I actually have a pretty bad anxiety disorder. I get panic attacks a lot along with it. I take Prozac everyday but I still get panic attacks from time to time.

When I get a panic attack I try to think about what it is that I am actually panicing over then I close my eyes and just try to think abut the seriousness of the problem. Is it something I can fix? Is it something that mostpeople deal with as well? If so then I cna usually calm myself down by thinking of how to fix whagtever I am panicking over.

Not sure if I have ever had an anxiety or panic attack, but I do get anxious, tense and worried about things. Prayer helps me a lot, so that is my first step. Next, if it is something that I can actually do something about, I plan easy steps that I can take to resolve the issue -- one 'baby' step at a time, as planning too much too quickly can add to anxiety and make me feel overwhelmed. If it is something I have no control over, I give it to God in prayer and leave it with Him. I have a prayer journal that I record things in and writing it down helps. When the issue gets resolved I write about that too, and often reading all my resolved issues feeds my faith and calms my heart regarding my most recent anxiety. I admit, that often I have to go to God again and again and again and ask for peace. Eventually, the message gets through to me and I do gain peace and comfort.

The psychologist I used to work for treated many people with anxiety disorders and he used various techniques, depending on the person and the extent of the anxiety. Some people needed to be referred to an M.D. for medication. Others did well with hypnotherapy in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy. Some needed only to learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery. Every person is different. As I've said, prayer works well for me, as does meditating on certain bible verses such as the 23rd Psalm or the Our Father (which I consider a form of relaxation therapy). I just finished reading a very helpful book for those who have trouble letting go of anxious thoughts, which I want to recommend. It's called Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.

I've dealt with it in the past by simply avoiding it, but doing this has also cut some very precious things from my life, namely my children. I get an anxiety attack every time I have to deal with my ex or his wife, because they are just simply mean to me. I don't know any more mature way to put it.

I have decided this year that I am going to face my fears, and stand up to them, even if they don't like it, because I love my kids. I didn't let them break up my marriage to my husband, and I let that get stronger before trying to move forward with my children. Now, I'm goin to establish a relationship with my children again whether my ex and his wife like it or not. I shouldn't have let them stand in the way in the first place, but I wasn't strong enough to stand up to them yet. I now think that I am.

The way that I am going to stand up to them is to meditate prior to each time that I visit my children. Take deep breaths, and take my time. After each successful visit, I will celebrate a little. After each unsuccessful visit, I will reassess the situation, and take the time to calm myself before dealing with life again. I still may not be able to have all my visitation, for the very simple reason that I don't have my own transportation and my husband works during some of those hours, so he cannot drive me. I'm just going to take baby steps, and retreat temporarily when things go wrong. That's really all you can do with panic attacks anyway. A temporary retreat will help you to gather your strength again.

I take an antidepressant and that helps a bit. Since I've retired, my life has calmed down quite a bit but there are still times I need a little something extra to get through some stressful times.

During times when I need something more, I take one or two St John's Worts. It helps keep me calm and able to function without the heart-pounding, mind-numbing, trouble breathing, panic / anxiety symptoms taking me over.

It is really amazing how good it works. When I was still working, it helped keep me calm and able to thing clearly when I went to job interviews and presentation meetings. When I feel angry or sad, it helps level out my mood. When I feel stressed, it calms me down.

That is how I deal with my anxiety now. St John's Wort.

Antidepressants work in some cases but they can cause many unwanted side effects. Buspar is a very good medication for generalized anxiety that will not cause addiction and it has some antidepressant activity as well as a bonus. For the panic attacks, the best med is Xanax and I would take that as needed when you first feel a panic attack coming on. Xanax and the other benzodiazepines like valium and clonazepam (all the -pam drugs) can cause an addiction but its unlikely if you just take it as needed and never increase the dosage without doctor's permission. Also extremely beneficial is having a therapist to talk to who will delve into any issues that may be behind the anxiety/panic.
I wish you could luck with your anxiety, I'm sure you will come out on top! :)