Panic attacks, help!

[Ak771]

So 4 months ago my husband had an emotional affair. We broke up for a week then he came back. 17 years and he's never done that before. We were having problems in our marraige for a while. We've been seeing a therapist for 4 months now. We go once a week together and once a week with our kids. It's been really good and he's been doing everything he can to make it better. We are currently buying our first home together. The problem is me. In the beginning I was hypersensitive to everything he was doing. I became terrified that he was gonna leave me or that he was doing something he shouldn't have been. That turned into racing thoughts and then turned into constantly checking his phone and then I found myself very anxious just waiting for the worst to happen. Then a month ago I had a panic attack. I had them many years ago due to miscarriage but this one was insane. I was trying to call 911. Now I find myself having panic all day long. It feels like one big long panic attack from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. It has me afraid of driving, going places, and I haven't been to work. I started on lexapro 3 days ago but I don't feel any better yet. The doctor is going to give me buspirone to help with the panic too. I'm new here and just desperately looking for any kind of help or even someone to just chat with when needed. I feel completely out of control and I can't deal.

[SingingpraisesofGo]

So sorry you're suffering with panic attacks--I have been there before, and it is terrifying. I'm glad you're going to therapy and starting meds. The meds do take several weeks to a month and sometimes a little longer, because they need to regulate the dosage for you personally. You're on the right track, so for now while you're waiting for the meds to work, have you tried deep breathing? Often when a panic attack comes, we breathe more shallowly, which makes things worse. Try to find a focal point, a picture that makes you happy, and focus on that while taking big breaths, holding them for a 5 seconds, then exhaling while keeping focus on the picture. That oxygen will help you relax and feel better. What helps me also is prayer--just releasing my feelings, fears, and needs to God. I have also journaled, because when you're going through what you are, it helps to write it down to get it out of your head, and when you do improve, you can see your progress, looking back.

[Mbegu]

I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time, I have been there. I have been taking Lexapro and Buspar for at least 10 years and I have, for the most part been doing fine. I have the occasional down day or days but I don't go into that dark hole any more. I was also taking a medication for panic attacks, but I'm sorry I can't remember the name of it. I have Klonapin if I get super stressed or panicky. It will probably take a week or two for you to begin to see a real difference in your mood from the Lexapro and Buspar. They have changed my life, I hope they will do the same for you. I also had a wonderful psychiatrist. You might want to ask you therapist to recommend one.

[kvolm2016]

welcome and glad you are here to find some support and encouragement! You are definitely doing all the best things to get a positive result with the counseling and starting on the medication. I'm sure your doctor probably mentioned that it can take a bit of time for your body to respond fully to the medication and sometimes a dosage adjustment is needed if the initial dosage isn't optimal. So when do you go back for follow up with the prescribing doctor? If it seems too long to wait, can you call the office and request a follow up call?And even though you are working with the counselor on other things, have you had a chance to tell the counselor about this increased anxiety/panic attack? That would be an important thing for the counselor to be aware of and to offer some advice on. Do you have any breathing/body techniques that you know how to activate/use when you feel the panic start to come?

[JkBauer]

Good afternoon,I am sorry that you are dealing with panic attacks. I hope you do not find this offensive. Please forgive me if it does. I have dealt with panic attacks before too. I found that medicine did not work for me. So I went with a more natural approach. I prayed for God to help me and then I started going for walks, making quiet time for myself with a cup of tea, I listened to the Christian radio station and their talk programs. I did deep breathing- in and out, in and out... I planned to go on outings with my family- going to the park, feeding ducks at the river, go for bike rides, go hiking up in the mountains... I found that getting out and getting involved was making me think of other things besides myself. Today, I have overcome panic attacks and I enjoy life with my husband. We enjoy traveling to go see our kids and granddaughter. I am so glad that I started getting involved in other things besides thinking only about myself and my worries. - God bless you!