Comments on: How Do You Help Someone Having Panic Attacks?

By: tigger_b

tigger_b — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:25:38 +0000

The best way to answer this question is by answering from personal experience. I had panic attacks for 7 years and in the beginning tried to ignore them and hope they would get better. Big mistake they got worse. Finally went to doctor and it took about 3 different meds to find the one that worked for me. It generally takes about a week for the meds to fully kick in and work and the dosage may need to be upped if the current dosage prescribed isn’t working. I had mine adjusted until i didn’t have a panic attack. I too went through the panic phase where I didn’t want to be alone because of the fear of having another panic attack and no one would be there. Its a lot of mental strength she’s got to use. The more she fears having a attack the more likely she’ll get one. When she feels one coming on tell her to physically tell herself she’s ok and keep her breathing deeply this tends to help because she’s focusing on something other than her panic attack. Another thing that worked for me that you might try is to put her in front of a fan or put a cool rag on the back of her neck. This is a scary situation and I am all to familiar with it. But she needs to know she’s not going crazy and that there is a way to get better. I have been off my meds for a year and haven’t had a attack. I hope this will help and wish your friend good luck.

By: Blas

Blas — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:16:25 +0000

Several kinds of counseling are very effective in treating panic attacks and panic disorder. You can ask your doctor about the different kinds of counseling that are available. Counseling does not work as fast as medicine, but it can be just as effective. The combination of both counseling and medicine seems to be an effective treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder.Several medicines can make panic attacks less severe or stop them altogether.
Paroxetine (brand name: Paxil) and sertraline (brand name: Zoloft) are antidepressant medicines that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat panic disorder. Antidepressants are very effective in preventing anxiety and panic attacks. Often they completely stop the attacks. You don’t have to be depressed for them to help. Side effects are usually mild. Antidepressants will not make you lose control or change your personality. These medicines can be used for as long as necessary, even for years.Alprazolam (brand name: Xanax) and clonazepam (brand name: Klonopin) are also medicines approved by the FDA to treat panic disorder. These medicines give relief from fear and anxiety. They should be used only for a short period of time (a few weeks to a few months), unless you absolutely can’t function without them. Never suddenly stop taking one of these medicines. If you need to stop, these medicines should be slowly tapered off over several weeks under your doctor’s supervision.

By: Bella Swan

Bella Swan — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:34:51 +0000

I have panic attacks a lot. The best thing to do is to lay down, and clear your mind. Take deep breaths and feel your heart rate start to slow down and stop thinking about whatever made you panic. Once I’m finally less panicky I try to think about why I panicked and justify why there is no reason to worry about it any longer and come up with a list of reasons. You should’nt have to be around you friend to help them through it, its something she has to learn to cope with alone. I dont take medication put there is an herbal supplement called st. johns wort that i take occasionally if i cant sleep or panic and i highly doubt it does anything, but the placebo effect is nice lol