Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder

[Escana]

friends help out alot in theses situaitions

[IrishMother]

I have panic attacks and anxiety issues. I know there are not alot of information on this subject. when ever I am scared or upset I have a panic attach. usaually my Boyfriend calms down by doing breathin exercises with me.

[IrishDanceMum]

I also have panic attacks, anxiety and depression. Mine is related to Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. I have a bunch of other stuff as well that's all related to that. Yuck. Anway, I've found that medication has really helped me. I've had great results with Lexapro and Alprazolam. I also have a psychiatrist that has done some therapy with me to help me reduce the anxiety problems and that's really help me reduce my panic attacks.
Of course, loosing my keys today didn't really help matters any! lol

[Lanata]

I think it's caused by a traumatic experience.. I have a panic disorder too, but I'm dealing with it and it has gotten a lot less. (Thank god.)

[under_the_influence]

Stormeh

Having been a victim of panic disorder, I got to do some research on the matter, yet I could not find any explanation to the causes of the disorder, and any actual help for it (which doesn't involve medication-- medication stops the symptoms, but not the actual disorder). My conversations with the specialists pretty much turned in circles, and whatever sites I go, they're very vague on the treatment. Is this normal, has so little research been done on the matter?

I've never heard of "Panic Disorder", although, I have heard of many anxiety disorders.

Being a victim of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the only thing I can say that might help you is know your disorder.

Know what triggers your panic attacks and learn what might help calm you down. There are medications for anxiety that do help - Although, with my personal experience with the system, you might want to point out the fact that you're suffering from anxiety and panic attacks.

There are medications but, really, the most important thing to help you get over it is observing and learning your triggers and things that can bring you down from a panic attack.

[La Veuve Zin]

Boxed_Jam

I'd like to know the symptoms for this disorder. The closest I've ever come to a panic attack would probably be being startled. When I'm startled, I usually lash out at who ever startled me. I sometimes swear at them, too (hate to admit it). But then I immediately apologize. The whole thing is like a reflex for me. But I think this is normal.

It sounds pretty normal to me, though you might be a bit stressed out. Panic attacks are much more drawn out, they usually start with something upsetting you, and from there you start obsessing on it until you get so upset you start having physical symptoms. These can be difficulty breathing/hyperventilating, with a sort of tightness in your chest, dizziness, nausea, and just this overwhelming feeling that something horrible is happening and you're powerless to stop it--some people feel like they're dying. (Which only makes it worse!) I usually just have trouble breathing, and I start crying because I'm so upset, but I haven't had a really bad panic attack in a while.
If anyone wants to add anything to that list of symptoms, please do.

[HolyBlackAngelGirl]

I have a few anxiety disorders, depression, and I'm being looked at for Panic Attacks and involuntary spasms. I'm not sure what causes it, but maybe Anxiety Disorders and Panic Disorder are linked somehow. All of the people I've talked to that have Panic Disorder, also had anxiety problems too. Maybe you should ask your doctor.

[Stormeh]

Thanks, all this help has been brilliant. The relaxation doesn't seem to work very well though.