Vicki, Thanks for clarifying with me. Have you tried relaxation techniques? What about breathing techniques? For tonight, prepare by reducing your anxiety level as much as you can. Try a hot bath, some soothing music or a warm beverage? Tomorrow do sign up for the Panic Diary where you can record your daily level of anxiety. This may pinpoint the why you are having attacks. You can also find how helpful it is to use breathing techniques to help you deal with your panic and anxiety. The Panic Program can help you understand more and may help you go about challenging your thoughts. By keeping the journal or diary, it may assist you with some answers. As moderators we are unable to make diagnosis' or give out medical advice. Keep Strong, Josie ______________________________ The Panic Center Support Team.

Good answer, Fixing.

Vickivdb: I'm no expert, but I've been going through this on and off for six years now, so I've learned quite a lot, and I've come a long way! But there's always more room for improvement ;) When I first started having panic attacks I was at university, and I couldn't understand why I was having them or what was causing them. This was the scariest part was that they weren't rational to me. I remember an early attack at HMV, I was browsing through the CDs and all of a sudden this fear gripped me. I started to feel faint, racing heart, and a nearly uncontrollable urge to get out of there (fight or flight). There is to this day no real reason I can think of that I felt that way. I rode it out and that was one of the first attacks I felt like I conquered by not giving in to the urge to run. I have read that most often people with anxiety/panic feel that their first attacks came out of the blue. Usually some sort of physical symptom has caused it (eg being out of breath, getting sun stroke or feeling dizzy from getting up too fast). The problem starts when we start to fear the panic attack itself. CBT is something that will give you the tools to move forward by challenging the fear of the fear itself. (have you ever fainted from an attack? - NO, have you ever died from an attack? - NO, it's only uncomfortable, like going up the roller coaster before the big drop) Our perception of our feelings is what counts, and that may be what is getting skewed. The symptoms of an anxiety attack (rapid heart rate, faintness, upset stomach, sense of unreality) are very similar to feeling excitment. Even something as great as an orgasm has many of these same symptoms, but we perceive them in our minds to be good things and don't associate them with fear. You mentioned in your intro that you are a "control freak", I'm the same way, but trying hard not to be. This can lead to patterns of thinking that have been found to be common in anxiety/panic sufferers. There's something refered to as "Should or Must" thinking, this is when you say to yourself that you should feel/act/think/react (whatever) in a certain specific way. This is a type of "negative self-talk" that puts pressure on you. CBT will help you change you thinking patterns, traditional psychoa

Josie - yes, I took the test. It didn't help me too much. I know what I'm feeling, etc...but there was not "reason" for it. I feel anxious, but I have no idea why. The test didn't help clarify anything. Fixing - wow, you seem to know a lot about all of this. My doctor did the usual testing I'm sure, blood work, etc. And I'm not suffering from other symptoms, but I have a follow up with him this week and will ask if we're missing something. If maybe we're going down the wrong path? I donno. Do we always have to KNOW what causes it? I mean, aren't there people like me? Who have no idea why it's happening?

Hi Vickivdb, Sometimes anxiety/panic can be caused by a physical problem: The first thing your doctor should have ruled out are things like cardiovascular problems, asthma, seizure disorders, diabetes, hypothyroidism and problems with the inner ear. Some drugs and medications can also cause anxiety problems for example: stimulants, thyroid supplements, cold medications, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, certain blood pressure medications, steroids, and even anti-depressants can cause anxiety symptoms. Also, drugs such as caffeine, alcohol and marijuana can be another potential source of anxiety symptoms. Finally, balanced nutrition, exercise (esp. cardio), and getting a good nights sleep are important factors that help your body to react to stress in a "normal" way. With all of those factors ruled out it is generally either something that happened to us (ie: a traumatic experience), or a learned behaviour/ pattern of thinking that causes anxiety. For me it is a combination of both. I've stopped doing drugs, I don't drink coffee or tea anymore, I eat better and go to the gym, I try to sleep at regular times and wake up at regular times. Now I have to work on my patterns of thinking that always seem to dwell on negative "what if's?", and other forms of distorted thinking that effect the way I feel on a daily basis. I am now in therapy and am slowly learning how to identify and change these thoughts that I never really noticed before. The program on this site is designed to do the same thing. Keep at it, it'll only make you stronger. FIXING

vicki, Have you tried the anxiety test? This may better help assess the situation. You can also take a copy to the doctor for further assessment. Let us know how we can help, Josie _______________________________ The Panic Center Support Team.

I've been having attackes for just over a month, and on good days...none...BUT, most days I have an uneasy feeling. Slightly anxious up and down. When I'm busy at work or with friends, I feel ok...but when I stop being occupied, it starts. Sometimes I think because I've taken a moment to realize that I've felt good for a while. I can honestly say that I have NO idea what causes my attacks or general all day feeling of anxiousness. As a working mom, there are a lot of things that can be "tough"...but nothing I haven't dealt with all the time. My husband is very involved and supportive, I have a good, low-stress job with reduced hours, and lots of friends and family that are also very supportive. I'm not a person who bottles up at all. If something is bothering me, I get on the phone to family or friends to 'vent'. There are no major problems in my life at all. In fact, it's really quite wonderful! I'm in a great marriage with a healthy, well behaved little boy, good job, decent income... So what's my problem? What would make me anxious? All these people out there with much much worse stressful lives then me. This is why I have always felt that my feelings of anxiety are physical. Because there is no reason at all to feel anxious or panic about anything in my life. BUT, the typical tests have been done and everything is fine. Anyone out there have NO idea why they have their anxiety and panic? Should I seek counselling? Maybe there is some deep dark secret I don't know about...but I just can't find any reason for any of this. I've told my doctor and he has just told me to continue with the Xanax and wait and see. He has suggested counselling as a next step...but I just don't know what I'd tell them?