get over panic attacks without meds??

Ok...here's the big question!!! Can someone overcome panic attacks without meds?? It is a big debate with my friends. I have some friends that were housebound for 6 months and got over it, I have a friend that just "snapped out of it" I have another friend that took the meds for a year and another friend that takes Ativan everytime she' has an attack. Because I have been dealing with these attacks for 4 months without the meds, I'm starting to feel better, but I know I could could feel better. Do you guys have the same thoughts? Could this be conquered without meds? I have done the CBT therapy, meditation, yoga, cahnged my diet, started exercising...done it all, exceot the meds. Let me know what you think....

Just my $0.02
I guess it helps to know what the REAL reasons for your panic/anxiety attacks are, so that you can start to work on those.

I was for the longest time scared as hell to start on anti-depressants. That in itself was a nearly unsurmountable anxiety that drove me to fits.

I tried the change of diet, exercise, meditation, prayer, hobbies, etc, etc, etc. They worked some for parts of me, but never completely and for everything.

Only when it became a very apparent relationship problem issue, was I able to overcome that and that's how I got started on Citalopram.

In my case the problematic anxieties were and are pretty standard and came, as it were, hand-in-hand with my depression.
Having said that, that did not become really clear to me until I started out on anti-depressants, but once I did, I managed them pretty well and almost immediately.

Right now I have al but completely eliminated my negative self-talk and negative rehearsals and replaced them with more constructive (for lack of a better word)'drivers'. This in turn greatly helps me improve on my depression, so it's more or less a chicken-and-egg situation.

Believe me, the meds work, but you have to give them a chance. Be prepared for the side-effects and know that most of them will be gone in 2-to-3 weeks.

Thanks so much for your response. I'm fighting within myself everyday about taking the meds. Somedays I'm for it, the next I'm terrified. I've heard many great things about the meds then on the other hand, I've heard so many horror stories! It gets very confusing which brings on the panic more often. Like yourself, I have tried everything and they all have helped with certain aspects of my life which needed change! But there is still the fear of the panic. It's funny how you can experience the same sympton all the time and it still can scare you. Just today I had one and the fear was so intense I feel awful. Now it passes alot faster then they used to. Thanks again for your input. It looks like I havent decided what to do yet. Hopefully, I will see a light at the end of this crazy ride.

Hey Maria,

Just to let you know I was in a major major car accident in the summer of 04 and I didn't start getting anxiety attacks (PTS, post traumatic stress) until September of 04. I still have the attacks I just have learned to deal with them. When I first got attacks they were sooooo insane and I just really had noo clue how to deal with them, I went for the doctors for everything because I basically became a hypocondriac b/c everything I would read about I thought I had maybe, I was just finding any reason of why I was feeling the way I was. Well alittle over two years later I have grabbed a hold of these attacks and I know how to deal with them...its mostly the attacks when I'm hungover that I really can't deal with at all. But I still get them even though I know what they are and I'm just sooo sick of it and including my eating disorder I was like you know f*ck it I'm going on something and seeing if that can speed things up. Its nice to know you can get over them yourself, which you can do, but it just takes TIMMEE!! and this lifetime we really don't have the time to overcome this stuff b/c it gets in our way of doing some fun and great things in life. Well I realize I think I have responded to every post you have made but I think we just have a lot in common and I know exactly how you feel in a lot of aspects.

Good luck maria

Hey STC...you're amazing!!! I love hearing from you. We seem to feel the same way and are alot alike. I;m having bad panic attacks tonight...havent had a bad one in a week. I think its because im tired. I usually get them when im tired. I'm actually starting meditation soon. Also, someone mentioned to me that vitamin defiency triggers panic attcks.That could be my problem too as you know i dont have a huge appetite...well, nice hearing from you...hope you're second week is going well

Hey Maria,
Yea I tend to get anxiety attacks or just general anxiety all day if I have a bad night sleep, or when I wake up from a nap and i'm exhausted still. I did yoga for a while and it didn't work at all for me, it kind of made things worse b/c I would think more about my anxiety which would lead to anxiety, but in the past year I started it up again and it worked amazing, granted I only did it once, but still hehe.
Yea if you eat right I'm sure it helps a certain amount, but my anxiety attacks were so bad when I started that nothing really helped until I actually started to realize what they were and knew how to handle them. You should really start taking some vitamins if your not eating, because for me I still ate so I dont think I ever had a decrease in vitamins but the fact that you don't eat I would definatly do that. I think I'm increasing my dose to 30mg tomarrow morning because, although my anxiety has gone down some, of course my eating is still out of control. I'm not sure if celexa is for me, as much as I hate anxiety especially when I have an actual attack I still would rather have anxiety be still an issue than my eating disorder I CAN'T TAKE IT!! There are so many people that take this medication or others that lose their appetite and that didn't happen to me at all with this one or wellbutrin. I dont know if i should try others or if i should wait this out to see if it will kill my appetite. Anyways I gotta get going, let me know if you talk to anyone else about their symptoms with celexa and appetite decrease. THANKS!

