I'll regret this in the AM

[kelly]

I work through depression and panic attacks, I fight this night and day, anyone got any helpful tips???

(for all the idiots that don't understand PLEASE don't respond)

[shaliza]

I would suggest going to see a doctor. I know someone who suffers from serious panic attacks and has been on effexor for 2 years now and hasnt had one since.

There are no wierd side affects either.

good luck

[merlin77]

First off, go and see your doctor. Let them know what is going on and see if they can help you. Now, I am not saying let them load you up with a bunch of different drugs, but you definately need to talk it out with them.
Second, if you suffer both depression and anxiety when you see your doctor get them to refer you to a therapist. That way you can figure out what is triggering all of this and if you do need to try some med's they are the ones who can diagnose this accordingly. (Doctor's can only do so much, it's the therapists and psychiatrists that really help)
Third, make sure that you are getting sleep. This is where your doctor can definately help. The less you sleep the worse the depression and anxiety gets.
Last, take a deep breath and realize that you are not alone with this and it will be ok. The worst thing people do is keep it bottled up inside and never search for help.
I hope this served as some help to you, and if you have any questions feel free to ask. I have been right where you are now and have worked through it. Don't try and do it all on your own.

[KittyLix]

email me [email protected] I have been through deppression and anxiety for years

[kelly]

WOW - I'm really amazed that I'm getting helpful reply's from here!!!!

I've been to my GP and had zero help and taken it on myself to sort things out, I'm the first person to give advice and literally give the shirt off my back - if anyone needs help they only have to turn to me

[Plan9]

Originally posted by kelly
WOW - I'm really amazed that I'm getting helpful reply's from here!!!!

I've been to my GP and had zero help and taken it on myself to sort things out, I'm the first person to give advice and literally give the shirt off my back - if anyone needs help they only have to turn to me

You'd be suprised at how many people are going through the exact same thing as you. It still seems to have a negative stigma attached to it, even though it's becoming more and more common these days.

Its nothing at all to be ashamed of - and I'm gonna join the crowd here and say 'see a doctor'. You'd be AMAZED at the different you can see in a couple months, with the right help.

And if your doctor wasn't any help, just go see another one. It'll be one of the best decision you ever make, I can guarantee that.

Good luck with your problems! My ICQ is 2934899 if you ever need any help or someone to talk to.

[kelly]

I feel really, really stupid posting this but I'm having a chonic panic attack right now and feel like a total idiot

[spankstrocko]

Kelly,

What you are going through is a complex problem for many people no doubt.

This is my opinion on the subject having been through my own bouts of anxiety as a high schooler.

I tried the drug route and hated every minute of it. I will never ever again go that route but thats not to say that what you have would or would not benefit from drugs.

Instead pick up a few books by sherry Rogers and see what her thoughts are on the subject. The info in her books will be life changing for any and everyone that implements it.

Her book:

Depression Cured At Last is a must read and does not only deal with depression. Instead it uses depression as a vehicle to change most disfunction in a persons body and mind.

Give it a read and lets talk.

Spankstrocko

[SleazeQueen]

I fought that for years. Reason I'm in the biz is that I couldn't work outside my house for a few years there. I'm doing a lot better now, but I still have moments.

Go to your doctor. If your doc won't help you, get another doctor. Seriously, I changed my primary physician before I got help. Huge pain in the ass and on the phone with insurance people, which triggered attacks! I'm taking Paxil 1x a day and I'm working on some other skills that help me cope.

Do some reading about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. It really does help. I always get overwhelmed by all the possible things that could happen and what helps me is to tell myself it's nothing I haven't done before and then I say, "What if the worst thing I can imagine happens? And then what? And then what?" Eventually I see how crazy my thinking is and I relax. There are other exercises you can do that might work better for you. But the meds have helped a lot. Paxil is my friend.

[merlin77]

DON'T FEEL STUPID!!!! The more you put that pressure on yourself the worse this panic attack is going to get for you. No one here thinks you are stupid, we all want to try and help you through this. You did the right thing, you should be proud of yourself for having the courage to post this, not feeling ashamed of it. You have people here that genuinly want to help you

[candyflip]

There's no need to feel ashamed for the fact that you have a chemical imbalance. Depression, anxiety and the like are often easily treatable. The key is to educate yourself and get the facts, while tuning out the ignorant fucks who have no clue and think less of you because of your sickness.

[chAos]

believe it or not alot more people than you think go through anxiety and panic attacks .. i went to my DR and he got me on some good drugs and also try to excercise too that helped me alot was being active alot more that normal

[jimmyf]

looks like some good advice, didn't know that many had it.

