panic attacks

[Snoozan's twin]

Anyone have any (positive)suggestions on how to help my college age DD deal with panic attacks? she just began meds but may take a couple of weeks to really begin to work? I'm a "survivor"of them myself, but you know how DD's don't always listen to their DM!

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

I also suffer panic attacks. So much so that in 1994 I became agoraphobic and was housebound for a year and a half.

My advice to her is this: Be aware of what you are feeling panicky about and try to imagine if the worst cast scenerio actually happened. It usually never does by the way. Allow yourself to "feel" the panic and work through it. I know, easier said than done. For me the thing that helped the most was cognitive behavior therapy. One of my panic situaltions was driving in a car. Even just 2 minutes from home. I took circle a word puzzle books with me to distract my mind from the panic. Guess what it worked!! Of course it took a long time to fully recover but in just 4 days I will be DRIVING to Disney from FL and then to TN for a few days and then back to NJ. I still cannot believe it. It is not the answer to ignore the panic or fight it. If it is gonna come, its gonna come, she just has to learn to let it and work through it and eventually it will become less and less of an issue for her. I am sure you know most of this but you are right sometimes it takes someone else's experience to help. Any questions, just let me know.

 

[EdiePA]

Yes, the meds do take four to six weeks to "really" kick in, but she should be feeling a little better within two weeks or so.

I really benefitted from therapy -- especially catastrophizing each situation. My therapist would work me through "What's the worst that could happen?" "Can you live with that?" Very helpful.

Between the meds and about five therapy sessions, I've only had one attack and that was for a real threat at work, not a perceived one.

HTH
Edie

 

[pammypooh]

I had a panic attack about two years ago and wound up in the er. I was put on some meds to get me through it, but was advised to try therapy as well. They just gave me a week of medication, till I could see my regular doctor. I went to therapy for about six months and didn't go on meds. The therapy was very helpful. One other thing that I did was get the book "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook" The author is Edmund J. Bourne, PhD. It was helpful in giving ideas for what to do if you felt like an attack was about to happen. I know not everyone likes talking about it, but for me, this book and talking to the therapist really did help me gain perspective. I chew alot more gum now, since that was suggested as a distraction. I also volunteer more, since focusing on helping others can in turn help you. The most important thing is to not let your daugher feel like she has let someone down - we can't always control our own bodies, but we can learn to manage them with really being in tune with ourselves and yes, sometimes with med, or professional guidance. I wish you and your daughter nothing but the best.

Pam

 

[Micca]

There are breathing exercises that can help. I'd guess the doctor thought of that before prescribing meds. Hope she gets better soon.

 

[Snoozan's twin]

thanks for the suggestions - "we" had a pretty good weekend, now DD is off for a couple of days away at college (part-time). I just realize that I need to take care of myself as well - it's hard when it makes my anxiety level go up! I need to keep telling myself that it is really her problem, not mine, but I'm a mom!

 

[Princess_Aurora]

I'm a victim of panic attacks as well. I also have SAD (social anxiet disorder) that's why you'll never see me at DIS meets.

What meds did the dr put her on? I take Lexapro for my panic attacks. One thing that I found really helped me was I searched for a yahoo group for Lexapro users. I found one. It's a great support group. We're all going through the same things, and being on the same meds we share things like side effects and stuff. So what I suggest is she try searching for some kind of online forum for people that are on the same meds. A place like that can be comforting.

Also...aroma therapy. Lavender does wonders. Go on a search for soothing, relaxing scents in candles, bubble bath and lotions. For me, panic attacks mostly hit at night. I light up some candles, draw a bubble bath and just lay back and try to relax.