Panic attacks

LegacyUser

Hiya, i suffer from really bad panic attacks when i'm out sometimes. most people think of me as being extremely outgoing so it's not something that's overt most of the time, but occasionally I just have to get up and leave because I have this claustrophobia like feeling.
Recently I was out and there's a girl I like who was out too. Anyway we'd been out for a dinner a few times and I hadn't made a move cos wasn't 100% that she was into me - we'd been friends for years and she was aware I suffer from the panic attacks - but this time we ended up holding hands and kissing a bit. My mate ended up chatting to her for a while - will admit a certain amount of jealousy kicked in and then I suddenly got a massive panic attack and had to leave. Literally, I just have to kind of run when they happen. I texted her to tell her I had to go and then got into work the next morning and there was an email from her asking if I was okay. I told her I had had the panic attack and bravely by my standards asked her out for dinner. She said defo but since then has been putting it off. Now I know I was a stupid idiot for heading off but given she knows how badly i suffer from them do I deserve a second chance? i know how she must have felt getting a text from me saying I'd left but honestly it was all I felt I could do at the time. I don't blame her if she doesn't want to see me again like that but just wondering what others think

Beetlebum

I think it's difficult for people who don't suffer from panic attacks to understand the severity and power they can have.
I haven't had one in about two years thankfully but I used to get them quite frequently. They could come on at any moment but were usually triggered by stress, lack of sleep, a severe hangover or an uncomfortable situation like you've described. I was going out with a guy who I loved but we were going through a rough patch and during this time I got them quite frequently.
I rememeber being in a cafe one day waiting on some food and a coffee and I started thinking how I'd feel if we did break up. Que panic attack and me bulldozing past the waitress to run outside. They are very scary and in the moment nothing else matters but to get away and calm yourself down.

I'm rambling on here but I think this girl should definitley give you a chance. I know you didn't ask for any advice on how to stop your panic attacks but I have a few tips if you wanna PM me that helped me alot. I haven't had one since adopting these practises.

Good luck!

jessbeth

Unregistered wrote: »

Hiya, i suffer from really bad panic attacks when i'm out sometimes. most people think of me as being extremely outgoing so it's not something that's overt most of the time, but occasionally I just have to get up and leave because I have this claustrophobia like feeling.
Recently I was out and there's a girl I like who was out too. Anyway we'd been out for a dinner a few times and I hadn't made a move cos wasn't 100% that she was into me - we'd been friends for years and she was aware I suffer from the panic attacks - but this time we ended up holding hands and kissing a bit. My mate ended up chatting to her for a while - will admit a certain amount of jealousy kicked in and then I suddenly got a massive panic attack and had to leave. Literally, I just have to kind of run when they happen. I texted her to tell her I had to go and then got into work the next morning and there was an email from her asking if I was okay. I told her I had had the panic attack and bravely by my standards asked her out for dinner. She said defo but since then has been putting it off. Now I know I was a stupid idiot for heading off but given she knows how badly i suffer from them do I deserve a second chance? i know how she must have felt getting a text from me saying I'd left but honestly it was all I felt I could do at the time. I don't blame her if she doesn't want to see me again like that but just wondering what others think

You might be just reading into it too much. Maybe she is putting it off for genuine reasons. Try asking her outright, that way you will know where you stand. I know how awful panic attacks can be as I get them sometimes too but I'm managing to conquer them and the only way is to stay put when they happen. Nothing bad will happen to you, it's just an almost unbearable feeling but if you run everytime you will make them something to be feared dreadfully whereas if you stick them out they will eventually disappear. Good luck.

unhappycamper

I have had 2 panic attacks and ended up in hospital each time with a fast heart rate. They are the most annoying things ever. It can be so hard to just function or cope when they are lurking around every corner. The thing is you have to make them stop and move on with your life. Panic attacks can get in the way of normal functioning such as relationships so get them treated. It is terrible for someone who has never had one because they try hard but can't fully understand the absolute nightmare they are. Panic attacks can make you OP (as you did) run away from any given situation. They do eventually stop. The partner you fancy hopefully will try to understand the severity of your symptoms but you yourself must learn to deal with them and get rid of them so you can function in a normal happy relationship. Best of luck OP.

Judes

First thing I'd say to OP is go and see your doctor re. the panic attacks, calming down etc. I wouldn't dare give any medical advice, particularly in a forum like this - but a few years ago I was getting a lot of panic attacks, was living in London at the time and the feelings of claustrophobia was so scary, I remember literally running out of tube stations, more than once. The sweats, the rapid heartbeat, mind ticking over all the time. Then we discovered I had an over-active thyroid. So it's really worth sitting down with your doctor, having a good chat, getting bloods checked etc. And don't worry about your friend, she's known you for years, she knows you have this problem, it will all fall into place. But get yourself sorted first. It will help your confidence too. Good luck!

Redpunto

For any decent person i dont see why it would put her off the idea of going our with ya. She might just be busy, ask her again for a definite day and see how that goes, if ya dont get a definite "date" off her though then id leave it.

LizardKing

I got my first panic attack a few months ago .. never felt anything like it before , I thought I was having a heart attack .. ended up in Beaumount ... they did tests etc. but was told next day it was a panic or anxiety attack brought on by stress... Doctor gave good advice so i'd recommend seeing your GP .. i've had a few near attacks but using the advice the doctors gave i can control them and they usually pass in a few minutes ...

LegacyUser

lads, this is why i love boards. thanks for the honesty and the advice. Honestly, i don't know how things will end up but i appreciate your input. Am at the very least delighted that people understood, somewhat at least, where I was coming from. Expected to be slammed a bit but I am glad those of you who understand what it feels like appreciate where I'm coming from.
Am a generaly thing, well after six months of "are these dates or not" you'd think I'd know but I'm just clueless.
As for getting it sorted out, don't think a GP would help tbh. Have discussed before to no benefit. maybe time to cut out caffeine? already drink about 70% less than I used to (but still too much) and diet can be mixed

wexford1

Recovery CBT meetings will end those panic attacks

http://www.recovery-inc.org/
http://www.recovery-inc-ireland.ie/meetings4print.htm