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Has anyone suffered from panic or anxiety disorder?

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Hi, I know this is really off topic.... but my sister is going through panic and anxiety right now, and i hate seeing her like this. I wanted to know if anyone here (or anyone who knows someone who did) has ever had this. I want to know if you had any tips on getting over it.... things that can get her mind off of her own death. I'm very concerned, any greatly appreciate your help! Thanks! :)
 
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She needs to see a Doctor/Therapist ASAP!
 
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id say talk to a therapist, not a mac community. They would most likely subscribe her too zanex. Which works wonders for anxiety and panic attacks.
 
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What doctors tend to do is prescribe benzos short term and anti-depressents long term, along with therapy. If there are certain triggers that set these attacks off, she'll learn to identify them. The best advice I can give with a panic attack is to not fight it. Accept it and realize you'll live through it.
 
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Please get here help ASAP
 
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I have general anxiety disorder... which essentially boils down to having panic attacks without any real triggers... and the most important thing is to let her know it's going to be OK.

When I first completely lost it, I ended up in the ER multiple times for what I thought were heart problems. Eventually they even sent me around with a portable ECG on (unable to shower for two days, wired up like a robot... awesome). Knowing that, as much as you may feel a sense of impending doom, there's nothing it can do to hurt you is important.

Get a referral from her regular doctor to a psychiatrist as soon as possible. Like several others have said, he'll probably put her on benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonzopan, Ativan, et cetera). They're extremely habit forming over time... I'm "dependent" on them, which is the medical way of saying addicted... but they work.

Hopefully they'll be able to identify some triggers for her and work around them. I had a good friend end up like I am over family issues, and once his therapist really put a face on what was causing him to freak out, he really came back to Earth.

Even if she's screwed like me, she'll be able to resume normal life for the most part once she's medicated.

Good luck. It's a terrible thing to live with.
 
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I too would recommend immediate medical attention. The good news is that panic/anxiety attacks are well understood these days and there are a variety of very effective therapies for them. A good friend of mine is a psychiatrist, so I feel like a know a *little* about the area. Get your sister help. It is readily available and effective.
 
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I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and PTSD. Have felt this way my entire life, as has my grandma and sister, and so far there is nothing that takes it away. (except drugs) Most of the time my panic attacks are triggered by nothing at all, I'm not afraid of anything specific like dieing, but sometimes it feels like I might die if i continue to feel that way. I was prescribed 120 2mg Klonopin (clonazepam) a month and my tolerance was up to the point that I had to take that many, I am on nothing now because I wanted to get completely sober (except Paxil) and it is nearly unbareable but I am alive. There are a lot of different therapy techniques in dealing with these problems and a lot of experimental stuff too... I'd tell her to read about it on adaa.com or nimh.com- it helps to know the brain function behind it. Also tell her to cut out caffeine, nicotine, and large amounts of sugar. (caffeine is a killer!)

Also if you want to be there for her it is helpful for you to know what is really going on, and recognize that this is not "in her head" and is a very, very real physical reaction. (my psychiatrist explained it as your brain seeing a cat and thinking Dinosaur! and releasing a bunch of adrenaline in response) It can be very scary and the best thing is for someone to acknowledge it and make you laugh, distract you, help you cry and talk through things, watch a movie, (some say exercise but my heart rate goes so high anyway, it feels terrible to me)

If she has an addictive personality at all (anxiety can cause this A LOT) I would be weary of her going on Benzodiazepines (without therapy) because they work REAL well generally, and therefore the effect is greatly desired and relied upon. Instead of working through it ever, you just pop a pill. (plus the withdrawals are deadly and extremely unpleasant: very very very heightened anxiety) Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
 
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Wow Ambivalent! Long time no see! Hope all is well for you.
 
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oooooh man thank you! I have missed you all soooo much :) i have been to **** and back, and well... Im back.

Things are well. Thank you ;)
 
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Thanks for the replies guys! My sister is now feeling better than she used to- she hasn't been complaining about feeling dizzy, nauseous and having headaches alot lately. She seems to have given herself self therapy.
 
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xanax is is spelled the same, forwards and backwards.
 
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xanax is is spelled the same, forwards and backwards.





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Hi, I know this is really off topic.... but my sister is going through panic and anxiety right now, and i hate seeing her like this. I wanted to know if anyone here (or anyone who knows someone who did) has ever had this. I want to know if you had any tips on getting over it.... things that can get her mind off of her own death. I'm very concerned, any greatly appreciate your help! Thanks! :)

Your post is in the Anything Goes folder, so, it's not off topic. :)

And yes, I have suffered for years from panic attacks. I eventually came across this book, "PSYCHOnutrition: how to control your moods with foods" by William Vayda.

The section on LIAS, ie, Lactate Induced Anxiety Syndrome, was very helpful for me, and it is bad-diet related. Here is a quote from the book;

"Joanna's impaired liver was not able to perform some of the key steps in the biochemical chain which breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. She produced instead, abnormal amounts of a form of lactic acid called lactate. This natural chemical is a known panico-genic, which means it is capable of causing anxiety, or panic, in susceptible individuals."

HOWEVER! I'm not a Doctor, at all, and this is simply an idea for you to consider. I'm with the other posters, go and see a Medical Professional ASAP. And all the best to you and your sister.

Cheers, Mike.
 
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I used to suffer from panic attacks until i taught myself not to worry about my own problems excessively because theres always someone else worse off than me.
 

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