1

Hello stranger,

Im 20 yo M
I have the same problem, although I've never traveled out of europe / north America. Will be going to the philippines for 8 weeks come jan 2013. I dont take medication for it. The thing about anxiety is the more you think about it the further down the hole you go. So when a panic attack strikes its best to dissociate and take deep breaths, 3-4 seconds inhale, pause for 3-4 seconds, exhale long (4-5 seconds) and repeat. Usually it will take a couple minutes but you will feel fine.

After controlling them so well for so long, now they just last for a couple seconds and leave. unless you dwell on them of course, and feed the feeling

My brother has the same thing, and he went to Nigeria and managed to be ok through his stress via using the same method, and keeping a journal really helps too.

stay positive and best of luck my friend =)

2

You need to do several things. One, you need to find a therapist who specializes in treating anxiety disorders with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). If you can't find one immediately, at least get yourself a workbook and getting started learning about CBT.

Without knowing what your dosage of Venlafaxine is I can't comment on why the medication doesn't seem to be working for you. Several things to consider. One, the dosage may be too low. Maximum recommended dosage of this medication is 375 mg per day. If the dosage hasn't been pushed up that high, that might explain your lack of response. Two, it may not be the right medication for you. Not everyone responds to this medication. Perhaps you need to speak with your provider about trying a different medication. Personally, as a psychiatrist with more than 30 years experience, it is not a favorite of mine.

This is an illness and you need to get it treated. Breathing exercises can be helpful but they are probably not sufficient by themselves.

Ruth

3

Yeah, I guess I should seek a therapist but now I'm running out of time. I will do that definately right after my holidays.

My dosage is 75 mg, I know it's low but I wasn't willing to increase it. That dosage has helped me two times before but the third time when I started to take this medicine, the aid wasn't that good at all. I also have Clonazepam (0,25 - 0,5 mg) and some beta blockers (10 - 20 mg) which I will have to take with me. I know I can pretty surely avoid getting panic attacks with Clonazepam + beta combo but the idea that I can't handle my vacation without these drugs really sucks. I could use those daily but would have to say no to alcohol. What a vacation! :(

Well anyway, I'm going to see a psychiatrist before the trip and I hope he can suggest me some effective opportunities (drugs). I just wish I could get my self-confidence back and forget those stupid attacks I had on my previous trips. Usually I get my self-confidence pretty quickly back if I go back to the situations that made me anxious. But it's pretty difficult to practise this when it comes to travelling... You just have to wait and wait, face your fears, travel and then see what happens.

4

Talk to your doctor about upping the dosage. Clearly it is not effective.

If it worked before, then why did you stop taking the medication? Anxiety and in particular, panic disorder is a chronic condition which waxes and wanes. You should not be starting and stopping medication. You need to take medication continuously, use therapy to learn other techniques to handle the anxiety and panic feelings and then maybe in several years you can try tapering off medication.

Sorry but alcohol is not a necessity to have a good vacation. In fact, alcohol can be contributing to your problems so cut it out completely until you get things under control.

Ruth

5

OP, Everbrite is right. I understand that you don't like relying on the medication and prefer lower doses to high, but what you are describing is a chronic, worsening, disabling condition. In response, you have certain choices to make, a few of which I will oversimplify as follows:

Is it more important to you that you not take medication, or take a low dose, than it is to travel? If so, your path is clear--take low doses, or go on and off your meds, and stop traveling.

Is it more important to you that you drink than it is that you relieve your panic and anxiety? If so, again your path is clear--drink, and don't travel.

In the longer run, is it more important to you that you not engage in treatment than it is that you be able to continue engaging in activities you find enjoyable? If so, do not engage in treatment (working with psychiatric assistance to find appropriate meds, working with a good counselor to find effective CBT and/or mindfulness-based interventions), and be prepared for continued expansion of your disability--not only when you travel, but increasingly in other areas of your life.

Progressive conditions like this tend to get worse unless treated. This is not a 100% certainty, but it is likely. You can think of all sorts of reasons not to take meds, not to get counseling, not to do what it takes in the moment of crippling anxiety or panic. These are choices, and best made thoughtfully based on the likely consequences. You already have most of the information you need to make wise choices, and are fully aware of where you need to look for further information.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck.

Mark

6

Would be helpful to know which country you are in.

As Ruth and Mark write CBT is the most effective treatment for anxiety states and there are many research studies which show this.

I'm writing as someone who was trained in traditional psychotherapy, who has had anxiety related issues for most of my life and who is now largely free following several courses of CBT. CBT is a very active process. It is not a case of simply listening and talking about feelings. Action is required and that can be challenging and difficult but is also very worthwhile.

I have a prejudice against medicines for anxiety, am not medically qualified, but I do suggest that if you seek medical advice you follow it or if you don't then it is a little unfair to say that it doesn't work.