If 5 or 6 people post with problems, believe me there are a bunch that don't, and even more that are not aware they have a problem, they think everyone is like them.

You already have over 50% of the problem sloved.

[SleazyDream]

gfy seems to work well

[PrivateEye]

I am a freaK ALSO

Ton of people have drawbacks and are depressed.

I like to go on vacations where nobody knows me and i dont care what people think....

[jimmyf]

Originally posted by SleazyDream
gfy seems to work well

yep

[Rich]

Please don't go to a shrink and get hooked on an anti-depressant. They'll only make things worse for you and you'll be hooked for life. If you don't have close friends or family members you can talk to, consider seeing a psychologist or going to some type of support group. No matter how sad or depressed or lonely or broke you are, every problem can be solved. Talking to people is the best way to start, but like I said please don't go to a pill pusher psychiatrist. They don't pay for that home in the Hamptons by helping people, they pay for it by getting people hooked on drugs and keeping them coming back.

[EviLGuY]

Drink more, post more.

[Jolly Rancher]

Originally posted by shaliza
I would suggest going to see a doctor. I know someone who suffers from serious panic attacks and has been on effexor for 2 years now and hasnt had one since.

There are no wierd side affects either.

good luck

Not true.. Some people dont experience the side effects , some do.

Those drugs are overused , effexor in particular.. These arent drugs like usual drugs, these drugs alter the way the brain works, not altering chemicals in th brain like most drugs..

I would be carefull getting on any anti-depressents unless you truly have a problem. The panic attacks along with the depression, points more to STRESS not true depression.


Ask for sub-lingual lorazepams for the panic attacks ( they disolve under the tongue for a quicker effect ), and try a REGULAR full balanced meal and excercise EVERY DAY for a week to cure that depression ( and lots of sex if you can afford it )

[Furious_Male]

As you can see from this thread you are not alone. I suffered for 15+ years before I finaly got the right help both cognitive and Rx.

ICQ is 169*049*151 if you ever need to be talked down from a bad one or just want to talk.

cheers

[reynold]

I also get those. Some people tell me to go see a doctor but I'm afraid to know what's wrong.

[Jolly Rancher]

Trust me on this one.

Try doing what i said , eat a full balanced 3 meals a day and excercise twice a day outside.

Also get some sub-lingual lorazepams ( dont be afraid to ask your doctor for them by name ) The problem with panic attacks is that if you have bad ones , they come to quick for any normal drugs to work unless your constantly doped up.

If you still feel shitty after a week then try one of the new anti-depressents like effexor ( but be carefull not to get hooked )

after 6 months do your own self diagnosis of if you feel better, if you dont feel better , fuck what the doctor says, ween yourself off the drugs slow.

[crackheadcurly]

if you go to the doctors let me know what he says, maybe my brother can benefit from it

[PrivateIvy]

It's amazing how many people suffer from panic attacks/anxiety attacks.

I had a rough time 2 years ago suffering from panic attacks to the point that I quit going out because it always happened to me in public places. I finally made myself go to the doctor and he put me on Zoloft ( http://www.zoloft.com ) ....2 years and not a single attack yet. But yet, it still is always in the back of my mind...the fear that for no reason whatsoever I will have another That's why it's best to see a Doc early on so because it will progress into more often and stronger attacks.

You're not alone

Ivy

[Katlicious72]

I suffer from depression am on Celexa after being on another medication that didn't give good results. I got off of medication for 6 months and started drinking and was heavy into drugs. Not good for a depressed person. I would suggest seeing your doctor, and discuss your issues in great detail and talk about medications. There are alot, but the only way to know which is good for you, is to get a doctor and discuss it. Good luck to you. Mental Illness is no joke. It's a daily process. If you need to talk I'm on ICQ. Huggles

[smokingdawn]

Definately see a doctor!

[Furious_Male]

Originally posted by Jolly Rancher
Trust me on this one.

Try doing what i said , eat a full balanced 3 meals a day and excercise twice a day outside.

Also get some sub-lingual lorazepams ( dont be afraid to ask your doctor for them by name ) The problem with panic attacks is that if you have bad ones , they come to quick for any normal drugs to work unless your constantly doped up.

If you still feel shitty after a week then try one of the new anti-depressents like effexor ( but be carefull not to get hooked )

after 6 months do your own self diagnosis of if you feel better, if you dont feel better , fuck what the doctor says, ween yourself off the drugs slow.

