anxiety attacks

[lindylou1964]

hi, my daughter is 25 but seems to suffer around this time of year with severe anxiety attacks, she says she feels like she cant breathe and that shes going to die cos she cant take a deep breath in - she has seen the doctor who signed her off for 2 weeks and gave her beta blockers but to be honest shes frightened to take them as she feels she would get dependent on them and dosent want to be addicted - has anyone got any ideas how i can help her as she just turns inside herself and wont talk properly to me when she is like this

[Bananas5]

My advice is that if she has seen the Doctor and he has advised the treatment then she must take it. For her own good.

Not aware that they are addictive but will certainly help her

x

[Madlegs1]

I think this is a psychological concern rather than medical- breathing is an automatic act- like the heart beating and tummy processing.

I get into a situation where I can't "catch my breath "- I don't know if that's what your daughter is experiencing - it is very frightening. I suffer from fear of tight spaces or being constricted - if that is any connection.

I get through this feeling by first acknowledging that I won't actually die - even though I'm panicking at being unable to catch my breath.

I think all this is related to our different brains - the monkey and the reptile brains- check out 'Amygdala '

Anyway- what can you do to help your daughter? If she can learn "Mindfulness"- that will help hugely - I'm sure there will be classes somewhere near to you.

In terms of practical help - I got great help from a psychologist in the "Human Givens " set up. Hopefully there may be one near you? It was expensive but I was ok after two visits.

It's hard to see one you love suffer so much. You can reassure her that this won't kill her- her lungs will breathe automatically. If she can do some exercises or sport or activity- that will be a great help.

I presume she has been cleared of asthma or other lung problems. Just to clarify the obvious! !!

All the best for you both in this frightening time.

[Hidden]

It's not really a good idea to decide about taking the pills if she wants to get well. Please tell her that the DR knows best.

Those pills are not addictive, I have them too and I don't need them all the time. I feel you need to be much more direct with her. It's vital she takes an active role in trying to get better. Loads of info on the web. I would set some time for her to do some research and see what she finds that could help. Try stuff out and do it one step at a time. You can both do this.

[johnsmith]

You say: "hi, my daughter is 25 but seems to suffer around this time of year with severe anxiety attacks, she says she feels like she cant breathe and that shes going to die cos she cant take a deep breath in"

Always keep in touch with your medical doctor. Instruction given about doctors I will expand on the possible problem your daughter has.

Your daughter must breathe out not breathe in. Breathing out will force the air in the lungs out. The atmosphere will force the air back in when she ceases to breathe out. This is an experiment that you need to test for yourself.

She needs to see an Alexander Teacher to check for any muscle postural problems and faulty muscle usage she may have. Ie trying to breathe in with the raising of the shoulders rather than the diaphragm.

"beta blockers" will not fix faulty muscle usage.

Hope I have been helpful.

[Hidden]

Hi Lindylou..Don't take to much notice of the other posts etc..I suffer from anxiety / panic attacks..have done for a few years now ..and when having an episode you do think your going to die..tell her to try keep calm..tell her to find a small paper bag and place it and hold it tight against her mouth..she then has to breath in & out of the bag using the same air ie..making & breathing in carbon dioxide etc..tell her keep breathing in & out inflating & deflating the bag for around 3-5 minutes etc..this action will then decrease the amounts of oxygen in her blood and in turn will calm her down..no need for any sort of possible addictive medication etc..once she practice's this technique hopefully she will be fine ! 🌝 please let me know how she gets on..

[Blondie503 in reply to Hidden]

I was stuck in a tunnel on the London underground a few years ago and a women had a panic attack. I got the driver to announce for a dr on the train and she did the same thing with a paper bag. She got the woman to count to 4 slowly while inflating the bag and the same while breathing in. It worked quickly.

[Hidden in reply to Blondie503]

Hi Blondie ..Yes does work ..I remember starting to have a panic attack on way home from picking a Indian takeaway up one night and ended up having to take the food trays out and then using the brown carry bag etc.. me blowing in and out..people walking past me stinking of curry and looking very strangely at me LOL !

[Blondie503 in reply to Hidden]

Whatever it takes I say. Hope you enjoyed your Indian.

