What are the best methods of dealing with panic attacks and O.C.D?

13 Responses to “What are the best methods of dealing with panic attacks and O.C.D?”

1. Irish Says:
   September 28th, 2009 at 3:53 am

   Ask this question on this web site. You’ll get a lot of answers and they are very good. http://www.panicsurvivor.com. Good luck.
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2. d Says:
   September 28th, 2009 at 4:12 am

   I have OCD also. The thing that is helping me the most (i’ve gone through a huge change and improvement) is medication, therapy, and counseling. I take Zoloft, prescribed to me by a doctor. This helps both my depression and OCD. My counselor is helping me learn ways to fight off the thoughts in OCD, how to fight ‘Mr. Bad’ as I call my OCD. Give a name for your OCD, maybe someone you dislike. It’s what my counselor told me to do. It gives you a face to fight. Also, think of seeing a therapist or psychiatrist. Personally, I like my counselor better. Hope I helped, and good luck.
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   my experiences.

3. FRetTinG NoT! Says:
   September 28th, 2009 at 4:57 am

   I am a psychology student and I have just written an essay on this subject!! Apparently for OCD the best therapy is known as exposure and response prevention (ERP). It uses techniques derived from CBT to help clients control their obsessions and compulsions!! Research as found that is more effective than drug treatments. However if you have depression too it is not as effective!! Speak to your doctor about this therapy!! And see if it availble in your area!! It won’t get rid of your OCD entirely but apparently it reduces symptoms by up to about 90% thus allowing sufferers to lead near nomal lives!! Basically the obsessions and compulsions are dramatically reduced!!
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4. andy Says:
   September 28th, 2009 at 5:29 am

   try alternative medicine and meditation.
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5. Argentox2 Says:
   September 28th, 2009 at 5:49 am

   Hello Spanish. Concerning drugs the best is to do a combination of anti-anxiety with an antiseizure medicine. For example Prozac and Rivotril. The key with panic attacks is not to be fearful of a next panic attack. If you are afraid of a panic attack it will come. If you are not afraid it should not come the second time. It is so important that once you get one you start breathing and breathing. It is important that you go to a doctor to get treated he will prescribe the medicine that is best for you. Remember that all these illnesses (anxiety, panic attacks) are caused by an imbalance in brain neurotrasmiters. I suffered from panic attacks and now I am fine. Argentox2@yahoo.com.
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6. barnowl Says:
   September 28th, 2009 at 6:21 am

   Well, if you tried everything else the only thing left to do is…. PANIC!
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7. josh m Says:
   September 28th, 2009 at 6:27 am

   I also have OCD. I was on Paxil for about 4 years, and it greatly reduced my symptoms. My type of OCD is mainly obsessions. Okay, here’s the science behind it: OCD patients are similar to depressed patients in that their serotonin levels seem to be reduced based on studies. SSRI anti-depressants <Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, etc.> have been observed to reduce the occurance of obsessive thoughts/behaviors by increasing available serotonin in the brain. As in any anxiety disorder, whatever the cause <stimulus>, the main problem is the anxiety one experiences when exposed to the stimulus. Higher levels of serotonin work to relax the nervous system during times of stress and anxiety, such as during a panic attack or elevated states of anxiety, such as a phobic reaction.
   As for psychological treatment, the most common approaches are Cognitive therapy and Exposure therapy. C.T. involves changing behaviors, such as refusing to wash your hands after you touch something <for compulsive washers>. E.T. involves exposing you to a stimulus for extended periods of time until you no longer have a negative response <i.e., if someone was scared of dogs, they might be placed near a dog for short periods, then work their way up to longer periods, begin to pet them, until they’re not scared of them anymore>.
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8. Kris L Says:
   September 28th, 2009 at 6:57 am

