About a year ago, I was overdosed on Geodon & Effexor, which caused a bad allergic reaction, sending me into the ER. Ever since then, I've had panic attacks from driving a car for a couple hours, stress from life, stress-induced health problems, agoraphobia, and many MANY more things. However, I've been able to really fight this off recently. The thing that worked for me was realizing that it's a VERY treatable disorder. I was at the point where I almost went insane over the attacks. Then, I read a LOT about how others deal with it, and I've found ways to help myself. For one, I get a lot of consolation out of the fact that panic attacks WILL NOT cause heart attacks, tumors, cancer, brain damage... and whatever else nonsense we've believed out of paranoia. Also, I told myself that drugs were O-U-T, OUT! I've been through so many medications that it was ridiculous. One thing I read that really really really helped me was how one person dealt with it. "This is boring!" - Say that over and over and try to really believe it, because panic attacks ARE boring, and downright DUMB. Some people, such as myself, have been able to heal themselves by pushing the envelope of their minds. I had bad agoraphobia hit me when I went down south about a week ago, so I had to rush back home - which didn't help, either. So, I talked myself out of the panic attacks and I fought them as much as I could. A couple days later, I went back down south and fought the agoraphobia by refusing to give into to its stupidity and worthlessness. I'm not insulting anyone for suffering with these because it's not your fault that it started, but maybe you can fight it off by continually taking 'baby steps', like waiting in lines intentionally and going beyond your mind's point of agoraphobia or other situations that set off panic attacks for you. Take a trip somewhere and let it try to attack you, then tell yourself that "It's stupid! This is boring as can be, and I'm not giving in - NO MATTER WHAT!!"
I wish the best for you all. I hope I've been able to give some help to at least one person.
~DawsonJ
