Have started getting panic attacks, help!

LegacyUser

Hi everyone,

Recently (in the past month or so), I've started suffering from what I think are panic attacks.

These usually occur when I have something that I have to go to, such as a concert or a night out that I cant get out of. I start feeling nauseas and get very hot, and these can even go so far as my stomach feels bad and I can sometimes get diarrahoea as a result (as horrible as that sounds, I need to say everything that is happening to me).

I have a wedding coming up in 3 months and I'm so worried that I'm going to get a panic attack on the way into the church... as weird as this sounds, i actually have a panic attack thinking that I'm going to have a panic attack if that makes sense.

I seem to work myself up about it in my head and cant calm myself down about it at all. I havent told anyone about this, instead I've blamed what i'm feeling on other things (ie. sometimes say that I have a really bad hangover to get out of what I have to do, or say that I think I'm coming down with the flu etc etc).

It's really starting to get me down and is affecting me already.

Does anyone have any ideas on how or what I can do to help this? It doesnt seem a severe enough problem to go to the doctor about.

I feel like I'm going crazy, and it's really upsets me sometimes.

LegacyUser

Hi. It mightn't seem serious to you as a medical thing, but it kind of is. I've had the experience and it's horrible. And you do have panic attacks about panic attacks. But don't worry it's actually a really common thing, you're definitely not alone.
There's loads of different ways to deal with them, but the most common seems to be deep breathing to calm yourself down. Literally deep slow breaths. If you feel they are seriously affecting your life do go to a GP and they can recommend some other ways. try to avoid drugs unless you seriously need them, some GPs instantly recommend drugs. They might recommend counselling - not psychologists, but maybe a counsellor who you could talk to about ways to control it and possibly why you might be feeling this way. There's a lot of stuff on the internet and a lot of books about ways to control panic attacks. Acupunture can help, or cognitive behavioural therapy or meditating.
I had a phase of getting them for similar reasons to you . . . it was like I felt under huge pressure because I had to go to something and I had to do loads of things beforehand and i just felt like I didn't have time and it was all too much for me. It's a control thing and mostly arises from the pressure in your own head. Are you under a lot of pressure at work aswell? Or at home? It might just be that you are, and anything extra is just too much to handle.
I know I'm being pretty vague here, but the best thing to do could be research and maybe talk to your GP about ways to handle it.Good luck

Xiney

Just a note: if a GP thinks that someone needs medication to help manage their panic attacks, they are in a knowledgeable position to make that judgement. Far more so than all the opinionated people on the internet, for that matter.


OP, I strongly suggest you visit your GP and see what he or she makes of the situation.

Zooey

Hey,

I've experienced panic attacks too, though of a slightly different nature (palpitations, fainting). What I've found is that there's usually some underlying stressor or problem in my life that mightn't be apparantly obvious (mine was suspicions of a cheating BF, concurrent with uni exams). While I haven't ever seen a professional about these, I've found that talking to someone, a friend, or even a helpline can really help- discovering the underlying cause can be therapeutic, and also gives u a solid basis for tackling the problem yourself.

Good luck!

Z

shnethb

Hi op,
I have never had panic attacks myself but my girlfriend has had them a lot in the past, they were pretty violent and went on for hours, very scary for her but very scary to watch too, eventually we went to see a dr and was prescribed some tablets to help relax her, she then went to speak to a counsellor (sorry for the incorret spelling) who really helped her and who taught her how to deal with these panic attacks and we havnt looked back since. best advice I can give you is go speak to someone. Really changed things for us.

LookingFor

Suffered heavily from this for a period of about 6-12 months a year or two ago.

Literally the darkest period of my life, threw me into a deep depression to make things worse. It was initially just when certain things were going on, certain social occasions as you relate, but it became something that was persistent and affected me day-to-day. Constant nausea, mixed in with diarrahoea from time to time etc.

It took a trip to the hospital and thorough (and uncomfortable) internal examinations of my stomach to make me realise it wasn't a physical issue at all, but stress and panic and anxiety.

Finally was referred to a psychiatrist and have recovered to a good degree since. I still get some anxiety now and then but I would describe it as a much more normal level.

