New Panic Attacks

[Randone101]

I’ve dealt with anxiety off and on for a long time, but these panic attacks are happening daily. Started back on an ssri 3 days ago and my paranoid thinking wants to blame it on them even though I know how this ssri makes me feel. Thankful for communities like this and the people in my life I can talk to.

[Needtovent]

Glad you are taking action. I find that in itself gives me a bit of calm. (It’s about control for me often). Yes this community is great. I don’t really have anyone that I feel I can talk with aside from my therapist.

[Randone101 in reply to Needtovent]

Do you like your therapist?

[Needtovent in reply to Randone101]

I’ve only just started with her so we’ll see… the therapist I was seeing a couple of years ago no longer takes my insurance. I have an appt next week which will be my second session.

[Randone101 in reply to Needtovent]

You have to stick with it, I had a previous therapist I really liked but she moved and I prefer in person. The new therapist took awhile for me to jive with but it eventually happened.

[Needtovent]

I’m looking forward to next appt as I’ve had really had an increase in anxiety over the past month in particular. My response to an actual panic attack is to try and get a handle on the source. However as you know, it’s not always within my control. Right now I’m working hard to keep an attack ‘at bay’. Haven’t started back on meds yet. My doctor is pretty good at prescribing as she knows I will only ask for what I need and for a time limited period. SSRIs were not good for me.

[Randone101 in reply to Needtovent]

Same, I had shoulder pain in October make my sleep awful, tried many solutions, sleep is bad so my anxiety is spiking and has turned into it’s own thing not related to bad sleep anymore. I’m hesitant on meds as well and take them shorter term than most. I’m feeling like I need something like Valium to navigate this in the short term it’s so debilitating

[Agora1]

Welcome Randone101 to a caring community of friends.

From my own point of view, I'd say that therapy and medication

is but a shield in helping with anxiety. The rest is up to us taking

charge of our mind. Our mind is a powerful tool that can allow

anxious thoughts and anticipation to break through. But it can also

work for our own good by allowing us to take back control of

our thoughts and put a stop to intrusive thoughts and the rise of

adrenaline.

I had anxiety as well as agoraphobia for many years and learned through

that time, that I could and I would be in control of my mental health

once again. And I did.

As you learn from others telling their own journeys on this forum,

you may help yourself by other suggestions. This is all a learning

experience. I'm glad you are here with us xx

[Randone101 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you, I think I spend my good times when I have little anxiety not preparing for these moments when I dip back into moments of panic. Staying a part of a community like this I think would help me in the longterm.

[Agora1 in reply to Randone101]

Randone, unfortunately, I didn't have a forum or people to support me

throughout my healing process and yet I reached my goal. Through

researching anything and everything I could get my hands on.

YouTube became my go to.

For myself, I am now proficient with meditation and breathing exercises

which have kept me in control. HOwever, I also use many other

modalities in keeping me ahead of any anxiety or stress. You can too.

You've got this. xx

[Randone101 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you, after getting only 4 hours of sleep I woke up and started to panic, I came across a video of a Dr Harry Barry explaining what panic attacks are and how they’re just adrenaline being pumped from the amygdala and that if I just pretend I’m stuck to the ground that after 10 minutes it will realize I’m not in danger and stop. Man did it work! I think I’ve found my next solution to these attacks, find a place to sit in the moment and remind myself I’m not in danger. This is uncomfortable but it’s not dangerous!

[Agora1 in reply to Randone101]

Boy Randone, you've got the key right in your hand. You are doing

the right things. I've been there and done that and it works my friend.

Keep coming back here. You are a good support for others who

may be struggling right now. Positivity works xx

[Needtovent in reply to Agora1]

Very well stated. Talking in this community has been great even when I’m away from it for a while, you’re ALL always here when I return 🥰

[Agora1 in reply to Needtovent]

Yeppers Needtovent..going on 10 years this summer.

I promised myself that when I won over anxiety, I would

pass it forward.. We are always here for each other xx

[bethelbee in reply to Agora1]

Agora, you have been a great help.and inspiration for so many on here!! You are such an asset to this community!

[Agora1 in reply to bethelbee]

Thank you so much bethelbee. I've learned so much in all these

years from others on this site. Laughs, tears as well as insightful

info. People like yourself and many others make me know I'm in

the right place at the right time. Breathe xx

[jonnylongton]

Hi randone, I am going through the same as you, I have no one to talk to and I am having problems with trying to keep control,I am panicking writing this now, I do hope you find a way to beat your panic attacks and wish you well, if you do find a way please try and let me know what you did thank you

[Randone101 in reply to jonnylongton]

Jonny, google Dr Harry Barry stopping panic attacks. Once I'm in one I've found that the best thing to do is just let it happen, don't fight it, it can't kill you and it can't harm you, all it can do is make you uncomfortable.

