Severe anxiety and panic attacks

@eddie61
Which medications are you taking? It is possible that you may be having reactions to these meds that can sometimes make symptoms worse.

All the advice here is very helpful and thoughtful. Although , I know all too well, when the anxiety and panic are at such a high level, many of the grounding techniques are not effective. You are in a state that all you can really do is breathe and survive. And distraction is very difficult because the degree of restlessness does not allow the body to sit and relax; you have to be moving.

Just FYI, I have been struggling for 18 months and have had ongoing panic attacks 4-5 hours every morning for the past year.

And, yes, have invested in hundreds of hours of EMDR, trauma, and CBT therapy.

The hospital will likely just administer higher levels of sedatives and possibly add additional psych medications. I, unfortunately, have found no protocol to assist at this time with my situation.

But I understand your mindset; there have been many times that I felt I should go to The Hospital because we want to believe there is something that will help us, and we just want the anguish to stop.

Just wanted you to know that you are not alone and others are struggling with debilitating anxiety, panic, and depression. Heck, in the mornings, the distress is so extreme, I have trouble walking straight.

I had been a long term user of Paxil CR and after a surgery where spinal nerve anesthesia was used, everything changed like a switch going off with the panic and anxiety. Have no idea what reaction caused it, but something happened that triggered this trauma response in the nervous system and brain. Now, my psychiatrist has me off that and on Celexa after many attempts with various SNRI and SSRI medications. I think we a finished with medication trials at this point.

Hang in there. I know how hard it can be.

@eddie61 just thought of something else , actually a couple, just be patient as i out in the words. worry stone only really helped me when walking and my, at home anxiety and depression were through the roof. i even after almost two years of being afraid to come out of my room was having a conversation with a councilor and what came out of my mouth was shocking to both my guardians. they both knew of my symptoms by now but did not know they both were part of the problem until i explained that just a harsh word from either put me over the top that i wanted to die sooner or go to a nursing home or give up and run away which after my meds ran out so would i. but they both had a hand in my anxiety and depression and how i coped with each morning.

@randallshields56 and after that they both understood how frail this brain injury had turned a trained hunter and provider, never asking for anything had become this frail in the mindset that i was in while rewiring my brain was taking me. they both have backed down a few steps and think before the speak, knowing how hard i try to make things right, do things i knew ow to do just couldn't remember the steps properly. its been a learning curve and i hope i have helped some. and i truly wish you a great day tomorrow.

@pjs70
Thank you for the direction that i might be able to travel to. I'm still playing catchup after a week of going backward. this still might be a place to go in the future if things here start going down a different path, Much appreciated.
thank you
randy.

I understand this completely. I have been going through it every day for 5 years. The panic, the sick, restless dread, the awful feelings. I'm so very sorry that you are going through this. It is no way to live. I went inpatient and because of a bad shortage where I live, there wasn't even a psychiatrist in the place. They will try all kinds of meds. It's really all they can do. Maybe you would find the right combo? I don't know. Please try to get a therapist or someone experienced to talk to. People do get well from this.

@eddie61
Eddie,
How are you doing today?
Did you do a check in for help?
Praying for you!

@oebtexas55 I did go to the hospital last night they gave me lorazepam to calm me down it's working ty

@jschwing I am so sorry you are going through this. Paxil was my first medication back in the 90's which allowed me to go back to work and live a normal life. I took a week off & partook in a hands-pm 7 day course called Shen Emotional Release therapy that recommended I not take my meds. I stopped it immediately w/o side effects probably because I had so much daily physical hands-on attention for 7 days experiencing relief from past traumas through this therapy. I went w/o meds for a whole year before, once again having an anxiety attack. Unfortunately this therapy is little known apart from the west coast. The closest thing is Reiki, which is also energy work and can be very beneficial with an experienced Master. I am presently taking Mertazapine, which is one of the few antidepressants that has no sexual side effect. I have also found CBD oil to be a very effective anti- anxiety remedy. Just information that you might use or share with someone who needs it. Take care.

@nrd1 would you mind numbering the 6 pillars? I got messed up with the slashes and commas. Sorry, my bad.

Anxiety and depression are one of the most difficult things to deal with. I know, for sure. I take a combination of buspirone and larazapam. They are working pretty well so far. Sometimes a combination of meds works better. I wish you all the very best. Hang in there.