Daughter's panic attacks

[hugzlizard]

My daughter (21) has had panic attacks since being young. She feels her heart race, sweaty pamls, throat closing and is sure she is about to meet her demise. These have often coincided wirh school events... SATS, GCSE, A Level etc.

She is now weeks away from her dissertation deadline amd they are coming thick and fast.

I am not an anxious person and have never experienced a panic attack, I am logical and from health care back ground (nurse) so will look at the facts... "you are ok, you are not in danger, you can breathe" she has recently snapped and told me that she knows the logic but it doesnt help and she still feels as though she is going to pass out or have a heart attack.

The question is: how can I help? What should I say?

a prescription of beta blockers might help.
they just take the edge of stress and work right away, unlike anti depressants.

This

Has she had any intervention such as CBT or similar?
There will likely be some sort of student support she can go and see they will signpost her to what is in her area

or she can access NHS Talking Therapies.

The anxiety is ‘normal’ to a certain level but not when it escalates to panic attacks.
strategies to deal with the symptoms before they reach that level will be useful as a skill for the future.
But these are more effective if used regularly alongside making sure the basics are in place such as regular sleep, regular eating.

Propanolol (beta blocker) may be useful if her symptoms are mainly physical such as racing heart, I found it didn’t suit me.

I second propanolol IF she has known triggers so can take it in advance. I've never had a panic attack but was always incredibly nervous when giving talks (as in heart racing, hands physically shaking). It was a life changer for me, I just wish I had gone for medication sooner - it would have saved me a lot of humiliation. When I did finally ask for it, the doc told me loads of people take it. 😐

I don’t think it’s helpful for you to come at it from a “I’m logical, and you’re not in danger” POV.

I’m very logical, very analytical, and am extremely aware that during a panic attack I am not in danger. It doesn’t help.

If you’re asking about help in the moment then something grounding - cold water might help, either to drink or for her to put on her wrists. Something lightly distracting, not anything that needs concentration, just something like a favourite sitcom or panel show. Personally I find a large Smint (the XL ones) helps because I can focus on that, and also know that by the time it’s gone, I’ll probably be over the worst and starting to feel better.

@hugzlizard is she on any medication?

If not, take her to GP and ask about this. They usually start on Sertraline which is a hit or miss drug. It no change after 3 months, go back and ask for something else.

She is experiencing cortisol spikes which cause the panic attacks. Ashwagandha may also help - it's a supplement that helps block cortisol.

For an active attack, place a cold glass or can of fizzy juice between the breasts right over vagus nerve. Combined with deep breaths, it will stop the attack from escalating and help calm her.