Panic attacks... starting to disrupt my work/social life.... any tips?

eskimo

I had a major panic attack in July. It was the first time it had happened to me. My mouth, face, arms and hands, and legs all went numb, my body went into some sort of spasm, I couldn't breathe properly, started having palpitations, and ended up sprawled out on the floor trying to get my body to calm down because it was in a state of extreme tension. The symptoms terrified me while they were happening because I didn't know what was going on.

Two weeks later, I had another one.

A few months passed, and during that time at various times I felt another one coming on but I managed to control it before it got out of hand.

In the past two weeks though I have been having really bad faintness, tight chest, shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations, really horrible dizziness, blurry vision, nausea, pressure around my head and my neck, a feeling that I was being pushed down, or pushed over, I couldn't balance myself, I felt like if I tried to stand I would be pushed down again. It was like someone was swaying my head from side to side! Even when I sat or lay down, I still felt the dizziness

I had to leave work twice in the past two weeks and I really don't want to miss anymore, but as it has gone on for so long I have decided that my health has to be priority right now. I went to my GP this morning and he said it is probably panic attacks, but he sent me for blood tests and an ECG. The ECG was normal, and I'll get the blood results on Monday. However two doctors over the past two days have been fairly certain it's panic attacks.

There is nothing in my life that I'm particularly anxious or worried about. When I have the panic attacks, I don't worry about my health because I know they will pass soon. However, the incredible dizziness and the shortness of breath I have been feeling over the past two weeks is really really horrible when it's happening, and obviously I want it to stop.

I don't want medical advice, I'm just wondering how anyone else out there has dealt with their panic attacks? They're so incredibly horrible, I don't want them to affect my work life or social life any more than they have! I always feel instantly relieved when I get into my house. And just talking about them makes me feel like one is about to come on.

The panic attacks always come, or generally start, after a night of drinking (no matter how much I drink). And they always seem to occur while I am chatting to a friend. Anyone else notice any links with all their panic attacks?

Victor

I thought at one stage that I was getting panic attacks - it was usually when I was rushing somewhere - it turned out to be asthma. You really need to wait for the doctors to come back to you.

The Black Oil

http://www.oneinfour.org/support/panicattack/

Trinity

I remember my first panic attack, 18 years ago! (christ is that right?, i was 16 and i'm 34 now?)

Anyway unfortunately there is no cure as such, just methods on helping to to deal with them when they do come.

Even when i am not having a panic attack i am always bloody dizzy, my trigger is driving. I still drive but some days have to go the long way cos i just cant handle them on that day.

They are awful. Try a few self help books. Breathing and relaxation is the best way and let them pass over you. Trying to fight it will result in it feeling worse.

If worst comes to worst you should try a bit of cognitive behavioural therapy or even some self help things on the net just google it.

TequilaMockingBird

I really sympathise, they are dreadful.

I suffered with them for years, but haven't had one now for years. I control it now by breathing exercises. You will get the warning signs beforehand and this is when to you will learn to control it, but you sound like your doing great already. I used a relaxation cd to learn the breathing techniques (you feel like a berk doing it but its so very worth it), and now I don't even notice I'm doing it. In my case I definitely think my control over the attacks, led to less attacks. I learned how to stop then, rather than just survive them.

I also used Bachs Rescue Remedy, even now I always have a little bottle in my bag - just in case. Try not to get too hungry either, keep the sugar levels steady.

You would be surprised at the amount of people who suffer with these, they are quite common unfortunately. Not including the people who say "OMG I, like, had a panic attack when I lost my keys!!!" Sorry love, but unless I see you climbing the walls in terror that ain't a panic attack.

Best of luck, it will pass.

EDIT: With work, try to find a safe place. Be it a toilet cubicle or whatever, have a strategy for dealing with it in work. Go to this place, have water available with a few drops of the Rescue Remedy and just breath - you will really need to learn proper breathing techniques though.

If out, not near home or work, just find somewhere as quiet as possible, again, a loo might be the only place.

jdivision

that rescue remedy stuff is useless imo if you're getting ones as bad as you are. Cut down on alcohol and caffeine and see whether that eases their severity. Also look into CBT, I might have to do this. I get really bad ones.

oceansize

when i'm tired and ALWAYS after a drinking sessionand i havn't had much sleep i get something like this. racing heart, dialated pupils, feel tingling in my hands sometimes, can't feel my legs or anything properly, feel like collapsing. had one in work and almost lost my job over it. i had it bad for a while where i'd get out of bed, start walking to work and i'd feel like i was having an our of bosy experience, i seriously thought i was going to die.

my doc never diagnosed them as panick attacks, he said there was a problem as my hear rate was 101 bpm on the ECG... my heart rate seems to have returned to something resembling normal now but after heavy nights i still get them, they are so hard to control.

have you notice after drinking, the next day in work you're steuggling to not think about them, and when you eat something it seems to provoke it?

i'm a barman which makes it worse

TequilaMockingBird

I had my first one in Majorca after a loooong night, I remember feeling because I was on a small island I was more "exposed" and vulnerable etc.

