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Panic Attack? How to manage?
Hello,
I recently, last handful of months have not felt well on and off. Adrenaline burst, blood pressure sometimes going up, heart beating fast, feeling light headed.
Went to doctor. She checked my heart rate, blood pressure, listened to things, said they were all normal, then asked about stress.
I shared that I had some heavy stresses. She immediately wrote off my complaints telling me to make sure I am eating correctly, work on controlling your stress, no need to rerun tests.
I left feeling doubtful and still worried. I called back and asked if we could rerun tests from January for my peace of mind. The answer was no, see someone for your stress and maybe you aren't getting enough sleep, how about a referral to a sleep study?
Long story to ask my questions...does panic attacks just start out of the blue?
Is there recommendations from anyone on how to stop it immediately?
It hits and then it escalates as I start to worry am I having a medical emergency.
I have been trying to breathe deeply and focus on something else, but it isn't being very effective.
Suggestions would be welcomed.
I needed to sign out of work today because of it.
Thank you.
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@ebonybl
I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing this. I know from experience that it can be horrendous. Severe anxiety has been the bane of my existence for many years.
Believe it or not, one of the things that has helped me numerous times was to be on lithium for a short period of time, like three to six months. Proper lithium therapy where you titrate up to a therapeutic level. I’ve taken all the benzodiazepines and assorted antidepressants and antipsychotics you could ever imagine but nothing ever worked for a longer period of time than those lithium “vacations”.
Let me know if you have any questions.
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2 Reactions@meryw I don't even know if my psychiatrist will prescribe lithium even at interim periods. They played catch and fetch with diazapam, it's a complete nightmare, I have a home team coming to see me tomorrow and I might just tell them I've had enough of being toyed around with now, it's mine and my daughter and my family's relationship that is crumbling because they are debating what they are giving me and when
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2 Reactions@ebonybl have you tried diaphragmatic breathing? Once I learned the technique it became second nature for me, and I have not had an anxiety/panic attack in several years. I do not have to take any medication anymore, either.
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2 Reactions@ebonybl
Hi
For me when Im having anxiety or panic attacks, I breath deeply, or go outside for fresh air, also tell myself that I'm ok I'm ok this will pass, I take buspar and xanex if having a really bad time. I hope this helps.
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3 Reactions@rashida
Can you describe diaphragmatic breathing? I do what they call stomach breathing. Where you deep breathe in through your nose by lifting your stomach and then breath slowly for a longer period of time out your mouth.
@jc76 yes, what you are doing is called diaphragmatic breathing also. You can Google “Diaphragmatic Breathing” to find an exercise, or you can get several videos on YouTube demonstrating it; here’s one:
https://m.youtube.com/watch
Here is some further information on this from Cleveland Clinic as well:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9445-diaphragmatic-breathing
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3 Reactions@methel yes, it is good - and important - to get other conditions ruled out too before assuming it is a panic attack.
When one has a history of panic attacks doctors tend to brush you off so if the usual techniques described by @catluvver are not working in good time, a trip to ER definitely is warranted.
@ebonybl panic attacks are so terrifying when you first experience them. I can relate, as I have been through it. The techniques suggested by @catluvver will help and if they don’t, certainly see your doctor or go to ER.
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1 ReactionYesterday I came across a little photo of me when I was 3 hanging onto my kitten Benji. I was wearing a little white dress. It was the same dress my mom told me I was wearing when she watched me running down the street with black and blue marks from my dads belt up and down my legs. I stared at the photo for a few moments….stuck inside the reality that this trauma memory and all the other abuse I somehow endured growing up still triggers me 65 years later. Yesterday was a bad one. I’m wondering how to Integrate it all so my heart doesn’t beat out of my chest and at the same time I shut down when this happens. I’m studying Buddhism and also meditating on self forgiveness but some of these memories are like the boogey man knocking very loudly at my door.
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6 Reactions@eway60: Thank you for your heart-felt post on the scars of childhood.
I too have found Buddha’s path and it is helping me understand why I react to life differently than some others… because of the scars of just being a small child. I was encouraged to be a quiet little girl and please my parents. There was no room for me to expose my true feelings or expressions of “me”! I am finding confidence in my ability now to socialize successfully as an adult (abilities I should have learned as a youngster, but not given a chance).
Those old photos tell “true feelings” when you peer into their eyes on that paper (windows to the soul).
We can accept our true selves now, share laughs and conversations with “no fear of rebuke”! Relax with this new side of your very special personality and muster a little pride in how far you have come from those pictures of yesteryear.
Our lives have all been different and I applaud your determination to deal with past negativities by choosing new influences and goals to make every day better than the last!
Hugs to you Ewan. Life is good!
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