re: How many people here deal with anxiety/panic attacks on a daily basis?

I appreciate that, and for a while it worked. I don't know if I'm not doing it right anymore or if it is another underlying issue but it's just gotten so hard to deal with

research Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for management of depression and anxiety

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I need to be alone. Quiet and alone

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This is interesting. When my panic attacks hit, I need someone to talk to me. I can give frick all what it's about, I just need to hear words to distract me.

To OP, sorry you are dealing with all of this. It can be incredibly overwhelming and damn near paralyzing. I try to do some deep breathing techniques if I feel an attack coming on. I find that regular exercise helps also, especially if I can fit in a yoga class. But sometimes, I just need the med. I keep klonopin with me just in case. I take comfort in knowing it's there. Unless I'm flying, then it's ativan and alcohol.

Dude, I watched my brother struggle with this years ago...you have my sympathy, truly.

Luckily, I was an undergrad in Psych at the time his attacks started, and knew what they were and helped family get him proper tx, which he needed desperately.

His were so severe, and so acute, he called 911 on himself 2x for fear he was dying. Couldn't breathe, heart racing, didn't understand what was happening.

Even after he knew what it was, and what was happening to him, he couldn't override the panic when it would hit and called an ambulance a few more times. In his words, "No matter what my brain knows, it doesn't change the fact that I CANT frickING BREATHE!"

The good news is, after that 3-4 month span where he suffered the infrequent attack and got tx, he stopped having them. No more meds, been fine for years. Counseling helped him learn how to handle his stress better, which is what you need for long term relief. Meds in the short term are better than feeling like you're dying.

I take Cymbalta for anxiety. Works well for me with no side effects.

It sound s like you have panic disorder not generalized anxiety. I suffered form panic disorder for a few years. It came out of no where and the episodes of dizziness heart racing, feeling like I was going to pass out, got worse and worse. It had nothing to do with stress or my environment. Everything in my life was great at the time these symptoms started. It seriously began to cause problems with me being out in public. Three things helped, vigorous exercise, sex, and Paxil. Paxil straight shut down the panic attacks. Xanax will work too if you are only having them on occasion you could take them as needed.
I was having attacks daily so I needed an SSRI like Paxil to control it. Exercise and sex also helped but you cant just start sprinting or screwing in the middle of the workday so.... Anyway after a couple of years I stopped taking Paxil and have not had any issues or attacks. Go to a doctor and discuss options for dealing with panic disorder.There is no need to suffer through it. Its a pretty common and controllable issue.

Thanks for the reassurance... I have a DR appointment Monday and I'm sure he's going to refer me to a psychologist which is fine

i use to feel like i had anxiety starting back in my late high school years. I took Ritalin and Paxil so maybe that had something to do with it. Also, we had some real tough times at home as a family... but I won't get into that.

but anyway... I never talked to anyone about it because I didn't know any better. All of that combined... and I sometimes felt like I was going to fricking lose it man.

if it weren't for playing sports in high school and getting good exercise through them at the time, I really think something bad would have happened.

today, I run almost everyday and sometimes will still lift weights but not a whole lot. I don't take anything anymore either. I stopped taking medication when I was 22. It took a lot of adjusting and maybe in some ways, I still am but its better than it was then. Plus the job I took then required a drug test and anytime you have an accident or are decidedly apart of one on the job, you are subject to a drug test. So I just stay away from everything... except shooting tequila and a few beers now and then.

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. I have a DR appointment Monday and I'm sure he's going to refer me to a psychologist which is fine

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If you need meds, see a psychiatrist. The psychologist or therapist can help with the talk therapy, but definitely see a psychiatrist for any psyhotropic med management

Years ago I had this same problem, but I didn't tell anyone. I thought they would think I was nuts. I saw a doc for another reason and was prescribed an SSRI, Zoloft. Amazingly the panic attacks disappeared. Am on a different drug now and have had no problems.

If you haven't seen a doctor for this, you should. The physiological effects of anxiety/panic attacks are not beneficial and can cause damage to your body. Besides that, you shouldn't have to live that way. I wish you the best. Please keep us posted.