Anyway I have drank over the last 5 years (alot) and not had one, so there may be a connection with it starting the attacks, but its not to say you will keep getting them.

I also found after meals it could bring one on, hence I reommended keeping the blood sugar level steady.

I'm not saying Rescue Remedy is a cure by any means, but I found it helped (whether psychologically or physically I don't know but I'd rather have it to be on the safe side).

*Penbo*

eskimo wrote: »

I had a major panic attack in July. It was the first time it had happened to me. My mouth, face, arms and hands, and legs all went numb, my body went into some sort of spasm, I couldn't breathe properly, started having palpitations, and ended up sprawled out on the floor trying to get my body to calm down because it was in a state of extreme tension. The symptoms terrified me while they were happening because I didn't know what was going on.

Two weeks later, I had another one.

A few months passed, and during that time at various times I felt another one coming on but I managed to control it before it got out of hand.

In the past two weeks though I have been having really bad faintness, tight chest, shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations, really horrible dizziness, blurry vision, nausea, pressure around my head and my neck, a feeling that I was being pushed down, or pushed over, I couldn't balance myself, I felt like if I tried to stand I would be pushed down again. It was like someone was swaying my head from side to side! Even when I sat or lay down, I still felt the dizziness

I had to leave work twice in the past two weeks and I really don't want to miss anymore, but as it has gone on for so long I have decided that my health has to be priority right now. I went to my GP this morning and he said it is probably panic attacks, but he sent me for blood tests and an ECG. The ECG was normal, and I'll get the blood results on Monday. However two doctors over the past two days have been fairly certain it's panic attacks.

There is nothing in my life that I'm particularly anxious or worried about. When I have the panic attacks, I don't worry about my health because I know they will pass soon. However, the incredible dizziness and the shortness of breath I have been feeling over the past two weeks is really really horrible when it's happening, and obviously I want it to stop.

I don't want medical advice, I'm just wondering how anyone else out there has dealt with their panic attacks? They're so incredibly horrible, I don't want them to affect my work life or social life any more than they have! I always feel instantly relieved when I get into my house. And just talking about them makes me feel like one is about to come on.

The panic attacks always come, or generally start, after a night of drinking (no matter how much I drink). And they always seem to occur while I am chatting to a friend. Anyone else notice any links with all their panic attacks?

I know how you're feeling. Ive just started to get panic attacks in the last couple months where my arms n face go numb like pins and needles and break out in a cold sweat. Theres no reason for them either. Like you they always seem to start off when im having a conversation with someone..
At least you've made the first step and gone to your gp. They'll be able to help you and hopefully stop them.
I have yet to do that just cause i dont want to be told to get blood tests.
Well i just wanted you to know youre not alone
Best of luck to you

LegacyUser

as a chef i started having panic attacks in work during the summer they where brought on by work- a friend told me about a place in malahide which deals specifically with this - i am now on my fifth session and they are really working from learning breathing exercises to even voicing my stress instead of letting it build.
i havent had one since i started going there - it could be an option

LegacyUser

hi

I brought my problem to a counsellor and she recommended a great book by Dr. Aine Tubridy, called 'When Panic attacks' (in all good bookstores).

It's practical, down to earth and common-sensical...

It comes with a CD that you can use on a daily basis to build up resistance, an 'emergency toolkit' to use when the attack occurs, and a number of other resources.
EXCELLENT.

Explains the background and guarantees a solution!

Worked for me!

ZZZZZZZZ

eskimo

Thanks for all the empathy and advice :-)

I was talking to a friend about it yesterday and she has suffered from panic attacks for years. She did everything that was ever recommended to her and some of it worked short term, but none of it worked long-term.

Then her doctor recently told her that the only thing he knows of that has cured people of anxiety long-term and without medication is the Linden method.
She sent me the link to the website.

The method was developed by a guy called Charles Linden who suffered from severe and disturbing anxiety and panic for 10 years, when he finally realised the problem was the medication that the doctors had him on. He started to ween himself off the meds, and the more he did this the less symptoms he had, and the less fearful he became, and the less panic attacks he had.

