anti-depressants for panic attacks?

[compo]

I wonder if anyone can help? My sister has panic attacks when she goes out. For example if she is going to a restaurant she starts to feel sick as she's getting ready and by the time she gets there she feels sick, hot and funny for about 20 minutes. It's making her nervous to go out. She doesn't think she's agrophobic as she doesn't have these attacks when shopping or going to Mothers and Toddlers etc. Is this omething anti-d's help with?

anyone? she is rather desperate!!

Thanks Fio - she has been to see the GP but her GP is reluctant to put her on anti-depressants as she was on them before and stopped. She satrts work in a few weeks and the doctor just suggested waiting til she starts and seeing how she feels. But she is terrified she will have panic attacks at work too

she could benefot from cbt really, i was put on cipralex for panic attacks but it made me worse, i attended an anxiety workshop and had cbt and it helped enormously.

Are beta blockers on prescription? What is CBT? Sorry for my ignorance!!

thanks So beta blockers aren't anti-depressants? Maybe the gp will suggest them. She has another appointment today I think. She was having counselling when she had PND before but then got signed off.

No experience of anti-Ds, but just wanted to say that this isn't the only option for panic attacks. I have managed to control mine through a combination of diet, breathing techniques, reflexology etc. The more you know about them, the easier it can be to spot your triggers and to control them (there are some good books available). It's quite possible to have them in some scenarios (cinemas are one of my worst ones!) and not others, and not always easy to see what the anxiety trigger is. If I am going into a situation I know will make me feel panicky, I prepare for it by taking excercise; 10 mins of breathing deeply and regularly; drinking lots of water; and eating a banana. Then once I'm there, breathing again, and have found the accupressure point in the middle of the collar bone (press firmly with two fingers) useful.

Hope she cracks it - either with anti-Ds or without!

A quick and easy fix is beta blockers ( I'm on them for an overactive heart rate, but the side effect makes me very chilled!)
A relative takes them for panic attacks, and has been on them for 10+ years, in my intruction leaflet, it says to take 1 tablet 1 hr before a stressful/anxious event.
HTH Wish your sister lots of luck!

cbt is cognitive behavioural therapy, very effective for panic attacks.

re beta blockers though, my mums been on bb's for 40 years for her heart problem, and shes a nervous wreck!!!!!!!

oh no!! Im on a massive dose atm maybe that's why! 160mgs a day

think my mums on quite a high dose but to be honest, nothing would calm her down anyway!!!!

Theres always valium too !!

she would need a whole crateful!

Awwww !! :) Poor woman !

no seriously, shes awful!shes just taken the dc's to florida and i thought she was going to have a nervous breakdown before she got on the plane!