I'm only fifteen and i need help. My doctor is concerned but can't prescribe me drugs because of my age. what do i do? PANIC ATTACKS: View the techniques for control of panic attacks, in section 8, at ezy build, below. Begin, on this first occasion, only, by holding your breath for 5, or 10 seconds: this will give you the confidence to realise that YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR BREATHING, but not pass out, or die (your autonomic nervous system resumes breathing, if you become unconscious). Understand panic attacks, and what triggers them, in your life (if it is unresolved anxiety, or stress, see sections 6, or 42, respectively). The paper bag method works for most people: try it.
If you are fairly suggestible, the following are reliable: http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/
Your last alternative is psychotherapy, to address its fundamental cause: read section 1, and examine the http://1-800-therapist.com/ website, and use the locators, and phone book. I used to suffer from panic attacks, until I questioned what had changed in my life, at, or just before that time, to trigger them. For some people, this is enough. These days, I have instilled the habit of, whenever a situation occurs where panic is likely, I visualise a large, "STOP!" sign, as vividly as possible, followed by repeating to myself: "stay calm" in my mind. You could try the same method. It usually takes 30 - 40 repetitions, for most people, to establish a new habit. I also suggest that you learn, then practise the controlled breathing technique, until competent, then employ it, at the very first sign of a panic attack.
Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from panic attacks, I deeply and completely accept myself." Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms (as do medications/herbal remedies): you need to address the underlying cause, and this requires some form of therapy, and Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy has proved effective.
Advice from a published psychiatrist on controlled breathing. (1.) Get a clock, or watch with a second timer. (2.) Practise for 5 minutes, 4 times daily, until proficient. (3.) Take a small breath in, and hold it, for 6 seconds. (4.) Think to yourself: "RELAX", just before breathing out. (5.) Try to feel a sense of releasing tension, as you breathe out. (6.) Breathe in for 3 seconds, then out, for 3 seconds. Try to make your breathing very smooth, and light, as you breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, or nose. (7.) For the next minute, continue to breathe in, and out, every 3 seconds. (8.) Go back to step 3, at the end of the minute, and proceed through to step 7, doing this for 5 minutes. Use this at the very first sign of a panic attack starting, or any time you feel anxious, or tense.
Because many people can't access/afford professional therapy, I include the EFT, and EMDR variant for them to try, free of charge. Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy is generally available in most areas, but EMDR (see section 33) may well be worth trying, and is becoming more widespread.
(The following is a variant of EMDR therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective. It is easy to be dismissive of such a seemingly unusual technique, but give it a good tryout, for at least a few weeks, to see if it is effective in your case).
Prior to using either of the methods in the above paragraph, first sit comfortably, and take a deep breath. Then, without moving your head, move your eyes from the left, to the right, and back again, taking around a second to do so (say: "a thousand and one": this takes approximately a second).
Repeat this procedure (without the words, although you can count, subvocally, if you like) 20 times: "A thousand and one; a thousand and two... " and so on, to a thousand and twenty. Then close your eyes and relax. Become aware of any tension or discomfort you feel.
Then open your eyes, and take another deep breath, and repeat step one, closing your eyes, and relaxing afterwards, in the same manner. Then, repeat the procedure one last time. Some people may find that this is all they need do. With experience, you may find that you can practise this in public, with your eyes closed, which greatly widens the window of opportunity for its use, and avoids attracting unwanted attention. I have found that the 2 - 3 minutes spent using the EMDR markedly reduces distractions to the relaxation process, and is repaid many times over.
I also use it prior to my chosen relaxation technique, after lights out, at night. For more about Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing therapy, showing recommendations by those who have used it, including a professional psychotherapist with more than 20 years of experience in that field, see sections 33 - 34, at ezy-build. She was skeptical, at first, and I remained unconvinced, until trying it, and now I use it twice daily, including after lights out, at night.
It may also help to minimise, or eliminate caffeine products from your life (coffee can be a trigger) and sugar. Xylitol, or Stevia is preferable, (health food stores) or fruit sugar (fructose, such as "Fruisana", from supermarket sugar aisles) or even a little honey. Minimise/eliminate consumption of highly processed foods, particularly grain products, such as white bread, donuts, cake, cookies/biscuits, or anything with sugar. Opt for more wholefoods, non-starchy vegetables, and fruit.
Stress is addressed in section 42, at ezy build (see page i first) and anxiety in section 6 (view page R first). First of all, how do you know that you have these disorders? Have you diagnosed yourself, or is this based on talking to your doctor or another medical professional? You seem to have brought this up with your doctor already. If your problems are relatively severe - if they are having an adverse effect on your life - maybe you need to see a psychiatrist, especially one who specializes in children.
Second, there are many non-medication ways to relieve panic, stress, and anxiety. Things like visualization, breathing, even regular exercise can help. A doctor or therapist may be able to suggest some of these to you. There are also a lot of support websites for people with these conditions, you could scan there.
Third, you can take psychiatric drugs at age 15. Your doctor may be hesitant to prescribe without your parents' consent (you can and should involve them in the discussion if you feel comfortable). Or, if your doctor is not a specialist in psychiatry, or in child psychiatry, he/she may feel uncomfortable prescribing. If you feel like you are unable to control your conditions through non-medicative means, or just generally if you need more advice on how to control your symptoms, see a specialist if possible.
Good luck! I know it's not easy. Get into yoga and deep breathing exercises. This can really help calm you down.
Also, remind yourself that many of your worries are unreasonable.
I believe that 15 year olds can be on some form of medicine for your disorders. I would get a second opinion with another doctor.
