Anxiety attacks

My daughter suffers from anxiety. She is on anti-depressants which helps to some extent. She found CBT unhelpful, but others swear by it. DD is currently having hypnotherapy, which has so far started to help her, especially with regards to (not)sleeping which is at the root of some of her anxieties. She has slept well from the first session, even through this hot weather. He has provided recordings for her to play at bedtime.
This is the thread which I started about it, so you might be interested to follow the progress and thoughts of others. I hope you get some useful advice on here, Gnetters are wonderful!
www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1237206-Hypnotherapy-for-anxiety?msgid=26264818

I remember your thread Shysal glad that the hypnotherapy helped her to sleep.
Blueteddy could this be the way to go for you? I think I would definitely give it a go if I were you.

I find slow deep breathing helpful on a day to day basis. A more severe attack in my experiences does need medical input.

'experience'

This is probaby old-fashioned advice, but when I suffered from panic attacks in the 80s my GP prescribed valium (Now diazepam) and I did find that chewing a haf o whole 5mg tablet helped to calm me down.

Possibly mind over matter, but I only used them as and when and eventually the panic attacks subsided.

Try and get hold of one of Claire Weekes' books - I have just checked and they are available on Amazon.
I found her books really helpful - plenty of information about coping with panic and also why it happens.
My best wishes to you x

blueteddybambi - hi.

I used to suffer from anxiety attacks (30 years ago) so I offer the following advice, given to me by my doctor at that time:

Know that a panic attack - whilst very scary - won't kill you. When one strikes, say out loud to yourself It is anxiety, it will pass. (Pull off the road if need be). They will lessen in intensity as you do that more and more.
Do deep breathing, here's something to follow:

31.media.tumblr.com/b1406ea40336dc68e5404b380c391d96/tumblr_nsj9tcMOgY1qkv5xlo1_500.gif

I used to have terrible panic attacks. Once I understood why (a lot of very stressful events that I had to cope with in a very short space of time) and that it wouldn't kill me - I sort of took the "Bring it on" view and I beat them. I still very occasionally, feel slightly panicky, momentarily, and usually just acknowledge the feeling with the thought "Hello, darkness, my old friend" and get on with my day.

In other words, panic attacks don't scare me any more.

All the very best, they are horrible when at their peak

Anxiety and palpitations.
I have been suffering from butterflies and palpitations recently and wonder if there are any people out there that have these and what they do to stop them. I know it’s stress that seems to build up and then I get the heartbeat that feels like it will burst out of my chest.
I have had ablation test which was fine. I am on a low dose beta blocker and take a second tablet if it gets a problem. My doctor is happy for me to do this. I don’t want to take medication for it would just like advice from
those that have experience and what they do.

I also suffer from anxiety. I am on citalopram (for depression) and propranolol for the anxiety. They both seem to be working, though the citalopram took longer than I had expected to kick in. Don't be afraid to go down the medical route. If you had a physical illness you wouldn't hesitate to take medication.

I didn’t think depression was the same as having anxiety attacks. Usually anti depressants take a while to kick in, I find taking another beta blocker stops the palpitations, which is the sensation I hate. It’s really frightening when it wakes me up in the night.
I lost my husband at the end of 2019 then we went into lockdown. Coping on my own and being taken advantage of because I was a woman on my own has really given my confidence a knock. I think it’s all just got on top of me.

Bobby24 and Lizbethann55

Sorry to read that you lost your husband. What an awful time to lose a loved one (with lockdown)

Have you both had your BP taken? I have been having palpitations for over a week and my readings have been high. The Dr. has given me 10mg Propranolol for anxiety but I'm not sure if I should increase the dose for the BP. I will perhaps ring her in the week.

I too have palpitations. My blood pressure is borderline high and I take a tablet for it but at the weekend it shot up to 145/94. This was after a sleepless night. By the end of the day it was the normal 120/86. Two days of taking readings twice a day have shown low readings- 107/76 average. Still got palpitations. Still feeling very anxious. I intend to send all the readings to the GP on Weds.

I too have anxiety, mainly about my health, I had CBT last year which helped a lot. I have propranolol in my ‘back pocket’ to stop palpitations, I use it as and when, not for three weeks then today after a bad nose bleed late last night. My anxiety is much, much better than a year ago, but it lurks!

I am fine most of the time, but regularly I am having panic attacks when I wake first thing in morning. Never before- sure it is Covid related.

Hi, as a previous poster said - have a read of Dr Claire Weeks books. Try Amazon or the library. There are also cds and a dvd by her which are excellent. Also Sue Breton, 'dont panic ' and 'why worry'. Both authors are excellent for anxiety and panic attacks.

Can anyone advise me on how to cope with my husband’s panic and anxiety attacks? He is on medication to help with this, never sleeps well, had counselling etc. Nothing seems to help. He wants me to be with him 24/7. I can’t have the use of our car as he ‘needs it for himself’- to drive in if he has an attack. I can’t arrange to see my friend for a coffee without him having to drop me off and pick me up again.

There is an NHS app called Headspace it’s very good
I don’t suffer from anxiety attacks ongoing but have on one or two occasions in unfamiliar circumstances become very anxious and it’s a very helpful app to ground you

I find Yoga Nidra helps with all sorts of things, including apin, stress , anxiety and depression. It's not physical exercise but a way of controlling both pain and any psychological problems. Download Yoga Nidra for beginners on You Tube. Takes 3 to 4 sessions to 'get in to' but wonderful when you do.