Wishing you well. It can get worse but it can also be dealt with effectively.

Rory

7

"but I still can't get over the fear that what if an extremely intense panic attack strikes me and I will lose my mind and go crazy... Well this has never happened to me"

Please read about the subject. This is one of the commonest fears.

Enjoy your travel.

Regards Rory

8

This is an illness. This isn't a life situation. You probably have some genetic predisposition to this. Depression and anxiety are related.

One thing that you can do when you start to experience some panicky feelings is to remind yourself that you have had these feelings before and they they have never resulted in your "losing your mind" or "going crazy" so there is no reason to be concerned.

In fact, I am not sure what it means to "lose one's mind" or "to go crazy." I think these are artificial terms to describe the degree of distress you are experiencing. That being the case, you have already lost your mind and gone crazy and some how survived and returned to your "normal" state (whatever that is).

Ruth

9

This is an illness. This isn't a life situation. You probably have some genetic predisposition to this. Depression and anxiety are related.

One thing that you can do when you start to experience some panicky feelings is to remind yourself that you have had these feelings before and they they have never resulted in your "losing your mind" or "going crazy" so there is no reason to be concerned.

In fact, I am not sure what it means to "lose one's mind" or "to go crazy." I think these are artificial terms to describe the degree of distress you are experiencing. That being the case, you have already lost your mind and gone crazy and some how survived and returned to your "normal" state (whatever that is).

Ruth

10

Feelings that you are going crazy, having a heart attack, going to die, or will never return to normal are common during panic attacks. One of the reasons to work with a therapist is to learn, practice and become adept at strategies for dealing with these thoughts when they occur, thereby defusing both the thoughts and the body sensations which accompany them. It is very hard to learn this on your own, but it's essential if you want long-term relief.

FWIW, some of the medications commonly prescribed are very fast acting, and can disable a panic attack quickly. They are highly effective. That's between you and your psychiatrist, but being prepared in this way can be key to managing anxiety/panic disorders in the immediate short term.

Like some other psychiatric disorders, the more anxiety and panic you experience, the greater the likelihood you'll experience them again. That's a compelling reason to implement effective treatment now, rather than hoping it'll all go away if you change your circumstances. It might....but if it doesn't, you've made it more difficult to deal with by waiting. Very little is gained by waiting, with much at risk.

I do not think you'll hear anything different from the advice on this thread no matter which qualified professionals you ask.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

11

I'm not a professional but I have suffered like you have and on occasion I still do. I just wanted to assure you that you will eventually learn to cope with this. I know that feeling that you are going crazy or are about to die and it is bloody horrible. With a lot of help and support I have learned to recognise what is happening and control it. You will be able to get on with your life and travel without thinking about it. I'm not long back from 6 months around the world, had some amazing experiences, also some very stressful ones, got stopped by 2 scruffy looking blokes claiming to be Interpol in Bolivia asking for my paperwork.I told them to get lost in Spansh. It turned out in the end that they were Interpol and I showed them my documents and everything was fine. Now I know that years ago I would have been in bits but this time I was fine, and that made me even stronger, still does when I think about it. Sorry mate, I'm rambling now, I just wanted you to know that things can and will get better, I've now done things that friends who have never suffered from depression or anxiety would not dare do. You will to.

12

I've also had panic attacks in the past. Also put a damper on one of my vacations. I am against taking non-natural medicines. Im very against it actually but this is my personal belief. So I began to do yoga and especially meditation. What a difference meditation makes. Give it some time. Wake up 15-30 minutes earlier each day and give it a go. Read about it, learn about it, take a class on it. For me holistic healing is the way to go. I never had to take any meds and my condition is under control. Im not recommending you stop taking meds immediatly, im no healer, but do some research on alternative medicines and methods. You may find something you like. I really do hope your condition improves and that you are able to hit the road again because it is beautiful out there.

13

I always have these panic attacks. I cant stand them..... Most of the time I feel weird. When I travel I take a xannax... or something. However I love planes..... I just cant stand huge airports....high ceilings. Yes... i know! haha...
Ive been to many psych.... but everyone always says the same thing.... "exposure is key". CBT.... i had done that before... it wasnt very effective for me... not sure what is anymore.

I think instead of talking... psychologists should go with you into the situation and help you in the beginning. Ive done so many breathing techniques.... but nothing works.
When your in the situation its hard to even think..... about any breathing techniques.

14

There are psychologists with specialize in this form of exposure therapy. You just need to search and be willing to pay the bill for their time.

The goal is to practice the breathing techniques very frequently. So often that they can be called upon instantly to help the moment you start to notice that your anxiety is increasing.

You don't mention antidepressant medications. They are often extremely helpful in getting people to the point where they can learn the breathing techniques and other exposure therapies will work.

Ruth