Disease Mongering - Are Panic Attacks An Invention Of The Pharmaceutical Industry?

[hetrevillion]

Once-ler wrote:

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Peace, man. I hope you can overcome this some day. I also don't like crowds, but I'm more of a misanthrope than agoraphobiac.

I have had this phobia now for about 4 years and it seems to be getting worse, not better. It started out with much longer periods of normalcy before anxiety would kick in. But, the period of normalcy shrank to the point that I could not hold a job, and was declared disabled about 3 years ago. Thanks, I am looking for peace.

[Carlos]

"Dave wrote:
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Please, if you are getting medication from your doctor but not getting psychotherapy along wth the medication please consider finding a good cognitive therapist. The combination of psychotherapy and medication has been found to be the most effective approach. As a therapist I have worked with many patients who suffered from panic attacks who are now living normal lives. I get very angry when i find a doctor prescribing meds without the therapy. Good luck.

Hi Dave, I hear what you are saying but after going through various types of therapy, including two lengthy periods of cognitive therapy, I have found that for me the meds have been my only real help with my persistant GAD and panic attacks.

Cognative therapy is very labour intensive and involves spending almost every minute of the day challenging thoughts, keeping diaries and basically being wrapped up in yourself. I find therapists are quick to knock the pharm industry, but just like them they are offering a service that can cost lots of cash without any great degree of long term success, and personally I found cognative therapy to be an exaustive challenge that hopes to bring complete change from what we have spent learning for all of our childhood, and I found although a little helpful in the short term the old ways of learning just seem to shine through...

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[CBearFL]

hetrevillion wrote:

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I appreciate the thought and would like to follow your advice, but the VA doctor I go to doesn't want to prescribe therapy (cost constraints, maybe?) so I am restricted to meds only, since I cannot afford paying for therapy myself. I am on disability and it barely pays my living expenses. If not for the VA, I would not have medical treatment available. They also treat me for depression, diabetes and chronic pain management. Thank God for the VA, slow and awkward as it may be.

Your story is very similar to mine. I also dread going to the store, to the point that I would beg my husband to go with me. I currently take meds for the panic attacks. Valium, and for a while I did see a cognitive therapist. But even with insurance that gets expensive. One thing I learned from her though was to train yourself to relax and breath. It's not easy. When I could no longer afford to see her I stumbled across a class taught by a Buddhist monk. Their meditations are very similar to the exercises my therapist was teaching me. And.. a lot cheaper, just a $10 donation when I go.:-) I don't know if you have access to a Buddhist temple, but you can always Google it and see. Oh, and you don't have to convert or anything, they will teach you meditation no matter what religion you are. Just a thought since therapy is not really an option. I can tell you it has helped me a great deal. I no longer take the Valium every morning, just when I feel an uncontrollable attack coming on. Oh and I can usually go to the store by myself now. ;-)
I am so sorry you have to go through what I have to go though.

[andrea]

I have GAD and panic attacks. I've been on venlafaxine and go to a cognitive behavioural therapist. It's allowed the panic attacks to be reduced dramatically now. I could have one where I was hyperventilating and couldn't breath, crying, my face would turn grey, my hands would lock in an awkward position and I wouldn't be able to move them, and I would have this intense sensation of impending doom. It happened when I was in a stressful situation as opposed to mild attacks that would happen anywhere,anytime without warning, but would only constitute severe shortness of breath, panicky feeling, severe tremor, nausea and headache, which is not bad in comparison to a severe attack. The venlafaxine has prevented any serious attacks so if I have an attack it's only really shortness of break and panicky feeling with tremors. Yes the pharm. companies are in it for the money, but most people are money hungry. At least their service does help many people. I don't know where I'd be without my medication. (I also have hypothyroidism and take eltroxin to regulate my levels).