What would a gp prescibe for panic/anxiety attacks??

[Bizkit]

Ive been suffering anxiety/panic attacks for bout a yr now. It all started when there was a sickness bug going round my family, everyone got it and it was really bad sudden vomiting. Anyway I was the only one who never got it and was bascially awaiting my turn, I was walking up the school to collect DD when just as I got to the gates I felt a little sick, I panicked thinking this was it, I was gonna be sick there and then, I managed to carry on and get DD and get home as soon as. I never got the sickness bug.
Thing is after that everytime I went up the school I got this wave of sickness and a panicky feeling, my legs would go to jelly and I'd feel a little dizzy and sick. This has since escalated to other situations, crowded places and very much in place where I dont have a sight of an easy exit.

Anyway I didnt really realise till recently they these were panic attacks. I carry a bag with me most places now and it eases my mind that if I do feel sick I have something to be sick into!! and Im having them alot less..

However I started a new job this week and I was required to sit in a meeting and I had the dreaded feeling just before and nearly had to think of an excuse not to attend, and Im wondering now if I should really do something about it, but I have no idea what a gp would suggest I do/or prescibe...I really do not feel overly happy about taking medication.

CBT can also be effective, and avoids taking medication see here

I agree, you're far more likely to be offered CBT, and I think it'd really help you actually. You may be given some anti anxiety medication as well, which helps to bury the panic. dDifficult to explain, but it's almost buried under the surface so it doesn't become overwhelming. I found using them a lifesaver when I had severe anxiety. They helped me sleep better as well.

My friend recently began to have panic attacks - serious enough for her to not be able to leave the house. Initially she thought she would need to take drugs but she has started CBT and within a two, maybe three?, sessions she was able to leave the house and cope. It wasn't pleasant but she was out and about. A few more sessions and she is back in circulation. She hasn't taken medication. Talking to her before begining CBT, she said that there was absolutely no way that she could see just talking about things would cure her of the panic attacks. However, thankfully this has completely proved not to be the case.

I think she was lucky enough to have private health insurance so she was able to see someone pretty quickly and then have a couple of sessions each week initially. I'm not sure how long you would have to wait if for a referral if you went via your GP.

Yes I've heard of cbt. But what's the chances my gp would refer me for that, against just whacking me on meds?? Can you tell I don't have much faith in doctors

You don't have to take meds if you dont want to, the GP can only recommend. Meds have their place, for example you are likely to be able to access medication a lot quicker than CBT due to waiting lists.

There are self-help books which use a CBT approach: like this one

Hi Bzkit,

I suffer with more or less the same thing only i have a fear of fainting and something being seriously wrong with me. it started with them just happing on the train but soon enough i was afraid to even walk to the shop. I went to my gp and she prescribed ADs but i really didnt want to take them so i started taking a few different things i got in the health shop for anxiety. ive also made myself get out for a walk every evening without the kids. its done me the world of good.

I had a few sessions of CBT but to be honest my therapist wasnt the best so i didnt find that a great help. Im going to book an appointment for a session with someone else soon.

I also read a book by Dr. Claire Weekes (self help with your nerves) and it was brill.

Im still not 100% but i have gone to having at least 2 panic attacks a day to only having them maybe once a month so i have come a long way. i still have problems going to pubs/nightclubs etc.

let me know if you want the names of the things i take from the health shop xxx

have you tried this

www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/leaflets/Panic%20A4%202010.pdf

I usually recommend this to my patients first followed by CBT (I'd offer meds if the patient was keen for them but am much happier suggesting a CBT approach as it will work and may help to stop the problem entirely rather than just removing th horrid feelings)

Thats a great booklet. im going to print that out tomorrow, thanks xxx

Yes Bally the names of what u buy would be great. I'll look into some books aswell.
sleepless I can't see the booklet you've linked on my mobile but will take a look when I go on my pc, thanks.

I guess something like this isn't just going to go away by itself( maybe I was kinda hoping it would) but I don't wanna be carrying bags round with me for the rest of my life cos it puts my mind at ease :-(

No probs,

I take Rescue remedy gums when needed. i find them good and sucking on them helps me focus on something other than the panic.

Valerina Day-time tabs - i got these in holland and barratt, i take 2 tabs three times a day

Kalms - you can get these in any chemist.

Evening primrose oil as i am always worse around my period.

Vit B Complex

Multi-vit - this isnt for anxiety, more to just give me a boost

Bergamot essential oil, i burn this around the house and also add it to my baths.

I go for a brisk walk most evenings without the kids.

Im having a bad day today, i went out last night and i was fine but im paying for it this morning. i shouldnt have drank so much. Its really not worth it..

Bump: Sleeplessinderbyshire. I tried the link you posted, but it says that I don't have permission to access it. Is there another link that would work? Many thanks, Spidie

Your GP practice may have a contract with a CBT provider. I went to my GP a few months ago with panic attacks, palpitations and insomnia. He referred me to this service and they had contacted me within the hour and I had an appointment within 3 weeks which surprised the hell out of me as I had always thought getting this sort of treatment on the NHS was like getting blood out of a stone. Perhaps it depends where you live.

I just wanted to add that a couple of weeks after being referred for CBT I had a thyroid function test which showed I was hyperthyroid. All of the anxiety symptoms I had been having (panic attackes, constant feeling of dread, palpitations) can be caused by on overactive thyroid. I only mention this because it might be worth asking your GP for a thyroid function test, just to rule it out. My GP says it is rare to be hyperthyroid but now I have been on anti-thyroid meds for a few weeks I feel a lot less anxious.

Thanks bally I will be looking into a few of the things on that list.

spidie I couldn't access that link either, hope sleepless can come along and maybe have another way...really wanna see it now :)

Thank you acciopinotgrigio Im sure Ive been tested for an under-active thyroid before. I have a weird problem with my blood sugar levels, I have to eat every few hours or I go a bit wobbly. They done that test and a hypoglycemia test, all normal. I still don't know whats wrong with me, recently I have been getting heart palpitations specially when I lie down, it feels like a huge weight on my chest and Im very concoius of my heart beating. But even with my blood sugar being low,the gps wont look into whats causing it, which is maybe why I worry they wont be bothered about the recent panic attacks now.

Does [[
www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/leaflet.php this]] work any better?

or this?

sorry am rubbish at embedded links meant this

www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/leaflet.php

DP gets some little green tablets, which also double as anti-allergy. I hate them though because they completely zonk him out.

Thanks so much Sleepless. Link #2 of 3 worked perfectly!

Ask for propranolol - a beta blocker - acts by blocking the action of adrenaline on the heart. Few side effects in low dosage.

They're very good.

SSRI antidepressants can also help.

Bizkit, I have the problem with the low blood sugar thing too. I always have to carry food about in my bag incase I get a drop when I am out and about as it cant throw me into full panic mode. My GP told me it was just part of the anxiety. I just make sure I eat little amounts often and it pretty much keeps me on an even keel.

Hope you can get some help soon x x x