What is the best way to support someone with panic disorder?!


Question: What is the best way to support someone with panic disorder?
What would be an example of a supportive person or friend to someone who has panic disorder? I have panic disorder, and sometimes it feels like I have lost those who were the most important to me. What are ways people can support those with panic disorder? I am just so scared all the time, and it is also a load to have to take care of others (not children, mind you, but other people's problems).

Answers:

I guess a friend would support you by reaching out to you regularly, whether in person or over the phone, so that you would not be so isolated. A panic disorder is worse when you are alone all the time. Although millions of people struggle with panic or anxiety, if you are the one with the problem, you often feel all alone. You often feel ashamed of this "weakness" so you don't have the courage to reach out to others. It's important that those who care about you help challenge you to get out. I would say a walk, or a trip to the gym would be great activities.

A supportive person also knows or learns how to set healthy boundaries. They can't be JUST a sounding board if you (the one with anxiety) want to constantly talk about and vent your anxiety. They should know how to set healthy boundaries - it's good for both of you. An example would be saying firmly but kindly, "I'll listen to you complain or vent for 5 minutes, then you'll need to switch the subject or I'll be getting off the phone for now." The truth is, the person trying to "run the anxiety through you" is not served well by dwelling on the anxiety either. They need to learn to think about other more positive things; it will help them feel more "normal" and lessen the isolation as well because more people will want to be around them.

Close relative with anxiety disorder since 2007.
Amazing book: "The Chemistry of Calm" by Dr. Henry Emmons. Discusses holistic practices for resiliency and healing from anxiety. Pro-natural healing, but not anti-medication when needed.



Don't be panic.
Panic disorder can be controlled and successfully treated.

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring severe panic attacks. It may also include significant behavioral change lasting at least a month and of ongoing worry about the implications or concern about having other attacks. The latter are called anticipatory attacks (DSM-IVR). Panic disorder is not the same as agoraphobia (fear of public places), although many with panic disorder also suffer from agoraphobia. Panic attacks cannot be predicted, therefore an individual may become stressed, anxious or worried wondering when the next panic attack will occur. There are other schools of thought that Panic disorder is differentiated as a medical condition, or chemical imbalance. The DSM-IV-TR describes Panic disorder and Anxiety differently. Panic attacks have a sudden or out-of-blue cause that lasts shorter with more intense symptoms, as opposed to Anxiety attacks having stressors that build to less severe reactions and can last for weeks or months.

As with many disorders, having a support structure of family and friends who understand the condition can help increase the rate of recovery. During an attack, it is not uncommon for the sufferer to develop irrational, immediate fear, which can often be dispelled by a supporter who is familiar with the condition. For more serious or active treatment, there are support groups for anxiety sufferers which can help people understand and deal with the disorder.

Current treatment guidelines American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical Association primarily recommend either cognitive-behavioral therapy or one of a variety of psychopharmacological interventions. Some evidence exists supporting the superiority of combined treatment approaches

wikipedia



wish u can talk to my friend valerie shes got panic attacks alot, but not on yahoo answers
and she would help you out, she doesnt have yahoo emails as well,
valerie has been having gad for her whole life, and me i started my gad last spring time 2010,
i hate aniexty makes me worried mornings, i need to be calmer mornings all day i good till next morning, and well i want to think bout my trip to florida last week, its makes it hard
when i got thoughts blocking my fun thoughts,, used to have fun thoughts in my head
now well now they are just annoying me.. silly thoughs from last year supposed to be gone for good,
i do have panic attacks mornings mostly and i dont like them at all, hope i helped you out
i am here on yahoo ims here.. if you need help



brown bag and ativan




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