He has centres all over the UK and his method is widely accredited by doctors and psychologists around the world. For people who can't travel to his centres there is a program available to download online (it costs €100 or so to download. There are ways around paying though!!!) which includes relaxation CDs and a 252-page book, 60 pages of which is his own story which is truly terrifying!

I started practicing his methods yesterday evening and holy **** I've felt soooo much better. In work today I felt the panic coming on a few times and using his methods I managed to hold them off. So far they're working fantastically and I feel so much better, and a lot less anxious and fearful.

It is entirely based on science, and he says it is the ONLY scientific turning off your panic attacks for good.

Basically, if you were suddenly faced with immense danger like being chased by two rottweilers, your body would starting breathing very fast to take in more oxygen, heart racing to pump oxygen around your body faster, your body diverts blood away from your skin, your hands and your stomach to send it to vital organs needed for fight/flight (this is why you feel nauseous, you go pale and your hands feel numb) and you start sweating to keep you cool as you run. This is called the fear reaction and it is designed to get you out of danger. It is activated by your "Amygdala" in your brain.

Panic attacks occur when the Amygdala accidentally sets off the fear reaction in your body. You consciously know you're in no danger, but your Amygdala has set off your fear reaction. This is the panic attack: you go white, you feel nauseous, palpitations, numbness, you become dizzy. And because you are not running anywhere, you have no outlet for all this pent up energy and all these 'fear' sensations. This makes your muscles tense up and start to tremble.

SO.........you have to train your subconscious to react differently to the everyday situations that accidentally set off your fear reaction. You do this by, when you feel the panic sensations about to start, tell them to do their worst, encourage them, allow it to happen. Show it that you are not afraid of it. It is scary to do this at first, but it does stop the attack from happening, because it tells your subconscious that there is nothing to be afraid of. So let the panic attack do it's worst to you. Don't fight it. Fighting it will only confirm to your subconscious that there is something to be afraid of, when clearly there isn't. Nobody has ever been harmed in any way by a panic attack. Nobody has ever passed out. Nobody has ever died. You always come out of it just fine. You know this. Your subconscious doesn't realise this though, and if the panic sensations make you fearful, then you confirm to your subconscious there is something to be afraid of, even though there isn't.

So next time you have a panic attack, just tell your body "Do your worst. I don't care. I'm not afraid. There's nothing to be afraid of. So come on, do your worst!"

80,000 people have been cured of panic using his method. It's not his discovery though, it's scientific fact. The Amygadala causes your panic. You have to train it to stop causing your panic. His method just shows you how to do this.

So far I've found it amazing, seriously. I had a great day today. I warded off a few panic episodes and it made me feel so much better.

LegacyUser

Really informative post eskimo. Now when I think about it maybe I have been having panic attacks all these years. My symptoms were sweating a lot and racing heart and usually try and get out of that comfortable situation asap. Only happens when I meet someone new or someone I don't know really well. Looking forward to trying out the Linden method.

LegacyUser

Hi OP,

Long time patient here, had my first set about four years ago, exactly the same as yourself from the sounds of it, and like you, my first fears were for my own physical wellbeing.

With a few years behind me, and some (hopefully) objective reading, I am convinced breathing pattern has a lot to do with it. As per the charter, and considering it is not my place, I wont go into it, but like the posters above, it should be reassuring for you to find out the range of emotional and physical chaos bad breathing can bring.

Your body and mind are likely on high alert, and your breathing responds accordingly. In itself, this is something you can change and control.

I am not quick to discount any potential solution, medication works for some, some can meditate and exercise around it, some try therapy: what works for one may not for another.

I tried CBT for a while some years back, and while it didnt help me much, she did make one point which has stuck: your panic attacks are a product of three interrelated components- your body, your thoughts, and your behaviour.

Your body, through a combination of anxiety and expectation conspires with your adjusted behaviour (anything from avoidance to bad breathing to bad posture) to prime you for repeated attacks. You cant change what your body is doing, you may not be able to change your thinking in the heat of the moment, but you can always change your behaviour. Get up and move around, run (I play guitar whn I'm nervous), whatever works for you

Work on your thinking in your own time, manage your breathing and posture (both essential and closely connected)- your body will fall in line.

Buy Claire Weeks' 'Self help for your nerves' - It is the book that turned it around for me. She lays out everything you are going through on every level - it is the most reassuring text I have encountered


It takes time and patience, but can be done


Go on amazon, now!

JuliusCaesar

eskimo wrote: »

his method is widely accredited by doctors and psychologists around the world. ................

