If I Am Having An Anxiety Attack Right Now, What Do I Do
78
What causes panic attacks, is there a cure for panic attacks? I have been asking myself those questions since I was 19 and was first hit by a full blown panic attack. I say full blown because it makes panic attacks sound more serious, a full blown panic attack, does sound better than just a panic attack doesn't it.
Anyways I was 19, a mere boy walking home from the local Saturday night dance when all of a sudden the ground just appeared to move, my balance went out the window and I actually started to stagger and not because of the drink. My eyes got blurry and I found it hard to focus and as my panic got worse my heart started to beat faster and faster. I had to sit down before I could finish walking home, this was unfortunately to be my first meeting with my enemy " Panic Attacks"
Treating Panic Attacks
I went to bed that night, as one does at the end of the night and forgot about what had happened that night. But over the coming months like a bad penny they just wouldn't go away, in fact it got to the stage were I didn't go out as much because of them. Panic attacks were indeed starting to ruin my life, what was a boy to do?
Well naturally go to the Doctors which I did and he passed it off as anxiety and wrote me a prescription for Valium. That's what I love about Doctor's, they get you addicted to a drug then years later ask you to come off it but we shall leave Valium Addiction for another day.
The Valium helped a bit in that they relax you but I still had that feeling. Walking though a busy town centre, my eyes getting out of focus, my walking getting out of balance, my heart beating and that feeling that you are going to pass out. I have to stop, I have to grip on to a wall, my fear is overwhelming and I can feel people staring at me. I want to run but I can't, I want to breath slower but my heart is pounding faster, I feel like I am going to faint, I need to beat panic attacks.
Living With Panic Attacks
So after all these years have I beaten the dreaded panic attacks, no but I can control them way better. Sometimes I get an attack in a traffic jam, I guess it's that feeling of being enclosed but one thing that does help a panic attack is breathing in and out into a brown paper bag. I tried almost everything though, I went to relaxation classes and they helped a bit. I went to a hypnotist but he was useless although I did bark like a dog all night ( joking of course). I also tried the old needles in accupuncture but although it was relaxing the benefits were only short term and later that night whilst drinking I leaked. !!
On Saturday I took a massive or full blown panic attack in the city centre, my heart was racing, my eyes couldn't focus, I felt like I was going to pass out but I stopped and sat down. I put my head between my legs to let the blood flow to my head and I took deep breaths. Then I got back up and walked a short distance until I got my confidence back. You can control your panic attacks but you need to take them on, get up from your couch and go for even a 5 minute walk. Take a friend with you, next time make it a 10 minute walk then 15 minutes, you can beat this demon, I should know because panic attacks are no longer my master, I take control so I know you can.
Just control your breathing, the brown bag does work, but most of all don't give up and don't become housebound. You really can beat it bit by bit, I know, I did, I wish you good luck. !!
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
I have only had one full blow panic attack -- after our last earthquake. I don't know why, but I really freaked out... Maybe it was my husband saying he didn't care "if it all crumbled (speaking of the economy)," right before the quake hit.
xox ~Ivorwen
Thanks Habee at the start I was almost housebound for 6 months, the damn panic attacks are a bugger !
Ivorwen you look way too relaxed on that swing to have a panic attack, in fact that pic actually relaxes me, I am glad you only had one and as always tis nice hearing from you x
I used to get panic attacks when I was younger, but then I read this book about attacking anxiety and panic attacks. The book put things into perspective, and helped me to move beyond these panic attacks.
oh yea, ya know like I do, panic attacks are def. an enemy. I hate the nauseating feeling and then having to explain to friends or family what just happened. Great ideas for handling them, before I was told by my doctor to breath deeply and etc. ect.. I would pass out. Now that is alot of explaining. Hang in there House, "this too shall Pass"
dori
Do you remember the name of the book SP, I will include it in my hub and thanks for sharing your experience !
And well done !!
I am going to do a few Hubs on Panic attacks Dori and am looking for other peoples experiences so do mail me you peeps, tis a true saying that a problem shared is a problem halved !!
Thanks Dori !!
