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

Errata

This organisation is for people who have panic attacks, anxiety and can't leave the house http://www.nopanic.org.uk/page10.html

CFC

soupdragon10 wrote: »

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....:)

Totally agree. Especially with the distraction if at all possible.

Remember that you WON'T die, it just feels like you will. But you REALLY won't. Keep remembering it.

I had panic attacks for years and pretty continuously at one time but I don't get them any more now at all. You can get there. Good luck

Dibnah

Hello everyone

I get nervous when alternative therapies (that could cost lots of £££££) are mentioned - as the evidence base for these approaches seems lacking.

The NICE guidelines recommend CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy - which is not the same as counselling)......
In England CBT is being rolled out to GP services - part of what was called the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) initiave...in some places your GP has to refer you, in other places you can refer yourself - it all depends on where you live.
Generally self-help books based on CBT principles are sound.....the "Overcoming" books tend to be ok
I know that living life to the full website used to be excellent - but I've not checked out the new version

Trialia

Yeah, CBT is by far not the same as counselling, and it actually makes things worse for me, so it's definitely not for everyone.

Bielay

Anxiety counselling sounds like it might be a good place to start. This simple breathing exercises that might help you.
Diaphragmatic Breathing (or calming breathing) is a simple, yet extremely effective way to slow down one’s breathing when feeling anxious and stressed. This technique is used by singers, windpipe musician and yoga practitioners to relax themselves and reduce any stressful or anxious sensations. The idea is not to avoid stress and anxiety, but to learn how to “ride out the feeling”.

I hope this helps you I know anxiety can be hard to deal with.

~George

carolannie

Trialia wrote: »

OP, my sister is agoraphobic and suffers from severe chronic depression and anxiety attacks, and she was just granted low rate care and mobility DLA and is undergoing psychotherapy and CBT. I would suggest both might be something to check out.

Hello. Could you please tell us about her experience of getting these benefits? I find it so hard to make people understand how bad I feel.
I am so used to covering up my feelings, I don't think people believe me about how bad I am underneath.

For panic attacks, I would recommend you try your local Mind group.
They have been great with me. It is good to know you are not alone and that other people feel the same way.

One tip I have, is to slowly breath right out. I tend to take big deep breaths when I get anxious. I was up this morning at 4am getting in a tizz.

I put my mp3 player on and did my breathing exercises that I learnt at my local Mind group.

You breath in slowly and count to 3, hold it for 2, then slowly push out the air for 3 or 4 seconds and hold for 2

STOCKWIRE

carolannie wrote: »

Hello. Could you please tell us about her experience of getting these benefits? I find it so hard to make people understand how bad I feel.
I am so used to covering up my feelings, I don't think people believe me about how bad I am underneath.
2

And that's going to make you feel better ?