I agree eating right (low sugar, low carb to keep the blood sugar level) and getting plenty of exercise helps, but not all drugs keep you doped up all the time. Don't be afraid to inquire about RXs.

I have been on a very low maintenance dose of Klonopin for 7 years and I am far from doped up. It allowed me to take a fledgling business and thrive where I used to struggle just to go get my hair cut.

Klonopin is not like xanax and a lot of the other drugs in that it stays stable in your system. Drugs like xanax calm you for a short while then when it wears off you have a rebound attack that is 10 times as bad as the original. Some docs will let you bounce around like that for years.

One thing to remember is a panic attack can only last 30-40 minutes. Your body can only stay in that state for so long before it has to rest whether you realize this or not. If your having a bad attack just remind yourself that it cant last forever, your not dying and you have been there before. Take a quick look at the clock and do some breathing exercises. Before you know it things will start to calm down. Once you teach yourself that they cant last forever you will be able to cope with them a lot better.

Just a few things off the top of my head.

[Honeyslut]

Did your doctor do a full blood panel and mri before he came with the conclusion that you are depressed with anxiety ?

[Furious_Male]

Originally posted by Honeyslut
Did your doctor do a full blood panel and mri before he came with the conclusion that you are depressed with anxiety ?

Very good point. A lot of disorders mimick panic attacks from Mitral valve prolapse, excess iron in your system, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, diabetes etc etc.

[Honeyslut]

Originally posted by Furious_Male
Very good point. A lot of disorders mimick panic attacks from Mitral valve prolapse, excess iron in your system, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, diabetes etc etc.

Yep. A doctor should always do a very detailed blood panel and mri before the old depression/anixety treatment.

They tried to say hub need anti-depressive and viagra 7 /8 years ago . Docs told him he had chronic fatique. We found out last Sept that he has had a pituitary tumor for over 20 years.

[Honeyslut]

Originally posted by Furious_Male
Very good point. A lot of disorders mimick panic attacks from Mitral valve prolapse, excess iron in your system, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, diabetes etc etc.

I have found out personally that not treating asmtha and severe allergies cause anixety and symtoms of depression.

[DrewKole]

Change your nick to 3 letters, and go around "OWNING" everyone on GF.

Guaranteed to...

Well shit, it didnt work for him, I dunno if it'd work for you.

Sorry. =(

[LexiLexxx]

Panic attacks suck!!!!

I have been on Paxil for years, I have to switch to Zoloft, because I'm pregnant now :-)

I was so lucky when I started getting them. I have always been a good employee, I would get ready for work everyday and try to walk out the door...and never make it! The only thing that helped me was hypnosis!! The subconscious mind can be evil, until you learn to over come it, I would say it's the hardest thing to do!!

Good Luck and read up :-)
I have a hard time trying to over come it, while being on meds. that help prevent it! Stress can kill you.

Be strong!!

[Herb Kornfield]

my wife just started Zoloft from panic attacks...... I get them alot myself...........

They do suck, however, talking does help...

Anytime, hit me at 160.541.645

[KCat]

I've never had a panic attack myself, but a good friend has been on Paxil for years. Totally balances her out. You can see the difference immediately if she's run out.

Definitely go see a doctor!

[pure energy]

I had a friend who had those years ago. Too much problems on his mind, he was told.

[monica]

As you can see, lots of people suffer from depression and anxiety problems here, and I'm one of them too.

You are getting some good advice. Going to the doctor is a must, and like someone else mentioned, if you don't get good help from the doc, find a new doctor. Don't be afraid to keep seeing people until you find someone that you feel comfortable with, and someone that really helps.

Seeing a counsellor is good advice as well. There again, it might take awhile to find someone that feels right for you.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a very good route to explore. I used to scoff at the idea, but I'm just now looking into it and it really helps. It's extremely helpful to explore your symptoms, learn to recognize them, and learn techniques that will minimize your anxiety and depression.

Drugs are an important route to explore. They are not for everyone. Some people have very good luck with drugs while others are not happy with their results and choose to go without.

All drugs come with side effects, some more than others. Often, you will have to try several drugs before you find one that suits you.

There is a really good book called "Don't Panic". I think that's what it's called... I've also forgotten who wrote it... some help I am! heh.

When you are anxious, try to remind yourself that anxiety is normal, that it will pass, that it has always come to pass, and that you will be fine soon.

For myself, I found that if I laid in bed, imagining I was in front of a heavy bag kicking and punching it, going through various combos in my head, the panic would pass quicker. Pay attention to the things that help you get through your panic and learn techniques for waiting it out.

Hope you find lots of good help!