hey guys, i am new to the site. we have so much in common. to medicate or not? i have been suffering for about a year now, and have done it without meds. maria, don't give up, stay strong! you don't need meds. you need to find the root of your anxiety. give another pyschologist a try, discover the triggers. you may realize this roots back to even your childhood! you can do this without meds! you can change your thinking, trust me! i have come a long way in a year, i am not healed, but i am a much stronger person, and i know so much more about myself than a year ago. give it more time is my advise.

im taking celexa and dont like it at all. i wake up randomly scared. its made me worse. i also havent been eating very much. i wanna see how to get off of it. the only thing i hate is that id have to deal with my anxiety, which is really bad. ill get really sick sometimes cause of it. i donno anyone else whos had it as bad as me. i used to get a fever n stuff cause it would be so bad. then it was fine for quite a few months then i all of a sudden started having it bad again. i also am afraid of taking anti depressants sooo... i have no clue what i should do.

I started to suffer panic attacks in 1982. It was
as a result of a number of stressful situations which I never managed to resolve fully before a new one presented itself.My mother's first time in hospital-ever-at the age of 78, for a hip op., we had a car crash some months later, then a few months later my father suffered a stroke, our car
was stolen and I had undertaken to make a dress for
my daughter for a very special occasion, her First Communion, never having done any dress making before. There were other things as well...My biggest problem at that time was that panic attacks were not really recognised in Ireland. My doctor thought that I must have had trouble in my marriage or with my parents, with whom we lived. But it was simply a build-up of STRESS. I couldn't sit in a confined space ie church, theatre, cinema, bus. I found waiting in line at the supermarket check-out or for buses were unbearable. Shopping in busy shops or crowded places was a horror. Being a catholic, my parents couldn't understand why I wasn't going to Mass on Sundays and that was a real problem and the cause of a lot of aggro. even though I was married and in my 30's at this stage. I eventually came out of it all... very slowly and with enormous help from my devoted and extremely patient husband. I discovered that cycling was easier because I had the opportunity to just go home if I started to panic. I found a book by an Australian pyschologist in the library and she mentioned using pyschological 'crutches'.I used my bicycle in that way and it really worked for me. I wasn't given any medication of any sort- perhaps because I could't explain properly or just wasn't understood.I NEVER have panic attacks now-they CAN be eliminated from your life. To enable me to indulge myself in my hobbies ie singing, playing music and sport, I have discovered Inderal is a
wonderful help. A close family member who has recently presented with panic attacks has used Inderal very effectively and hasn't had to stop working. I think this is possibly a solution, non-addictive and can be used, with doctors supervision, just when really needed.
I've never written or told anyone outside my family about this before and I hope it will be useful.

i was disabled in the line of duty, so i already battle PTSD, MST, i am bipolar amongst others and i already have to take so much medications that its sad, i am only 30 years old and house bound for the most part. i would say that i dont have an anxiety disorder that i battle everyday, or even 1 a month.. i may have one today and then be just fine for 1,2,3 months and then i spend a whole day suffering ( oh i am haveing one right now so if it seems that i am babbling or what not i am sorry) so i really dont think a daily meds would be right for me, is there a short term " breakthru" meds that may work.... or what i would much rather, a natural, or meditative or something that i could do to combat these attacks.. my attacks are not related or triggered by my PTSD, or other mental illnesses, they just start for no apparent reason....

PLEASE HELP, any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.. and it doesnt matter if they come from a doctor or the friendly next door neighbor that actually lives and battles them themselves, which i think is more helpful than a doctor persay

thank you again

a nervous wreck
san diego california

baby bet you do have an anxitey disorder with a whole range of other disorders,like you have already mentioned,and probley a few more that like me like to take in turns of popping up and pissing me off!!we just some of the complicated people out there but im 35 now and much happier since accepting the things that make me who i am and yeah it sucks having to take meds but i was someone who spent most there life self medicating,food,pot,skunt,spee d,coke,drink.so to accept i had a problem coping and go on medication was the best thing i ever did.celexa did increase my drinkin issues but all the other cravings went,so it been good.i also do something called tapping i dont know if you,ve heard of it but it been amazing,go on you tube tap in e f t and you will see for yorself.try it no medication needed.im off the celexa just, and im fine using the tapping every day.i have been diagnosed with ptsd,bipolar,and anxitey disorder and borderline personality,shit man its true,but you know hardley anyone knows.im sorry i only just read your post plz let me know how you are.best wishes.

