Advice for Anxiety and Panic Attacks?

[inkblot]

Hi everyone.

For the past year I have struggled with anxiety, but recently it has reached such a high level that I'm unable to go about my daily life. I've been having panic attacks each morning and night, which is more than a little exhausting, and is dragging my school attendance record through the mud. It seems that I am stuck in a constant loop of panic attack, exhaustion, rising anxiety, and then another panic attack. I've tried meditation, grounding techniques, muscle relaxation, and positive thinking (though I have a rather low opinion of myself, and so tend not to believe in 90% of what I think), but it's slow going and my anxiety only appears to be getting worse. My GP has prescribed me medication, and recommends that I take it for 6 - 12 months., but I am hesitant to take a drug that requires such a high level of commitment.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me, or would like to share their experiences with anxiety and panic attacks. It would be great if I could get some help on how decrease the number of panic attacks I'm having, or even just reduce the time span (the longest one went for 40 - 50 minutes - suffice to say it was not a good day).

Thanks so much for your time, and let's hope that we all experience a better tomorrow.

-Ink

[Zeal]

Hey inkblot,

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for reaching out for help. I'm sorry to hear about your exhausting cycle of anxiety and panic attacks, and having to miss school as a result. Ringing the front office and saying you're missing school because of chronic anxiety is a good idea. I recommend also telling a trusted teacher that you are struggling with your mental health - this will be helpful for both of you, as confiding in someone can be an emotional relief, and this way your teacher can better understand that you may need some extra support. If you have a school counsellor, definitely consider seeing them. If you don't mind me asking, have you spoken to your parents about the anxiety/panic?

It's good that you're already seeing your GP. I also used to be uncomfortable with the idea of taking medication. I started taking a daily medication for my mental health when I was 19, and I'm still taking it now (at 23). The reason it has been ongoing for me is that I have an imbalance of an important brain neurotransmitter, which makes my OCD/anxiety harder to control without these meds. I experience no side effects. I have had panic attacks before, but they are rare for me. In the last 10 years, I have probably had 4 or 5 panic attacks in total.

Here are some great online resources you may find helpful. Saving them to your computer favourites to refer to is a good idea.

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=44 (panic attacks)

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=47 (self esteem)

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=46 (anxiety)

http://www.mindhealthconnect.org.au/ (general mental health info/links)

Keep seeing your GP. If you feel that you need to speak to someone else professional, your GP can refer you to a counsellor or psychologist.

It would be great to hear back from you!

Best wishes,

Zeal

[Amberlourob]

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear you're going through such a tough time. Good on you for being so proactive and trying those techniques and going to your GP. I had a tough time with anxiety and panic in high school and it's really good if you can let someone at school know, like Zeal suggested.

one thing I am learning with panic attacks is to challenge my anxiety, knowing it can't hurt me I'm not saying I've mastered it, but it's a start.

medication can be helpful along with counselling or psychology. Maybe chat to your GP about getting a referral. You could talk more to a psychologist or counsellor about your concerns with medication.

keep us posted. Thinking of you and know you are so not alone!