It is entirely based on science, and he says it is the ONLY scientific turning off your panic attacks for good.

80,000 people have been cured of panic using his method.

Ummm, the Linden method is NOT scientific.
He claims..........but doesn't prove.

Personally, while it may work for individuals I'd prefer to go with a scientifically proven method of curing panic such as CBT. Look at the Psychology or Biology & Medicine Forums for details.

What the professionals think might be useful: here

Salkovskis, Paul. "Review of "The Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attack Solution; The Linden Method"": Anxious Times. Summer 2005 is unfortunately only available in print form, but he is a noted psychologist and specialist in anxiety disorders.

unhappycamper

They began at 26 for me. They have changed my life forever. I am always aware they are a real illness. So hard to cope with. They get easier to deal with in time and with experience. I hate them for the amount of control they have taken from me. I have to eat healthy regularly, stay off caffeine, avoid invitations of drugs, watch my breathing, the list goes on and on. The dizzy spells are now more present than ever, I find those very frightening. Had a heart rate of 142 in the hospital last new years eve, that was the last one I had, taught I was going to die. Now, thankfully, I have not had one but I treat my body with so much more respect, perhaps a miracle in disguise. I am way healthier and so much more aware of self well being. Take your time and respect you mind, body and soul. People are so delicate, even grown men who once taught they were invincible. Take some time out from your usual social madness. Create space in your life for your new friend, panic attacks. Don't do drugs any more if you do then you are playing roulette with your heart. Your heart is the engine of your life, don't play games with it, it will retaliate even more aggressively then before. Try and stay away from situations where you have no control or you might feel peer pressure. Keep positive, drink loads of water, rest as often as you can and be very good to yourself OP.

eskimo

unhappycamper, panic does your heart no damage whatsoever. Your post is entirely laden down with unjustified negativity. Panic is a basic human emotion. And panic never harmed anybody. Yes, if there is no obvious reason for the panic, it is scary. But panic is still entirely UN-harmful. So if you are finding yourself plagued by panic attacks, then it seems like it is your own mindset that needs to be chagned.

Panic never hurt anybody. It never killed anybody, and it never caused any damage. Panic, quite on the contrary, is there to keep you from danger.

You sound like you need to rethink your outlook on panic and life in general if you are ever going to control your panic attacks.

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

hi

I brought my problem to a counsellor and she recommended a great book by Dr. Aine Tubridy, called 'When Panic attacks' (in all good bookstores).

It's practical, down to earth and common-sensical...

It comes with a CD that you can use on a daily basis to build up resistance, an 'emergency toolkit' to use when the attack occurs, and a number of other resources.
EXCELLENT.

Explains the background and guarantees a solution!

Worked for me!

ZZZZZZZZ

that book is full of psychobabble crap and is completely unscientific as isrescue remedy. are you ms tubridy

unhappycamper

eskimo wrote: »

unhappycamper, panic does your heart no damage whatsoever. Your post is entirely laden down with unjustified negativity. Panic is a basic human emotion. And panic never harmed anybody. Yes, if there is no obvious reason for the panic, it is scary. But panic is still entirely UN-harmful. So if you are finding yourself plagued by panic attacks, then it seems like it is your own mindset that needs to be chagned.

Panic never hurt anybody. It never killed anybody, and it never caused any damage. Panic, quite on the contrary, is there to keep you from danger.

You sound like you need to rethink your outlook on panic and life in general if you are ever going to control your panic attacks.

Don't even bother preaching to me about this and that and my life should be x and not y. I am only putting out there my experiences and trying to create awareness around the issue. Panic attacks effect people differently. Some people have very severe panic attacks like mine others don't. I have had 2 and both were severe. I haven't had one since new years eve 2008 so I have them well under control thanks. I am sorry if it came across negative but they can be a burden especially when you don't know what is happening the first time.

Ostrom

Unregistered wrote: »

that book is full of psychobabble crap and is completely unscientific as isrescue remedy. are you ms tubridy

And yet it works for some. As does formal CBT, as does meditation, hypnosis, SSRI and Benzo, Bach, or Ms. Tubridy's book.

For a phenomenon with such a vague empirical scientific grounding, it makes no sense to disregard ANY treatment on the grounds of 'unscientific'


There is a reason all of the above work in different contexts for different people, the same reason they all may not; each persons' case is completely different. If you want to help, lay out some positive options and let him/her decide- they may not 'work'- but they have potential.


People deal with chronic anxiety and panic in different ways, 'scientific grounding' has precious little to do with effectiveness in treatment.


