See, we can’t always change the way we feel, but we can change the way we think and that is key to recovering from most forms of mental illness. I’ll give you an example using a panic attack I had yesterday. I take steroids daily for a life threatening illness and one of the symptoms of regular steroid use is panic. The first thing I did was take 1 mg. of Ativan. That’s the medication end of it. But in the process, I worked on controlling my reaction to the panic. I focused on breathing to put oxygen back into my body and, using some basic biofeedback, I worked on slowing my heart rate down. In a short period of time, I was back to feeling normal. I can’t control the onset of a panic attack as anything can bring on a panic attack, but I can change the way I react to it.

I would encourage you to continue taking your medication to treat your specific problem(s). But I would also encourage you to go through therapy to learn to change the way you think. And on a note concerning helping others, I’ve learned that I can’t keep my recovery unless I share it with others. The act of helping others is very powerful in your personal recovery as it gets you out of yourself.

http://www.expert-help.com/anxiety/attacking_anxiety.htm?GCID=S14017×001&KEYWORD=attacking+anxiety

The book or Video "The Secret" is good as well! The main thing about anxiety is all in what you think. Goal being: Positive, positive, positive. Exercise really helps a lot.

Anxiety is caused from a traumatic experience or it could also be hereditary, or drugs. I had it pretty bad (didn’t leave my house for months) but after the attacking anxiety program I got out more and have been able to do more things. I still have a long way to go, but am better than I was (probably a bit harder without meds). Right now I am reading The Secret.

It’s all about controlling your thoughts. A lot of my anxiety comes from when I think about how weird life is. I am not a religious person and I have a lot of questions and thoughts about how life started…stuff that no one can really answer (we are told to have faith, but how can one have faith if they don’t know what to believe).

I could go on and on about anxiety, but try out some different things and see what works best for you. Good luck!

1.Breathe properly. (You probably know this already, but …) if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.

2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks, anxiety, depression, agoraphobia etc. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. (After 15 years of panic attacks, mine stopped completely). You can take a course for free online at: http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/elear... It has been funded by NHS Scotland and has had great results thus far.

3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really help if you practise often enough. This site has instructions on how to do it without the tapes (and other useful info): http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resource...

I would really, really recommend CBT. It completely changed my life. Hope you feel better soon. Best of luck.