Controlling anxiety attacks?

[ahalo]

I think I've been in a constant state of anxiousness my entire life but I've never had what I've identified anyway, anxiety attacks, until last month. I was just driving along when it hit, then a week later another one. I thought something was wrong with my heart so I spent three hours in the ER and one night wearing a heart monitor before being told all was well with my heart. The night I went to the ER I thought there was no way it could be anxiety because I was finally feeling better after a hellish couple of weeks beforehand. But I am pretty sure now that's what it was, an actual anxiety attack.

And it happened again today and again tonight. I feel like my heart is skipping beats and/or pounding, I get all sweaty, I have trouble breathing, I get nauseous, I think that even though I'm ackowledging that it is psychology that I could still possibly die, I get dizzy, all of that. THey drew blood at the doctor as well and said nothing showed up except that I should eat a banana every day... so I don't know what else it could be.

I am not sure what to do about it. I nearly went into the ER again tonight but then after about an hour the attack subsided. I don't get into my psychiatrist again for two months. I have no family doctor or insurance. I'm afraid if I go into the ER and ask for an anti-anxiety medication they might think I'm some kind of drug addict, but that's probably just me being paranoid and embarrassed about this whole situation, I wish I could just turn it off and control it but when I was in the middle of it I KNOW that there wasn't anything I could because even when I was telling myself that it was just in my head I KNOW that actual things were happening physically. It just confuses me.

[Sun2707]

I sure can relate to what your going threw. I had bad anxiety attack in the past, the feeling is just terrible. What I think you got is more Panick Attack then Anxiety Attack, well they very similar and one create the other one. First you go threw an anxiety attack, you may feel it comming or it may happen out of the blue. An anxiety attack can last a long time, it sometime end by a Panic Attack.

I had a few panic attacks but I mostly had anxiety attacks and for me I think that having an anxiety attack is worst then a panic attack. Panic attack are less long, anxiety attack can stay much longer and the feeling in my case are worst. A Panic Attack is like the symptoms you have, your heart pounding, you become sweaty, trouble breathing, you may feel nausous and dizzy, you think you may die. An Anxiety Attack is more like emotional pain. You become obssesive about something, you may had deep guilt, irrational thinking, paranoia, negative thinking, you dwell on things a lots. You are extremly anxious.

Anxiety attacks lead to Panic attacks. After being highly anxious your body may end this nightmare by a panic attack. After the emotional pain (Anxiety attack), you have body pain (Panic attack). When I used to have a Anxiety attack, I keep thinking God when the Panic attack will come, because the Panic attack end the Anxiety attack, my anxiety attack keep on going and going but no panic attack, if the panic will have come it would had finnally end my anxiety attack. I was more able to handle a panic attack then an anxiety attack. To me the anxiety attack was so much worst!

I now take Seroquel 25mg, it had help me a lot. It's a medication for anti-anxiety. You may want to talk to your doctor about it. You can found lots of informations online about Anxiety and Panic Attacks, any anti-anxiety medications and Seroquel.

Hopefully you will get the help you need soon. I wish you the best off luck to find the right teatment and medication for you. I know it hard, it took me a long time to finnally get the help and medications I need but don't loose hope soon your suffering may end!

[netsavy006]

One way that you can control your anxiety attacks is to do deep breathing excercizes. There's a book that I'd recommend. It's called An End To Panic. I think it only costs $6.

[Braack]

Some of the medications you may be taking could be attributing to those panic attacks. What medications are you on? If any, there may be some that need adjusted or revaluated.

[barbyma]

Anxiety is actually one of only a handful psychological problems that responds well to therapy. Behavior therapy, specifically behavior modification, is the only "proven" method, but it's been shown to be pretty effective.

You might consider it as well as re-thinking your meds.

[ijaen]

Originally Posted by barbyma

Anxiety is actually one of only a handful psychological problems that responds well to therapy. Behavior therapy, specifically behavior modification, is the only "proven" method, but it's been shown to be pretty effective.

You might consider it as well as re-thinking your meds.

any links to read about this?
I'd like to stay informed before I go to the doc...

[distortion 76]

i was in the emergency 4 times,symptoms i had were pains in the chest,tingling sensations in hands and feet,muscle cramps,overall feeling terrible,didnt leave the house didnt go to work,had a real bad time thought i was dying,started self diagnosing myself which made it worse,took all the blood tests you can take,everything was normal,finally got a great family doctor which isnt easy,and he helped me out with some meds,i have also started seeing a therapist and have really started to feel better.hang in ther and get some help,distortion 76

[SnappyCloud]

Distortion,

Welcome! Please tell us what medications you are taking.

Snappy.

[dormammau2008]

had few paicka attaks today not had such a good day...just one them days dorm ;.(((

[Effie]

This may not help you but when I am at home and have an attack I lay down on my coach and take deep breaths, and sometimes I will try and force myself to relax and watch the TV (it helps get my mind off of the attack). Anyway when you see your doctor he will probably have more suggestions and exercises for you, I know that my doctor did. Until then hang in there, it will get better.

[acceptance]

nearly a year since this post was threaded....an attack can come in all different breathes and visions.Combined it can be quite disturbing.Living day to day life and no one realising what can one ....or 10 times not knowing can do to ones mind is a lonely insecure threat of self-judgement.Mind you commmenting and putting my 2 bobs' worth here is being 'content',that "one" can open up to these factors without the guilt process of playing "ones" mind.A simple rule to evaluate an episode:Look,feel and re-adjust your breathing,hardly focusing on anything...and FEEL whats important to you.Its a self-healing meditation value that CAN work and IS proven.Trust me.