Posted by Fred Potter on May 7, 2000, at 16:59:12
In reply to Yes, Fred post your ideas!, posted by DC on May 5, 2000, at 23:13:38
This is the mail I sent to Tina. They're not really my ideas, but some I've read. They don't work too well for my persistent anxiety, but if they help a little it's better than nothing. Nice to hear from you Tina. Fred
thanks for keeping in touch. I would say I don't have panic
> attacks anymore, but I do get severe anxiety and depression. There were
> elements of Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) that helped me, although I
> worked most out for myself. My panic was to do with being trapped. I
> convinced myself that there's always a way out. If I was in the middle of a
> row in a concert hall I knew that if I became physically ill, everyone would
> help to get me out. So there was no "prison". Not too many reasons to jump
> out of a jumbo jet half way across the Pacific though, but there's always
> the toilet, hiding behind the seat, or a little light alcoholic refreshment.
> Calm abdominal breathing, 5 seconds in through the nose (if you haven't got
> a blocked one) and 5 seconds out through pursed lips - all 10 times. The
> chest shouldn't move. The 3-2-1 method has given a little success. Identify
> to yourself in simple words 3 things you can see, then 3 you can hear, then
> 3 physical (not mental) feelings. Repeat for 2 and then 1. I suspect
> distraction is at the back of this.
>
> Xanax worked well on the panic for me at first, or clonazepam is a slower
> acting alternative but I always wanted something fast, but doesn't seem to
> help with my anxiety much. Most of all, I would say an SSRI at the right
> dose. I presently take Celexa (aka Cipramil, Citalopram) at 30mg. It has
> sexual side effects and makes me dozy, but I guess I don't get panic
> attacks. It takes a few weeks to work of course.
poster:Fred Potter
thread:32416
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/32670.html