As long as I read this forum I will never understand why people have problem taking drugs for a MEDICAL CONDITION, which is what you have. Glad to hear though, that all the 'natural" things didn't work--maybe that will help some other people on here understand why hope doesn't come in a bottle on a health food store shelf.

Yes, going on and off a drug is not doing your brain any favors. If you want to use the drug, "as needed" that is fine, and people can go years like that---but to take it every day for 6 months, then stop it, then go back on it, then stop it again, is not a recipe for a good outcome. Talk with your psychiatrist, and let them help you decide how to take this drug so that it can benefit you for the longest period of time. You have to think long term, and realize that you may have this problem for the rest of your life---plan for the worst, and hope for the best.

panic attacks can be stopped, usually with meds and learning CBT
xanax at the start of a panic attack is safe, disolve a tablet under the tongue, the dose you need varies a lot from person to person

agree that sadly the 'natural' remedies give placebo effect help only

Thanks for the inputs and insights. After a long bout with insomnia, I had to do it. and I'll try to use it when really and extremely necessary.

I've had my xanex for 6 years and take it on an as needed basis only. Sometimes that as needed is only one time a one and only once and don't see the bottle again for 6 months. Or, there are times when I need it everyday for several months. My body changes and my doctor seems to be ok with me knowing what my body needs. However, xanex is very addictive as you already know. So in this case taking it for several months could be more harmful. I do find myself struggling to back off after having a long bout of anxiety for a month or two. However, when taken only once here and there. I've never had any issues.

I do, however, think there are natural things that can help with anxiety but one should still always seek a medical doctor and keep their prescription medication on hand for emergencies. I've seen a homeopathic doctor in the past and was greatly helped by her natual supplements. I stopped taking them once I started feeling better and felt great for almost a year. I've started feeling sick again recently and have had to rely on my xanex to pull me through though. I think a good combination of a good MD and a good natural doctor helps in a healing process.

I must disclose though that I go back and forth in my healing because I do also have a thyroid disorder. I felt great for periods of time and sick for periods of time. It's just the autoimmune graves disease roller coaster.

Best of luck to you and I hope you won't need the xanex for long :) My doctor even told me he keeps xanex around if he is having trouble sleeping or had a long stressful day at work. It said it's great to have on hand. Just don't over do it.

I just don't want to feel like I'm weak.

Would you be "weak" if you an inhaler to breathe when you have asthma? Some people need medicine to function when they have a medical condition. If you had asthma, you wouldn't "enjoy" being on inhalers, but you would recognize that if you want to breathe during an attack, then you have to use the inhaler!

This is no different. Your brain is not doing the same thing as everyone else's --it is sending you the wrong signals and causing all kinds of havock in your body. So you have to recognize that, and either deal with it, or control it with medication. You ARE NOT weak if you choose to take medicine--you are just practical. It takes YEARS for some people to develop a technique to calm themselves during an attack, and many don't ever figure it out. That is why panic disorder is a MEDICAL CONDITION, just like asthma is.

If you need medication, TAKE IT, and get your life back.

I think mom on here said it best I just want to add

People say they don't get why people get so upset about taking meds cause people with low blood sugar do or people with high blood pressure do as well. The difference here is they take it or die people with panic will never die from a panic attack ever and you can over come them without drugs hard yes they still come yes but you can do it without pill popping everyday or ever! That's the difference people that are sick take meds to get better or keep them selves alive with there pills panic pills cover up thoughts and emotion no real danger to your body is saved by takin a pill

You can die from a panic attack. Not right away, but studies have shown that people with chronic panic disorder are at higher risk for developing heart conditions over time., probably due to the excess levels of hormones that are secreted during the attacks, but they are still studying this.

As for your other theory, people with OCD, and schizophrenia don't DIE from their conditions, and yet they take have to take medications, many have to take them for life. Panic disorder is a medical condition, and you can't "think" your way out of it. All you can do is think your way AROUND it, and there is a difference in these two statements.

I use to feel the same way but what my doctor said is that your body has to forget what the panic attack feels like the longer it does then you will find yourself not having to take the Xanax. I take .25 in the morning and then before bed, I have been on it for about 8 months and last week i was able to get up in the morning and forget to take it and then realize mid day I made it without it....

Boy sounds like you all have great doctors. Mine did not tell me the implication of Xanax and after doing my own research, I got side diuretics bar by the addiction and the side affect of it. So needless to say, I got scared of iT and got off. And now i'm back on it for now. Btw I really appreciate all the inputs.