Panic attacks

[rabet]

Anyone have these? What triggers them, and how can you stop them?

[percypineapple]

Yes,
Make your mind busy, think of good things, and blow into a paper bag and breath in and out of the bag, don't know why, but it works.
Percy.

[SIRandyraven]

Running out of beer in the fridge causes mine.

[lcg]

anxiety triggers them. i had them when i worked in a bingo hall many moons ago. not good when you are in the middle of calling our numbers out!!! going off somewhere quiet, where you feel safe and low-stimulus. ask your gp for help and you can get counselling/therapy to deal with your issues. you may also need medication if your problem is quite bad. everybody's different. good luck x

[nailit]

I suffer from panic attacks. Its not funny when you think that you'r having a f*****g heart attack.
I take propranolol which seems to help and practice meditation (with the aid of a CD).

[rabet]

I have only had one serious attack, some years ago, in fact the first one I ever had. It was the most frightening experience of my life; I felt as I imagine you might feel if you knew you were to be executed tomorrow. I had been drinking alcohol and then strong coffee and I think that might have been a factor.

[echokilo]

Bach Rescue Remedy x

[nailit]

Alcohol and/or coffee!
not a good bedfellow.

[cathfromsaron]

i have had them and they are awful, but cannot harm you! i also work in a dept that teaches people how to avoid them ...

if it is a true panic attack then it is too much carbon-dioxide in the blood, bringing on muscular changes and the feeling of panic! overbreathing can cause it, so don't take deep breaths to conquer them; the paper bag trick works just as well as cupping your hands over your nose and mouth, though!

BUT some panic attacks are more psychologically based, and can be avoided by not dwelling on things that make you anxious, esp. the thought of a panic attack!

i would go to the GP surgery to check there isn't an underlying lung problem first, and then try to become less anxious!

http://www.anxietyuk....ZSJnK8CFcYOfAodj2azbg

plus sites like this may help!

[rabet]

cathfromsaron, thanks for that. But please tell me how you chose your amazing username!

[craft1948]

I have been hospitalised twice due to panic attacks...............after the second time they sent me to physio to learn breathing tecniques to calm myself down.

[tiggerblue10]

I used to get mild panic attacks a few years back whenI had time to think about things. I don't have time to think about things anymore.

[Gavmacp]

I had a few which left me with a chronic anxiety issue. Tried different things especially counselling without much change.
I went to someone that used emotional freedom technique, I have to say that all through the time of having it I thought b******s this is the biggest load of s**t I have ever tried. But when you have had anxiety for over 10 years with no real change you will try anything (and did). Well after a very little time the dreaded fear left me and a new wonderful feeling replaced it.
EFT does not make any sense to me at all, but all I can say is try it, I hope for you it works like it did for me.
Much love,
Gavin

[douglas9401]

As others have said, one key seems to be in the breathing. In then slightly longer out but try to identify triggers too.

[lady-janine]

with you echo Bach RR is helpful

[tinkerbell23]

Ive posted numerous times about them especially recently- wish i knew why mines trigger- its beginning to happen when im asleep and everything :0( not good xx

[tinkerbell23]

I take propanolol... Have just ran out :0/

Also kalms at bed which is my worst time and have bachs on my windowsill to spray when i need- xx

[rabet]

Many thanks to you all.

[cathfromsaron]

* sorry i meant too much oxygen, so that is why re-breathing co2 works!

apologies!

cath x

[Brinjal]

Alcohol and caffeine can cause heart palpitations. So can other foods such as chocolate and with me tomatoes . Google pat heart arrhythmia . I'm most cases it is not caused by any serious heart ailment but a reaction to some food or drink. Lying down helps get the blood back to the head. It can be very scary tho.