I have had panic disorder for 16 years. I have found that I cause my panic attacks by the way I am thinking (negatively). It took a long time to come to this conclusion. I was prescribed Xanax initially, along with therapy. The therapy has been the most helpful (talking, journaling, etc.). When I feel overwhelmed, the anti-anxiety meds help. I watch what I think and what I say. I have taken words like "worst," "horrible," etc., out of my vocabulary so that I can talk myself down. For example, "This may not feel very good, but it will go away." My panic attacks now last a few seconds at most. I grew up in an abusive home and discovered that the little girl in me needs to be loved and accepted. I try to make time for me every day: taking a bath, journaling, walking, working out, etc. These things help immensely with my self-esteem. I am still working on my agoraphobia now. I keep pushing the edge because I want to be totally free. The last thing I have to conquer is flying and driving alone. It's hard, but it feels so liberating when I succeed! Published: August 27 ::

I've had panic disorder for eight months now. Panic attacks are the scariest thing I’ve ever been through. Every day is a struggle, but I’ve been dealing with it so far pretty much on my own. My treatment so far is Xanax, only when I need it, such as when the attack is very bad. I do not always want to depend on pills to get me by, so I only take one when I cannot stand it, or when it’s at its worst. I find also that the more I know and learn, the more I'm starting to except that I’m not dying, my heart is fine, etc. So find out as much as you can about panic disorder. The more you deal with your disorder, the less likely you are to call 911 over and over. I also find lying down and breathing deeply and slowly helps a great deal. Buy or get some books on hypnosis, they helped me. It calms you and that always helps. As silly as this sounds, if you are lying down and feel one coming on say, "Come and get me," or "I'm fine," and get up and do something, the dishes, or call a friend. This can sometimes help. Lying around all the time is not a good idea. I have a hard time driving and going somewhere public, such as stores and restaurants. But I make myself (when I'm feeling decent) drive a short distance every day or go to the store. The more you stay in and lie around feeling sorry for yourself, the more you'll have attacks and feel sorry for yourself. Fight them, and make due. So, relaxation, meditation, hypnosis, Xanax, shoulders to lean on and friends to talk to, physical activities, and acceptance are my treatments, for now at least. Give them a try. Published: August 27 ::

I have suffered panic attacks since 1986 and have never been able to find the cause of them. I checked with all family members and not one member has ever suffered from them. My attacks began late at night whilst in bed reading. I suddenly felt I could not breathe. This episode was followed by a pins and needles sensation all over my body and including my face, and I also felt numbness to the tongue. This caused me to fear for my life and I did not know what to do. My husband tried to calm me down, which took almost thirty minutes. After almost 2 years of different treatment I was both physically and mentally exhausted to the point I would have welcomed death as I felt I could not go on like this, then one night while visiting my sister I suffered a real bad attack and she sent for a doctor. This was a turning point and after attending therapy for almost 2 years and on long term medication, my attacks where brought under control. Published: October 07 ::