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Severe anxiety and panic attacks
I have server anxiety and panic disorder almost every day I try to ignore it it just keeps coming back I been to the hospital a couple times for it I think I should stay in the hospital for a while not sure what to do
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@maria626
Don't know if this will help. I just posted two pieces of information about treatments for depression.
1. Johns Hopkins research and treatment using psychedelics
2. Stanford using a brain technique S.A.I.N.T.
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2 Reactions@eddie61
Have you looked into the MAOI phenelzine/Nardil? It's considered one of the most effective ADs available for anxiety & panic disorder. The food restriction and drug interaction concerns are often overstated. There are some things to keep in mind while taking an MAOI, but these aren't cumbersome. I'm currently taking 60 mg Parnate daily.
I have recently started reading the Atlantic Magazine and came upon an article about insomnia and how prevalent it has become in our country and around the world.
The reason I bring this up is many times the taking of Klonopin and other benzodiazepines comes up and so many people are trying to wean themselves off these drugs.
The article mentioned a study in Denmark where over 7,000 Danes who were taking Klonopin reported taking it for long periods of time and only 7% increased their dosage.
The point I am trying to make is that the drug was effective whether treating panic attacks, anxiety or depression. I don’t believe it is regulated there like it is in the United States and for 93% of the people in the study it was a way to deal with crippling insomnia.
My point is if you are dealing with crippling anxiety or depression and it can help you live a normal life why do we demonize it so much in this country. We take statins to control our blood pressure and metaformin to prevent full onset diabetes. Now people take various weight loss drugs to lose weight knowing that for them to be effective they must continue to take them the rest of their lives.
This brings me back to Klonopin and other benzodiazepines that are demonized on this site. If they can improve the quality of your life and let you live a normal life in combination with an SSRI why has the medical community in this country condemned them?
Many people have found an SSRI that works for their depression and anxiety and know they probably have to take it the rest of their life. Why can’t we just call depression a disease no different than diabetes and start treating it as such.
The stigma is finally starting to lift in this country as more and more prominent people are going public with their struggles.
The point being made in the article was that if they medications can help you lead a normal life are they worse than dealing with crippling insomnia, anxiety and depression the rest of your life. We know opioids kill thousands and thousands of people every year. How many SSRI’s or benzodiazepines kill people every year? I would say the answer is none.
What kills people is suffering from depression and anxiety to such an extent that it causes them to take their own life.
Just something to think about. Many will vehemently disagree with me but if this just helps one person live a better quality of life it will be worth it.
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5 ReactionsFew issues in life are fixed with one pill -- yes I've used for runny nose occasionally (funny I have never had to as I am getting older. So maybe there are ways to fix 'things' with non-medical interventions. I'd never know 'For SURE' what has worked for my older years but I can point to POSSIBLE ones: Sensible eating adequate physical exertion, managing stress, and having a more burning Purpose in life (one happens to be: Why there in increasing obesity Even As we have Increasing health Info?)
For your question, therefore, I'll tell U what has worked for my anxiety attack that stopped my breathing in the early dawn hours in winter. I was offered pills ( I asked for it lest i get it again wile asleep) She also offered CBT, to which I said 'I know it; can do myself.' I Never had another anxiety attack since then, some ten years ago.
CBT is to Think Clearly. I faced my dragons and accepted that in life sometimes one's whole five years of full-time effort can evaporate and no one blinks. Instead of getting old I GREW old. Thinking things thru Should be the STARTING point in any endeavor. No wonder they call it the Gold Standard. I am sure APA has similar position.
https://www.anxietycanada.com/cbt/
DON'T want to see professional help? You are not alone. Here's a great article from the Wall Street J
https://www.wsj.com/articles/stress-anxiety-help-therapy-f4f6537b
Good luck!
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2 Reactions@eddie61, if you’ve already tried the medical route, what about meditation? Also, I found an amazing pamphlet for vets when I was volunteering at an event. I got it just for the section on PTSD.
So we have a habit or reflex or shutting our eyes and trying to block out the things that cause us to have attacks. I know I did. The pamphlet said this actually freezes us in the moment, in our panic. I now know to try to focus on something else around me, whether it be nature or where I’m walking. I still cover my ears as often my PTSD is set off by noise, especially sirens or loud vehicles, but I don’t close my eyes to the noise anymore. Headphones help me. I listen to music or even have in my noise canceling headphones without music to help shut out noise.
Know that a lot of us have this same issue. When you combine it with other mental health issues or illnesses, it can seem overwhelming.
After I read the pamphlet I gave it to a vet I know who has pretty severe PTSD and mental illness from combat.
Good luck. You’re not alone.
@daveshaw Thanks for the like. I imagine my post will be harshly judged by some but I felt it needed to be said.
Have a good Thanksgiving.
@daveshaw 100% agree with what you posted about benzos helping people improve their quality of life. There should be no judgment, just like you said about the person who needs insulin to control diabetes. Good analogy.
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1 Reaction@triciaann99 Thank you and happy Thanksgiving. 🦃
@daveshaw Pleasantly surprised by the likes. Anxiety, depression and insomnia can make your life miserable. If the right combination of drugs can fix that why do people fight it so hard.
For many depression and anxiety can be genetic much like arthritis and other diseases.
Life is too short to fight it. Be grateful that modern science has come so far and the stigma of mental health is finally lifting.
For anyone looking for a good movie to see this Thanksgiving weekend I highly recommend “Road to Nowhere “ which covers a time in Bruce Springsteen’s life when he fought crippling depression and anxiety. He got help and became one of the most iconic singers of our time.
Simone Biles is another example of someone that overcame her anxiety to become the perhaps the greatest gymnast in the history of the sport.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone on this site.
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6 Reactions@daveshaw
I have a very odd story. I have a sister-in-law who took clonazepam for 18 years. Her anxiety stopped just last year (long spiritual story) and she just stopped taking it cold turkey. No withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. Although she is still on other meds for bipolar so maybe that’s what she was able to stop with no bad consequences. Very strange.
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2 Reactions