....hey lark.. sorry it took me so long to get back to you.... i too was a delfmedicader... i drank like a fish( my fishies used to watch me and say" man look at him go..i would have drowned by now"..lol)now that i am sitting here NOT haveing a panic attack ... i agree i am on these meds for a reason, not cuz some doc told me i have "issues" but because i know i have issues... my dos started me on this new drug.. "lamotrigin"(not sure on the spelling).. well i have been on it for about a month and i am starting to hear music... you know what i am gonna give you my e-mail so we can talk and not take up a post space.. plus i am not that comfortable telling my life story in the public
imstuckinbfe@yahoo.com... when you e-mail just put something in the subject line about talking on here...

i hope that all here is doing well and getting a hold on your anxitey..... this e-mail is here for whom ever needs a ear.....

I've just started having panic attacks but it's been only when I drive. I'm on meds & seeking therapy but I don't have much hope from him because he basically told me to come back when I figured out why I was only having them while driving. Can ANYONE give me any suggestions on how to battle this?

Thomas Bianco wrote:

I've just started having panic attacks but it's been only when I drive. I'm on meds & seeking therapy but I don't have much hope from him because he basically told me to come back when I figured out why I was only having them while driving. Can ANYONE give me any suggestions on how to battle this?

Hi Thomas

I've had panic disorder for 17 yrs with the complication of agoraphobia. Do yourself a big favour and see the driving through, no matter what. Don't waste your time with all that medical attention because in the long run it is only going to be you who will come to realize that by facing the
very fear that stops you from functioning .Avoidance is your worst enemy believe me. The best way to desensitize, is to find someone who will help you take the the drive in increments. By that, I mean have that person go with you then meet you at different intervals until you fear no more. At one time I to couldn't drive becauase of panic attacks. If you do get a panic attack please know that it won't kill you. Just float and let it pass, Although it feels uncomfortable it will pass. And remember, it is only your neg. self-talk that is keeping your the first fear alive and therefore keeping you sensitive.

It also helped me to verbalize when I felt a panic attack coming on. For eg. f**k Off panic ,I'm in control here!

Also try diaphramic breathing when you feel apanic coming on . It may keep you under the threshold of panic

good luck

Ronner wrote:

I started to suffer panic attacks in 1982. It was
as a result of a number of stressful situations which I never managed to resolve fully before a new one presented itself.My mother's first time in hospital-ever-at the age of 78, for a hip op., we had a car crash some months later, then a few months later my father suffered a stroke, our car
was stolen and I had undertaken to make a dress for
my daughter for a very special occasion, her First
Communion, never having done any dress making before. There were other things as well...My biggest problem at that time was that panic attacks were not really recognised in Ireland. My doctor thought that I must have had trouble in my marriage or with my parents, with whom we lived. But it was simply a build-up of STRESS. I couldn't sit in a confined space ie church, theatre, cinema, bus. I found waiting in line at the supermarket check-out or for buses were unbearable. Shopping in busy shops or crowded places was a horror. Being a catholic, my parents couldn't understand why I wasn't going to Mass on Sundays and that was a real problem and the cause of a lot of aggro. even though I was married and in my 30's at this stage. I eventually came out of it all... very slowly and with enormous help from my devoted and extremely patient husband. I discovered that cycling was easier because I had the opportunity to just go home if I started to panic. I found a book by an Australian pyschologist in the library and she mentioned using pyschological 'crutches'.I used my bicycle in that way and it really worked for me. I wasn't given any medication of any sort- perhaps because I could't explain properly or just wasn't understood.I NEVER have panic attacks now-they CAN be eliminated from your life. To enable me to indulge myself in my hobbies ie singing, playing music and sport, I have discovered Inderal is a
wonderful help. A close family member who has recently presented with panic attacks has used Inderal very effectively and hasn't had to stop working. I think this is possibly a solution, non-addictive and can be used, with doctors supervision, just when really needed.
I've never written or told anyone outside my family about this before and I hope it will be useful.

Hi Ronner.

I've went though all that stuff and more. Ther are two really good books that you should try and get your hands on. They are 1.SIMPLE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF AGORAPHOBIA by Dr. Claire Weekes and 2. PEACE FROM NERVOUS SUFFERING again by Dr.Claire Weekes.

