Hello folks, i thought i would share my story here and offer some advice. Three years ago i had a couple of panic attacks which changed my life in a big way. I started to avoid going out alone, didn't meet with friends and my life was pretty much limited to staying home. I did take medications eventually which relieved the physical symptoms but the fear was somehow still there. I always expected another panic attack coming its way hence making me very anxious. I still avoid going to places where i feel that i might get trapped but things are looking positive. The key here is to learn about your anxiety. Two things you need to keep in mind a) You are not having a heart attack - the tightness in your chest may let you feel that way but that is not true b) You will not die - anxiety does not kill. Yes, it is indeed an uncomfortable feeling but if you are able to ride it out it will go away. The key is to ride your fear - talk to your self, positive thinking will help. Whenever you get an axiety attack you need to think what happened in your previous attack or the one before it. Did you die? Did you end up going all crazy? I know people tend to lose their ability to think rationally during an attack but try writing it down in a diary. Read your notes when you get an attack. The moment you start thinking rationally - like hey they is just an anxiety attack, i know my heart is racing but this is totally fine, i am safe, it will go away. You will be amazed with the results. And the other point you need to keep in mind is to not run away when you have an attack - i know it sounds difficult but stay where ever you are. Try to to ride it out. People tend to leave the place when anxiety reaches its peak. But if you don't leave anxiety WILL GO AWAY. I've tried this before. Try to go out in crowded places, look around. Expose yourself to situations which may provoke your anxiety and when it comes on try to deal with it with the techniques i have outlined above but again the key is to stay there and not leave until the anixety goes away - otherwise your brain will automatically programme itself to beleive that a crowded place can be of danger. There are other coping mechanisms as well such as belly breathing - inhale from your nose for 3 seconds, hold your breathe for 2 seconds and slowly exhale for 4 seconds. Repeat this 4 or 5 times. Should be helpful. But you have to remember - it is all in your head. It is like a monster coming out from your closet to scare you. If you look him in the eye and tell him that he does not scare you anymore, the monster will go back to where it came from and not come out. If anyone of you needs help or needs to discuss i am happy to help. Feel free to reach me.
Your Friend!