So basically..you're not alone, you're not going crazy, and seek help. Don't be afraid of seeking psychiatric help. It has an awful stigma in this country, which is a crying shame. It's the people who don't seek help that I'd be more worried about You really do need to look after your mind as much as your body, if not more so even.

Best of luck.

LegacyUser

I don't think the OP is necessarily experiencing panic attacks as such. A 'panic attack' generally is so severe the person experiencing it can think they are dying. What OP is describing sounds more like the collywobbles! I've had panic attacks in the past, but thankfully none for a long time now. However I would have what I call the collywobbles every now and then- but wouldn't over analyse it.

Loads of people suffer upset stomachs, diarrohea- even vomiting, when they are nervous about something- and this can be quite regular until a phase passes. I don't necessarily think it is serious at all- just an attack of the nerves. Now OP is nervous about being nervous which is a bit of a vicious circle.

Honestly I would say to relax, know that loads of people get the same feelings, it is not all that serious. If OP is unable to do that, and really feels it is so serious that it is insurmountable on their own, then go to your GP and talk about it. First step to help.

LegacyUser

Thanks so much for your messages, it really does help to hear I'm not alone in this.

I think the first step is to admit it to my fiance, I havent told him yet, but I dont think he will be too surprised to hear it. Think he might have guessed that this is what is happening.

Funnily enough the only time it doesnt happen is when we're on our own in our house, so I find myself craving that whenever a panic attack or attack of the nerves happens. I think it's my little safe-haven, but I know I shouldnt rely on it too much.

I will certainly try the deep breathing, have actually found before that this can help calm me down, and while it doesnt completely relieve the symptoms I'm getting, it definitely makes me feel a little calmer.

I just think it's so strange that this has happened all of a sudden as it's never happened before, not even when I was in school or college doing exams. And I dont actually feel nervous about anything, not even my wedding. I just feel nervous about getting nervous, as another poster said. Which I know sounds just so completely wrong and may not make sense to some people.

I havent got one today (yet) and I probably wont, since I have no plans for the evening so can take things as they come. It seems to be when i have plans that it's at its worst.

But anyway, thanks again for your replies. First step, talk to fiance. Then I'll work out a second step from there.

Overheal

It doesnt seem a severe enough problem to go to the doctor about.

I don't know what you consider severe, but I don't need to be a GP to tell you that getting diarraheoa from just thinking about a social situation is definitely NOT normal.

Go to a GP. They may either reccomend a medication, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, or both. Ask about your options.

Again, just emphasize, Go to a GP. You need a professional's advice on this.

Gadfly

Hi,

I went through somthing similair a good few years ago. I suffered from agorophobia (which is basically what I think you have). For nine months I wouldn't leave the house. All my shopping was done by local friends who also collected my kids from school at the time. It was so bad, I couldn't get fuel from outside the back of the house. Sometimes I'd get a panic attack in the kitchen, then run to the bedroom, then run to the sitting-room all the while feeling I was going to die! I remember once lying on the couch and was convinced I was about to pass over. I laugh at it now.

Is there something going on in your life that's upsetting you at the moment? Sometimes events can trigger them off.

What ever you do, do not let the fear get the upper-hand, because that will only strengthen the panic for the next time. Nothing is going to happen to you. The reason your feeling all the physical symptoms is because your body is preparing for fight or flight. This is your body's way of protecting you, as ironic as that sounds.

Trust me, you will get through this, but you have to stay with the feelings.

I wish you well.

Esmeralda34

Hi OP

I'm very sorry to hear what you are going through - I've been there myself in varying degrees. I did find that a promotion at work and the stress I put on myself to be perfect in my new role certainly exacerbated the situation.

I'm also familiar with what you describe - situations where you start to feel anxious about a particular social outing, so much so that it sends you into a panic attack.

I, too, hid it from my long-term boyfriend for a period, only for it to come all spilling out one evening (and a great sense of relief was felt after that!).

I would definitely advise you to speak to your GP. All us postees can share our personal experiences with you, but the cause and triggers are inevitably different for each of us.

