Will Prozac help fix my problems for good? I have depression, anxiety, and panic!
Question:
Will Prozac help fix my problems for good? I have depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I've had it for 5yrs
Answers:
Hi! I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling bad. I’m don’t know about Prozac (I’ve never taken it) but I found lasting change (in the way I think and feel) in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The following steps should eliminate or significantly reduce your panic attacks and anxiety:
1.Breathe properly - if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.
2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks, depression and anxiety. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. (After 15 years of panic attacks, mine stopped completely). You can take a course for free online at: http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/elear... It has been funded by NHS Scotland and has had great results thus far.
3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really help if you practise often enough. This site has instructions on how to do it without the tapes (and other useful info): http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resource...
While you may feel you need to stay on meds, doing CBT will help you change the way you think. Hope you feel better soon. Best of luck!