Coping with panic disorder?

ive recently been diagnosed with panic disorder and ive been having a very difficult time with it lately. ive been put on zoloft and given ativan for times when i feel like im going to have an attack. my question is....how can i work on coping with it when im not doing therapy for it? breathing exercizes? i mean anyone who has something that helps them....i need some ideas. i dont want to rely on the ativan my whole life.

yoga, breathing exercises, listen to music, call a friend, do something absorbing (I play scrabble online.) Try not to think catastrophic thoughts... remember, you are NOT going crazy, you are NOT going to have a heart attack or die and that a panic attack always always subsides.

Good luck!

Yoga.

i have extensive experience in treating panic attacks. i know other methods are out there, i use Emotional Freedom Techniques. although my website is under construction, this article is already uploaded:

http://www.holistic-health-solutions.com...

wishes

i have this disorder to myself so iam waiting for the appropriate therapy...im not sure whether it will take meds or therapy

Talk to people- friends or family. I too get panick attacks and find that talking really helps. Also, keeping active in things you enjoy really helps- I recently took up cermics/pottery. When you get panick attacks, make sure to always remember that you are not going to die or have a heart attack. Anticipating that you are going to die only creates attacks on top of attacks. When you breathe, make sure to "push" your stomach out, using your diaphram. Easiest way to describe this is to lay on the floor and place a book on ur stomach. The book should rise a little when done right. As for meds, they work for a while but taking them for the rest of your life is a large choice. Look into alternative meds, like Hylands Nerve Tonic. Talk to your doctor first though. I was given Ativan when I first started having them, and I had major withdrawls when I stopped- that stuff is very addictive. Best wishes!!!

It is popular to think that panic disorders or anxiety attacks are caused by the way we think. These are NOT psychological disorders, but are caused by an underlying illness, that can easily be treated by nutritional means. Our emotions of fear are triggered by a physical disease.

Most people with anxiety attacks are found to be hypoglycemic and going on a hypoglycemic diet will dissolve the symptoms in time.

i also just started getting panic attacks. I find that when i am gonna get one i do anthing that takes my mind off. I take a drive and sing along to my music, you can do it at home too i guess but no one at my house wants to me sing hah. Watching a funny movie also seems to work. Anything that can distract your attention seems to stop the attack pretty quick. Try calling a friend and talking about subject for like 15 minutes and you will probably feel better. Good luck and i hope i helped a little bit.

When you feel those "feelings" coming you have to do your best to not let your thoughts make you fall deeper into panic. When I start to feel my heart race and my mind get that crazy feeling I go into my bathroom and sit in front of my mirror. I breath slow and its important to breath in but blow more air out than you are taking in. Really clear your lungs slowly, this helps lower your CO2 levels therefore lowering your heart rate. Also try to control your thoughts, it is amazing how well this works. I will keep saying to myself(out loud)I am not dying, I am OK. The panic is all run by your mind, so if you don't let the thoughts of fear run wild you can bring yourself down to a more controlled situation. You can do it, and your are not alone, so many people have the same issue.