I get panic attacks & anxiety, can I get any help

iwill

Hi
first time posting, but a bit of a lurker, so hope I am doing this right:o
Does anyone have any advice on help that is out there that I can access

McKneff

What do yu want that would help you.

Go back to your doctors, suggest to him that counselling might help you.

epsilondraconis

Perhaps this will give you some possible treatment options before you visit your GP again. It also lists some support groups that may be of interest.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Panic-disorder/Pages/Treatment.aspx

Hope you are able to get something sorted.

iwill

Thanks for replying, I have been told councilling or hypnotherapy might help but my drs have told me they don't have anyone within the practice at the moment, but that I could go private, but to be honest after 2 years plus with no income it's not really an option for me unless I can get some type of funding.

ppolly

I should change your doctor. I've had panic attacks for 20 years so I can empathise.
I've posted a link to a little book which is fun and cartoony and helped me.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Survival-Guide-Panic-Attacks/dp/0722536658

there are a few forums online that deal with panic attacks.
It is impossible to have a panic attack and juggle at the same time because juggling engages left and right sides of the brain.
The main thing to bear in mind is that you are aiming to be in charge of your fear as much as possible, rather than letting your fear be in charge of you.
I hope you can make progress.

McKneff

ppolly wrote: »

I should change your doctor. I've had panic attacks for 20 years so I can empathise.
I've posted a link to a little book which is fun and cartoony and helped me.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Survival-Guide-Panic-Attacks/dp/0722536658

there are a few forums online that deal with panic attacks.
It is impossible to have a panic attack and juggle at the same time because juggling engages left and right sides of the brain.
The main thing to bear in mind is that you are aiming to be in charge of your fear as much as possible, rather than letting your fear be in charge of you.
I hope you can make progress.[/QUOTE]

'Very good advice.

Pursey

I work in mental health, so would advise that you start with your local primary mental health service, which your GP should have referred you too.

It sounds like you are experiencing agoraphobia (possibly as well as another anxiety disorder), which contrary to what people think, is not a fear of open spaces, but a fear of panic or losing control that surfaces when you are outside of an environment that you feel comfortable with.

Also, just to let you know, I have seen and known people that have experienced these symptoms longer than you get better, so please don't feel that it is hopeless. Unfortunately I can't give you the help on here that you require, as it is not a simple fix, but rather a number of things that help over time.

The first thing that I would recommend is for you to read and fully understand the physiological and psychological effects of anxiety and what causes it. You may think that you know a lot, but having a full understanding will help you get fully into control of it.

There are simple things that you can do to reduce your anxiety - eat regularly and healthily, drinking plenty of water, sleep the right amount, avoiding alcohol and caffeine (as they are stimulants) and regularly relaxing.

There are antidepressants that address issues with anxiety, but I would also recommend you looking into a number of other things.

Autogenic training is provided in some areas on the NHS and is very good, as it hypnotherapy, relaxation techniques and other therapies. What works for you will be individual and as there are many types of treatment, which may work for you at different times, don't dismiss things as not working if they don't show results straight away, as they often require many/continuous sessions.

The other thing that I would advise is for you to slowly face your fears and even though you find it hard, put yourself into uncomfortable positions for as long as you can stand it (such as going out on your own). This will help you to get through it more quickly.

There are many, many books on anxiety management, so borrow books from the library and read all you can to help you overcome it. I would also recommend you writing stuff down or getting help from professionals on what caused this anxiety (counselling, CBT therapist etc)- sometimes there is a cause in our past that can cause anxiety (usually a time when we felt out of control).

Ultimately though, I would get your GP to refer you on to your local mental health service for support as they will have links in to other services that may help you further.

Good luck

HTH

soupdragon10

I too have had panic attacks on and off for years. I now recognise when one is starting and say to myself right I know what this is, it won't kill me and I am in control. Breathing slowly also helps and anything that i know will distract me such as coming on to forums etc....:)

Erme

Try the telephone helplines association (sorry don't know the url off the top of my head) for instant support....

And like yeah go back to your GP and hassle

Hope and pray you get somewhere....Being housebound is like no fun...are you eating a healthy balanced diet by any chance? that also helps me.....

E

meerustar

Get yourself a copy of th Anxiety and Phobia Workbook

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1572248912/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=157224223X&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0YVYZ47E4H814YN9QDSS

Fantasic book to understand anxiety and also helps you to 'think' differently.

Also push to see a MH specialist. I've just been referred on after having CBT and feel much better already, but not quite there yet.

Cutting out caffeine made a MASSIVE difference to how I felt as well, so if you haven't already, give it a try. It helped me to get rid of that nervous stomach feeling.

Hope you feel better soon x

C_Mababejive

I think you need to take ownership of this,do some reading/research and help yourself otherwise it will continue to be a problem.

giving you money wont help it,it will simply facilitate your further inaction.