anxiety state

[corylus]

How can I best help a friend who's recently developed an anxiety state with panic attacks?

[Answerprancer]

*sigh* it was only a matter of time - ok Pasta (and anyone else) , feel free to report my irresponsible "solution".

[Dris]

^^ me too or I wouldnt get to Spain (or on a flight although im getting much much better -managed to go myself abroad over the Summer-first ever-had a drink tho) or the dentist :(
Anyway it works and I can lead a semblance of normaility using that as an occasional crutch so s0d it :)
I have to say I conquered nearly everything without it so it shouldnt be used as a soft option-ist not.

[Answerprancer]

..it was an unintentional 'troll' post and as PL said, I don't recommend it.

[boxtops]

I used to get them a lot, and I found that one way to manage - in the end - was to realise that it passes quite quickly, not to fight it but to go with it, it'll soon be over.

[Dris]

I conquered my sleep paralysis like that boxy -I used to fight it but when i went with it it left me:)

[pastafreak]

AP-there's no reason to report....but I guess some of us who've had severe anxiety and panic,would wish to stick to helpful advice for the OP.

As for panic going away....it doesn't-you just learn how to cope and to live with it.

[boxtops]

I found - over a long period of time - that if I could identify what triggered them, I could try to avoid those situations. Some of it is a matter of confidence - I don't want to tempt providence by saying it doesn't often happen to me now, but I have learned to live my life to accommodate those situations, not to let the fear of them rule my life.
It's a very difficult thing to describe to people who have never had one - I froze solid in the middle of the icy road last weekend, terrified that I was going to fall over (but I wasn't) - never mind that I was in more danger of being RUN over!

[askyourgran]

I cannot give any advice about this really, except to say, she must try to resolve the problem without resorting to anti-depressant tablets etc, they are habit forming and will not treat the root of the problem. She probably needs to see a qualified counseller to discuss her problems. I hope she recovers soon.

[corylus]

Thanks for all your advice, I know that I'll have to help her to face i rather than avoid situations that trigger the attacks.

I'll have a look at the web sites mentioned too and tell her about them.