Comfort yes.

Reveal something about your illness and see if you find good advice. Could be someone will guide you to what you already know.

I had a extreme panic attack 2011 and since then I don't feel the same. My doctor prescribed Lexapro, Zoloft along with other meds which didn't seem to work. then all of a sudden I started getting catastrophic thoughts, palpitations and not having the urge to live life to the fullest. I've tried the meds, staying active and trying to keep my mind of things but only seems to work for a bit. Maybe talking to someone who is truly going threw and knows the exact same feelings I am feeling will help. Even talking to my Doc or someone with no anxiety make me feel like I am really going crazy especially when I am trying to explain something but I can't find the right words.

You may find keeping a daily journal of your menu, activities, and thoughts will help you sort through the different patterns so you can practice distraction to break the usual cycle of anxiety.

Best wishes. This is a wonderful support group.

First off, welcome to this forum.
People get stuck in the cycle of anxiety and panic attacks becuz they do not understand what it is....and most people focus on the symptoms even when they know that it is anxiety. They symptoms are what is called "fight or flight" response with so many symptoms....whatever your imagination can come up with. Once you focus on the symptoms....it tends to snowball and before you know it.....you are in a full blown panic attack.
Realize that panic attacks and anxiety will not kill you....it just feels like it. What has happened is you have unconsciously flipped the panic switch and it is stuck on "active".
Your mind is creating the anxiety in response to your thoughts and fears (most are unfounded or blown out of proportion).
You may be suffering from a traumatic event in the past and when you get in a similar situation....it trips the switch. You may not even be aware of what trauma or stressful situation that caused it and that is ok. If it does bother you....get some counseling.
I have found for myself that my family of origin fostered a negative environment and I then married into a negative situation which ended in divorce. I also endured a traumatic loss and held in my feelings for decades.
Tons of negative situations heaped on top of more negative events and situations.....which unconsciously.....I became a negative Nelly. I thought I was a positive person despite my negative past...but in digging deeper.....I found the negative under tones and have dealt with them head on.

The good news is.....anxiety is curable (I'm living proof). However, there is no quick cure and you have to actually do the work.
You can make new pathways in the brain to change from being negative to positive.
You have to make a conscious effort to tune into your thoughts and feelings. Whenever you catch yourself thinking something negative or doing something negative.....interrupt the thought (this takes practice and must be done consistently which takes a good portion of your day....but then so does the anxiety).
When you interrupt the negative thought or if you feel the anxiety symptoms......acknowledge it. Start doing deep breathing (take a deep breath in through your nose....hold it several seconds then blow out through pursed lips slowly for several seconds)....this done several times will make you light headed but it will trip your sympathetic system and slow your heart rate (work on relaxing along with the breathing. I like to distract myself by popping a few pieces of gum balls in my mouth (I let the wonderful taste distract me from the symptoms.....plus the chewing relieves the stress...it takes the place of smoking....been quit for 3+ years).
Once you recognize the anxiety coming on......find the thought you are thinking at that moment and counter it (i.e. "Boy....I sure am stupid!" and counter it with "I may not know the answer, but it doesn't make me stupid.....I can ask someone who knows the answer!").
I practice gratitude EVERY day and sometimes several times a day. I find it necessary to find the good in life.
That also reminds me....TURN OFF THE NEWS!!!! This just feeds your fears. There are things that are out of your control and worrying about it will add to your anxiety, is counter productive, and feeds your fears. Just live in the moment. That is all any of us has. While worry about something that may never happen, you miss out on the joy of right now.

Also......a few other IMPORTANT factors to banishing anxiety and panic attacks. Make sure you eat a balanced diet. I know it's the holiday season.....but make sure you also get those veggies, fruit, and protein.....whole grains are better than starchy white grains. Drink plenty of water.....careful with the soda and alcohol.
Also.....get moving. Find something fun to do like taking walks (this is best cuz getting out in nature is SOOOOO important). However, stuff like yoga, stretching, and or rollerskating.....or other fun activities helps relieve stress and is sure to lift your mood.
Lastly.....get plenty of sleep. I suffered from insomnia, but since I have gotten better.....sleep is bliss again :)

Meds can be a good thing.....but they have so many side effects, but may be necessary until you get over the hump and start to do the work and are headed in the right direction.
I have been med free for almost 2 years :)

I'm probably leaving some stuff out, but this is a good start.

There is a woman on here, her user name is AdventureGuide. She will friend you so that you have access to her journal. She has a 12 week guide in her journal on a step by step process of ridding yourself of anxiety (it's free). She explains everything about anxiety....I've given her shortened version to help give you a kick start.
I wish you the best that life has to offer.
If you do what I have stated and practice it til it becomes a habit (30 days)......I guarantee you freedom from this awful monster called anxiety and panic attacks.

A very warm welcome to the group. I think you will read posts and realize how much you can relate to others and find support that often times we can't find anywhere else. Hugs GB

Welcome!

Comfort or relief: Somewhat, but sometimes I find talking ABOUT anxiety only fixates the mind on anxiety, which makes anxiety worse.

I like distraction therapy, talking about other things, lightening up the mood, having a few laughs, and I definitely like physical exercise, particularly bicycling, as a way to level off anxiety. It serves the purpose of exhausting me, and I can't possibly be anxious when I'm exhausted.

There's times were I need to talk to someone abt my anxiety and I guess I talk to the wrong people because they either make it worse by telling horrible possibilities that 1. im crazy 2. I need help 3. I am not normal...Or sometimes they make me feel at ease but not quiet satisfy at the end. I try to do as much activities as I can to relax my mind and body it helps temporarily.