   First, try living a very ‘regulated life’ … do exactly the ’same thing’ at exactly the ’same time’ every day as much as possible.
   Second, if you haven’t done this, you should see a ‘mental health professional for a ‘full evaluation’ … this is usually a ‘two hour interview’ plus a ‘written test’ like the MMPI. You may actually have PTSD, which has the things you’ve listed as ’symptoms’ that can be sucessfully treated by a ‘trained PTSD specialist.’
   Third, when you know you are going to have to ‘do something’ that will cause you to have a ‘panic attack’ or a ‘phobia’ or ‘anxiety’ or ’symptoms of OCD you should ‘prepare yourself’ before those symptoms start … I’m a Catholic, so I ‘cross myself’ and say a silent prayer, but you can do ANYTHING (unobtrusive) with one hand, and say ‘anything reassuring’ to yourself, silently.
   Fourth, REMEMBER that these ‘things’ are only ’symptoms of a medical disease’ and are not ‘YOU’ … believe it or not, sometimes it’s just that ‘thought’ that makes it ‘easier’ to get through the ‘episodes’ you now have.
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   I’m a psychologist, and I also have ‘extreme PTSD’ … but I’ve been ’successfully treated’ and now no one ‘knows’ about the PTSD unless I ‘tell them I have it.’

9. Snout Says:
   September 28th, 2009 at 7:46 am

   Many of the above answers are good. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is the mainstay of treatment, and usually involves ERP (as described by Fretting Not) in combination with teaching relaxation techniques which may include meditation.

   Some drug therapies can also be helpful. SSRIs such as Paxil or Zoloft can be used, as can a number of other antidepressants. I would generally advise against the use of benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax or Rivotril. The risk of dependence is very high, and the withdrawal syndrome can produce a severe exacerbation of the panic and anxiety symptoms you were originally trying to treat. I gather many doctors in the US are much more relaxed about these drugs than we are in Australia.

   I would suggest starting with a psychologist skilled in CBT, and go from there.
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10. DRSAM Says:
    September 28th, 2009 at 8:06 am

    You can try EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) It is a painless, Drug Free, Self Help and Cost Free technique developed to help all Phobias, Pain and Emotional disturbances in anyone.

    Go to http://www.emofree.com for full details, you can download for free a beginners starter manual showing all points you need to know for immediate relief.
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11. Choo Says:
    September 28th, 2009 at 8:41 am

    I have tried Crystal therpay successfully for panick attacks.
    I used a crystal called SODALITE,which I place on my solar plexus (or wherever you get them) & they’re gone in a little while!I swear it works.
    But remember crystals need to be cleansed every once in a while as they absorb negative energy, either by placing in moonlight or under running water or for a more thoughtough cleanisng I out them in brown rice for 24 hours which ucan eat after.You can buy them in specalised shops or from Ebay. I’ve got a piece which I wear around my neck & since then they’re almost completely gone!
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12. kirsty m Says:
    September 28th, 2009 at 9:12 am

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13. redraz21 Says:
    September 28th, 2009 at 9:59 am

    ive suffered panic attacks for 9yrs 2yrs ago they were at there worst leavin me an absolute wreck couldnt leave the house to scared,loud noises would ave me cowering in a corner ,bonfire nite with the fireworks was so distressing.My mom got in touch with a cpn to help me i was prescribed beta blockers and citalopram for a short time which personally worked for me along with breathin technics.I could write an essay on all the technics i learned but 2 very good ones is when u feel an attack comin on clench both hands while regulatin ur breathin in for 4 slow out for4 slow bring ur right fist up to ur left shoulder bring it down and do the same with ur left fist up to ur right shoulder and keep the rhythm and the same time in ur head say left right,left right etc.My cpn said that an attack will stop because ur using the same part of ur brain an attack come froms and ur stronger than an attack and push it aside,also wear an elastic band on ur wrist when an attack hits twist the band really tight it passes and it worked for me i really hope it works 4u i really feel for u i know how u feel.I know its easier said than done but dont fight the attack it passes quite quickly if u let it pass over fighting it pumps more adrenaline which makes the attack longer and more intense. all the best
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