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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Gene on November 7, 2000, at 12:27:32
Greetings, all. Just wondering if anyone has had success fighting generalized anxiety and/or panic attacks without the use of any psychotropic meds. I've been on various dosages of Serzone - as little as 10 mg to as much as 200 mg - for a number of years, but I often wonder if it actually does anything since I feel only slightly better than I used to. I also suffer from depression, but it's not nearly as much of a problem as the anxiety.
>
> I was wondering if anyone has attacked anxiety and esp. panic attacks via yoga, meditation, exercise, cognitive and behavioral therapy, and/or anything else. I'm seriously considering trying to do away w/ meds for good, but I'd like to hear from any others out there who tried this and what they experienced. Any stories, suggestions or contacts would be highly appreciated.
>
> Wishing everyone on the board all the best.
>
> Gene
Posted by judy1 on November 8, 2000, at 12:13:18
In reply to Non - Med Routes for Panic Attacks . . . Success?, posted by Gene on November 7, 2000, at 12:27:32
Dear Gene,
PAD is one of my many disorders- I have been on 6mg of klonopin a day for 3 years now. It stopped my panic attacks totally. When I was pregnant I had to get off, and perhaps tapered too quickly- many of my symptoms returned. I don't know whether it was rebound or my disorder. I did go through CBT which didn't work for me, but that could be because of co-morbid conditions (basically I'm a mess). Yoga has helped with anxiety, but does not prevent panic attacks for me. I went to a specialist and he felt that AD's were not the right choice, many people with PAD find them too agitating. He recommended a 10% per week taper if I wanted to try lowering my benzo use, but he felt that it is a neurological disorder with xanax as the proper treatment (klonopin helps with my mood disorder). I probably got away from your question, but basically I have not had luck without meds and I'm thinking your AD probably doesn't work for panic. Take care, Judy
Posted by coral on November 11, 2000, at 8:15:59
In reply to Non - Med Routes for Panic Attacks . . . Success?, posted by Gene on November 7, 2000, at 12:27:32
Dear Gene,
Yes, I've had great success in stopping panic attacks IF 1) I'm highly aware to the earliest warning signs 2) I'm home where I use my techniques which are listening to a particular CD which is very engrossing (War of the Worlds, believe it or not), using headphones, while lying down in a darkened room, and very slow, rhythmic breathing. If I'm not at home, and AGAIN, catch the earliest warning signs, getting away for a few minutes and practicing very deep, rhythmic breathing which burns off the adrenaline has helped.
A third technique is to tell myself (if I'm not at home and can't get alone), that I'll take a Librium in fifteen minutes if it hasn't passed and again, concentrate on the breathing. KNOWNING that the Librium will stop them is psychologically comforting, sort of like telling the schoolyard bully that if he doesn't quit, I'm going to get the principal. The essential key is high early awareness.
If I miss the early signs, a panic attack will knock me down like a mack truck and I'm grabbing the nearest Librium...However, I only suffer panic attacks when there's a depressive episode present.
Good luck,
Coral
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