does anyone take panic attacks without warning? i dont feel as if im stressed at the moment but panic attacks r worse than ever

[adele78]

[Bramwell]

Absolutely.

I can be all relaxed watching TV and wham, the panic attack hits me.

[Hidden]

Hi. adele. Panic attacks are the result of stress.This causes fear. Panic attacks make you want to run away from or fight a stressful situation. An old primitive instinct. Have you seen your GP? Mild tranquiliser can be a great help but will not 'cure' panic attacks. They do, however, give you the chance to sit quietly and think about your life and your situation. Something has 'sensitised' you. Please understand, there must be FEAR there for a panic attack to occur. First of all no one ever died of a panic attack, however awful and ghastly it may seem. Secondly panic does not give you warning. If it did we could counter it more easily. It jumps on you without your being aware of its coming and can come even during a moment of enjoyment. Now having said all that I want you to sit down and take a deep breath and let it out it slowly. Then let your body slump in the chair. If panic comes 'ride' it, dont FIGHT it. That will make it worse. Go with it, let it come without resistance. Let it sweep over you.This is called ACCEPTANCE. It is the opposite to FIGHTING.You may find this difficult at first, even impossible, but dont give up on it. It will calm you after a while and give you time to think. Please see you GP if you haven't already done so. Medication is very helpful in the short term. Try and accept how you feel at the moment. You CAN and WILL recover if you persevere. Blessings. jonathan.

[adele78 in reply to Hidden]

I have been to my gp he gave me beta blockers and is referring me to get a 24 hour eecg done

[Hidden in reply to adele78]

Good. But tell him exactly how you feel. They are more than used to what you are going through and may well give you some different medication. Beta blockers are fine, but you may need short term medication for the panic.

Let us know how you get along with the ecg. Best wishes. jonathan.

[fadedlizard]

When I first had panic attacks (and yes, the doc gave me beta blockers too) I thought they came out of nowhere. I wasn't stressed until the panic happened and THEN I was REALLY stressed!!!! Follow Jonathan's advice, it really does work. You might also like to read a book called "Living with IT" by Bev Aisbett which I found really helpful at that time.

Good Luck.x

[adele78 in reply to fadedlizard]

Thank u all of u! Do u feel wiped out all day after an attack

[fadedlizard in reply to adele78]

Totally. I don't get that many attacks these days unless I'm under a lot of strain and then I get them as I'm drifting off to sleep (lots of fun!!) but if that is happening I usually wake up the next day feeling like I've been run over by a bus. They really are exhausting.

[adele78 in reply to fadedlizard]

I ache all over tonite

[fadedlizard in reply to adele78]

Yes, I'm afraid that is the hangover from a panic attack!! Try a nice warm bath, it might help.x

[alibean]

As a suffer of panic attacks and what i call 'free floating or residual anxiety my heart goes out to you all. I am 41 and suffered since the age of 9. As you can imagine i have tried every thing out there to help with this. I do still have the odd course of beta blockers but have learnt that, just as Johnathan said, " acceptance is the answer" . Yes it is very hard to accept something so horrible and you might question why the hell you should just accept it. I really have found its the only way. Don't fight it laugh at it. I talk to my anxiety, swear at it at times. I recite positive affirmations and repeatedly tell myself that ' this too shall pass'. Everything does....... eventually. For today i am ok i will deal with tomorrow when it comes. So easy to say- so hard do. Dont give up!

[GrayEm in reply to alibean]

I myself use the laughing technique from time to time. Also acceptance, rather than fighting it is definitely the way forward.

[Hidden]

Hi. alibean. How encouraging to have a post like yours becuse it gives hope to so many. It is so, so very difficult to accept. We want to fight and struggle against this awful illness and in doing so make our situation worse. 'Why the hell should I accept this'. Because it is, to me anyway, the only long term solution. Short term solutions abound but what if "IT" comes back? With acceptance you have the practise to fall back on, because having come out once you can come through a 'set back' using the same method as before. Very best wishes. jonathan.

[adele78 in reply to Hidden]

I have had another 1 today whilst out shopping..... Not good I'm getting so sick of feeling like this