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About Sally
Expertise
Can answer general questions about symptoms, how to cope with them, getting help, relationships with others, employment concerns, family support, personal experience with drug related treatments vs behavior techniques. How panic attacks increased my awareness of the world around me. I can`t answer what medications would be best for you, whether you should or should not disclose your illness to others, substitutions for seeing a physician or other medical advice that should come only from a professional.

Experience
I have had panic disorder/attacks for 20 years, the first 8 were spent in an agonizing search for a diagnosis and eventually cost me a career of 20 years. I can relate well to any employment or socialization problems caused by PD. Over the years I have developed many ways to cope with PD on a daily basis but also know that nothing will substitue for professional help. I have done a lot of research on the disease including past and future medications, genetic tendancies (I now believe my mother suffered from PD) and personal self-esteem issues. On the "flip" side-learning to cope with panic disorder/ attacks actually increased my awareness and sensitivity to others and the world around me.

Organizations
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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Mental Health > Panic Disorders/Attacks > Anxiety and panic attacks

Panic Disorders/Attacks - Anxiety and panic attacks

Expert: Sally - 11/5/2009

Question
Hello!
I'm pretty much in the middle of a panic attack right now. I have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder and have taken Celexa (and Xanax for attacks). I am 15 weeks pregnant now and can't take any medication... My biggest issue is that I have constant negative thoughts that lead to panic attacks. My negative thoughts have been caused by things I have seen/heard that scare me incredibly.
I can deal with those tiny negative thoughts such as "I'm not gonna try this because it's not gonna work anyway", or whatever. What really causes problems are my constant thoughts of the unknown, dying and the end of the world. I have a difficult time talking about it because it gives me panic attacks. But there are constantly things on TV (which I try to avoid) that make me think of it. I know it's all theories and nobody knows anything for sure. And even if so, I do NOT want to know about it. If I die, I die, but I don't want to know how or when. Anyway, all these things that I've sen and heard get stuck in my head and have taken any joy away from me. I go to bed and wake up unhappy with a weird, gloomy feeling inside of me. I am gonna be a moomy and want to look forward to the future with my kids. I don't want to CONSTANTLY think about what could happen. It is driving me insane. I tried some techniques to get rid of negative thoughts and replace them with positve thoughts. But by now my negative thoughts have become so strong and dominant that I am not able to do anything about it. I want to get control of this possibly without medication, since right now I have no choice. I really really need help. What can I do to cope with this? Right now I can't afford to see a Therapist, because we're saving up for the baby's delivery (got a high deductible through my insurance)
Please please help me!!!
I am 27 years old, if that's important.
Thank you in advance!!!

Answer
Hello Manuela and thank you for your inquiry. With all of the hormone changes in the body during pregnancy, panic attacks seem to be able to prosper. First of all, be sure to discuss these feelings with your doctor. There are some medications that can be taken during pregnancy to help you. Then try to take 10 minutes out of every hour to relax and have positive meditation. For 10 miniutes think of nothing but the wonderful things you want out of life, for your baby, for yourself. You can do this anywhere, anytime. You might want to use some of the techniques at the below site to aid you. Just copy and paste the url into your browser address field and hit enter:

http://www.loyola.edu/campuslife/healthservices/counselingcenter/relaxation.html

Try to stay away from news programs especially just before bedtime. Try listening to soothing music instead. There have always been problems in the world and unfortunately always will be, but capable people are working to solve those problems and make the world a better place. You can do your part by creating a positive atmosphere to surround you and your baby. Here are some helpful (I hope) tips.

Call your mental health office for support groups for pregnant women. These are often available at very low or no cost and you will find that you are not alone in having these feelings. A lot is going on in your body right now but you can control it. Try reading an uplifting novel. Two things I always had in my purse wherever I went were a book or crossword puzzle and a bottle of water. I'm a aromatherapy person so I always have lavender and chamomile hand cream too - it seems to have a wonderful calming affect. Sometimes the smallest things will evoke pleasant thoughts. Try to spend 15 minutes each day outside in the fresh air. (sometimes difficult in winter)

Most of all - keep in contact with your doctor. He/she is the best guide to what is best as far as medication is concerned. Think good thoughts, breath fresh air and eat healthy foods. Your body will reward you and so will your baby ! Take care of yourself.

Sally
jarrettsjade.com

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