Will do,
dori
You are a star my friend ; )
never suffered from a panic attack in my life, and yet you write so well that i've never been more interested in one! in fact, thanks to you, I have a new found love for health and heart attacks!! (btw. the part 'living with panic attacks' was just so funny) ok. I know this is serious stuff we're talking here, so will behave from now on...! x
Myownworld tis an Art of making a serious issue lighthearted and tis what I intend to continue to do, make Health Issues interesting and educate people whilst raising a smile, I kinda like that, I think it will work. As always nice to see you and never behave, I heard a rumour today that you are a long time dead, methinks it wasn't a rumour though ; ) x
HealthTip, I have been on numerous medications for panic and anxiety disorder for years, addicted to the downers and still (not as severe) suffer. You've given me some tools that in all these years I have never heard of and will be trying immediately. Your fantastic xo Kimberly and Thank you!
Great hub HealthTip! I too suffer from anxiety attacks. Nasty business it is. I'm glad you are dealing with it so well. I got put on Klonopin they got so bad. It works too. If I miss a day I will have anxiety attacks that day.
Kimberly mail me your panic attack experiences as I intend to do a follow up with other peoples experiences. And you are welcome my friend !
Sonja if I miss out on the little Diazapam I am the same, I wonder is it the actual tablet or is it all in the mind, thanks for your comment, jeeeez I love all you girls, I really do !!
I have suffered from Panic Attacks which suddenly appeared during my late teen years. I used to smoke weed to relax which cured my anxiety problems but then I stopped smoking. It reoccurred during my first pregnancy since I was scared and alone (single mom) so I think my stress levels were at an all time high. I was able to suppress the anxiety for awhile but after my fiance was murdered I fell into a deep depression and could not leave the house. I remember standing in the check out line at the store a few months after his death and I felt the most horrifying panic attack ever. I couldn't breathe, I felt my neck getting tight, I thought I was going to throw up...it was horrible. Later, when I met my husband and his ex wife started stalking me and even tried to kill me (3 times) I became so stricken with anxiety and panic attacks and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I was hospitalized twice because I was sure I was having a heart attack but it turned out to be a panic attack.....its the worst thing in the world and I do not wish it on my worst enemy. I have learned that when I am going to have one and I feel the wave building up that I focus on something and I take a drink of water or I pop an altoid in my mouth and I think about what I am doing, NOT what I feel inside. The more you think about the panic attack the worse it becomes.....you have to ride it out and eventually it ends for the time being. Sorry you have these too! I understand more than you can imagine!
Woooo JJ just reading your comment was like feeling a panic attack, you do have to ride it out, either that or let the damn bugger beat you and well I am sorry to hear you have them as well, they are truly a curse among curses. I hope you are well JJ, makes my day seeing a comment from my good friend x
You don't come to my hubs to comment anymore =( ....I thought you liked my poetry!
I so knew you would say that, I can still read you. I am off out to my daughters but I will be back in 2 hours and I will visit you. And you know I love both the poetry and the lady that writes them, jeeez poetry is my passion JJ !
Well done HT! Glad you've started this "specialized" hub!
Thanks Candie and nice to see yer lovely face about, hope all is well in the land of V ; )
Nice Hub. Sorry to hear that you have been having your Panic Attacks at such a young age. I luckily have had just a couple but they didn't happen till after I was 50. The stress of getting older.
Best of luck in getting rid of them forever!
Never had those panic attacks before thank God, but I liked acupuncture leakage :)
I have had 2 panic attacks. In one, I had a pain up and down my arm and then thought I was having a heart attack, which made me panic and made my blood pressure zoom up, which made me panic more. Great hub! - Carol
Hmmmm panic attacks eh? I don't remember having one (and I thank God for that) but that doesn't mean I never had one. Next time I see one coming, I'll just go back to your hub and read it again. Thanks Art.
Well, you know i'm in the same boat. Have only had one full blown panic attack and it happened at work about 10 or 12 years ago. They sent me straight from work to the doctor's office and of course, as you already know, she gave me presciption. Just what I needed, more pills! Not! Most of my panic attacks are not nearly that severe, but it's still a problem and seems to just drain me, physically and emotionaly. One thing I've found that does help a little, is to put a warm/hot wash cloth on my forehead ( but don't use cold water, will make the attack worse) or run warm or hot water over my wrist. X
I had panic attacks last year. I am so glad that I won that battle. It was the worst thing I have ever been through.
Exrayed - Thanks for you comment and am really happy yours went away, going to do another hub later detailing other peoples tips for dealing with panic attacks.
Shamal - You are way to cool to panic :)
Emi - I hope you never have one, they are lil devils !
LovemyYorkies - Great comment and I intend to use your tip in my next hub, thank you.
CaroltheWriter - Jeeez I nearly left you out babe, like I could ever leave you out. I know the panic increases the adrenaline and that is actually bad for the heart. A lot of the panic attack symptons are smimilar to a heart attack, deff will mention this in my next hub, thanks C !
