Question:
Maybe in some people, anxiety is brain-chemistry related. And having anxiety probably changes the neurochemistry in one’s brain, making it easier to have panic attacks. But at least for me, it truly is a non-medical condition.
Eeeeeh, now here’s where things diverge. My panic disorder is a completely medical condition, and I’ve responded wonderfully to med (Paxil). There was absolutely nothing in my life that could have "caused" my PD, even if I did have a predisposing neurochemical abonormality (ouch). My PD is totally biological. And no, I don’t want a MEDAL, I’m just letting y’all know! :-) Lisa D. McMaster Psychology OR
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Can you really have a heart attack? How does this happen? sincerly, Melissa Hartma
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if they get too bad……Panic attacks are disorderof the body not the mind get that into your head and you need your medicines just like a diabetic….. That, to my knowledge, is not true. Panic disorders are psychological disorders not psychiatric ones.
Would you care to cite your sources, or is this just your opinion? Some people have lots of success with cognitive-behavioural therapy.
True, some have – some have not. I know that this disorder is completely related to the way I think – if I catastrophize, or worry excessive and irrationally about something, I’ll get anxious. If I think logically about a situation, do deep breathing and visualization if necessary, I’m fine.
Funny, it went the exact opposite for me. I was just fine in my thinking til gripped by periods of horrendous terror that almost stole my life from me. I learned to catastrophize, worry and think irrationally AFTER the panic attacks. Maybe in some people, anxiety is brain-chemistry related. And having anxiety probably changes the neurochemistry in one’s brain, making it easier to have panic attacks. But at least for me, it truly is a non-medical condition.
Well, that is great. Really! Then you should be able to think your way out of it. For the rest of us, it isn’t quite so simple. Gwen
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<snipped for space I know that this disorder is completely related to the way I think – if I catastrophize, or worry excessive and irrationally about something, I’ll get anxious. If I think logically about a situation, do deep breathing and visualization if necessary, I’m fine. Funny, it went the exact opposite for me. I was just fine in my thinking til gripped by periods of horrendous terror that almost stole my life from me. I learned to catastrophize, worry and think irrationally AFTER the panic attacks.
<rest snipped Indeed, that was *exactly* how it went for me too. One observation made on this NG a long time ago has always interested me. It was made by a psychiatrist who was in the unusual position of knowing some of his anxiety patients after their disorder had begun. He had formed the view that the ‘typical’ thought processes were the *results* of the disorder not the *causes* – and he’d seen those people change the way they thought, as the disease progressed. It’s always seemed to me that, in many cases, blaming panic attacks on ‘catastrophising’ is like blaming measles on the spots. — Gary Cooper
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i have a fear of meds so i was always tring to do with out them Panic attacks dont go away on their own infact you can have heart attactks or strokes if they get too bad……Panic attacks are disorderof the body not the mind get that into your head and you need your medicines just like a diabetic…..coming off your meds all the time can be dangerous by making too many body changes be happy accept your lemon and make lemonade……I had attacks for years before they were recognized have been on meds now for 5 years and still want to go without but have learned the hard wayTO STAY ON THEM!!!!
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i have a fear of meds so i was always tring to do with out them Panic attacks dont go away on their own infact you can have heart attactks or strokes if they get too bad……Panic attacks are disorderof the body not the mind get that into your head and you need your medicines just like a diabetic…..coming off your meds all the time can be dangerous by making too many body changes be happy accept your lemon and make lemonade……I had attacks for years before they were recognized have been on meds now for 5 years and still want to go without but have learned the hard wayTO STAY ON THEM!!!!
I would have to agree with almost everything said here. I don’t however, believe that you can have heart attacks or strokes if the panic attacks get too bad. Kiesha
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(o o) *In reply to:* /Re: without meds/ Hi i have a fear of meds so i was always tring to do with out them Panic attacks dont go away on their own infact you can have heart attactks or strokes I would have to agree with almost everything said here. I don’t however, believe that you can have heart attacks or strokes if the panic attacks get too bad.
And even if you could, it’s not very helpful to bring it up here. I mean, it took me a hellovalot (
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