Panic Attacks

[Charlotte_the_Crazy]

First of all, are panic attacks a symptom of depression or anxiety? And, is there an herbal alternative to Zoloft?

[MJIthewriter]

Panic attacks are the result of being over stimulated or bombarded with more information than your mind can process.  Likely that would define itself as a form of anxiety.

Being autistic, I deal with attacks fairly often. I am in process of learning what triggers such events and try to do what I can to minimize the stress. For instance lots of noise triggers a panic/anxiety attack for me.  If I have to wait in a loud place, I am trying to see if I can specifically ask to wait in a quieter room. It's something I'm beginning to discover about myself and starting to take a stand. As a result I'm not yet familiar when I can do this and when I can't. It doesn't hurt to ask anyway, especially if given the choice between a melt down and a chance to make a small difference. Either way I can't hide the fact I am stressed way beyond my threshold...

If a florescent light is burning out and is a bother, I am learning to complain about it to the right people to get that fixed. Tell me... A burnt out flickering light must bother other people and not just autistics. I can't imagine autistic people being the only ones bothered by flickering strobe like florescent lights.

[AnxiousGurl]

I bought  L-Theanine Relaxation Tea (Liquid form) really helps me, the L-theanine capsules didnt really do anything for me but the tea does i drop 3 or 4 full drops in a cup of green tea daily, it calms me down a lot!! I got it from my local health food store, some health food stores didnt carry it though you have to check them all out, it was well worth tracking it down. The name brand is HerbaSway, although it may come in other name brands, make sure it says "suntheanine" on the bottle- its supposed to be the best.
Best of luck to you! Hope this helps like it does for me. I refuse to take meds- for now anyways.

[Hensley258]

Same here as with star28.

Anxiety and Depression are like two peas in a pod. Each one helps to keep the other alive.

There are some people that can have just one without the other but in about 85% of severly depressed people, Anxiety is also a tag along. Or vise versa.

Mine started with severe Anxiety and the depression came shortly after. I often wonder if my anxiety and panic attacks are what caused the depression to manifest.

At least in my case that's what it seemed like.

[starr28]

Hi,

I was originally diagnosed with depression/anxiety but my symptons first
appeared as extreme anxiety.  I think they go together pretty often.  I didnt
feel depressed when I first started having anxiety attacks but unfortunately
the depression came later.  I had a lot of trouble sleeping because I was so
keyed up.  I eventually went on antidepressants and xanax for anxeity and it
worked great.  I dohave to switch meds about ever 4 years because they
poop out though!  The xanax I took was short acting but helped very qucikly
whereas the antidepressants take 4-6 weeks to help.   I dont know if this
helps but I hope you are feeling better soon,

best wishes,
starr28

[bellys_mama]

im 25 years old and i had been diagnosed with panic disorder at fourteen with no previous depression or anxiety. usually they are all symptoms of one another, but i do believe that they can come seperately. i have done tons of research on alternative supplements and the most i have found are things that help slightly with the edge, not the actual attacks. i have found that st. john's wart, and citric acid helps with anxiety. also some b vitamins help, doctors have also advised me to participate in a lot of  excersize and group activities. honestly, anti-depressants and therapy work for me but its different for everyone, i have severe panic/anxiety disorder so thats what works for me but the only way to do it is by trial and error. try it and see, i really hope you find something that works for you!!

[Charlotte_the_Crazy]

Thanks, I thought they did...they do make strrange bedfellows, but I have discovered that without my Zoloft I get agitated easier and the panic attacks return.

[Happy2girls]

In my experience (and this is only my experience) depression and anxiety walk hand in hand.  But I think that panic attacks specifically are the result of anxiety.  Try posting your question on the Anxiety forum also.  Goo dluck to you.