Good luck and feel better soon! Hun
Your Dr is wrong, he can help with medication, but medication is not the only answer to help with your anxiety/panic attacks.
Heres some things i do to take the edge off when i dont have any medication.
If youre hyper-ventilating (feel like you cant breathe and get light headed) grab a paper bag and take long slow breaths into the bag, then once you have calmed down run a nice relaxing bath and wash your hair, it always makes you feel 100% better.
If that doesnt work, get on the floor on all fours, head down butt up and take in deep slow breaths, you need to learn how to control your breathing, once you feel more relaxed slowly get up as you will be light headed.
Ask your doctor if this is related to your puturity gland, this is the gland in your brain that sends messeges to the rest of your body and may sometimes send confused messeges causing panic attacks.
At such a young age you shouldnt have to go through this, i did when i was your age and my doctor helped me through it, so i would be seeing another doctor about whats going on with you and also seek the help of a councellor because talking to a stranger really does help.
Take care
Krissy There is this amazing program I recommend for you. It's called the Midwest Center for Stress, Anxiety and Depression. I bet you can totally beat this 100% considering your age. I bought the program 2 years ago and feel soooo much better.
StressCenter.com
They also have a chatroom and message center and you will find total support. The program obviously costs money (but you can probably get one on eBay for a lot less), but the chatroom and message center is totally free. I have had anxiety and panic attacks for the past 5 years. I had a very hard time breathing and my heart would race. I recently was prescribed Lexapro for my anxiety and have not had a panic attack ever since. I don't see anything wrong with taking medication for your anxiety. You feel ill, and with any illness, sometimes medicine is the best medicine. Trust me, you'll feel better. Life is about constant changes. And how we deal with those constant changes effects us in a lot of ways. Our mental reactions can make us anxious as hell. You are so young or I would suggest medication, but medication deals with the symptoms not the real problem. It eases the pain so to speak. Fold a piece of paper in half and on one side write what things are bothering you and on the other side - write how you can make changes to correct the problem. I bet that you find out what you are worrying about, you can't do anything about. Somethings are just out of our control, The relaxation of you concentrating on deep breaths helps a lot. It helps with your overall spirit.
Count your blessings.
Also, if you are religious, you could pray during times of stress. I know people that do that if they feel a panic attack coming on.
I hope that helps. Just try to think positive as hard as it may be. You can get through it. Please do not take psychiatric drugs. They are very harmful. If you want proof on that visit cchr.org. What you could do is start to take walks everyday. Walk until you feel better. Taking walks really helps to get your attention off of whatever is stressing you. Also take vitamin B1. This B vitamin helps keep the not so happy or the stressful thoughts away. You should also take vitamin C with that cause sometimes too much B1 can make your teeth hurt. And at the times you start to feel stressed simply tell yourself to stop thinking about those things and start thinking about things not so stressful. I hope i've helped! Sign up for a yoga or meditation class and take baths every other day to relax you. Get a therapist to talk to about everything that is on your mind or get a really nice notebook that you can write or draw everything that is on your mind in. Also try to get alot of sleep and keep telling yourself that you will get through this hard time. im 15 right now too and i have been expericing like level 10 panic attacks and anxiety since 2nd grade.
its not easy at all trust me, sometimes the best thing is medication but i hardly ever used that, what u need to do is just work on relaxing and meditating, once u learn to control ur thoughts and to relax ur mind and body making it thru panic is very easy. i have improved greatly although it will never go away my dad and mom both have the disorder and still deal with them every now and then.
just keep working it will improve. I went to see a psycologist for mine. Best thing I ever did- at least now I don't get another episode (happened a few times that it came back although I had thought I had defeated it)... Costs a little but works for life! Make sure you see a good one. Don't feel obliged to stay with one if its not working for you. Find one that does and stay positive. Believe me (my word is all I have), theis is the best way without having to take pills. The earlier you treat it the better for you because you're still young! All the best:) first take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
second do it again even slower this time.
yes, you will have to deal with the present, but you can forget the past and not worry about the future.
now take all of these feelings, and go to your toilet and mentally put them in and flush the toilet.
when one tries to come back, say inside your heart "I flushed you down the toilet, The blood of Jesus rebuke that thought."
and put in your mind something that is "Whatever is good honest pure, think on these things." Philippians 4:8
repent of sins and be reborn spiritually 'born again' to see the kingdom of heaven=to be born again
John 3:3
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world (everyone), that he gave his only begotten son, that whosover believeth in him shall not perish (be cast to hell weeping forever Matthew 24:51) but have everlasting life."
John 14:6
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 10:9
"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
further proven in the Epistle of Paul
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Titus 3:5
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us."
I am born Jewish and had to see that the Messiah, Jesus fulfilled prophecy
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 He will be exaulted but first he was marred more than any man, and would lay down his life as a lamb to make atonement/forgiveness for our sins.
Isaiah 9:6 "Unto us a child is born, a son is given, and he is mighty God, wonderful in counsel, the everlasting father, and the prince of peace."
John in Revelation 1:1 & 3:19&20 as Jesus speaks from heaven, saying he loves us unconditionally and asks us to repent of sin quickly, and telling us he is knocking on our heart's door, to come in and be our friend, when we ask him in.
So I prayed, Jesus help me, I am sorry for even one lie and all my other sins, come into my heart and be my friend, amen.
David in Jesus amazing grace and thanks great question
Omega 3 and exercise will help alot too. I always go to the gun range. But you can't do that. I think you should look for some teen community groups to join. Maybe you need to change you daily life routine. Manage mediation practices and some
spiritual music for your mental support. Enlist in the us army THEN you'lll have pstd's that's something to worry about 4 real! check with another dr you are old enough for meds |
