How To Stop Panic Attacks Without Medication

One of the most popular questions I get asked is How To Stop Panic Attacks Without Medication?  My program does not recommend medication as a means of recovery.  In most cases I believe you can cure panic attacks without the need of medication.  Why do I advocate this?  Drugs do not address the root cause of panic attacks.  They tend to mask the problem and give you a false sense of control.  Alcohol can give you more confidence and improve your mood.  Panic attack drugs do this as well.  However you would not stay drunk your whole life because it gave you self-confidence.  We are all aware of the long term health issues of alcohol abuse, and ultimately it would not boost your self confidence or make you more positive.  So why would you stay on medication. 

It does not empower you to acknowledge you have the power within to recover.

Once I was first diagnosed with anxiety, medication was probably the first thing the doctor recommended.  Because I did not know any better I accepted I needed it, but with some fear of failure that I required medication for a ‘mental illness’. 

Throughout my years of growing up I got use to going to the doctor when I had a health problem.  They would provide medication and I got better.  Unfortunately with panic attacks they don’t make you better.  They hide the symptoms to some extent and give you other side effects instead. 

Medication for Panic Attacks

I knew in my heart of hearts that medication was not the way to recover, so I stopped using it after several months.  A few years later I was going through a patch where my symptoms were really strong and my life was suffering, so I went back on medication.  Every now and gain I would go back and see my doctor.  Because I had a job and some social life (I wasn’t agoraphobic) my case was not deemed severe enough to see a specialist.  Medication was there only answer along with some words of wisdom and sympathetic advice.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not bitter that I did not receive more help.  The doctors simply did not have the tools at their disposal to help.  With this course you have.

If you’re on medication to help block panic attacks then I would recommend slowly weaning yourself off the medication.  Do not stop your medication abruptly by yourself.  You should only change your medication under your doctor’s guidance and supervision.   I am certainly not totally against medication especially to get you on your feet at the start of this program.  The medication I was on (Seroxat) helped me, and it did not seem to have any significant side effects.   Speaking and reading about other sufferers who have taken tranquilizer type medication, they tend to give a much more negative feedback, especially about the side effects.  I don’t know what super drug is now of the market for panic attacks and anxiety, and frankly I don’t care.  It’s in the pharmaceutical company’s interest to keep producing these drugs as it’s a multi million pound industry.  The figures speak for themselves regarding the huge number of people on medication for depression and anxiety.   

Panic attack medicine

Research has shown that in the majority of cases panic attacks can be cured without drugs.  This is borne out by therapists and others using similar methods to me.  Studies also show that a large percentage of people who give up medication see their anxiety and panic symptoms return.   I believe if you don’t have the tools to overcome anxiety and panic attacks then once the buffer (medication) is gone there is nothing to stand in the way of anxious feelings returning.

Whilst nobody is going to disagree about the effective use in the short term of anti anxiety medication (it can be very useful!), several studies have high-lighted the link between general long term drug use and mental illness.   Some people have no choice but to take long term medication if you had lung transplant for example.  But I would rather try the path without medication if I had a choice (which you do with my program,) if depression, weight gain, personality changes are the side effects.  Remember you have the power within you to cure yourself, and I will walk with you every step of the way.

So if your wondering How To Stop Panic Attacks Without Medication then you you certainly can by following a holistic approach.

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 RESOURCES

Books

Self Help for Your Nerves: Learn to relax and enjoy life again by overcoming stress and fear   One of the first books I read on panic attacks and still one of the best.  I would say if you're going to read any book first, read this one.  First published in the 1960's it's been updated many times, but some of the best modern-day books still have the same principles running through them.  For first aid for a panic attack this is still the best book out there in my opinion.  For a programme for recovery it's not the best as we know far more on what contributes to panic attacks and how to cure them.  For its time it's was revolutionary.  Claire Weeks has sadly passed away but she did recordings and other books as well - Click Here .
If you would like to read my post on Claire Weekes Life and Books Click Here

Understanding Panic Attacks: and Overcoming Fear   A very thorough and popular book on panic attacks. The book is easy to read and has a lot of common sense techniques. It gives a great deal of information on the back ground leading to panic attacks and goes behind the biology of panic attacks. It focuses on cognitive behavioural therapy tools to help you and a lot of the practical advice I advocate is in this book.

Panic Attacks: What they are, why the happen, and what you can do about them: What They Are, Why They Happen and What You Can Do About Them A book that's over ten years old but the same principles apply to day as they did then.  A good book that covers what to do whilst having a panic attack, and an interesting chapter on how to help others with panic attacks.   It has some useful tips and will be helpful for anyone suffering with panic attacks, anxiety and agoraphobia.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks - Their Cause and Cure   An American book and definitely one of favourites.  Fun, easy to read and has a stepped program to recovery.  This book taught me some things I didn't know about panic attacks and is written by someone who has gone through it.  The author has also set up a very useful organisation that helps people recover.  The book was written in 1993 but everything is still completely relevant. 

How to Stop Anxiety & Panic Attacks: A Simple Guide to using a specific set of Techniques to Stop Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia, Fear of Driving or Flying and Stress   Written by a fellow panic attack sufferer who really has a personable approach to panic attacks.  The book really goes in depth in the emotional and psychological factors.  The description of panic disorder was exactly how I felt and you can definitely feel empathy with how he describes the struggles involved.  Geert (the author) also has produced good videos on you tube and a helpful program at ilovepanicattacks.  Highly recommended.

Free Yourself From Anxiety: A self-help guide to overcoming anxiety disorders   A book with a very caring attitude for anxious people with some great case studies of people who have various anxiety related issues.  Lots of sensible, useful and practical information you can apply to everyday life.

Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway: How to Turn Your Fear and Indecision into Confidence and Action .  One of the first books I read in my recovery.  It's very popular book.  Even though it's not really designed for panic attack sufferers, the information is still very relative.  How you live your life and lifestyle is crucial to overcoming fear.   

OTHER ARTICLES

Prevent Panic Attacks - Challenging the Thoughts which Cause Panic

What Triggers Panic Attacks?

What are the symptoms of Panic Attacks?

How to cure Panic Attack Disorder?

What are Panic Attacks

The Anxiety Nervous System