From a Panic Attack Survivor

Are you currently experiencing panic attacks ?

If so, you're not alone.
I've suffered for several years with panic attack symptoms, shortly after I was married.

At first I thought I had a stomach problem - but tests didn't show up anything was wrong inside me.
Finally my doctor suggested that I could be having panic attacks. She suggested a few things, most of which are recorded on this site, and which really helped. The main thing I needed to do was slow down and stop doing so much.

The onset of an attack felt like an oncoming train, coming in from the distance. I could "hear" the sound of the train, and as it approached the intensity built up until I was left hyperventilating and gasping for breath.

This would occur up to five times a day, and the after affects would be around for up to 15 minutes afterwards. The panic attacks lasted for a couple of years, unless I was finally able to get over them.

Another thing I needed help with was my marriage. I admit that we married fairly young, at 25 years of age, however the main contributor was that we weren't emotionally prepared for marriage. It hit my wife like an explosion, and she experienced symptoms similar to post traumatic stress syndrome. Heck I didn't think I was that bad a guy! It took her many more years to overcome panic. The main thing that helped her was to stop and focus on breathing.

That's right: stop, concentrate on just one breath at a time, and take time out to breathe. There was nothing else she could do at the time anyway, so focussing on doing something to take her mind off the situation helped her overcome the panic attacks as they arrived.

There were also some medications that helped her to overcome the attacks, but I can't list them here in case people want to run with advice and try and do things themselves. That is why I always tell people to "Go see a doctor to work things out." I can't stress this enough,

The reason why I developed this site was to help people overcome panic and anxiety disorders, through various methods. I personally haven't tried all the methods used to overcome panic attacks, but since I've had to do a lot of research on the topic I thought it best to list them here.

Finally, if you are at your wits end and want to avoid panic attacks, or at least try and resolve them before they come, then I must reassure you that it really does take time. You need a strategy - something to do when they arrive. And you need to have this strategy in advance so that you can take control of how you are feeling.

I'd encourage you to take part in the online forums and be part of a support group if you don't have the ability to meet people with the same condition that you are in at home there. It's comforting to meet other people and learn how they are overcoming panic attacks.

I hope this site serves you well. Feel free to pass it on to your friends.

Bye for now

Brad Smith