OP, you should not disregard any piece of advice here, explore your options, try therapy, read some books and find out what appeals to you, not what you think is most likely to work. You need to be comfortable with whatever approach you decide to take. Talk to a GP, or a herbalist or a hypnotist if you are so inclined, but dont discount anything

unhappycamper

I found the book 'panic attacks' to be a good read when feeling anxiety.

by8auj6csd3ioq

efla wrote: »

And yet it works for some. As does formal CBT, as does meditation, hypnosis, SSRI and Benzo, Bach, or Ms. Tubridy's book.

For a phenomenon with such a vague empirical scientific grounding, it makes no sense to disregard ANY treatment on the grounds of 'unscientific'


There is a reason all of the above work in different contexts for different people, the same reason they all may not; each persons' case is completely different. If you want to help, lay out some positive options and let him/her decide- they may not 'work'- but they have potential.


People deal with chronic anxiety and panic in different ways, 'scientific grounding' has precious little to do with effectiveness in treatment.


OP, you should not disregard any pieve of advice here, explore your options, try therapy, read some books and find out what appeals to you, not what you think is most likely to work. You need to be comfortable with whatever approach you decide to take. Talk to a GP, or a herbalist or a hypnotist if you are so inclined, but dont discount anything

benzo/ssri/cbt have some grounding in science. tubridy goes on about chakras etc. pure nonsense.not that i would grudge it if it helped someone but i think it is just superstitious nonsense.good luck op i wish you well my comments are not meant to upset you i just feel tubridy and bach are just rubbish

eskimo

unhappycamper wrote: »

Don't even bother preaching to me about this and that and my life should be x and not y. I am only putting out there my experiences and trying to create awareness around the issue. Panic attacks effect people differently. Some people have very severe panic attacks like mine others don't. I have had 2 and both were severe. I haven't had one since new years eve 2008 so I have them well under control thanks. I am sorry if it came across negative but they can be a burden especially when you don't know what is happening the first time.

I have to apologise, after reading your post again I am actually not sure why I responded to it the way I did! I was drunk at the time!! And yet almost no spelling mistakes somehow!!

I completely maintain everything I said though. I just shouldn't necessarily have directed it at you!

I hope you find a way to get your panic attacks gone for good. I haven't had them long enough to be able to relate to you completely, but I have been terrified by them. I find that knowing they can't cause me any harm whatsoever, and welcoming them rather than fighting them, has actually eased my panic massively.

If you haven't already, check out the Linden method.

LegacyUser

The panic attack may not kill you itself, but imagine passing out crossing the road (as I have) or while driving etc. So it can cause danger.

I passed out about a month ago (last time Id passed out before this was about 2 years ago). I passed out in the middle of a road. Luckily someone was with me. Since this happened, I have been suffering what I think are panic attacks i.e. if I go out in public, I might passout again. I am trying to control it but I dont know. I find when I am tired (which I seem to be continually) I feel woozie and palms get cold and sweaty, legs wobbly. It is a very frightening experience.

unhappycamper

eskimo wrote: »

I have to apologise, after reading your post again I am actually not sure why I responded to it the way I did! I was drunk at the time!! And yet almost no spelling mistakes somehow!!

I completely maintain everything I said though. I just shouldn't necessarily have directed it at you!

I hope you find a way to get your panic attacks gone for good. I haven't had them long enough to be able to relate to you completely, but I have been terrified by them. I find that knowing they can't cause me any harm whatsoever, and welcoming them rather than fighting them, has actually eased my panic massively.

If you haven't already, check out the Linden method.

Hey we all vent from time to time, thanks for the post. I will check out the Linden method and give it a go no doubt. My post was a little too negative either way. OP best of luck

eskimo

Unregistered wrote: »

The panic attack may not kill you itself, but imagine passing out crossing the road (as I have) or while driving etc. So it can cause danger.

I passed out about a month ago (last time Id passed out before this was about 2 years ago). I passed out in the middle of a road. Luckily someone was with me. Since this happened, I have been suffering what I think are panic attacks i.e. if I go out in public, I might passout again. I am trying to control it but I dont know. I find when I am tired (which I seem to be continually) I feel woozie and palms get cold and sweaty, legs wobbly. It is a very frightening experience.

Have you had tests done to rule out any other causes of the passing out? As far as I'm aware panic attacks themselves can not make an otherwise-healthy body pass out. Your body is supposed to be able to cope entirely with the stress of a panic attack; it is not supposed to pass out from the stress of it. If you are finding that your body is unable to cope with it, and is therefore passing out, I would assume there is another issue (a perhaps entirely unserious issue) that is rendering your body unable to cope with the panic attack.