Useful Knowledge - Well done on winning your battle, and they deff are the worst, cheers for stopping by as I love yer wings ; )
finally online tonight ey?
Twas dying of stomach pains last night, think I had that 24 hour bug but twil be about later tonight !
I wonder did this result from the old IRA days of bombing? But then again many Americans suffer from it too, my wife has had them and it is frightening to me too. I think for many years she thought she had asthma, turns out it was panic. She does much better now, I think she takes Paxil. Gee, I hope you recovered from that hypnotist.
I was gone a lot as of late and have missed ya, I was on a writing spree marathon, Almost dome with it, so should be back more often by next week for our usual fun around here. thanks Art.
It deff was down to the bombing plus the tit for tat killings C.C. Back then when some poor bugger got mudered by the IRA the UVF would seek revenge then the IRA would go a looking another victim.
Being almost strip searched going into town and walking past a car being afraid it will explode. Having an army landrover stop beside you and be kicked about for being Irish, and so much more that is too private to write about, but it has never broke my humor. I noticed you have written a few, I have loads of catching up to do over the weekend, I just read a cracker by Moonchild which she wrote 6 weeks ago, tis hard though to keep up, well that's what the hooker told me last night ; )
Great job! Informative and humorous. Thanks.
I to suffer from panic attacks from time to time but have never been on meds for it. Thanks for the hub, I enjoyed reading it...
Filipino Girls glad you liked it !
Edguider - Best trying to beat it without the meds as then you get addicted, you can try Valerian though out of the health shops as it also relaxes the muscles. I wish you luck in beating them !
I love this hub. You really know your stuff.
Enjoyed the HUB. Had my first one at 33. Tried the medicated route myself.....NIGHTMARE! Maybe it works for others...not me. I have taken your approach, whish I had stumbled upon this a long time ago.
Yeah I know Cuddy, that's why you hired me ; )
CJ I am doing a few hubs on Panic Attacks so watch this space, although I still have the odd one I have mastered the buggers and panic attacks are a nightmare !
I haven't had a major PA since 2006. I've been able to kinda sense them comming on and go from there...
Glad to hear that my friend, enjoy yer weekend !
Great job HT ;) Panic attacks suck. plain and simple
I have had these on and off along with many other people and it is horrid. you are great at these and it's good to see you looking at earnings. keep it up. You know your stuff.
Sorry I have not been round much my friend. But I must say this is a very useful Hub. I am no stranger to panic attacks--they are no fun at all. -hugs- take care of you.
Janetta - They are the worst damn thing out !
Helen - Cheers for that, am now playing about with the Titles with good effect, deff have to get more hubs posted.
AIDY - I haven't been about much myself, I deff need to get about 100 health hubs posted though, huge hug back at you and I hope you have a smile on yer pretty face !
Hello Healthtip
Gosh...they sound dreadful. Glad you are beating em.
Thanks for the article, both my husband and I suffer from anxiety and panic attack, and, of course, taking medication. which, as you said, the doctors will want to take us off one day in the future. What to do then? Try to do what you suggest, take it bit by bit.
Great Hub! I have had my fair share but I love your sense of humor about them :) LMAO at the thought of you springing a leak after acupuncture ;-)
Travelespresso they just come and go, the secret is to try and not dwell on them.
Mistywild the more I have spoken to people over the years the more I realise just how many people have had a panic attack, when I first had them I was actually a bit ashamed and felt weak mentally but your not, they are deff a demon.
A2shley - Firstly nice to meet you and well I try to find humor in everything, cheers for the read ; )
Enjoyed the Hub lot of useful info
Great description of a panic attack. Nicely done.
Thanks Lgali
FitnessEntusiast cheers for the comment, panic attacks deff are a bummer.
I have not heard of those panic attacks before. Good read.
Good to know that you got over it. Nice hub and thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ngureco panic attacks are a curse.
Kulsum thank you and I hope to see more of you in the coming months.
Thanks HealthTip. I have changed my job and got more involved with my work, hence I am not able to devote as much time with hubpages as I used to do earlier. Do visit my new hub on Gakhar. It is a Special Mughlai Bread.
habee says:
5 weeks ago
Ah...a fellow sufferer! Good hub. I wrote one about my experience with the dreaded panic attack. I got to the point where I was having them on a daily baisis and was becoming an agoraphobic. I finally gave in and started taking an SSRI.
Thanks for sharing!