Anxiety..

In for advice on this. I suffer from all kinds of anxiety. I'd talk to a doctor......if I was so damned scared what they may say. The thought of admitting it out in the open like that makes me feel physically ill.

A good doctor will tell you there are no stupid concerns or embarrassing concerns. He or she is a healthcare professional. I was nervous too but I did it, and amazingly the world didn't end. I know what you mean but talking to a healthcare pro is the best thing you cando to help yourself long term.

Wow, some of the posts in this thread are exactly how I would describe my own panic attacks and anxiety. I have several anxiety disorders, mostly related to social situations or when something happens that I did not plan and I have no control over the outcome. I am on 2 daily meds and have a "go to" on hand that can really stomp out a panic attack pretty quickly should it get too bad. I'm so sorry that so many of us deal with these disorders, they are upsetting to life in general.

My advice is pretty much the same as what's already posted. As long as you don't feel like you're going to hurt yourself and need immediate help, make an appt with a doc. Tell them what you've told us and hopefully they will listen and do something more than just the fluxotine (sp?). My Ativan has literally saved my life, so to speak, on more occasions that I care to shake a stick at. Try yoga or take some really long walks with soft music so you don't have to listen to the outside world while you try to cope and calm down. Good luck hun and many many hugs to you.

Feel free to add me as a friend if you'd like to. Support is a wonderful thing!

In for advice on this. I suffer from all kinds of anxiety. I'd talk to a doctor......if I was so damned scared what they may say. The thought of admitting it out in the open like that makes me feel physically ill.

Actually talking about it will make you feel better...at least that was my experience...sharing that fear with someone I absolutely KNEW wasn't going to go blab to anyone else was a relief. Also, not one time did my doc ever say I was 'weird' 'abnormal' 'stupid' or anything negative, matter o' fact I got a lot of positive encouragement, and not just 'cause "that's his job" either.

Oh, I feel for you.
I used to get back to back panic attacks all day, for well over a year.
It was exhausting and frightening, so much so that I ended up going to hospital a few times initially as I thought I was dying.
I couldn't breathe, my arms would go numb and I would be crawling around the floor not even able to cry, just panicking and desperate.
They mostly disappeared after I moved away from my ex, and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and put on thyroxine.
I do believe that hypothyroidism can sometimes cause panic attacks so do get that checked into if you haven't already. I also found that even though you feel you cannot breathe, making yourself walk about can help as walking sort of forces you to breathe differently. And basically, distraction, get writing or try and sing or somesuch.
Feel free to add me and message me anytime you are panicking and I will respond if I am around.
I have issues with depression and anxiety, alongside on and off battles with bulimia/binge eating.

Aww hugs, I'll pray for you. Sorry, I just don't know much about depression or anxiety and I wouldn't feel right offering any advice except you should talk to a professional. It can be treated! You can do it.

Sorry to hear you're dealing with this. Anxiety can really suck, but thankfully there are ways to cope. Hopefully the Fluoxetine will deal with both your depression and anxiety. Docs are less inclined to prescribe benzos (xanax, valium, etc) because they are addictive and can get out of hand, so they use the anti-depressants as those have also been found to be effective. If not able to get a therapist, or possibly as an adjunct, you can check out some online resources and apps. A free app that I like is Do As One -One Breath. It's a way to get your breathing under control. My favorite free online resource is www.kp.org/listen. From there you can download podcasts for stress, depression, anxiety, pain, sleep and many others; all free. It's a good way to get out of your head for a bit until you're able to be there without the anxiety.

I had HORRIBLE anxiety about 2 years ago and it still comes and goes as it pleases...i'm not 100% sure what brings it on bu after TONS of TESTS and bloodwork and all that good stuff the doc put me on meds that make me feel llike a dead person walking.....I have learned to cope with it without meds....I have never heard of anyone dieing from a panic attack so it doesnt really scare me as much anymore....I have just learned to live with it and not let it get in my way of living....my whole family has it and so i've grown up with it and know how it works and some of my family wont even leave the house...i refuse to let it get the best of me.

I haven't read what other people have said, but during an actual panic attack it's hard to focus on what you should be doing. For immediate relief, I've been given a few tips...one is to sip on ice water, another is to disctract yourself with something like a long relaxting bath, another is to take a benedryl if you really need to (maybe not during your bath) . I don't recommend the benedryl for a long term fix obviously, but it's hard to be panicky when you're tired. It might help you until you can actually get in to see a therapist.

Just one more thing, while your primary care dr can prescripe anti-anxiety medications, if you're having a hard time with panic attacks it might be a good idea to see an actual psychologist. They are trained in the many types of treatment options and medications. For example...my primary care dr prescribed me a med for panic attacks I was having years ago (not able to breathe like yours). When I finally saw a psychiatrist because I wasn't getting relief, he told me that the dosage of medication my primary had me on was like trying to put out a forrest fire with a water pistol.

Giood luck to you...deep breaths in through your nose and out your mouth.

My daughter had terrible anxiety attacks, to the point that she would be unable to go to school. She started taking "Happy Camper," which is an herbal supplement we found at our local health food store. It helped her, but it could have been a placebo effect. Also, I don't know if you could mix it with anti-depressants, but I suspect not since it contains St. Johns Wort.