[Rudder]

Although very frightening, anxiety attacks are not one bit dangerous. As soon as you fully understand that simple point your attacks will cease. Relax, you're safe.

Do not take Xanax, Valium or Ativan. These will not effect a cure, only a temporary relief, and are very addictive. These attacks are neurochemical (adrenalin) "false alarms" that signal that you are in danger---however, it's only a false alarm and you are perfectly safe.
(Advice I've given many, many former patients.)

[honeygrl]

"These attacks are neurochemical (adrenalin) "false alarms" that signal that you are in danger---however, it's only a false alarm and you are perfectly safe."

But during one of the attacks, you can tell yourself as many times as you want that you are safe and there is no real danger but that does not fix it. I tried all the relaxation techniques before going the drug route and it just didn't work for me. I do know now how to recognize when an attack is trying to begin and can sometimes work through it without medicinal help. But most of the time, there is just too much stress around me to do that. Since I can't stop the stress around me (2 difficult children that drive you nuts to take them anywhere with only one adult to hold one and keep the other from getting in to everything), the only other option is to stop the stress inside me, which does require the xanax for me. My doctor totally agrees with me on the issue too. Have you ever had an anxiety or panic attack? It's terrifying.