Guest guest Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Right off let me tell you that I know exactly what you are going through and it is not all in your head. Everyone has a different version of this event. I can tell you what works for me and you can try it and see if it helps. FIRST THING, you must be aware of the onset. Once you are in it you have to ride it out. Know that it will come to an end. You will get there. If you can stop it before the flush comes on, then you have a chance of shorting the event. Mine begins with a pulling my my chest. It is hard to describe and you might have a different precursor. Once I feel that I identify it for what it is and this usually helps put an end to it. The worst thing you can do is fight it. The harder you fight a panic attack that has flared up, the worse it will be. Second and probably the most important thing you can do is breathe. I start with a deep breath to the count of two in through my nose and a series of four breaths out through my mouth. This prevents hyperventilation. It also helps to get oxygen to the brain, which prevents lightheadedness. If you can master these two, you can get control back. One of the things that bothers me is that I have a problem with body pain when I get very tense. As long as I am limber with my spine and ribs, I don't have a PA. When I get twisted up, I set myself up. I reccommend that you stretch as often as you can and usually in the morning if you can. Also, make sure your spine is not bound with respect to your vertebrae. I find a that a soft soccer ball does nicely to unbind my back. I lay down on the ball and roll it up and down my spine until everything is aligned. If you are well into a PA, there are some tricks that you can employ to try and short it. In some cases low blood sugar mimics a PA. If you can, drink a full sugar soda. Or pop some life savers. Sometimes this helps. Avoid caffiene like the plague. When you are in the cycle it will mess you up. Try a therapy of Ice and heating pad. I find that if I put a cold ice pack next to my skin (between shoulders or right on breast bone) and keep it there for 20 minutes it cuts the worst of the chest pain. Then I follow up with a heating pad for the muscles. Try an anti-inflamatory to keep the carteliage from flaring up too much. Finally. And this is very important. Find something you can do repetitively. Knitting or crocheting. Something that requires you to focus on a repeated motion over and over again. Without thought. Puzzles may work. Reading a book may or may not work. The point is to break the thought cycle that has brought you to this point. Stringing beads is good. Needle work, painting, woodcarving. Take your pick. Find something that you like to do that requires your full attention. I have a rule of thumb that helps me decide if it is a panic attack or something worse. If I lay down and it gets worse, it is a panic attack. If I lay down and it gets better. I need to pay attention and not blow it off. I hope this helps. PAs are destructive and are a complete waste of time. Be strong. Lillyblue > > Read all of the books, done all the stuff. My panic attacks start and do not stop. Anyone know a good way to make them stop once they do, started by the bpd or situation or anything else? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 Dealing with a BPD can trigger anxiety and panic attacks in most cases. Here's a website you might wanna check ...www.thelindenmethod.com /// He's helped many with anxiety and panic attacks. Also, with PTSD and Agrophobia and depression. Hope this helps you > > I've been lucky, I have never had a panic attack ( sure, I've had those few > seconds when you hear car tires squeal and the horn blow and you realize > your dog is no longer laying behind you...) they sound terrible and scary > ! I dont blame you for not wanting to be on the meds...can any herbal > replacement ( like St s wort) help and be less dulling of your feelings > ? > > Jackie > > > > > I am off my anxiety medication- I have been for several months. > I have posted that I am exercising- dieting and trying to take better care > of myself. I also remain in therapy- my 5th year of therapy- actually. > > I hate the aniexty medication because I feel like it doesn't allow me to > feel- really feel what I am experiencing- good and bad. It also increases my > appetite- which I don't need. > > Lately at the gym- on the treadmill- I have experienced pretty bad panic > attacks. I am on the treadmill- ready to walk and once the speed starts I > feel like I am going to fall and hurt myself. I hold for dear life- it is so > scary. I am trying to work through these attacks. I do finish the workout- > but it is hard. > > I have also recently been quite upset about nada's comments- and just > selfish behaviors- I was - I thought doing so well- but there isn't enough > emotional insulation not to be effected by her. > > Does anyone else get panic attacks- and if so what do you do? > > Thanks everyone for listening, > Malinda > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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