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Losing control

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Forum' started by SpringYellow, Jan 25, 2021.

  1. SpringYellow

    SpringYellow DI Member

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    This is a serious matter about my friend's condition who is experiencing anxiety attacks recently. I know this is not the right site to ask for this serious question but I hope that I can get some good advice to you so I can relay it to my friend who is suffering from this crazy mental sickness. He said that sometimes he feels like he's going to pass out or getting trouble breathing/choking sensation which is really serious for me. I tried to recommend him to a psychiatrist but he cannot afford it. Can these anxiety attacks be cured by some medications?
     
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  2. Senjenbing

    Senjenbing DI Forum Adept Veteran Marines Navy

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  3. you_have_been_removed

    you_have_been_removed DI Forum Adept

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    I used to get them and it was bite your lip time, but the more I tried to find info on it, the more it took me down the path of medication and wasn't going down that road, I am a teacher and started to get them in the class too, but what could I do, just got through it, the important thing for me was that no one else but me knew it was happening, and after a while when I felt them coming on I just got on with it, knowing it would pass soon enough, and again only I knew it was happening, at first it was a bit scary giving up control but once I got a handle on it, I didn't fear getting them anymore and now they don't mean anything to me, but I do get them less frequently now.
    my tuppence worth, just accept it for what it is, know you ain't going to fall off the face of the earth, a few deep breaths, don't dwell, move around get active, if it means a quick run or jumping on the spot, anything to get the blood flowing and convince the brain the danger has passed .....this is a physical manifestation, you don't need any psychiatrist or doctor.
     
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  4. dadof3at1ce

    dadof3at1ce DI Member Veteran Marines

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    My wife had all the symptoms of anxiety, turns out her brain quit producing a hormone and the lack of it caused anxiety like symptoms. Go to a good neurologist and get a full battery of tests run. The family doctor completely missed it, but the neurologist found it right away.
     
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  5. SkipJack

    SkipJack DI Senior Member

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    I don't know.
    Others have provided good advice.

    Some of the advice fell into the category: "Understanding what is going on will help one cope with it." Officially this is known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT and it is commonly used to treat anxiety.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_behavioral_therapy

    There is information online and a few websites that help with the process.
     
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  6. Notmyrealname

    Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    There are medications for anxiety - a host of them from benzodiazepams (e.g. Valium) to certain anti-depressants to beta-blockers. It is a worldwide problem and suffered by BILLIONS.

    There are also cognitive behavioural therapy (GBT) techniques, which many doctors prefer. It is a form of 'talking' treatment - changing how the mind thinks.

    PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIEND: Panic attacks are VERY common (he/she is NOT alone) and are a 'learning' condition - they do NOT alter the brain physically. Just as the body learns to panic, it can learn NOT to panic. It is part of a natural human process in the 'fight or flight' mechanism (very useful when human predators were a big threat) and involves the body making a hormone called adrenaline. It is the adrenaline in his/her body which makes him/her feel those symptoms (sweating, breathing issues, dizziness) and the body gradually destroys the adrenaline. The condition is NOT a 'craziness'.

    Having experienced this myself, the best advice I can give is:

    1. See a doctor. Most of the medications are prescription only and it would be dangerous to buy them illicitly and self medicate.
    2. Try to ACCEPT how you feel at the time, because every single panic attack always ends. ACCEPTANCE is the key.
    3. Try to stay where you are when having a panic attack. If you leave the place (e.g. a store) then your brain will start to associate the place with the panic (will start to think 'I panicked because I was in the store but felt better when I left') and make the person become more and more reluctant to go to the store again (this can end up with the person not wanting to go into any store or any place and end up with agoraphobia and just staying at home).

    From my own experience, I found reading about the subject of great use plus using medication - BUT, I used it only when necessary. I am not keen on the idea of waking up in the morning and starting to take medication 'just in case'. If the person can hold on for a short period when experiencing a panic attack then the need for the medication often disappears. If it becomes too unpleasant for the person (and every individual has their own level of toleration for panic and everything else in life) then the person can take the medication (in recommended dosage) and help 'break' the cycle (worrying about the panic can create more panic and the medication can stop that escalation).

    I could do more to help if I was there but am not in Negros currently. If your friend wants to read about the subject, may I suggest you are there to help read the material as initially it can seem over-whelming and should be read in small stages. But if you don't understand the condition it is possible you can say the wrong things (like using words and phrases such as 'crazy', 'pull yourself together', 'it's only in your mind') so concentrate on helping your friend understand it is COMMON but CONTROLLABLE. It is not always the case that it is entirely removeable as it is part of our defence mechanism to protect us from danger (so why would we eliminate that???) but can be controlled. I know personally that some of the most upsetting aspects of the condition can be extinguished in time.
     
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  7. tanjay

    tanjay DI Member

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  8. john boy

    john boy DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster

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    When my late wife died I experienced " Heart Palpitations" which was explained to me. I was prescribed beta-blockers for a short while that got my heartbeat normal again.
    Valium and anti depressants can become addictive and should only be used under medical supervision. just my thoughts on this topic.
     
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  9. john boy

    john boy DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster

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    Apparently banned in Germany !!!!
    Can cause Liver damage according to the website you listed if one scolls down.
     
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  10. Edward K

    Edward K DI Senior Member Veteran Navy

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    So if meds and docs are out of the question, i think what's left is some form of meditation and/ or yoga. Find a quiet space, beach, park, mountain, with nobody around and just sit. Try to concentrate on a tree, cloud, wind, anything, keep teaching yourself to try to clear your mind. Every day, as long as you can, half an hour. Or WALK, get out and just walk, two hours a day or whatever, by yourself or with someone who is calming. Talking to yourself is ok <grin>... Doing this every day might help reduce and maybe eliminate the attacks, and the ideas in the post by "notmyrealname" above seem reasonable.

    One employer for whom i worked centuries ago, had a class where we learned to sit, concentrate and feel the energy in the top of your head just drain down, out of ur head, out of your shoulders, out of your arms, chest, stomach, hips, legs and finally feet. When all this was drained, i actually felt very relaxed, still do it occasionally...
     
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