How often do you get panic attacks?

[panicstricken 4]

I usually have a panic between 2-4 times a month. Although, there have been times when it was about 4 times a week. It really depends on many factors. My mood has a lot to do with my panic attacks, if I don't have a job I will panic almost everyday. When I have something to keep my mind busy, I have less panic attacks.

How often are you in the clutches of panic?

[Gilly 1086]

At first it was every day. Then it lessened. I get anxious and anxiety attacks still but this year I have only had 2 full blown panic attacks.!

[scotty 1]

I honestly don't get them THAT much maybe one every few months, but I still feel like it is a problem, because I don't know how to deal with the situation! I think as in full blown panic attacks I have only had two. One while driving in an unfamiliar area, and I was completely lost, and terrified because of all the traffic, and one last night.

[shaun 6]

I rarely have a full on panic attack. I often feel anxious and go inside myself, but not a full panic attack. I once had a panic attack and felt like I was going to die, I literally couldn't breathe and felt like I was about to explode. Thankfully, this is a very rare occurence. I have learned to manage my anxiety to prevent panic attacks.

[BonnyC 1]

I have only had a few full blown attacks and it wasn't fun at all. But, I have bouts of panic once a week or so. It's getting better. But, my biggest problem is imagining worst case scenarios. Sometimes out of the blue even though it's not about a situation I'm in or anything I've dealt with recently. Like, I'll be working on the computer and I'll suddenly think of what would happen to one of my kids if they pulled the dresser over on themselves in their room trying to get something out of it.

It's really upsetting. I hate having to deal with the sudden fear and seizing up.

[Urban Legend 0]

A method that has been helpful for many patients that I have come in contact with is a physical stimulus. Something to make a person physcially take the mind off the panic attack. Typically these involve rubber bands on the wrists. They simply pull the rubber band back and let it strike them when they are going through an episode and the attack seems to lessen. Doesn't work all of the time, but it is worth a try. Hope this works for some of you out there.

[char2011 1]

I used to have panic attacks quite regular but then over time I have learnt how to deal with them and these days I barely have them.

[Dawn 1]

I started getting them around the time my husband was made redundant and I was getting one or two every night. After a couple of weeks I think exhaustion kicked in and I slept a night through. That let me know I could.

I'm now just having a couple a week and they're not quite as bad as they were. Unfortunately, I know I have good reason to panic so it's hard to get on top of the fear.

[farrah 2]

Every time I get ready to leave my house. While I am getting ready, my head starts sweating like crazy. This is so annoying, because I have to keep using the hair dryer to dry my hair. I don't like leaving the house, and this is one of the reasons why. I don't even know exactly what it is I am afraid of. But it is just like something is saying "don't go" inside of me....

[SEA81 2]

I actually don't get them very often; I just have a non-stop barrage of physical anxiety symptoms. I get them mostly at night or when I get really upset with family and friends.

[melindacarter84 0]

I get them 2 to 3 times a day......Why am I having them so bad?

[b00ts 16]

My panics can go up and down. There for awhile back in September-October I was panicking several times a day, even woke up with severe anxiety. Those were bad times. When I'm not in a panic storm I may full on panic once a month or every couple of months.

[Mrs. Rogers 2]

The only time I get them is when I sit and dwell too much on the negative parts of my life. I try to stay working. I work from home though, so sometimes if I get too stressed I tend to think too much and get off track and stress....thus inducing a panic attack. If you work from home I suggest making yourself hourly goals and as you see yourself hourly making money the stress reduces.

[Esperahol 0]

A full blown attack happens very rarely for me, but I usually get my more worrisome attacks at night specifically late at night. I think it has to do with the fact I'm not actively engaged. I need to be engaged in order to avoid panic attacks, though of course sometimes they just plain overwhelm me (including at work). I guess I would say I get maybe two or three attacks a week, but they are mostly mild and I can just pace until I feel better.

[Chryss 0]

I used to live in a middling state of panic 24/7 and that was if I didn't go anywhere. If I tried to get groceries, I'd be in full panic and I could only manage half an aisle of groceries before the panic was too great for me to go on. It was like living in a war zone. I'm in Canada, no wars here, but that's what it felt like. I expected attack all the time. I lived like that for years but kept jobs and supported myself - I don't know whether to be proud of that or not. Maybe it was just being stubborn.

Anyway I finally collapsed and I'm on disability now. Reduced income but now I've got meds that work. These days my panics are situational. I rarely panic without knowing why. If the question is "how often" then my answer would be "As often as I go to the mall." Or the dentist, etc.

The best thing I learned was to grab that first instant of panic and *know* that it's panic. That defuses it somewhat. It's not a nameless horror, it's a panic attack.

[SarahLizzie 2]

I used to suffer from panic attacks daily. Then I began self medicating, slightly each day, which has slowed my panic attacks down to once a month or every other month.

I will never forget the first time I experienced a panic attack. I had no idea what was going on. We were getting off a halloween cruise, which my costume had 13 inch heels. All of a sudden I could not breathe, and was dizzy, felt as though I was going to pass out, and could not help but cry. The area I was trapped in was wall to wall people, you literally could not move. I felt like I was going to die. It was terrifying. My boyfriend at the time though I was faking it so I could get out of the crowd quicker.

[Therese28 0]

Hi SarahLizzie, what did you do to get rid of your panic attacks?

For me, i had 2 full blown panic attacks this year but most of the time i feel very anxious and i struggle to calm myself so as to avoid going into a full blown panic attack.

[amille86 0]

I have just started getting them this year and wasn't quite sure what they were at first. I usually only have them at work when I screw up cutting material and get chewed out for it. My boss is aware of it now though and I think he tries not to chew me out to bad anymore. I found out I also have adhd and I think that is why I was screwing up so much.

I would say it was around 1 or 2 a month I was having, it's definitely lessend once I figured out what they were and how to control them. I am pretty good at talking myself out of them if I feel one starting.

[Gilly 1086]

Welcome to AC amille, glad to hear you have gotten some control over your panic attacks Panic attacks are truly horrible, and if you can understand them and not fear them then that is half the battle right there. Really well done on being able to talk yourself out of them

[amille86 0]

Thank you!

[JOYCICLE 654]

Yes Amille , You're a rock star !

Learning and knowing about your condition is the most important and best way to attack it.

When you know what it is, its' not a scary BLOB coming at you ! Good for you

[Introvrtd1 3]

For me its brought on by the Alcohol......no drinking....no anxiety....simple. But.......thats a work in progress......

[JOYCICLE 654]

Intro, I noticed since I've quit drinking, about 6 or 8 yrs now, that if I do drink, I am almost immediately filled with dread. I can only attribute it to the need to be in as much control as possible. Alcohol diminished your control over your thoughts and actions and taht's a big NO NO for the control freak in me. I have been thinking for a while that at the heart of all ocd/ panickeers is a deep seeded control freak. Maybe we need to work on loosening CONTROL along with battling our anx !