Relief From Anxiety Attacks?
September 09, 2009Recently, I had a panic attack an assembly, and ever since, every time I go into an assembly, I worry that I’m going to get another one, but then I have one because I was worried about it. I have now had enough and want to learn how to control it so I don’t have to walk out, etc etc. Does anyone have any tips of how to calm myself down when I have one?
And I can’t really take any medication in assembly, so that idea is out.
And yes, I have aldready posted this under Mental Health about 10 minutes ago, I couldn’t decide what section to put it in
=)
A non-medication answer is Rescue Remedy, which is a Bach flower remedy, and available at any Whole Foods, well-stocked health foods store, or online. For a description of the Bach remedies, which are made from flowers, you can go to http://www.rescueremedy.com/ or many other sites to read about the remedies. Rescue Remedy comes in a spray (like some mouth fresheners), so you can use it without alarming anyone. I would use it starting one hour before the upsetting situation, then every 15 minutes. It works great for a lot of people, including me. Once you use it successfully, you may need to only spray it one time before an assembly, but I suggest the repeated sprays to get you through one assembly unscathed. It also comes in a gummy lozenge form (Rescue Pastilles), so you could take it in that form during your preceding class without anyone noticing.
There are 38 Bach remedies altogether; you might find one that works better for you than Rescue Remedy, but Rescue Remedy is the most famous of the remedies, and the one with which to start if you don’t have time to read about all the remedies. Also, it works much more quickly than the other remedies.
A prescription answer is long-acting Xanax, which you could take, assuming you get a prescription from your doctor, before you leave for school in the AM. It works all day, so you don’t have to take anything at school. Xanax is addictive, so major cautions there. If you can find an alternative to Xanax, I would certainly encourage to try everything else first.
Other, non-prescription alternatives include an herb called "Passion Flower," which is known as "nature’s Xanax," transcendental meditation (much easier if you do this with some "new age" music in background), or cognitive therapy. A really good book on cognitive therapy, which should be available at your library, is "When panic attacks : the new, drug-free anxiety therapy that can change your life" by David D. Burns. Burns is one of the most famous authors on cognitive therapy.
One last suggestion: Inderal. Again, this is a prescription, but it is not addictive. It is a blood pressure medication, but you can obtain it in doses as low as 10 mg. Inderal prevents the heart from racing, and without a racing heart, a panic attack is stopped in its track. I’ve taken up to 40 mg at a time to stop my uncontrollable anxiety. As mentioned, Inderal is not addictive and is not in the Valium/Xanax class of drugs, so it’s a much better bet if you must go with a prescription medication.
My heart goes out to you; I know how distressing panic attacks can be, and I hope you find full relief soon.
May the universe be with you.
September 9th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
First, you should be seeing a doctor about these. The earlier you get intervention, the faster you will get over them.
Second, discuss this with your teacher. Most will be very understanding and allow you to sit near the door. Knowing you can get out if you have to will help you not have an attack in the first place. If the teacher gives you crap about it, know that it is your right, but you would need medical documentation to back the fact that you are having a problem. They have to make allowances for medical conditions and this is one.
References :
September 9th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Anti-anxiety medication is usually taken once a day before bed, so you wouldn’t have to take it during an assembly and it would guarantee that you stop having panic attacks, although i’d stay away from Zoloft. It can make you severely depressed.
Effexor XR is probably your best bet.
But if you really don’t want to take medication, you can try taking deep breaths, or thinking about something calming.
References :
Personal experience. I’ve had anxiety disorder since I was 13.
September 9th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
A non-medication answer is Rescue Remedy, which is a Bach flower remedy, and available at any Whole Foods, well-stocked health foods store, or online. For a description of the Bach remedies, which are made from flowers, you can go to http://www.rescueremedy.com/ or many other sites to read about the remedies. Rescue Remedy comes in a spray (like some mouth fresheners), so you can use it without alarming anyone. I would use it starting one hour before the upsetting situation, then every 15 minutes. It works great for a lot of people, including me. Once you use it successfully, you may need to only spray it one time before an assembly, but I suggest the repeated sprays to get you through one assembly unscathed. It also comes in a gummy lozenge form (Rescue Pastilles), so you could take it in that form during your preceding class without anyone noticing.
There are 38 Bach remedies altogether; you might find one that works better for you than Rescue Remedy, but Rescue Remedy is the most famous of the remedies, and the one with which to start if you don’t have time to read about all the remedies. Also, it works much more quickly than the other remedies.
A prescription answer is long-acting Xanax, which you could take, assuming you get a prescription from your doctor, before you leave for school in the AM. It works all day, so you don’t have to take anything at school. Xanax is addictive, so major cautions there. If you can find an alternative to Xanax, I would certainly encourage to try everything else first.
Other, non-prescription alternatives include an herb called "Passion Flower," which is known as "nature’s Xanax," transcendental meditation (much easier if you do this with some "new age" music in background), or cognitive therapy. A really good book on cognitive therapy, which should be available at your library, is "When panic attacks : the new, drug-free anxiety therapy that can change your life" by David D. Burns. Burns is one of the most famous authors on cognitive therapy.
One last suggestion: Inderal. Again, this is a prescription, but it is not addictive. It is a blood pressure medication, but you can obtain it in doses as low as 10 mg. Inderal prevents the heart from racing, and without a racing heart, a panic attack is stopped in its track. I’ve taken up to 40 mg at a time to stop my uncontrollable anxiety. As mentioned, Inderal is not addictive and is not in the Valium/Xanax class of drugs, so it’s a much better bet if you must go with a prescription medication.
My heart goes out to you; I know how distressing panic attacks can be, and I hope you find full relief soon.
May the universe be with you.
References :