panic attcks

loismustdie

my father has recently been diagnosed with suffering panic attacks. he has had these symthoms for as long as i can remember but it comes sporadically, but in between he is still very dow, serious, feels hard done by life and is obsessed with money or his apparent lack of it even though he saves every penny, he has no interest in fun.

until recently doctors all agreed it was depression. he's spent short times in mental institutes (only days at a time) left is job due to the use of a chemical which may trigger signs, has tried dozens of drugs and takes vallium ongoing, hypnosis, psychotherapy, homopethy and so much more i can't think of at the mo

he did have strange circumstances growing up, 3 different families living together but his own dad lived somewhere else. tbh he can't remember his own childhood, psychiatrists believe this could be a factor

the normal cycle is this: he comes into a bout of this, symptoms worse in the morning from 5am on, cant sleep doesnt want to be alone, cant breath properly, very panty and effects his speech (very bad) bbasically acts like a little kid, runs around, incoherent rambling, pulls at my mams clothes asking her to help. from afternoon he is calm but never happyt, must stress that he is literallt never happy or smiling, ever.

he is then put on whatever tablets, after a while they make him worse with side effects, changes tablets sme again until he goes through loads and ends up coming off them all, except valluim until better.

he seems to be getting better now after the above cycle but i know this is just temporary. does anyone have any thoughts that might help as it's tearing my family apart. i'll try supply any more info you need if you can offer anything...

Terry

the normal cycle is this: he comes into a bout of this, symptoms worse in the morning from 5am on, cant sleep doesnt want to be alone, cant breath properly, very panty and effects his speech (very bad) bbasically acts like a little kid, runs around, incoherent rambling, pulls at my mams clothes asking her to help. from afternoon he is calm but never happyt, must stress that he is literallt never happy or smiling, ever.

Classic anxiety.
It seems like he may be relying on valium, but that's another issue for another day.
The thing about depression and anxiety is that it's not an exact science, insofar as brain chemistry differs from person to person.
This is the reason some anti-depressants will work on one person and not on another.
Your father obviously has not found the right one for him.
The only thing you can do is to be there for him when he needs you.
I know you have a life of your own and can't be there 24/7. This is understandable.
A couple of techniques I have tried to calm myself down in the past are telling myself that a panic attack will not kill me (this is true. you will pass out from hyperventalating, but you will not die. Your breathing will return to normal once you have passed out), and telling myself that there is nothing wrong with me and that I'm not having a panic attack. These only really work if you catch it in the early stages though.
He really needs to continue seeing a psychiatrist until he is better. Medical help is the only way to solve this.
As none of us know your father personally, we can't really comment on his condition fully.
I'm sorry that I can't be of more help. I'm a bit ****ed myself at the moment. I'll get back to this later.

Trinity

Mornings are my worst too. Dunno why.

I have never taken medication. WHen he goes crazy in the mornings is it just pure panic or does he have any mental problems? - it sounds like he is fighting them, thats the worst thing you can do - although letting them happen is the hardest.

One good book that teaches you how to deal with them (it wont stop them) is When Panic Attacks - by AIne Tubridy. It comes with a CD that teaches you breathing and exercise techniques.

Its very frightening what your Dad is going through and its a shame he has been suffering for so long. It doesnt sound like just panic attacks on their own though?

LegacyUser

Most important thing I think (just my opinion) is to have as much consistency re medical and psychiatric staff as possible i.e. attending the same psychiatrist that you trust, consistently. If your father agrees of course.

I agree with Terry that much of this represents classic anxiety (hyperventilation etc). Not sure though that I agree that the running around tugging at clothes etc that occurs in the afternoon is completely related to anxiety. Has he attended a medical physician also for a full history?

I don't mean that you need to go asking for blood tests and brain scans that will lead nowhere but am just wondering has a medical doctor outruled transient episodic conditions like seizures (partial seizures can cause sudden changes of behaviour). This does not need invasive investigations; any doctor should be able to figure it out pretty quickly by taking a full history.

Best of luck. This must be so tough for you. Hang in there.