[Hidden in reply to Blondie503]

👍

[lindylou1964 in reply to Hidden]

thank you Frank i will - she panics about taking tablets anyway so that would probably make her worse - i will buy some paper bags and let you know how i get on thanks again

[lindylou1964 in reply to Hidden]

thank you frank i will as she panics when she has to take tablets anyway - i will buy some paper bags asap and let you know how we get on thanks again Linda

[Blondie503]

Hi, see my reply to Frank436. Also, low magnesium levels cause anxiety. There isn't an accurate blood test for this. It's a good idea to read up on it and anxiety and nutritional deficiencies. Sounds like a load of nonsense, I thought the same but it's working for me. I wonder if vit D deficiency has a role to play here as we are coming out of winter and you were saying it happens this time of year?

[Hidden]

Hi Linda thanks for reply...it will definitely work for her ..once she gets used to doing it etc..nice slow deep breathing in and out ..Keep me posted ! 🌝 Good Luck 👍

[saj01]

Hi Lindy, sorry to hear about your Daughter. Something in your message struck me as a little 'odd'... in as much as you say it happens around this time of year? Which suggests that's it's probably not a physical condition whilst generally anxiety/panic attacks can happen at anytime, so my thoughts were what's causing the anxiety...To allay your fears, medication like beta blockers can help, however it's not going to treat the underlying cause.

Someone has already suggested Mindfulness, that certainly does help. Also, yoga, meditation and hypnotherapy. The mind is a powerful tool. I'm a great believer in trying a more holistic approach than reaching for the tablets.

Simple things like eating properly, keeping off processed foods and stimulants like caffeine, taking exercise and getting enough sleep can help, especially if your daughter has a stressful job. Sometimes even being in the 'wrong job' or the wrong relationship have can disastrous effects on our well being.

I hope I've given you some other ideas for her to try and hopefully she'll be okay soon.

Don't worry Mum... worrying can be contagious!. Take care x

[Nanajudy]

Is it an anniversary of a happening?? Small or bigger, they can cause this ...I had them years ago after a major happening!! Paper bags are a good quick fix and relief!! Mindfulness too ... I had to look for the root...and once found was able to work through it to lasting peace!!!

Hoping you sort it very soon!!

Hugs hun!! Is hard to watch!!!

Nanaj

[amberly87]

Hi lindylou1964. I suffer from anxiety & it never seems to correspond with anything. I should also note I have psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic headaches and migraines. My pain was horrible, one of the worst times as it was poorly managed, around her age, as was my anxiety. I am not sure where you’re from, but here in Texas it’s allergy season. My anxiety spikes during this season. I asked my doctor if his other patients have this & he said when we are congested it makes us feel like we can’t breathe, the same way a panic attack feels and our mind processes it as anxiety, ultimately sparking us to become anxious. Also, I did research on the OTC allergy meds I was taking & it said they can cause anxiety. I quit taking them and my allergies are bad, but I do notice quite a difference in my anxiety. As far as what you can do, engage in treatments with her. Sit with her and do breathing exercises, mediation or religion based on your background. Help her through it so she knows she isn’t alone. And be understanding. It’s hard for those without anxiety to understand it, but making her feel that you do will help. Journaling helps me simply as an emotional release. It’s also good when writing down the bad stuff to make note of what there is to be thankful for to try and reprogram the mind. Keep calming scents and sounds around all the time. Tell her to find what she likes and keep that stuff around. A clean, organized house/room helps with me having a clean/organized mind! Do make sure she takes any meds the doctor prescribes. I use to not take my pain meds bc I want to try & tough it out if I could. A new dr I’m seeing said that’s wrong- it’s easier to prevent pain/anxiety before it comes rather than treat it when it hits. Tell her to try the medicine and if she doesn’t like it, don’t be afraid to go to her dr and tell him she wants something different. It’s her body & life & she is in control. Lastly, I turn inwards too. I want to be alone, but when my boyfriend makes it a point to sit with me even if I won’t talk, or constantly checks on me saying “Do you need anything” or “What can I do?”, while it may not help much when I’m super anxious, it helps prevent attacks when I focus on the positive aspects of my life during regular times. I think it’s wonderful you are so intent on helping her. Keep staying involved, do research and keep being understanding!