These two books were my bibles. They helped me tremendously. She is an athority on this subject.You will get a thorough understanding of the psychology of this anxiety disorder believe me. And please do as she suggest. It's the only solution in my mind.

good luck

About 6 months ago I woke up feeling sick but I didn't understand why I felt so sick or why my heart was racing. I had a dentist appointment later in the day but the racing nervous feeling didn't go away. I had the worse and longest running panic attack of my life that day. It started before I left the house, stayed with me to the dentist, at the dentist, driving back home, and stayed with me until 3 hours after the appointment. I had graduated college in June and I had just quit a horrible job I had for 3 months. I can see now that I started to mentally unravel long before that day but really that was the last straw as far as my mind was concerned. I became a shut-in for 2 months not even able to go out on the front steps of my house and refused to even consider leaving the house entirely until about a month ago. I had panic attacks daily for the first month of all this, I was given Ativan and Paxil (then discovered that I am allergic to Paxil). A lot of it I know I did to myself and I can identify what went wrong and why it all happened etc. But I am left with this horrible phobia of driving and being alone in places I'm familiar with and unfamiliar with. I suppose that fear falls inline with driving alone. I am at my wits end like I can't move forward and I am depended on my family and my boyfriend to drive me places where before I would drive places at all hours of the day and night without a second thought. I'm trying to drive short distances by myself and get out there but I just don't feel like I'm ever going to get past this. It is to the point where any advice from my family comes out of frustration because they themselves don't know how to help thus making me feel more like a failure. Before this I always had a serve fear of the highway and would not drive it, could this be a further manifestation of my driving the highway fear? I can't take medication because I am highly sensitive and just end up horribly sick for weeks. I really don't know what else to do, I don't feel like my efforts at this point at making a difference and I don't have the money to see a cognitive therapist. Is there a way I can help myself without drugs and therapy? Is there even a way to break the mental and emotional block that seem to have formed over night?

To "Glenn, from brampton canada......your commnet has got to be the best one on here....AVOIDANCE IS THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO.....ive suffered with panic attacks for 3years now and its driving me insane....i cant work and its affected my socail life big time, and i am only 19.......what you said about facing it is the best advice that can be given...thats exactly what i need to do, i need to force myself to get a job and i wil lslowly overcome it......it would be nice to have a chat to you.......comment back to me if you can. regards, holly.

meds only mask the real problems cognitive therapy is a way to stop the cycle. you have to re-teach your mind, also a book that has helped me a ton is the feeling good handbook cheese name i know but it works. my grandma had problems with depression and anxiety she was on meds but side effects made her not want to take them, and then if you dont have your pills or your out then what? you F'd, funny cause i was going through the same thing and about the same time, so i told her about this book my dad gave me (my dad is a marriage and family councilor) and about what i i had learned and how it had helped me. you can go to this website i have read most of it and it says about the same things that were in the book i read, living with panic or living with having to take meds the rest of your life isn a good option, check out the site it will help after you read it i will bet your panic attacks will stop or become much less and then be gone all together, plus it teaches you what to do if you start having one

http://www.paniccure.com/Default.htm

hey what up i have the same things but they started when i smoked some weed. i had a bad tripp and i was feeling numb while i did it. after that every time i get numb or i have a fast hart beat i start getting the attacks. their not fun and it made me stop from smoking weed and drinking. i myself help me from trien to not think about it but some days its hard to controle.
i was just wondering if i should smoke weed and face my fears.

Hi my name is april, I dont know what the diff. between a panic attack or an aniexty attack is, i just know i get them and their horrible. And i dont know if its a mixture of depression or and panic or what, i just moved away from all of my family who i was very close with to live with my mother in colorado with my 2 year old son and my finace, i just started a new job, working around a lot of people daily, its only lately that i get them constantly, i feel almost as i dont want to deal with anything anymore, not like suicide or anything but just like i wish i could not deal with these attacks anymore, they get so bad that i instantly have to go to the bathroom, i dont get the fast heartbeat or anything, i just feel like i have to get away from where im at, like my boss likes to come up to my desk and talk to me everyday, and thats a HUGE trigger, and its starting to affect my job performance where i start to think i cant work that i need to stay home because i cant handle it, and its really starting to feak me out, it all started when i was like 17, i did ectasy and had a bad trip and ever since then i cant even take tylenol pm! Its very strange...and they got worse after i had my son, i start to see how big hes gotten and that even freaks me out? i dont know i have xanax 2.5 mg, i usually only take half of that! thinking of even taking a pill or going to the doctor scares me, i dont want to explain it cause it makes me feel crazy and i just get nervous. anyone get these types of sypmtoms??