Have you ever had an anxiety/panic attack? - How do you make it stop?

[RW 1995]

I just started having them every day and they make my chest hurt a lot which makes it hard to do normal things

 

[Apochrypha]

Grounding techniques seem pretty useful, although I've never tried them. They help you disconnect from the stressors that caused the attack by utilizing the five senses, mainly touch. When I first heard about them I thought they sounded useless but they seem to work for some people quite well. In fact I have some links bookmarked already for some research I had been doing for a school paper awhile back:
- Healthline, "30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts"
- Medical News Today, "Grounding Techniques: Step-by-step Guide and Method"
As for if I've ever had one personally, the answer is yes, although only twice and in very high-stress environments. Some people are more prone to them than others, it's all about how you live your life. Them's just the facts. Just remember that if you are dealing with high levels of stress, know that it will eventually pass. People always forget that and get caught up in their emotions.

 

[RW 1995]

I had them frequently when I was fucking up my body with heavy drinking, but then again maybe that was also because I was starving myself and constantly going into withdrawal since I had quit liquor. Its definitely different than just having a mental break and losing your shit for a few hours; its quite horrendously painful.

The experience convinced me that the people who suffer panic attacks are not physically healthy. Something is missing in your diet, or you are otherwise sick in some way. Go get a physical, with bloodwork, and maybe take a look at your supplements and medications to make sure you aren't poisoning yourself with something.

i take no medicine, dont drink or do drugs except caffeine, and have had thorough bloodwork over the past 2 years. im working on cutting caffeine sadly i really love coffee

 

[RW 1995]

Try the following:

• Hold your breath and swallow three times
• Breathe into a paper bag but stop before you get lightheaded!
• Drink a glass of water quickly
• Swallow a teaspoon of sugar
• Pull on your tongue
• Gargle with water

If that doesn't work, have someone jump scare/startle you. Cures this sort of shit right up.

isn't this for hiccups?

 

[L50LasPak]

i take no medicine, dont drink or do drugs except caffeine, and have had thorough bloodwork over the past 2 years. im working on cutting caffeine sadly i really love coffee

It might be a good idea to purchase one of those tapwater testing kits depending on your area, by the way.

 

[RW 1995]

It might be a good idea to purchase one of those tapwater testing kits depending on your area, by the way.

well i only use the tapwater for dishes and coffee so would it really effect me that much?

 

[Cheerlead-in-Chief]

I did once in my shitty workplace a few years ago. I was sent home and told to relax and I took a nap

 

[MadStan]

Copious amounts of drugs and alcohol will help. You'll also as a side bonus meet people that are really really really cool, and only realize they are dicks a few years later after rehab or near death experience.

 

[IAmNotAlpharius]

I find that murder helps alleviate anxiety as well as my headaches.

 

[L50LasPak]

well i only use the tapwater for dishes and coffee so would it really effect me that much?

Its possible. Those water testing kits are pretty cheap anyway though, even if you find nothing out of the oridinary its good to know your pipes are clean at least.

People have been poisoned very suddenly by water treatment issues though. The thing that made me think of bad water was how you mentioned the panic attacks just started suddenly in your life for no real reason.

 

[The Cunting Death]

I literally have chronic panic disorder and get them all the time

Even with medication it only makes them less frequent or makes me too lazy to have an attack

My solution most of the time is to just smoke a joint or take a prescribed xanex

 

[Penis Drager]

I literally have chronic panic disorder and get them all the time

Even with medication it only makes them less frequent or makes me too lazy to have an attack

My solution most of the time is to just smoke a joint or take a prescribed xanex

Marijuana is a major trigger for me, tbh. Smoking the shit is a very reliable way to cause me to have a panic attack (and yes, I have a lot of access to high CBD strains. The difference is negligible).
Pot is not a universal panacea. There may be some benefits but 90% of what people claim it helps with is just bullshit.

 

[Lina Colorado]

Anxiety attacks for me were massive. I had to take a benzo for it(perscription ofcourse).
Panic attack you can only stop with controlled breathing. I've seen some people put their head between their knees while having an attack. Haven't tried it but it seems to work for others.
I wish you succes.

 

[Solid Snek]

All these breathing tricks are for gay hippies.

Exercise and eat well. Don't listen to these faggots.

Exercise is a good way to release endorphins, relieve stress, and improve your mood.

But that's only if you exercise regularly. If you're fat or a woman, it'll just make you more tired and miserable.

 

[Stanley the Gay Wizard]

really bad Anxiety issues run on my mom's side and I won the genetic lottery and got them too, I feel a bit of anxiety all the time no matter what so when anxiety attacks hit, they fucking hit. It's not too awfully often as I normally just have the feeling of being shaky and I'm about to puke instead in placement of that but it still fucking sucks.

 

[Cheerlead-in-Chief]

Another panic attack even was when I confessed to Mom, "I might have a panic attack!" during a stressful day.
Minutes later, my aunt sent The Beatles' "Let it Be" via the family WhatsApp, and I calmed down as I listened to it and I spoke with her.
Mom usually attributes it to a great coincidence and Divine Intervention; we have had cases of it prior to my birth. I sincerely doubt God has a commandment on panic attacks.