Natural remedies/tricks to stop panic attacks/social anxiety?!


Question: For several years now, I have been battling severe panic attacks related to social anxiety disorder/agoraphobia. It isn't just "shyness", it's a full-blown panic attack - sweating, chills, rapid pulse, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, hyperventilating, and the overwhelming need to get out of the situation immediately.

I am on daily Zoloft to curb the anxiety, and Xanax as-needed for panic attacks. The Zoloft works alright, the Xanax works better, but neither is 100% and I have several very stressful weeks coming up and I need some kind of remedy or trick, preferably something all-natural, to help me cope with the panic attacks.

All ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated. =)


Answers: For several years now, I have been battling severe panic attacks related to social anxiety disorder/agoraphobia. It isn't just "shyness", it's a full-blown panic attack - sweating, chills, rapid pulse, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, hyperventilating, and the overwhelming need to get out of the situation immediately.

I am on daily Zoloft to curb the anxiety, and Xanax as-needed for panic attacks. The Zoloft works alright, the Xanax works better, but neither is 100% and I have several very stressful weeks coming up and I need some kind of remedy or trick, preferably something all-natural, to help me cope with the panic attacks.

All ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated. =)

i can help. i suffer as well....

ok...when you feel it coming on..stop what you're doing, dont run from it. try to identify what is triggering the attack. dont make any sudden movements. remember that although what you are experiencing is highly uncomfortable you are in no danger. try to remind yourself that it will end as abruptly as it began. be calm. be patient.

anything you have to do during the attack should be done slowly, as if the slightest move or shortest word are thought out and deliberate. Fake peacefulness. you will not feel it(calm), initially, but acting calm actually has a calming effect.
concentrate on your breathing which should be deep and purposeful. if you have the opportunity to excuse yourself, do so. this will give you the time to collect. if you cant, make sure all of your actions are slow, planned, deliberate. do not do anything on a whim, do not run, yell, scream (or any of the other things you want to do during an attack).

while you're not having an attack, think of the things you could do during one to lessen the anxiety. when the attack hits, you will have a plan....implement that plan,,,,slowly, effectively. it works.


peace, love, prayer

ps. there's one answer on here that says to breathe in through your mouth and out through your nose. that's backwards. deep breathe in through nose and slowly let out through pursed lips

Meditating works for me. Having at least an hour a day of non thinking needed excercise helps too. Like running, you don't think and it helps relieve some anxiety.

One good way to calm yourself is to eat bannanas and then sit down and relax. Take some time off for yourself and relax and think about life.

i agree with cat. you're on two strong medications. meditating at night before you go to sleep is very helpful. find a word to connect to and repeat it and go back to it if your mind wanders. you should also tell your doctor that you're having breakthrough panic/anxiety. exercise is also very good for anxiety because it releases serotonin. also there's a great book you can find on amazon called teh anxiety and phobia workbook which has many great exercises in it. hope you find relief!

You could learn a little about meditation, people can laugh at it, but anxiety and panic, are really just mind over body. I also have anxiety and panic attacks, and have just found self soothers. If you look into meditation, mantras,(i have the book idiots guide to meditation) you might just find something that helps, you dont think you can have control,but i promise you, you can. After my first serious panic attack, i took medicine for awhile, and i didnt like the fact that i couldnt control it, so i figured out how to, and my trick is only relaxation techniques.At first just in private, i would start being able to relax a bit. in a public situation, there for a while, was just get out asap, now i can actually relax gradually, till im fine, although it may take removing yourself from the situation for a few minutes. The anxiety is still there, always probably will be, its just figuring out how to, whether its closing your eyes for 5 min. reciting a sentance, or taking a walk to the bathroom and breathing deep for a couple minutes, to overcome it. Its not instant, it took me a long time, and sometimes it still takes me a half hour still, but i continue my breathing techniques, and eventually im ok. I havent taken medication in about 2 years.

well meds aren't going to work 100%
the rest of the time, it's up to YOU to control it.

do some yoga, palates, karate, definitely write when you are feeling shaky....those can all be a good helping hand for ya.
if you do want to take some supplements...[but don't get off your meds..herbs can't treat your issues like psych drugs can] go for an omega 3/fish oil supplement. it helps anxiety and depression quite a lot.

when you're getting stressed out...take yourself outta the situation and maybe go outside if it's nice out. maybe walk around or just sit on the porch taking deep breaths..in your mouth and out of your nose. maybe drawing or painting can help deal with your stress, same with writing. maybe even go to the craft store and get you some painting or sculpting supplies!





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