Posted by coral on November 11, 2000, at 8:15:59
In reply to Non - Med Routes for Panic Attacks . . . Success?, posted by Gene on November 7, 2000, at 12:27:32
Dear Gene,
Yes, I've had great success in stopping panic attacks IF 1) I'm highly aware to the earliest warning signs 2) I'm home where I use my techniques which are listening to a particular CD which is very engrossing (War of the Worlds, believe it or not), using headphones, while lying down in a darkened room, and very slow, rhythmic breathing. If I'm not at home, and AGAIN, catch the earliest warning signs, getting away for a few minutes and practicing very deep, rhythmic breathing which burns off the adrenaline has helped.
A third technique is to tell myself (if I'm not at home and can't get alone), that I'll take a Librium in fifteen minutes if it hasn't passed and again, concentrate on the breathing. KNOWNING that the Librium will stop them is psychologically comforting, sort of like telling the schoolyard bully that if he doesn't quit, I'm going to get the principal. The essential key is high early awareness.
If I miss the early signs, a panic attack will knock me down like a mack truck and I'm grabbing the nearest Librium...However, I only suffer panic attacks when there's a depressive episode present.
Good luck,
Coral
poster:coral
thread:2231
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001031/msgs/2519.html