Had another panic attack

[blimpsgo180]

I had another panic attack last night. I hate to say this but I had three alcoholic beverages to ease my nerves. It's one of the only things to calm me down during an attack.

I am still optimistic things will get better. I just can't picture me living the rest of my life having panic attacks. I am in my thirties now. Let's say I live into my eighties. Can you picture an eighty year old man in his rocking chair saying "OMG, I'm having a panic attack, I can't function!" I cannot picture such a thing.

Hit me with your best shot. I am here to soak up your best advice. I have done CBT with mixed results. I understand that there is an element that one must face their fears in order to overcome them, and I've done a lot of that. I think before I'm forty I could be out of the woods with these attacks. But I'm here to take any advice at all. Let me know.

Thank you.

[LoveforAll41]

Hi blimpsgo. I think that cognitive therapy is wonderful. I would recommend going regularly and trying different types until you find something that you like. I like acceptance therapy. We can accept our anxiety and hard emotions and realize that we don't have to react to them, just validate them and ride them out. There is a user on here, BeeVee who has some good info on that. There is an author Claire Weeks that I see many recommend. I love the book "Get out of your mind and into your life" by Steven Hayes. I also like "Feeling Great" by David Burns.

If we're 80 and having panic attacks then we have some serious resilience living with them for that long. I think that time does level some things out and add some perspective. I wish you peace, hope, and strength.

[blimpsgo180 in reply to LoveforAll41]

Thank you for the information Loveforall41. I have tried acceptance therapy with mixed results. I have read many of David Burns books and thought they were wonderful.

I agree that it's ridiculous to think I'll never get better. Especially by the time I'm eighty.

Thanks again.

[LifeIsThePitts]

Dennis Simsek the anxiety guy on YouTube is my favorite teacher for ALL types of anxiety....he was a member of this forum before launching his successful career online. Agora1 is a long time member here that knew him when he was here and is also a Big fan of his programs. I have several of his books, too.

youtu.be/zFTXMvR1Z0Y?si=WA6...(Not working as expected?)

Here's a podcast to start with 😉❤️‍🩹

[designguy]

I suggest you check out the DARE Anxiety book and youtube videos for learning what panic attacks really are and how to constructively deal with them. Panic/anxiety is a paradox and the more you struggle or fight it or deny it the more it persists so the solution is to surrender to the anxious feelings, know that the anxious thoughts are lies and to allow the adrenaline of the panic to flow through and dissipate in your body. You might also check out the books and youtube of Dr. Claire Weekes who influenced Barry who developed DARE. You might alos find medication helpful at least temporarily. Panic attacks are highly treatable once you learn what works.

[SayNOtoPanic]

ok here it goes. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You drank some beverages ok. But my advice be careful cause when you have active panic attacks or experience a setback where they are kind of hovering to bother you, you don’t want alcohol. As soon as it wares off it tends to trigger the nervous system which can bring more panic attacks. If you don’t drink caffeine great. If you do try to eliminate it for a bit. Try some breathing exercises and guided meditation. Also check out the late Dr Weekes work hope and help for your nerves. You can get it on audible and listen or buy the book on Amazon or even listen for free on YouTube. Hang in there. Rooting for you.