anxiety and panick attacks

United States
June 21, 2007 4:06pm CST
Hi friends, I have something known as bipolar and panic disorder. If there is anyone out there going through this or have any helpul info. about these topics, PLEASE let me know. I'm at my wits end and meds. aren't helping much. Especially with the panic attacks...... Much Thanks, Erika
1 person likes this
10 responses
@Jaytech (2251)
21 Jun 07
It can take time for your meds to start working, hang in there, otherwise go back & see your doctor & try an alternative. Also try n focus on things you like & enjoy, music perhaps or reading, things to distract you from thinking about your fears.
@shebee28 (230)
• United States
22 Jun 07
i have had anxiety and panic attacks since i was 17, I am 29 now. it is very scary but you are not alone. For years i thought i was but now you hear more and more about the disorder. If you would like to add me as a friend maybe i can help, just someone to talk to at times. I also have a blog on anxiety, feel free to check it out http://www.worryworts.blogspot.com
• United States
22 Jun 07
Thank you for your comment, it was very helpful.
• United States
25 Jun 07
meds arent always the answer, i think they make things worse, i just take multivitamins :)
@Akameh (45)
• Australia
23 Jun 07
there are millions more like you, meds take ages and whilst they have a sedative effect they are only a bandaid solution. sure they will make you a zombie, but they won't undo any of the damage that causes the panic attacks in the first place. a lot of women { and men for that matter } won't take their lithium because it "makes them fat" and this continues the downward spiral into depression. surround yourself with the positive people in your life, and if you find that you don't have any positive people and that they are all "victims", find new friends. develope and maintain a sense of humour, people look back and laugh at broken bones and the silly situations that brought about physiological injuries, but remain permantley petrified of any form of mental instability. it's wrong millions maintain perfectly normal lives with meds,counselling,alternative treatments,lifestyle changes or a combination of all of these. relax, enjoy being different, it wont last. hope this helps you crazy freak. hehehe
• United States
25 Jun 07
Yeah Akameh, I feal like a crazy freak....lmao. Your post sounds like it actually came from Dr. Phil. Thank you for sharing with me.
@Akameh (45)
• Australia
26 Jun 07
ta, not doc phill, i just like to use common sense. i'm finding that it is becomming more and more less common cheers
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Jun 07
lol
• United States
22 Jan 08
I found this discussion after posting one of my own. I was hoping I wasn't alone. I didn't know there was a name other than just panic attacks. I've been having them almost everyday for over a year now. Sometimes happening out of nowhere, just sitting watching tv or playing on computer, even laying down for the night. I'm responding mainly (to be honest) so that I can look back to this page when I am feeling depressed and remember I'm not alone. I am not on meds of any kind, (fear of swallowing pills, its what started my first panic attack). I'm still learning on how to handle these feelings, usually I just freak out and take off walking or get in the car and drive. Fight or flight I guess. It so sucks!
@chingoy (46)
• Philippines
23 Jun 07
People with panic disorder have feeling of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. During a panic attack, most likely your heart will pound and you may feel sweaty, weak, faint, or dizzy. Your hands may tingle or feel numb, and you might feel flushed or chilled. You may have nausea, chest pain or smothering sensations, a sense of unreality, or fear of impending doom or loss of control. How about Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy? Have you tried it? This cognitive part helps you change the thinking patterns that support your fears, and the behavioral part helps you change the the way you react to anxiety-provoking situations. I really want to help. I hope this will do. Good luck!
• United States
25 Jun 07
Wow! You've done your research chingoy. Those are exactly the things that happen to me during an attack. I am still waiting for my insurance to kick in, but I will be sure to look into Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Thanks so much for your help.
@nejnej (148)
• United States
22 Jun 07
what are the indications of bipolar and panic disorders??
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jun 07
Depression, loss of memory, mood swings, anxiety, panick attacks, insomnia, anti-social behavior, and paranoia are some of the indications. There's alot more that I just can't think of right now, but there are plenty of good web sites out there that will list everything.
• United States
25 Jun 07
i have anxiety, im going to go see a doctor soon, but i dont think mine is that bad, i mean i can get really nervous sometimes, but i just gotta take deep breaths and i get through it. just breath and live on, u should enjoy life cause ur never gonna get out of it alive!
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 07
I wish you the best of luck too.
@Jaytech (2251)
28 Jun 07
I've had chronic anxiety problems since originally replying to this discussion, I thought I was having a heart attack yesterday but it seems to have subsided for the time being. I hope you are feeling ok today
• Singapore
23 Jun 07
hi, i would like to assist. Can u pl tell me more?
@kel12347 (33)
• United States
8 Jul 07
I don't have any experience with bipolar disorder, but I've had anxiety and panic attacks for almost 18 years. Talk with your doctor often about your medication, especially if it is not working or causing side effects. SSRIs usually take about 4 weeks to fully kick in. I went off medication at one point, but found that I need it, otherwise my panic attacks get out of control. You can control your panic attacks to a degree. Make sure you are eating and sleeping as well as you can. These two things can decrease anxiety and panic. Also, watch your thoughts and listen to your body. Once you start to feel a twinge of anxiety, your thoughts will start in with all these catastrophic possibilities: "What if I have a panic attack" "Oh no, this is going to be horrible", etc. These thoughts can kick anxiety into high gear. You have to derail the thoughts. You can do this by distracting yourself with a book, a warm bath, or talking with a friend. You can also repeat mantras, or affirmations, to yourself, such as "I'm okay. I'm perfectly safe." Also, try relaxation techniques. Deep breathing works during times of anxiety, but using other techniques, like self-hypnosis, progressive muscle relaxation and guided relaxation (usually with a CD) when you're not panicking will reduce anxiety overall and decrease the likelihood of more panic attacks. Remember that you will not die from a panic attack, nor will you go crazy, faint or have a heart attack. It's your thoughts that generate fears of those things happening. Panic attacks are hellacious when you're going through them, but try to remember they are temporary and you WILL be okay. And if you can get through panic attacks, you're tough as nails, so hang in there - things will get better.
• Romania
5 Oct 07
I am taking Tranxene and Xanax . I"ve started with 3+2. Now, after 5 months take 2 tranxene of 5 mg and 1 xanax of 0.25. I can go alone with my baby outside now , I can do almost all i was doing before i start having them. But i discovered i have prolaps of mytral valva. This can cause them too so you should do a check at your heart too.