me says:

I stopped my anxiety and panic attacks by talking to a doctor and getting put on anti-anxiety medicines.
References :

JPL57 says:

Hi,
First of all I was an individual who suffered from panic attacks and an anxiety disorder in the late 1990’s. I had a traumatic event occur in my life, and did not react very well. So, I understand what you are going through.

You’re having anxiety and/or panic attacks may be because of an event that has occurred in your life. Or you have been consumed with an upcoming event - your first speech in public, a possible impending loss of a job, a trip on an airplane, an unusual growth that you have found somewhere on your body. Your mind automatically thinks that it could be a cancerous tumor, and etc.

Some event has acted as a trigger, (or cause) for your episodes to have taken place in your life. You need to first analyze what this trigger is.

Regarding treatment, let me tell you this right off the bat. Prescription medication will not solve your problem. Any pills recommended by a doctor will only be a short term solution to address your symptoms - chest pain, stomach pain, dizziness, sweaty palms, or an inability to focus. These symptoms are often a precursor to the actual attack. Medication only treats the symptoms but simply cannot find the answer as to WHY you are having your attacks. A qualified medical doctor in this field should inform of that right from the start.

What you need to do is be able to regain control of the thoughts in your mind. When you become highly agitated, stressed, and your level of anxiety goes through the roof, here is what happens. Your brain and nervous system become over-stimulated with the wild thoughts going through your mind. You begin experiencing some of your symptoms, (chest pain, dizziness, etc.). Unless you can gain back control of the thoughts swirling in your mind, you will probably have another attack.

Here is what worked for me, 10-12 years ago, which helped me stop having my attacks. I was given behavior modification techniques by my psychiatrist who told me that pills would not solve my problem.

These techniques include: 1). Relaxation exercises. Meditate, incorporate slow breathing exercises into your daily life. Count slowly up to a 5, inhaling air into your body. Exhale this air out up to a count of 8. Concentrate on keeping the air stream steady up through the count. Repeat as often as necessary. This exercise will serve to relax both your mind and body.

2). Get involved with physical exercise. Walking, jogging, swimming, riding a bicycle, playing basketball down at the local rec; all of these involve physical exertion. Exercise serves to release stress from the body.

3). Find a quiet relaxing activity. Read a book, play chess, backgammon, take up knitting, listen to soothing music, etc. You want to find an activity that you like which will turn your mind’s focus towards something else besides the thoughts which are causing you to have your attacks.

4). Talk to your close friends and family members. They can be a strong support group in helping you deal with your situation. Talking to a real close friend, (or family member) can even help you get through a tough upcoming 12-24 hour period that you might dread going through by yourself.

There is also the well-known 20 second countdown exercise. When you feel an attack coming on, you announce that you will only give it 20 seconds. Not 21 or 24 seconds. You will give it only 20 seconds. Begin the countdown towards zero. You must stick to your guns. What you are doing is taking back control, from that panic attack. Often, people who experience multiple attacks believe that the attack is some life-form that has completely taken over your mind and body. This exercise, when done correctly allows you to take back control. Eventually, as you reach that count of one you will often notice that the attack never occurs. And with that, you begin to understand that it is you who is control of your mind and body. Not that "panic or anxiety attack".

I hope that this helps. I also know of a great site which is devoted to this subject. It may be found by visiting: http://controlyouranxiety57.com.

Stick with it my friend. Never, ever give up. Always realize that you do NOT have to be alone as you go through this ordeal.
Joseph
References :
http://controlyouranxiety57.com
http://curepanicattacks57.info