Panic Attacks?

I don't know if this is the right forum to bring something like this up at.. but, I isolate myself, and often use online forums as my support system. I suffer from generalized anxiety and panic attacks. Does anyone else get panic attacks? What do you do to help them? 

I'm on zoloft and xalium but they don't seem to help all the time...

Personally, I don't suffer from panic attacks - but when I lived with a roommate I had to deal with hers a lot. I used to help her to calm down, talk to her out of the situation. Usually I'd tell her to count all the chairs in the room or something like that, which usually helped. Since I personally don't get them, I can't really give you any advises but I'd say that rooting yourself "back to the place" is a good way. Breathing exercises are also important. Trying out different things will let you find the best ones that are suitable for yourself.

I have panic attacks in stressful situations, but only in the aftermath. During the situation I am calm and collected, but after everything's said and done I break down and have a panic attack. I asked my psychiatrist once about it and he said it is not normal but it is not unusal. There are a small percentage of people like that suffer from panic attacks. I started laughing because I always knew I wasn't normal. One thing you could do to help is breath. Learn to breath to calm yourself. In through the nose slowly, out through the mouth slowly. Keep repeating in your head that you are OK and there is nothing and no one that can hurt you. Then there is also medications but you would need to see a specialist for that.

@toradrake , I am THE SAME WAY!! I can bottle it up like that, for hours, and once I'm finally alone it all hits me and I'm in a panic attack and need something to calm down. Grrrrr. I'm on Zoloft and ativan. They work some of the time, but not really. Also, I've fainted due to panic attacks... it sucks :(

I have suffered with anxiety and depression for many years. I do get panic attacks and they are terrible. I usually get them when I feel like a situation is out of control. When I feel them coming on I try to go for a walk. I find that helps me. If I am unable to go for a walk I do my best to breath my way through them. I am not on any medications for it. I just try to manage them naturally which can be trying at times. I can go months without having an attack but then I can have them often once they start. I have even woke up in the middle of the night having a panic attack. I usually can't go back to bed after one.

As with age, I am set in my own way somehow and currently taking refuge at my sister's house for a month to get away for a while. I have anxiety attacks to the point of gasping for air because the situation at home was chaos, sudden, and out of my control.

I used to think that taking deep breath help but not this time. I was under so much pressure and stressed out to the point that I forgot how to calm down.

Now, I find light cleaning such as sweeping the floor, washing dishes, and dusting help me focus on breathing.

I don't know if this is the right forum to bring something like this up at.. but, I isolate myself, and often use online forums as my support system. I suffer from generalized anxiety and panic attacks. Does anyone else get panic attacks? What do you do to help them? 

I'm on zoloft and xalium but they don't seem to help all the time...

Hi KittyGirl. Hugs!

I do hope you feel improved and better. Can you mentally trace back what trigger/s your panic attacks? I'm not big on prescription drugs. Like you said, they do more harm than good, and you feel the bad side effects.

Do you eat properly with nutritious meals? Do you get enough sunlight? Research says that Vit C improves the absorption of Vitamin D and Omega 3 (saturated fats from meat, pure cream (not the vegetable oiled thickened cream), coconut oil, avocado) and boost up our serotonin.

You are right, come to forums (good company ones) and talk to us. That's what I do when I feel a little down. Watch and engage in political news and social issues. They actually help challenge our minds to see how we can do service for our nation and learn from their experiences in finding out how to better our lives and others. 


I wish you well and many good days ahead of you,  KittyGirl. :-)

I have not had any panic attacks myself but I do know people who have had panic attacks.

The best way to deal with panic attacks is not to isolate yourself but look for one person who really cares about you and confide in them about your problem. The person will be the one to calm you down and take care of you when you are having an attack.

I think the more you let people help you then the more confident you will feel. And the less frequet your attacks will be.

Personally, I don't suffer from panic attacks - but when I lived with a roommate I had to deal with hers a lot. I used to help her to calm down, talk to her out of the situation. Usually I'd tell her to count all the chairs in the room or something like that, which usually helped. Since I personally don't get them, I can't really give you any advises but I'd say that rooting yourself "back to the place" is a good way. Breathing exercises are also important. Trying out different things will let you find the best ones that are suitable for yourself.


You were the one to calm her down when  she had panic attacks. I also think that the best way to deal with panic attacks is to find a good friend who will be with you when you have one just like she was with her room mate. Also get into some yoga classes and learn breathing exercises that will help you calm down when you have one.