I could be wrong, but as far as I'm aware that is the case. What tests have you had done?

LegacyUser

I have low blood pressure - for some reason lately it seems to be affecting me alot. BUT what seems to have happened is that I am now fearful of passing out SO if I am going out, for example, I start panicing on the way in in the car that I will pass out (the brain is a weird place). I can be sitting having lunch talking to someone and next thing "I might faint" pops into my head, next thing the room is spinning, legs are wobbly, palms are cold and clamy.

Its a fear I guess that I might pass out again. I have made myself "get back on the horse" so to speak. I make myself go into shops and I make myself go out. Its an awful strange weird experience to have.

Victor

As always, beware of snake oil merchants and things people recommend from the interent.

Trinity

I really dont find it in the least bit helpful to those of us that suffer with panic attacks for this to turn into a debate about what is crap and what is not. Different methods will work for different people and coming on saying this is crap and that is crap is disheartening for those seeking help. They may have to try a few methods before they find one that works for them. Offering examples of what works for you would be more helpful than just knocking them no?

Everyone has put across good points.

Unhappycamper, you are right, looking after yourself can be a big help. A lot of people here have said they panic when extra tired, stressed or after a night out on the tear so being healthy is indeed a help. Panic cant hurt you but an unhealthy lifestyle can.

I have read when panic attacks, no it didnt work for me but contained a few good tips and it was the first time it was put in black and white what a panic attack was and explained in laymans terms which gave me a better understanding of what i was dealing with.

Eskimo, the approach you used is what works most for me even though i never heard of lindens method and i repeat my first post, let them come, dont fight them, breathe through them and each time you do this they get less scary and intimidating and frightening but they will never be pleasant.

Your body is in fight or flight mode, as there is no real danger there is nothing to fight so your body may want to run, but this makes them worse so the only thing you can do is reassure your body and mind that there is no danger and you do this by remaining calm, taking long deep breaths in and out and talking yourself out of it by saying so what, it wont kill me it will pass in a moment.

Unreg regarding passing out this is my biggest fear, as most of my attacks occur while driving and i mean who the hell wants to pass out while driving with 2 kids in the car and i have been assured by many doctors that panic attacks will not cause this as again your body is in fighting mode. Please go back to your doctor and get a medical opinion on this as it must be very frightening and a course of iron for low blood pressure wouldnt go amiss either.

To everyone else please accept and respect other peoples methods of dealing with these horrible horrible attacks.

eskimo

Trinity1 wrote: »

I really dont find it in the least bit helpful to those of us that suffer with panic attacks for this to turn into a debate about what is crap and what is not. Different methods will work for different people and coming on saying this is crap and that is crap is disheartening for those seeking help. They may have to try a few methods before they find one that works for them. Offering examples of what works for you would be more helpful than just knocking them no?

You're right in saying that. However, if there is a way that is proven to eliminate panic attacks for good, then surely this should be reported to sufferers of panic attacks? People have their individual ways of dealing with panic attacks, but surely sufferers would prefer to have them eliminated from their lives altogether. If there is a way of doing this, surely they should be told about it? Eliminating panic for good is much better than just finding temporary methods of dealing with them.

LegacyUser

I notice that I get them after drinking the night before. I can get them even when I am in bed with a partner irregardless of whether I feel anxious or stressed! We can be chatting about something and then I will feel it coming on. It could be a result of over-tiredness and fighting the urge to go asleep. I start getting twitches like you get as you are falling asleep then feel as if I am losing control of my mind and then the other symptoms you mentioned usually follow shortly after. Luckily I have been with partners who understood what was going on and calmed me down before it turned into a full scale episode. I have being getting them for a number of years and have noticed that the biggest contributors to them are:

Alcohol
Lack of sleep
Excessive caffeine intake
Letting things build up too much

I take benzo's which help deal with anxiety and they kick in within 10 minutes. Talk to your GP.

Trinity

eskimo wrote: »

You're right in saying that. However, if there is a way that is proven to eliminate panic attacks for good, then surely this should be reported to sufferers of panic attacks? People have their individual ways of dealing with panic attacks, but surely sufferers would prefer to have them eliminated from their lives altogether. If there is a way of doing this, surely they should be told about it? Eliminating panic for good is much better than just finding temporary methods of dealing with them.

Absolutely, listen no-one wants that more than me, have suffered 18 years. My point is about people telling what works, sharing it instead of people getting on and saying such and such is crap without offering any alternatives


If there is a miracle cure i want it believe me.

