when will it end?

Hello,

Can anyone please tell me just how many years panic attacks can last? I just began having them and deppresion soon followed. Will the panic ever stop?
THANKS.
Russ

[MrGreen]

Well that depends on your outlook on the situation. If you sit there and let it get in on top of you if will get to a very deep subconscious level and might be with you for the rest of your life. But if you take control of it early and view the first panic attack as a one off event and move on with your life, that might be it for you and panic. It depends on our reaction when that first attack occurs. Most people sit there and expect another one. They go on full guard. They associate panic with something in their lives. So when they have to face a certain situation again they have it that the last time they did this they had a panic attack. They bring the panic attack on themselves. The accept panic as part of their lives now. So it can stop if your really want it to. You might need a little help by way of medication or theraphy. But it doesn't have to go on forever.

[scaredjo]

are you taking any medication or getting any therapy? panic attacks will last as long as you let them

[ativan]

Hi Russ,
welcome to our freindly forum, reading your profile you havent had the anxiety / panic attacks for very long, I suffer badly from anxiety, but my daughter does suffer panic attacks, it happened sudenley just like yours she was on holiday abroad and felt ill she just wanted to come home, she stuck it out because she had to, but now she fears going abroad incase the same happens to her, talking therapy thats what you need go to the doctors and ask him / her to refere you for c.b.t. panic attacks dont have to last a life time but you need help with them, dont forget russ your not alone so many on this forum suffer the same way but were all hear to give support to one another,
take care
janis.

[snoozies43]

Nods to the above posts. Russ this is very true.

There is alos a great workbook you can purchase online...called " The Anxiety/Phobia Workbook"

It helps you with ways of identifying you anxiety/panic..and ways to manage that.

I also can be one to say.."oh my gosh i can't push through this anxiety".

One min, one moment, one step at a time.

The more we tell ourselves we cannot do this. It becomes a reality.

Bring in the positive, yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not here yet, live for today.

Best to you and keep us informed as how you are doing.

[Heather3418]

Sweetheart, you are RIGHT ON with your advice.  Positive thinking goes a long way to helping to rid yourself of panic.

When I stopped that cycle of negative talk to myself, I began to realize I was having less panic attacks.  It seemed the more afraid of them I became, the more they would happen.  What a vicious cycle.  My therapist taught me not to fear the anxiety as that would only set up more anxiety.  It was alot of hard work, but finally I was no longer afraid of anxiety and panic and with that, it left me for good.

Great advice, Snoops, great!

Heather

[russ939]

I would love to meet the person that is not flipped out by their first attack. Everyone is.

I can feel a thick dense type of liqiud crawling from my brain and through out my body. Every muscle is weak and tembling and I also sweat uncontrolable. This all comes about in a matter of seconds and I feel very afraid of nothing in particular. It does not matter where I am .what I am doing or how I feel seconds before it hits. There are no triggers to this one.  

I am a very positive person. more so than most. I can stay calm but my body still goes through this prossess ands it then slowly wears off. It makes me very tired and selfconsious about myself.  I have lived a normal life and never lost anyone close or have ever been abused. I have a very close family and am very social. I easily talk to anyone and can make them feel at ease if they seem nervous or standoffish.

Nothing causes them, they just happen and always the same way and duration.

Ativan helps a bit . I was on all kinds of medication. Even tried Darvon. That makes you feel like you are in heaven and every muscle in your body is totally relaxed but not limp. A person can not feel any better than when on this med. It was a test to see if I would still get attacks. And I did. The drug is extremely dangerous so it's not something I could take regularly. But wow was it ever a wondeful feeling.

Still no help- for me. My p;doc is sure it is not a hidden fear or caused by an emotional moment in my life. It is all brain chemistry so no matter how I handle it or what I tell myself it will still happen till I find the correct brain chemistry controller. Will it ever happen. Is this for life???

[russ939]

seems my vivid explaination has shut this thread down??

[klanac]

Go to the site called panic end.com  That may help you tremendously.

[russ939]

Thanks very much for that info. I will look at it. Not much help here but at least a few care.

hope you are doing well