Need some advice from people with GAD and/or panic disorder?

Do any of you have panic attacks that literally last for several hours, not just the 10 or 15 minute kind? Am I alone or are there others out there who's attacks are this severe?Need some advice from people with GAD and/or panic disorder?
I have them for several hours also. It's like it intensifies and like sometimes I can mange the attacks and sometimes I literally feel as if I'm going to die. I always felt that there was nothing that I could do and always just wanted to go the ER because I thought there was something wrong with me. Now I control it with medication which has helped me tremendously but I suddenly have been feeling some anxiety and think that I may need to up the dose.





Try to get help by either going to see a doctor or a therapist which may help you ultimately manage your life better.





Maybe you need to change medication or either have a higher dose.Need some advice from people with GAD and/or panic disorder?
The human body is physically unable to sustain a true ';panic attack';, which involves the ';fight or flight'; response, with an associated elevated production of adrenaline, so consider it to be more of an anxiety condition. See anxiety treatments, at ezy build (below) in section 6. Set yourself a specific time period for worrying about anything, (say; around three quarters of an hour, possibly when you get home, or after your evening meal, but not too close to bedtime) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even entertain the thought of worrying again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life.





You will have had your ';worry time'; for the day, and can just write down any more thoughts that come to mind, and say to yourself: ';Well, I'll just have to worry about that tomorrow, won't I?';. It is important to deal with a negative internal monologue (self talk), or mental process, such as disturbing thoughts, or images, by the process of (a): recognising it, and (b): challenging it immediately.





When you notice something negative, such as: ';I'm never going to get over this!'; or: ';Why am I always so pathetic/useless/such a loser?'; or even: ';I can't do this/will never get over this!';, or a disturbing image, recognise that this is part of the mindset which will hold you back from progress. Having identified and labelled it, visualise a large red ';STOP!'; sign, and/or possibly a stern faced person wagging an index finger at you in a negative manner, then say to yourself as forcefully as you can, even aloud in a big voice, if alone: ';I know this tactic: GO AWAY FOR A WHILE !!!';





You may want to use either: ';ruse';, ';ploy';, ';game';, or ';trick';, instead of ';tactic';. In the case of an image, visualise a large ';STOP'; sign, or your preferred version. Some people go so far as to keep a wide rubber band in their pocket, then put it around their wrist, when they catch themselves backsliding, stretch and release it, as a method of reprogramming their mind sooner, but I don't regard it as being strictly necessary. Remember to remove it, afterwards, if you use this method.





Practice one of the relaxation methods in sections 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Alternatively, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: ';Even though I sometimes suffer from anxiety, I deeply and completely accept myself.'; Neurofeedback treatment for anxiety is increasingly becoming available. Herbal remedies, such as valerian, (which is not recommended for use if depression is also present) passionflower, or St.John's wort, are often effective, but the idea is (as with anxiolytic medication) to use them like water wings, or training wheels on a bicycle, providing initial support, and giving time for other treatments, such as therapy, and relaxation techniques, to take effect.





A variant of EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety, is shown in section 42, on page i, at ezy-build. I have found that the 2 - 3 minutes spent using the EMDR markedly reduces distractions to the relaxation process, and is repaid many times over. Panic attack breathing technique; section 8, at ezy build. Acupressure method; (above answer) section 53.
Ya, I also have extremely long panic attacks, a couple days to few months or more. For me all the klonopin and xanax i was prescribed just caused severe addiction. I'm sticking with zoloft and amitriptylan for now, I also do yoga,exercise and meditation as forms of ,well, coping I guess, but is just too hard to do any of that when really panicking . Good luck with whatever you do.
I had a panic attack that lasted for 5-6 yrs. Even woke up in my sleep. And it was pretty much constant, although of course there were times it was very very intense with the pounding heart and sweats and all. So yes, it can last for a very long time. At the peak of the problem, I would be up for days afraid to go to sleep and afraid to go outside. It was horrible. I found out about an accupressure technique and after two applications the panic was gone. Also, I have found additional techniques since then as well. Try this one.. sit quietly and stare into a mirror. Sounds freaky but for some reason it works. Anyway, don't give up hope. I haven't had any more panic attacks since I did the accupressure thing, so there is hope.
mine has lasted for like 5 hours or longer before depends on the situation that braught them on and stuff sometimes i cant sleep a night with them i jus have to like read or watch tv or something to take my mind off of it so i can get rid of them good luck
Up your Ativan dosage until you see the doc and then ask for something longer acting like klonopin.
yes i have had them for hours i now take xanax when they start and dont wait i am also on zoloft 100 tell your doctor how long they last and you just cant deal with that time length
my panic attacks last however long it takes me to calm down. sometimes i'll feel that way for hours on end