10 Comments

1. robert s says:

   May 31, 2009 at 9:52 am

   not always in fact in some cases meds don,t help at all. Your friend should try couseling, and try to find the source of the anxiety. a comination of meds and therapy might be the answer
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2. dziendobray says:

   May 31, 2009 at 10:00 am

   There is a new program available at local mental health centers. It's called DBT. Basically its' Behavior Therapy training folks to keep focused on just one thing and staying in the moment. It does work.
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3. gerald j says:

   May 31, 2009 at 10:26 am

   Do a meditation on medicine buddha…. just type medicine buddha on any search engine… and you can get more info.
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4. miatalise12560 says:

   May 31, 2009 at 10:33 am

   therapy…..you list your question under mental health and there is a mental component to anxiety attacks….not just a physical component.
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5. suzieh212006 says:

   May 31, 2009 at 10:56 am

   Normally, (in all two cases I have personally scene) they need to find the reason – which is usually psychological – the root of the problem whether it be a childhood trauma or just mental issues – there is always a reason these things happen – he should definetly try some therapy before he tries anymore useless drugs
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6. Karebare says:

   May 31, 2009 at 11:31 am

   I have severe anxiety and panic attacks and the only things that help me is self talk,breathing exercises,Paxil and Lorazepam.The self talk is when you tell yourself,this too shall pass,and it does.And you lived through it,so when it happens again,you know you already lived through it once.I was hospitalized and i had the chest pains and felt like i was gonna have a heart attack but when the doctor gave me lorazepam,it settled down in about half hour.Medications,self talk,breathing exercises,is when you breath in with your nose,count to 5,blow out through your mouth.Do this 5 times and this should help,too.
   I hope and pray that he gets the help that is needed .it's an awful way to live.God bless.
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   Your friend is lucky to have a caring friend like you to help.
7. pumpkin says:

   May 31, 2009 at 11:45 am

   You are correct in questioning if medication alone is going to help your friend's anxiety/panic attacks. It will not. The other problem with different types of medications is that some are addicting- such as xanax so over time he will develop a tolerance and will need more to help him. Then when he wants to get off of it he can go into withdrawl. So he needs other things to help.

   He needs to learn relaxation techniques such as yoga/medication as you mention. He should also see a therapist who specializes in cognitive behavioral techniques. These techniques can help your friend connect the thoughts in his mind to his symptoms and how to control for them.

   If he is convinces he is suffering from some health problem he would have tests to rule it out. I don't know how old he is but whatever, a stress test at age 40 is not an unreasonable request to rule out heart problems. Blood tests for thyroid problems and other issues can be done. If the Dr has already run tests and has not found anything wrong with him- and he is still focused on his health – a therapist is still a good thing to help with his thoughts. Often panic/anxiety attacks happen when we feel his life is out of control. How much stress is he under? Does he have a lot going on with work and/or family? These attacks are a sign to pay attention to how we manage our stress and that we aren't coping in the right way. He may never be cured but he could get things to be manageable if he was able to recognize his thoughts and cope properly with his stress.

   You are a good friend to be so concerned about him. Good luck with trying to get him help. Realize he needs to want it, you can only do so much.
   References :
   prevously worked in mental health field.
8. mrcricket1932 says:

   May 31, 2009 at 12:12 pm

   I would suggest there be some kind of examination other than the psyche. Some things should be ruled out before presuming it is anxiety response. Should this be the case and he is actually suffering from anxiety, one must become aware there are deep seated emotions which have been implanted over the years.. Until those are removed, there will be no correction of the problem. The pills only diminish it but, the problem remains untouched.
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9. william m says:

   May 31, 2009 at 12:49 pm

   Why not try a solution that does not require the use of medication. Check out this site:

   http://www.cureanxietydisorder.com/cure.html

   It has helped many people that have had panic/anxiety attacks….

   Hope this helps….
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10. David D says:

    May 31, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    I found lots of good information here.
    References :
    http://panic-attack.health-info4u.com/