[SsgCulldelight]

Hey Easy now, turn off the TV n the phone Every chance you get, and while your monitoring your self know what you Know and while asking for calm secure thoughts, walk in it as you know it. You cannot control what You don't know or anyone else, there is only YOU in control of You. You can't be triggered unless you Let someone trigger you. Your best and biggest weapon is CHOICE and no one has possession or control of YOUR CHOICE. Choose kindness , fairness and compassion, but be firm in your decisions, u don't have to be mean or condescending, just confident in what you decide, if it doesn't help or contribute to your well being, walk away and don't interact. Know that the choice is yours and no one else's, they don't have to agree or respond, when you Mahe your statement or act accordingly one that is okay. At the end of the day YOU go to bed with your decisions good or bad so make the best choice for Your peace and positive return. Love n light Ssgt. Cullum.

[blimpsgo180]

Hello. I've had a lot of success with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Particularly the notion that you shouldn't say "I don't want to go to X because I'll just have panic attacks." Do go, and if you have panic attacks, so be it.

[Randone101 in reply to blimpsgo180]

Yes this sounds very similar to 'Flooding' exposure therapy and I'm going to be giving that a try! The panic attacks can't hurt me!

[MARYRD27]

I have been in the same situation. My therapist recommended Edmund Bourne’s Anxiety and Phobia Workbook and it was a lifesaver. I have found, however, that sometimes I need Xanax to stop or interrupt the attacks.

[Randone101 in reply to MARYRD27]

I'm hesitant for benzodiazapenes due to worry over becoming too reliant, it's in my character to do that. But I'll take a look at that workbook thanks!

[Moonfeather_]

I’m really sorry you’re going through this — panic attacks can be incredibly overwhelming. As a fellow panic attack sufferer, I just wanted to share something that’s helped me: sometimes high cortisol levels, especially in the morning, can play a big role. Focusing on whole foods and trying to keep blood sugar levels steady (by avoiding big sugar spikes) has made a difference for me. It might be worth exploring if hormones are a contributing factor for you too. Sending you calm and strength — you’re not alone in this.

[Randone101 in reply to Moonfeather_]

Thank you very much, what's your go to morning breakfast?

[Moonfeather_ in reply to Randone101]

Black coffee. I enjoying fasting daily and eating one meal a day (OMAD) at dinner time. I ensure that this meal is full of protein, fiber and I try to avoid processed foods.

[Gordo6500]

Hi Randone , yes I know the feeling too ,used to have horrible panic attacks . What I learned is that they are not a mental problem. Our brain chemicals are imbalanced . Research Gaba , Cbd and omega 3 for anxiety ,you might be right ssri's only made my anxiety worse , valium worked wonders as they keep the Gaba levels in your brain higher ,but getting off them is hell! Research how to keep the brain chemicals in balance with food and supplements . This combination worked for me , Gaba ,CBD,omega3 from fish oil . After awhile I no longer had to take the Gaba . Good luck !

[Randone101 in reply to Gordo6500]

Do you have experience taking Valium? Short term or long term?

[Gordo6500 in reply to Randone101]

Yes I was on valium for about 2 yrs , this was back when they used to hand them out like candy! Was taking 5mgs 3 times a day. Did it take my anxiety away yes , but after 2 yrs it stopped working and my anxiety returned with a vengeance .Then I lost my job because I was having an anxiety attack at work and my boss decided to chew me out for something and I told him to go f himself! I then lost my medical and had to get off of valium cold turkey , not recommended ! Like I said if you can balance your brain chemicals naturally do so ,but for short term relief 2 weeks to a month valium or benzodiazepines as they are called now works. Talk to your psych . Dr. about it .

[Randone101 in reply to Gordo6500]

I did and the NP I’m starting to use said to try some other medications for 2 weeks and see where I’m at and we can discuss Valium/Xanax if I’m not calming down at all.

Today has been good (even though I had a panic attack that subsided quickly lol) so I’m hopeful that these new medications will help me work on my recent issues!

[Gordo6500 in reply to Randone101]

That's great! Good luck !

[shawnaskin]

Yeah I'm feeling alot if anxiety these days too. Paranoia as well

[Randone101 in reply to shawnaskin]

Do you have people in your life to talk to? A therapist?

[Pitalife]

I feel for you I been suffering w bipolar w bad social anxiety and I suffer w panic attacks since child hood,I had such dramatic childhood it haunts me,my brother took his own life suffering w mental illness,it's terrible you to suffer w them there hideous and scary.i live so isolated because my mental issues I hope you can keep up w them....pita...

[Winterhart]

There are some attacks that not even meds can touch. I have 3 different kinds of disorders. GAD, situational agoraphobia, and Panic disorder. I know just how you feel. I think that is where I use my life lines. Breathing Techs or call a friend. Distraction can work sometimes too. I hope you get to feeling ok soon.

[Italianmomma]

You have great advice on how to manage anxiety and panic attacks. Thank you for sharing. And welcome. I'm fairly new here too. But everyone is so supportive and understanding and that's priceless.

Your right panic attacks won't kill you they just make you feel uncomfortable. But the more you expose yourself to the situations that make you feel panicky the less you will feel panicky. Hope that made sense.

Thanks again!!!!