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...

[karmakiller]

I'm an OCDer, hah. My doctors have told me that my anxiety (and sometimes awkwardness in different situations) if part of it. Beathing is important. I have a study hall in the morning at school, which I get a credit for, so that I can start my mornings out slow, rather than just be thrown into a class. If you don't want to go on medication, it might be a good idea to let your instructors and teachers know about it. I know sometimes it might be a little embaressing to tell them, it was for me. But this will help you, because if you find yourself panicing they will let you take a little break if need be to get things under control. There's other things to do... I don't take any medication. And I'm doing just fine, although I do have my moments.

It might not be a bad idea to talk to your parents about going to see a therapist. They will help you learn techiniques that will be really useful. I went through therapy for my OCD and Anxiety and I was able to learn little things that help you gain control of yourself. I think the scariest thing about panic attacks is that you feel like you're not in control of your body.