Hello Brenna,

Thank you for your question. I am sorry you are suffering from panic attacks and anxiety. Your best bet is to make an appointment to consult a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist. There are many different medications which are prescriptions which can help with panic attacks/anxiety. However, the most successful interventions that have been proven in the mental health community include behavioral therapies/counseling and medications in combination.

Relaxation techniques, biofeedback are two things that mental health professionals often try in addition to counseling and helping to feel as though YOU are in control and that you can calm yourself down when panic attacks occur.

It is not uncommon for people to feel as though they are having a heart attack during times of an extreme panic attack, they often hyperventilate, have an accelerated heart rate, begin to perspire profusely, feel as though they are "out of control." Sounds all to familiar to your symptoms and signs I am sure.

Best thing you can do is sit down when this happens. Sit with your feet flat on the floor. close your eyes, think of the happeist thought you can, visual imagery-- maybe a time you were at the beach and calm and the sun was shining and you were relaxing and imagine hearing the ocean waves having a calming effect on you, feeling a sense of peacefulness. Take a deep breath in, slowly exhale. You can take a deep breath in and count to 10 in your mind, slowly,slowly exhaling so that by the time you reach 10, you are beginning to have control over your breathing. Continue to do this ten times and more if necessary. Next, allow your head to hang down freely, move your head and let the head become as relaxed as possible. Allow your neck muscles to relax and move your hear freely frontwards, side to side, relax, relax....Then allow your arms to "go LIMP" and leave them by your side. Keep the visual, happy image in your head all the time while you continue to sit. Then, relax your stomach, lean forward in the chair and just let the stomach muscles relax. Next, allow your legs to go as limp as possible, tell yourself that "All the anxiety and stress is leaving now and it is exiting out my toes!" My calves are relaxed and I am beginning to feel a sense of peace and comfort. I feel secure, I feel in control. I am OK!" Keep telling yourself this. I know that it must seem funny to read that you are telling yourelf to let anxiety and stress 'exit your toes!" However, try this and keep the pratice going even when you are having an "OK" day like you said you had today. Soon, it will beocme automatic to you to do these relaxation and anxiety relieving techniques and hopefully, as time passes, you will being to notice that you are having less and less times of panic and anxiety. Do this in the interim of seeking medical consultation with a mental health professional such as I suggested earlier in this response.

I encourage you to make an appointment to have consultation with a mental health professional. By having one:one contact from a trained, expereinced health professional, you will receive the help and maximum coping strategies needed to help you overcome your anxiety and panic. Since these attacks seem to occur more often at night, perhaps this is because you are alone and everything is alwaysworse at night. Scientifically based evidence is strong for supporting that people who suffer from pain suffer more at night than any other time. Having anxiety of great proportions and being stressed is difficult enough in today's world and worse for most people at night. Sleep disruptions are not unocmmon in the patient with anxiety/panic disorder.

After you make yourself an appt. to seek care from a mental health professional, each day prior to the appointment, think about how much better you are soon to feel with seeking help and anticipation of your visit. Do not allow yourself to panic and stress out over having the appointment forthcoming. Instead, think only of practicing the mini relaxation techniques I have outlined to help you prepare.

Since your anxiety and panic attacks occur the worst at ngiht, then do something relaxing like turn on SOOTHING music, CLASSICAL music that is soft and easy. Get into a bubble bath and sit in the tub and practice relaxation techniques there with no external stimuli and noise anywehre, have it peaceful and quiet to help YOU have an environment of peacefuness and quietness. Do not drink any caffeine, avoid caffeine containing products such as chocolate and sodas,etc. for example. When you go to bed, have NO radio on when you lie down, no TV on, nothing that is an added stimulation that will be an interruption. As you begin to prepare for sleep, lie in bed and get yourself comfortable, not have the room too hot, not too cold, just right. Have your covers over you where you will be warm enough but not too warm. After you lie down and have your head comfortably placed on a pillow, RELAX, begin thinking of relaxation exercise as above and pay close attention to how you are breathing. Inhale, count to 10, exhale slowly and deliberately....keep the relaxation techniques mentioned going. Do NOT allow yourself to think about ANYTHING but relaing. Not what is on tomorrow's agenda or the day after or next weeks agenda. Just allow yourself a state of total mind and body relaxation.

Do not drink ANY alcohol, no nicotine, no stimulants.

Regarding "anything you can take for your symptoms." First,it is illegal to have prescriptions filled without having first seen a MD or other health professional qualified to treat you or prescribe medications for you. Therefore, obtaining prescriptions online without a legally written prescription is not a viable option! Comfrey tea is a relaxing tea with natural herbal properties, try a hot cup of tea.

Panic attacks are recognized by the medical community as being a potentialy disabling but treatable condition! It is estimated that between 10-20% of Americans will have at least one panic attack in their life. Panic attacks have a real, physical basis! In fact, medical scientists believe that panic attacks are caused mainly by a malfunction in the brain chemistry wherein the brain receives/perceives "false emergency signals!"

Anxiety disorder is thoguht to even have somewhat of a heritary basis because it does appear to have a strong familial tendency!

Calcium and magnesium are minerals which often help with anxiety/panic attack disorder. The recommended dosage for calcium, which is a natural tranquilizer is 2,000 mg per day. The recommended dosage for Magnesium is 600-1,000mg. daily. Magnesium helps relieve anxiety, tension, nervousness and is best taken with calcium. Skullcap and valerian root, when taken at bedtime help to promote sleep and help prevent development of panic attacks at night! So, consider a trip to the GNC or other health store or health food store for natural help/supplements.

Daily choices of brown rice, figs, salmon and other fish, garlic, green leafy veggies, asparagus, avocados, bananas, dreid apricots, yogurt, soy products, broccoli, blackstrap molasses, brewer's yeast: These are all foods which help supply valuable minerals such as magnesium and calcium, phosphorus and potassium which are depleted by stress/anxiety/panic attacks so help your diet become as healthy as possible to aid in your anxiety and panic attack prevention.

I hope this has been helpful. I understand that panic attacks are often scary and certainly upsetting, disruptive events. However, you CAN overcome this situation and begin to enjoy life with a sense of peacefulness and calmness. If there is anything else I can help with regarding your post, please let me know. Otherwise, PLEASE CLICK on the RIGHT GREEN "ACCEPT" button. Also, POSITIVE FEEDBACK is always greatly appreciated and influences my continued ability to help others! A BONUS is always much appreciated too. Good luck and thank you, again for writing!

Sincerely, Susan RN BSN CCRN URC