LegacyUser

Trinity1 wrote: »

I remember my first panic attack, 18 years ago! (christ is that right?, i was 16 and i'm 34 now?
Even when i am not having a panic attack i am always bloody dizzy, my trigger is driving. I still drive but some days have to go the long way cos i just cant handle them on that day

I have the exact same problem. I can deal with panic attacks everywhere except the car. I still drive but am very limited. Can you tell me if you ever had an attack on the open road or in traffic and if so what happened? I just feel so overwhelmed I am thinking of giving it up as it causes me so much distress. Any thing you could tell me that would help would be very mush appreciated, I'm at my wits end! N

Trinity

Unregistered wrote: »

Trinity1 wrote: »

I remember my first panic attack, 18 years ago! (christ is that right?, i was 16 and i'm 34 now?
Even when i am not having a panic attack i am always bloody dizzy, my trigger is driving. I still drive but some days have to go the long way cos i just cant handle them on that day

I have the exact same problem. I can deal with panic attacks everywhere except the car. I still drive but am very limited. Can you tell me if you ever had an attack on the open road or in traffic and if so what happened? I just feel so overwhelmed I am thinking of giving it up as it causes me so much distress. Any thing you could tell me that would help would be very mush appreciated, I'm at my wits end! N

Hi

I'm so sorry I didnt see this sooner

I get good days and bad days. Yes i have had an attack while driving, loads of them. I wont lie its extremely frightening and upsetting and completely puts you off. I try to distract myself and think of other things while concentrating on the road which is limiting cos i am trying to put safety first so i just listen to music mostly.

I guess you just have to keep going, keep getting in the car. Talk to yourself, tell yourself even if you get an attack, nothing will happen, it will pass like it always does.

I tried to explain to people why its extra scary as you are in control of a vehicle while panicking and one wrong move can get not only yourself but others hurt but i didnt get any answers tbh, the fact is nothing has happened and i have never had an accident touch wood. You just have to tell yourself you are in control of yourself and the car.

I had a few good weeks where i was very confident, no attacks and i was driving much further than normal. Unfortunately i got sick and was off the road for a couple of weeks and it set me back so i am back to square one only going local and not crossing bridges and its a pain in the ass but i know that i have done it before and will do it again when i am ready.

I'm sorry i cant be more positive or give more practical advice, i often think it would be better if i got rid of the car but i dont want to let it win and plus it be a 40 minute walk to the school in all weathers if i do!

Once you do it once it gets easier but you will never get me on the motorway

Just keep going. If you are going a new route bring someoen with you the first time. Preferably someone that can drive if it gets too much for you. Then the second time go alone and maybe just go half way and turn back, little bits at a time and dont put yourself under too much pressure.

I stopped thinking about it too. I'd find i would be worse if i spent the morning dreading the drive to school, wondering if i would have one, wondering what i would do if i did, then by the time it would be time to leave i would be in a state and it was almost inevitable i would have an attack. If you can distract yourself and not think about it before hand its a help. Trust yourself. I passed my driving test and the tester told me i was a good driver (as i acted so surprised i passed) so i try to remember that as well.

You are welcome to PM me anytime.

LegacyUser

Hi there
I've read the previous threads and felt I'd like to contribute.
I've been experiencing panic attacks at work for the past few years. And I'm at a loss. I really don't know where to start here... It's simply so absurd, I feel a tad pathetic.
To start I have a relatively good job, but since my career started to progress I've become more and more anxious around work colleagues. Whilst I appear to be very confident in some ways and manage a team of great people (with authority!), deep down I'm a bursting volcano of self-doubt. How is that?!
I get panic attacks when certain people at work approach me. Sometimes it's just the top guys. Sometimes it's practically everyone!
This very intense self-awareness comes over me. I imagine I'm going to get an attack and then panic about that happening. Then when it starts I panic about what if I pass out, what if I just go crazy, what if...
The initial feeling is definitely increased heartbeat, palpitations. Then the really embarrassing flushing (sometimes I wonder if it's a fear of the flushing that kicks it off in the first place). The flushing is excruciating. And my mind just goes blank...
The frustrating thing is that I'm actually very good at my work, but terrified of putting my head over the parapet in case I fall apart at the seams.
All thoughts welcome - it's my first time on a forum like this and while it's not the best circumstances we meet in, it's certainly reassuring that I'm not alone.
I just don't know what to do about it...


[/I]

eskimo

I'm the person who started this topic and I hope this helps you...

1) You can not pass out/faint during a panic attack. Fainting is caused by a sudden and large drop in blood pressure. During a panic attack, your blood pressure shoots up, therefore making it impossible to faint. So even though you are absolutely convinced you are going to faint, it's not possible.

