John:
I'm with Nonblondechef congratulating you on 38 days!
Sorry to hear you are having such problems with anxiety. Studies show that it does go way down with sobriety. It could be that the vicious cycle of your relapses are contributing to your anxiety and panic attacks.
Regular exercise can help to reduce anxiety and thus the likelihood of a panic attack. Staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet and making sure you are getting the right amount of vitamins is also important.
I have had panic attacks and some of the things that I find helpful are:
- Talking myself down from the anxiety. "I have had this feeling before and nothing bad ever happened. It will go away."
- Chewing gum. It helps me to swallow and not feel like I might choke and also helps me to breathe properly.
- Calling someone and talking...that other voice helps takes the focus away from the intense physical feelings of the panic attack.
If you are open to aromatherapy, lavender oil has been found to be beneficial in reducing anxiety.
Lavender For Panic Attacks | LIVESTRONG.COM or
Lavender - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia