How can l stop panic attacks

Hi Paul,

Here is some advice from the community:

Sherree Morgan

I suffered sleep paralysis and night terrors, anxiety, panic, I can’t really offer strategies as such - however they’ve eased slowly but immensely as time has gone on (my stroke 14months ago)

Headphones for calming music, create yourself a playlist of what may work for you!! Speedy recovery

Judy Madge

As the partner to someone who has had a stroke, I feel it is necessary to add not only the strategies he used to cope but also mine, as the partner.

So much focus is on the person who had the stroke & very little on the person who supports them through it! You & your emotional reaction also matters!!

You must be kind to yourself & allow the many & varied thoughts go through your head… some are not kind & that is OK.

You also need an emotional & physical release & exercise is a fantastic way to do this! It helped me, so

I could support him, while he navigated through a whole new way of being. Be patient & kind to both of you…

Jo Dee

I suffered the same effects as you in the beginning. Are you on or willing to try antidepressants? I suffered post stroke anxiety and depression after my stroke and found it really helped me as well as Melatonin, moderate exercise and counselling at that time. That was 4 years ago now and I no longer wake with those horrible attacks.I think it’s completely normal to have anxiety at first that you will have another stroke. You’ve been through a a massive trauma. Don’t be afraid to try medication to get you through it. You’re brain needs lots and lots of rest . It will get better.

Judy Madge

I forgot to add that it is now 12 years later & one of our dogs has passed & the other is too old to do the old walk! My hubby now takes her on a ‘sniff & stroll’ every day & then takes himself on a very hilly & challenging walk everyday!

Stewart Greig

You’re certainly not alone Paul and it does get easier with time mate.

A couple of things that helped me fill my mind at night was to routinely watch seasons of show that I’d watched before at night, shows that I was so used to that I didn’t need to even watch them to know what was happening in them (shows like scrubs and the office), and even just hearing the theme music would help my mind settle and often I’d be asleep within a few episodes.

The second thing I’ve been doing is a more conscious form of self talk, where I internally narrate every thought I have (it sounds crazy), but I’d literally be internally talking to myself about what I was thinking in that moment, planning out the next day and whatever else. I found that by doing that my mind was occupied with whatever I was actually “saying” to myself and from that would eventually fall asleep.

All the best Paul and keep on pushing through!

Jody Dwyer

Having watched my dad have a stroke and been involved in the rehab/recovery period you realise how under appreciated and under acknowledged the psycho social and mental health aspects of having a stroke are . Whether it be a loss of function, change in occupational role or just the coming to terms with what has happened, involving a mental health professional is invaluable. There is no shame in getting professional help x.

Kerri Kezzil Jeffery

Acpuncture. You can only try. Look for ones with particular interest in anxiety /mental health. Some are better than others

Shari Kelly

Fluoxetine really helped my anxiety after trying meditation etc.

Bob CeeGee

I couldn't meditate, couldn't sit still long enough to find the quiet. Instead I found running. It's a process of mindfulness, being present in the moment, but still being able to burn off that nervous energy. Check through how your feet are falling, how your legs feel, how your hip are swiveling, is your back straight, fist unclenched, core engaged, shoulders back, head up, how's the breathing, in through the nose, out through the mouth, now how do you feel about that hill in front of you. It's time spent in the now, not worrying about the past or future. And I promise you, you will sleep deeply.

Amalia Young

Sending all the positive support your way Paul, I feel ya. I have showers if it's really bad and tell myself I am happy I am healthy I am loved. Then listen to an audiobook to go to sleep - You can heal you life by Louise Hay.

Good luck with your recovery and be easy on yourself when time get tough.

Debra Culver

I deep breathe and stay focused. Tell myself: you are OK and repeat till calm.

Nicholas Waters

I’ve found meditation to be helpful

Karen Ann

I use EFT emotional freedom technique ..tapping my chest plate

Tash Olley

Karen Ann I haven’t had a stroke but was suffering panic attacks to the point of vomiting several times a day for months after the loss of my dogs. I invested in EFT with absolutely no belief that it would help but haven’t had a panic attack since my first session. Life changingJudy Madge

After a brain haemorrhage my husband was told to go for a walk every day … not only did this help with his anxiety but it helped with managing his emotions, he took our dogs to the beach for years…the exercise helped him lose weight and increase his fitness but it also helped him manage the stress of his/our situation & worry about his/our future. Walking truly helped

Kat Moser

I use a sound machine. It's a constant

The panic attack stop after i left hospital they tried to kill me a number of times when I was in 8 months prior with same symptoms but lasted for 10 minutes claimed it was a migraine which I do not have. So when I had my another stroke from previous day they left me without food and water for 24 hours not even a drip for over 24 hours in ICU. Then they came back again when I check my medical notes in the last 10 years and found I had high cholesterol and doctor did nothing