Please Help!

Hi. I'm 24 years old and recently just started suffering from panic attacks. I've always felt anxious about things but in recent months it has just gotten worse. I constantly worry about things, and seem to over anylyze everything. Recently I had my first one where my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest, severe sweating, feeling like I was going to have a nervous breakdown, and hurting in my upper back, couldn't breath, or hardly swallow. Does anyone know what the underlying cause of panic attacks are?? I went to the doctor with the first one and he perscribed 10 Xanax 0.5 and said when I felt one coming on to dissolve and half or a whole one under my tounge. This helps however but I don't want to become addicted and don't want the attacks to interfere in my everyday life since my job requires me to work with people on a daily basis. Since the first I've had about 2 in 3 weeks.

Hi Nikki, one thing I've learned is that panic and anxiety feed on themselves, and are self-perpetuating. There are a lot of really good coping mechanisms on this forum, some include meds, and some are behavioral.

I know the feelings are scary, and even worse, you just know that they will occur again. But, they don't have to. Follow a few threads in the forum and see what other members suggest. A lot of people swear by the Linden Method, and I have used Lucinda Basset's program to help in my earlier years.

Meds should always be a temporary panacea, but there is a lot of help out there to help you cope and overcome these feelings. I'm sure a lot of people will post to this thread to offer your some support, suggestions, and guidance.

Hang in there...you're not alone.

You are experiencing sensations which your mind tricks you into believing are dangerous, THERE IS NO DANGER!!!
Once you have had a panic attack, you become afraid of having another so it becomes fear of fear.
The idea is to take the fear out of it. When you first get a sensation do some deep breathing this can really help to slow you down.
Keep on working You will be OK. I am working while I have all of the sensations even though I feel frightened I am still doing my work very well and no one know what is going on with me.
You can excuse yourself and splash cold water on your wrists and face.

Take the xanax as a last resort. You have them and you know that you can always take it if absolutely nescesary, better if you can manage without.
Lisa

Thanks to those of you who replied. It helps to know some others are experiencing some of the same things. I haven't used the xanax but 2 or 3 times & that was when the attacks were pretty bad. Thanks guys!

Hi. I'm 24 years old and recently just started suffering from panic attacks. I've always felt anxious about things but in recent months it has just gotten worse. I constantly worry about things, and seem to over anylyze everything. Recently I had my first one where my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest, severe sweating, feeling like I was going to have a nervous breakdown, and hurting in my upper back, couldn't breath, or hardly swallow. Does anyone know what the underlying cause of panic attacks are?? I went to the doctor with the first one and he perscribed 10 Xanax 0.5 and said when I felt one coming on to dissolve and half or a whole one under my tounge. This helps however but I don't want to become addicted and don't want the attacks to interfere in my everyday life since my job requires me to work with people on a daily basis. Since the first I've had about 2 in 3 weeks

Nikki, I see It's been some time since you admitted this note. I just wanted to tell you quickly about my situation. I have had anxiety attacks for most of my life. I'm 36 years old and the first big one I remember, I was 15 years old. I do take medication similiar to xanax and it is very addictive and I am trying to slowly get mylelf off of it. What I do now is mediate, exercise, eat healthy, no caffeine or anything with stimulants. Inculuding chocolate.): I'm feeling better and more in control of my anxiety since I started mediation and positive thinking. A quote I heard recently that struck me. "We suffer more in imagination then in reality". This is so true. Always waiting for the next one or the what if's. When you start feeling your simptoms come on, try and pay attention to your breathing. Try and breath from your diaphram not your chest. When we start to have a panic attack, alot of times we forget to breath wich makes things worse. good luck. sweetgirl11. If you ever have any questions my e-mail is adrian_rbrts@yahoo.com. :D [/url]