bad anxiety attacks? how to deal with them?

[wakeboarder]

ok, im mostly stress free. (or i hide it really well:confused but for some unknown reason, the last 2 weeks i have been having anxiety attacks. most are mild and just uncomfortable, but its the really bad ones where its hard to breath and i feel everything is coming to an end. im looking into working with a counselor this week:redface:, im just looking to see what everyone does to deal with the debilitating anxiety attacks.

[LateBloomer]

ok, im mostly stress free. (or i hide it really well:confused but for some unknown reason, the last 2 weeks i have been having anxiety attacks. most are mild and just uncomfortable, but its the really bad ones where its hard to breath and i feel everything is coming to an end. im looking into working with a counselor this week:redface:, im just looking to see what everyone does to deal with the debilitating anxiety attacks.

If you do see a counselor you might want to mention that dream you described to me a few days ago in my dream thread.

Sorta puts it in focus now.
Good luck.

[Bowyn Aerrow]

See a Doctor to rule out physical issues first.

http://www.innerhealthstudio.com/symptom...xiety.html
and
http://www.drrichardhall.com/anxiety.htm

Assuming your doctor has ruled out a physical ailment.

Then you need to look at stressors in your life. Stress/Pressures can be anything from minor deadlines you have to meet to serious things like recent death of a loved one.

Addressing those stress points in your life will largely depend on what the root cause of the stress is.

Mediation, taking deep breaths, counting to ten slowly- these are ways to 'regain' control over the moment. However they do not address the underlying cause.

When an attack starts, Stop - take ten deep slow breaths while reminding yourself - This is only a panic attack there is no reason for real panic.

Well unless there is a real reason to panic.

Your therapist will help you to identify the underlying cause (if its not physical) and address that.

Breathing: http://www.nvo.com/isleepless/panicanxietyattacks/

[pellaz]

its the holidays?

try the gym if your physically up to it
cut out the alcohol, coffee
get more rest this evening