panic attacks Options

[voguelove]

okay, so i know that i have generalized anxiety disorder and i often get panic attacks or episodes where im just going completely crazy with fear. the thing is, my dad is pretty much..anti medication and refused to put me on anything. and i guess im fine with it as long as i know how to control them. but i dont.

my hands are always sweaty when i have to play solos in orchestra, my stomach is always in knots right before a race, and my hearts pounds really fast even when theres nothing to be scared of. im just wondering if anyone knows how to cope with it without medication.

i know that people always say, "breathe. just breathe," or just to tell myself that everything will be okay. yea, it doesnt work. im just so frustrated with bad performances because of my nerves. AH, it's so annoyingg...

[MissFits]

I have been having full blown panic attacks for a week now about every hour or so. I can't sleep, I can barely eat, and I lost my job because of it. It's the most dreadful thing I have every lived through. At first I had no idea what it was. It's debilitating I can feel them coming on and then suddenly I am in an alternate reality and my heart is racing, my mind is racing, I can't breathe, I am shaking, dizzy, and violently ill.
I have been doing a shit load of research and I found a general consensus that smell is a great way to calm yourself. Just find a smell that reminds you of your childhood, baby powder works for a lot of people, and put it around you. If it's a perfume spray it on your pillow, if it's baby powder put it on your hands or chest. Lay down and take DEEP breaths. Keep reminding yourself it's normal (it happens to 1 in 20 people regularly, but most everyone has experienced at least 1), that you are okay, it's all in your mind you aren't going to die and it will pass, you're not crazy. Let that smell remind you of your childhood.
Doing a crossword puzzle or counting backwards from 100 helps out.
I'd say the most helpful thing for me is talking to my friends. If you don't feel comfortable telling everyone you know, that's okay. Just tell the person you trust the most and ask them to tell you what they know the most about (for John it's guitars, so if I am having a panic attack I say "tell me about guitars" or a specific brand, he knows that means I am freaking out. It's really convenient if we are out at a store or something). Think only about what they are telling you and envelope yourself in their words and the soothing sound of a close friends voice.
If I am home when it happens a bubble bath with lavender scent is really helpful.
I hope this helped, I definitely know how terrible it is.