How to Help Myself with Depression, Anxiety and Panic Attacks

@giacamosgirl58 I am sure you are ready for a break. Besides getting older, you have had a few major life events in a short period of time. I am having a cheek swab done for DNA when I see my Psch on Thursday and it is supposed to give her better info to get me on the psychoactive(s) that are most effective for me. I think most insurers cover the cost, so that may be something to try if you don't get the relief you need from what you are currently taking. I have found some relief for my anxiety in a book on mindfulness. It guides you through a lot of steps, but for me the most beneficial has been breathing concentration that allows me to see the thoughts in my mind as realistic or absurd and those that cause anxiety are usually absurd. When I am able to recognize this, I can redirect my thoughts to something more logical or happy.
Praying for your break, Gary

Thank for the information Gary. I did a DNA test some time ago but it did not help. My counseling person already knew as much as the test showed. Was the test you had done specific for a specific class of drugs? I was in a group for about three months, 2-3 times/week, and learnt a lot about how to cope with different feelings. I am on Sertraline and Mirtazapine. The Mirtazapine is the newer one and the one causing problems including terrible/realist dreams which could be panic attacks. I hoping to hear from my counselor today because I just cannot handle them anymore. I did not realize it was possible to have panic attacks in dreams. Take care, Anne

Thanks Teresa. I am taking Mirtazapine and one of it's side effects are VERY realistic dreams which have ended up with me feeling like I am loosing control of the situation in my dream. Then it was suggested by a friend I could be having panic attacks in my dreams but I had never heard of it. Hence my question. I have a call into my counseling person because I just cannot handle these dreams, along with another side effect. Anne

Dear Gary,
This is my very first experience on this site. Just joined. I can't believe all I read! I didn't even know other people woke up with Panic, like I do. I am at wits end. I wake up every single morning in terror. Sometimes, I am stuck to my bed, so scared, but can't get up to even retrieve my Klonipin and take. I NEVER remember the nightmares or dreams at all for about 15 years. All I know is I am scared, really scared when I am trying to get up. I get my Klonipin and just wait for it to work and for the terror and Panic to subside. I wake up dreading the day, with this Anxiety. After I snap out of it, I am happy. Yes, ups and downs. Happy because I am no longer scared and the Anxiety has subsided. I don't want another morning like it, then it happens again and again and again. I have brought this up to my regular Primary Physician, my Therapists, my Psychiatrists and even a sleep doctor. NO ONE addresses it. Like it's no big deal!!! I really struggle HARD waking up. Klonipin is a fast acting medication, however not nearly fast enough when you are Panicking that hard. Also, I am being taking off Klonipin, very slowly. The State, Washington for me, is taking EVERYBODY off of Klonipin. That's a whole other issue. Just sayin' soon, I won't even have that. What can I do? Anything, big and small??? Thank you so much, I need some relief.

Has anyone else had issues not being able to go in grocery store, or any social events without having a panic attack

I become nauseated and light-headed in grocery stores. I have panic attacks.

In the SmartPatients.com conversation ( link below ), we discussed ways to handle anxiety.

In the article on Breath Work in this conversation, there is a breathing exercise developed for panic attacks.

I am beginning to use binaural listening for anxiety.
https://www.smartpatients.com/conversations/resources-for-anxiety

When I am very anxious, wall sitting helps.

Yes I feel
your terrible pain . I
Must take klonopin , even though I don’t want too. I have terrible anxiety, my husband has cancer . I feel
your pain . Do you
Take anything ? Or therapy?

I have had years and years of therapy. I don’t take any medications for my anxiety. Never have. Sometimes I know why I am nauseated. Sometimes I don’t have a clue.

If I sit quietly, sometimes I will remember what event from my childhood is similar to my current situation, I recall the event, my feelings and then I comfort myself with self-care.

I use most of the techniques in the SmartPatients.com conversation, Resources for anxiety.

Currently wall-sitting, Breath Work and binaural music are very good for my anxiety. I also eat the DASH diet and exercise daily.

I am so sorry your husband has cancer. I have cancer too.

I hope your anxiety lessens.

Most of our problems would be gone if we only (RE)remembered that our bodies are meant for movement -- we knew it as we got out of the lying position and started to Crawl On FOUR. Whoever had told us That?

That's the beauty -- and benevolence -- of our kind creation. It is also a reminder that our bodies Yearn to move, from climbing hills, to plunge in waters and a thousand other ways WE Invent.

It's when these pleasures are disdained that we get into the state of ILLNESS, statrting with pain as a signal to shake us out of our morbid ways.

Let's take back our pleasures; that's the way to reclaim our full-throttle living.

P.S. In my 80 y.o. skeleton, I can attest to not having seen my GP for maybe less than a dozen times...with never any meds, surgeries, tests, why do I need tests if my BODY is telling me 'U R OK' ... and also when I am Not OK (yes I'd an anxiety attack once that stopped my breathing and cleared with self-CBT) usually because I'd forgotten the sublime pleasures of living a life of curiosity, play and social engagement. All this within limited means. BTW healthcare is free in Canada.