Bipolar with Anxiety & Panic Attacks
I'm bipolar and suffer from anxiety disorder
but can't stay on the anxiety medications...
Anxiety Question:
How many of you out there are Bipolar and have severe anxiety and panic attacks and cope without medication?
I am bipolar and suffer from serious panic/anxiety disorder but can't stay on the anxiety medications. Too expensive!
Anxiety Answer:
First and foremost pray and then start looking for information to help you with anxiety attacks because the Bible says Seek and you WILL (not may) find.
Believe me, having been through anxiety attacks I know how motivated you are to get help. I believe you will get help and I am on your side in the battle.
It is very important to do this with the guidance of a trained psychologist or psychiatrist but there are ways to cope with anxiety dosorder without medication in many instances.
Don't laugh, but many times anxiety attacks are caused by hyperventilating. When you hyperventilate you are actually changing the chemical composition of the blood. It is a vicious spiral because the more you get anxious the more you hyperventilate which makes you more anxious ad infinitum.
I am not talking about consciously hyperventilating but rather hyperventilation you are not necessarily aware of, basically improper and shallow breathing. Sometimes if you will slow the rate at which you breathe and breathe from your diaphragm, you can mitigate your anxiety attack.
There is another technique for dealing with the acute portions of an anxiety attack. There is a book by Dr. Claire Weekes called Hope and Help for your Nerves. She talks about the four stages:
- Facing
- Accepting
- Floating
- Letting time pass
Also, be sure to get a complete medical workup. Sometimes anxiety attacks are related to a thyroid condition or mitral valve prolapse.
Back from Anxiety Answer
to Anxiety Questions