subsided. Today I
have had several. I've taken 2 Ativan, and they don't seem to be helping.
Does anyone have any advice for getting through these attacks?
Answer:
Are you alone right now? Can you have someone come talk you down? It
helps for me. Chris quietly holds my shoulders and repeats that he is
here, I am safe, and the panic will pass, so breathe with him, slowly,
calmly, and just be with him.
I always kept those small brown paper bags everywhere for panic attacks.
Put it over your face, breathe in slowly through your nose, hold, and then
breathe out slowly into the bag through your mouth. It does work. When all
else fails, down a small shot of brandy. Don't mix it with meds though.
Just try and think of something else to take you out of that place while
you're having the attack.
I'm so sorry you are having the panic attacks. Have battled them off and on
for years. They have been okay for about two years now....I take paxil, which
has helped alot. I also worked with a counselor who helped me with some
relaxation techniques, like deep breathing. Prayer also helps alot.
Finally, at the health food stores, they have remedies called "Bach Remedies".
There is one called "Rescue Remedy" which is to be used if you have a major
stress, trauma, etc. You just mix some of this with water and drink
(directions on bottle).
I found that if I was up in the middle of the nite panicky, that this would
calm me down and get me back to sleep.
When speaking with a minister who does some work with HeartMath (
http://www.heartmath.org/ ), I brought up panic attacks. He told me
that some current research has indicated that panic attacks start with
an irratic heartbeat. The brain translates the irratic heartbeat as
being the result of a 'fight or flight" situation, so the brain begins
producing the chemicals needed to react to the situation, which then
causes the irratic heartbeat to worsen, etc. The situation spirals into
whatever degree of panic attack the individual suffers.
One method that has worked for me in the past in dealing with panic
attacks (and which this research would indicate is a valid method) is to
begin taking slow, deep (as deep as the panic attack will allow at
first, then gradually deeper) breaths while mentally picturing something
that I find calming, soothing, and relaxing. Sometimes this involves
walking away from whatever situation I find myself in, if the situation
is extremely stressful and it is possible to walk away.
Caroline, is Effexor an antidepressant? I'm thinking it is, thus the
reason your doctor prescribed it for panic attacks. Years ago I had them so
frequently that I could hardly leave my home. My doctor put me on an AD
back then, which virtually eliminated them. However, AD's may take 3-4
weeks to make a difference. I'm still on 2 different types of
antidepressants: Prozac and Doxepin.
These are some things that helped me
many years ago when I had panic attacks.
The first thing I learned is that the thyroid and adrenals are the deep roots
of panic attacks. With the help of my kinesiologist, I was able to identify
which foods to avoid that altered my thyroid and adrenals. Sugar and caffeine
were the first things that I avoided which made a big difference. I also
learned that these simple vegetables will short our or depress the thyroid. In
fact, the book titled Dangerous Drug Interactions by Joe Graedon and Teresa
Graedon, Ph.D. states that these foods should not be eaten with they thyroid
medication called Syntheroid. The foods to avoid are broccoli, cauliflower,
brussel sprouts, cabbage, and pork. The book mentioned even mentions spinach.
From memory, the worst thing that yielded panic problems was blood sugar which
I believe effected my adrenal glands. I made sure not to eat sugar and
starches like rice and potatoes.
From my kinesiologist, I learned how to hit pressure points which would
immediately relieve panic attacks. One method that I used was tapping the
thymus and/or rubbing it out. To get to this area, touch the bone that sticks
out in the middle of your chest right above the stomach. Now move your finger
over to the right and feel for a sensitive area. Once you find your thymus,
you can tap it hard with a few fingers when you get an attack. You can also
rub the area hard with your thumb until the sensitivity is gone. Of course the
close minded people on this group will make fun of this information but it
works and it works immediately if done correctly. Another important thing
that I did was to rub out the adrenals. You should see a body chart to find
the adrenals on the chest. Then you can find them by feeling for sensitive
areas. I also felt for any sensitive to the touch areas on the chest and
briskly rubbed them out. Hitting these areas and working them out is what
touch therapy and pressure points are based on. Daily I will feel for
sensitive areas on the chest and hold them down with my thumb until the pain is
gone. I especially do this when I am not feeling well and I usually get
instant results.
Another important thing that I remember doing for panic attacks is sea salt
baths. The formula was to take a one pound box of sea salt and take a 15
minute bath. This also yielded quick relief. I usually did a couple of these
a week.
The last thing that I did for panic attacks was exercise. Exercise I was told
will ground the body and bring relief for attacks that are nerve related.
Exercise also got rid of adrenaline that was causing problems.
The best advice that I can give someone with panic attacks is to get to the
deep root cause of what is altering the thyroid and adrenal glands. This can
only be accomplished in my opinion by working with an elite holistic doctor
called a clinical kinesiologist. I am lucky having a holistic doctor who
specializes in panic attacks and nervous conditions.
