Posted by Sci470 on May 03, 2008 at 15:59:30:

In Reply to: Re: Searching For The Answers.......... posted by Maria79 on April 24, 2008 at 11:39:26:

Hello Maria,
I can empathize with your situation. Briefly, I started having attacks at 16. By the time I was 26, I'd managed to say goodbye to them for almost ten years. They reared their ugly head back in 2006. I'm still getting them, but more infrequently and when they do show up, most days I'm better able to handle them.

I've never been fond of meds, and if you scroll down and read "My story" that I posted a few weeks ago you'll see the path I took.

But you must not question why. Panic is naturally occurring survival reaction in your body. You are just more likely sensitized and in tune with it.

And you must not beat yourself up, you didn't do anything wrong.

I know it's hard, but the next time you feel an anxiety/panic attack coming on, first try and take a step back and observe what you're feeling. If it continues, try and ride through it without trying to fight.

The more you fight, the more it grows. Finally, if you can't take it anymore, ask the panic attack to come even harder. What you will discover is you can't make it do that.

And soon after you challenge it to come on harder, it will begin to decrease. I've been adopting this philosophy, ad it has lessened the attacks severity and frequency fairly significantly (I also try to work out four to six days a week). I just went about to weeks without an incident. And I was having them every day.

So hang in there, believe in the power you have and faith from above, And know you are ok. You're not alone and we know how you feel.

Hope this helps a little. Have a peaceful today and a better tomorrow. Remember, you are strong.

-Patrick