2) During panic attacks, you are actually much safer than you are when you are not having the panic attacks. The reason being that your body is on extreme high alert and is absolutely prepared to respond to any danger that may arise!

3) If you are ill, your pulse becomes weaker and feels dodgy. Have you noticed how during panic attacks your pulse becomes strong and fast?? This type of pulse means that you are strong and healthy. So don't worry that you might be ill. Nothing could be further from the truth.

4) To rid yourself of the panic attack, get into a position that you feel absolutely safe and comfortable. Breathe in deeply down to the pit of your stomach, hold your breath for as long as is comfortable, and breathe out more SLOWLY than you breathed in. Repeat this until you feel your body has returned to normal. You will feel light headed and dizzy as you do this, but after a minute you will feel fine again; you just have to power through it. As you do this breathing exercise, try to calm your mind. Concentrate one one thought only, preferably your breathing.

5) Most important of all, you need to seek help for the anxiety because until you have solved the anxiety, you will still be at high risk of panic attacks. I am seeing a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist at the moment. We talk about my history and my current situations, and we try to figure out what links have been created in my mind that is causing me anxiety. My GP sent me to this CBT as well as prescribing me mild medication. I have made 90% progress in only 4 weeks, and I feel a million times better than I did during my horrendous period of panic-attacks.

6) RE: The Linden Method, the idea behind its cure for panic attacks is generally really good, but after a while I found it pretty useless. I needed a lot more help than it could provide me.

I didn't realise until I sought help that I was actually very anxious and had been for a while. I then noticed my anxiety much more. Because I could now handle the panic attacks as they happened, it was the anxiety that I dreaded rather than the attacks. The anxiety is a horrible horrible feeling.

My anxiety got so bad that I reached a stage where I was at a high risk of depression. If I had not sought professional help, I could easily have slipped into serious depression. At present I am suffering a mild form of depression (which actually feels worse than the anxiety again) and I am on anti-depressants but I am fully aware that it will pass with time as long as I handle it properly and I am so glad that I sought help for my problems as soon as I noticed them happening. You should do the same.

Best of luck and if you have want any more advice just ask.

Harry Callaghan

Unregistered wrote: »

Hi there
I've read the previous threads and felt I'd like to contribute.
I've been experiencing panic attacks at work for the past few years. And I'm at a loss. I really don't know where to start here... It's simply so absurd, I feel a tad pathetic.
To start I have a relatively good job, but since my career started to progress I've become more and more anxious around work colleagues. Whilst I appear to be very confident in some ways and manage a team of great people (with authority!), deep down I'm a bursting volcano of self-doubt. How is that?!
I get panic attacks when certain people at work approach me. Sometimes it's just the top guys. Sometimes it's practically everyone!
This very intense self-awareness comes over me. I imagine I'm going to get an attack and then panic about that happening. Then when it starts I panic about what if I pass out, what if I just go crazy, what if...
The initial feeling is definitely increased heartbeat, palpitations. Then the really embarrassing flushing (sometimes I wonder if it's a fear of the flushing that kicks it off in the first place). The flushing is excruciating. And my mind just goes blank...
The frustrating thing is that I'm actually very good at my work, but terrified of putting my head over the parapet in case I fall apart at the seams.
All thoughts welcome - it's my first time on a forum like this and while it's not the best circumstances we meet in, it's certainly reassuring that I'm not alone.
I just don't know what to do about it...


Hi there

The same exact thing happens to me! I recently got a promotion and everything was fine as Im the type of person who loves a challenge and thrives on stress, or so I thought!

All of a sudden the lightheadedness, palpitations, fearing that I was having heart failure, getting cancer etc starting happening. That was almost four years ago and Ive been dealing with the symptoms on and off since then.

Been on everything (Xanax, Serydyn (herbal coctail, good!) etc), had all the tests and Ive come to one conclusion, the only time I fuction the way I should is when I have a good nights sleep!

This seems so simple but the brain seems to deal with these conditions itself when given adequate time to rebalance, in an Engineer by the way, not a Doc so this is juts my experience..

It is something I think we will all have to live with as I dont tink there is any cure, its just the way we are and the sooner we accept this the better.

My GP asked what I did for a living, when I told him he said, 'ah now it makes sence, Morons dont suffer from anxiety, only motivated, intelligent leader types do'!!!! Thats the good news!!

Hope this helps somebody a little, this thing in the modern rat race society we live in is very common so try not to fret too much when the symptoms come on and just breathe deeply instead.

Best of luck with it..

Harry Callaghan