Also, I do believe exercise and not to much abuse of alcohol helps. I know a lot of us that feel anxious in social situations tend to drink a little more to help us relax! My doctor gave me xanax for very rare situations (I wouldn't agree with taking anything like that regularly), but also highly reccommended a natural remedy called Gaba Complex, tat may interest you.

To end, I really do feel for you - that vicious circle of worrying about a panic attack actually causing one is nothing short of one of cruel twist of the mind.

Please pop into your GP for a chat - I really found it helped.

Take care, my dear.

LegacyUser

Hi OP,

I've been there. I've always been really socialable (and am now again thank God)

Just to colour in the picture il tell ya that i had a string of boyfriends, i'm not a floozy but i have a light hearted approach to life. anyhow, i dumped a boyfriend who i had actually been in love with but he was beginning to seriously undermine my self esteem and the whole thing took its toll. unknownst to me really. sure i knew i was heart broken but thought it was nothing a few walks to destinys child 'survivor' wouldnt fix. i started going out alot, i took on a new job during the college break in an office with a good deal of responsibility for a summer job. was waiting for exam results to see if i could get a masters...was dieting on a heartbreak diet and suddenly.....one day i had a horrendous one....and more followed.

It's about reaching breaking point. its about dealing with that feeling of being on a treadmill-physically and emotionally. you need some time out mentally i should think. be kind to yourself and slow down the pace.

worked for me xxxx

Affable

I've been there too. It's horrible and frightening. Seek help but like others have said maybe be apprehensive about immediate reliance on drugs. If there are other methods to control it ask for advice regarding them. Not to belittle it in any way, but if there is any good to come from it, is the achievement of mastering the problem and getting stronger. Talk to people who care, nothing to be ashamed of. Healthiest to get it out, don't bottle things up too much.
Hope this helps.

LegacyUser

Lots of very good advise on this thread.

I too was a sufferer. You would not believe the number of people that anxiety affects in different ways...

What worked for me was cutting down on alcohol (a major contributor) and caffiene, eating healthily and getting plenty of exercise to relieve day to day stress and anxiety, and finally talking to someone close about it... family and friends, helped a lot. They mightn't help the way a councellor can, but just getting it off your chest can be a big big help.

OP what you mentioned earlier is called an 'anxiety loop', which is literally the anxiety making you more anxious! The way to break out of this is by getting help and working your head around it yourself. A doc will help you too, there are plenty of non addicitve SSRI type medications that doctors can prescribe that work wonders for depression and anciety, and CBT is also recommended but this is something I know nothing about.

LegacyUser

Hi All

I’d like to give some solid advice to you about panic attacks, and to the others here too advocating all kinds of methods!! There are many dead ends you can go down tryin to deal with this problem. I have a history of them and now I have dealt with them
When a person has a panic attack they are frozen in fear. This is not cowardice. Panic attacks become a private hidden secret inner prison that destroys a person’s life and self-esteem. A person tries so hard to hide it even from him/herself. Panic attacks come on like a heart attack without a warning. It is a very similar feeling and hard to detect which makes it even scarier. The chest tightens, there is no way to handle the fear factor, the feeling that is paralyzing and comes from out of nowhere. Physical discomfort like a rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, hot flashes and trouble swallowing regularly accompany the attacks. Panic attacks usually peak within ten minutes but can last 30 minutes. Sometimes panic attacks can last as long as a day. Many feel very tired and worn out after the attack subsides.

Learning how to stop panic attacks is a priority for the majority of those who have ever experienced them. This is because panic attacks are emotionally, mentally and physically draining. Some have gone so far as to describe panic attacks as emotional nightmares.
Although a doctor is a good port of call first in case there is some health-cause, medications do not always alleviate the panic attacks, especially long term, and those prescribed with anti-psychotic medication are on the road to further problems resulting from the consistent use of chemicals that eventually have a permanent negative effect on the brain.

I am not a doctor or a professional person, but I am a person that lived with panic attacks and have overcome them. I’ve had to read information and misinformation from sources that proscribe to know about panic attacks but they don’t. People give so many varied points of view on how one should deal with them. Persons that have panic attacks not only have to deal with the panic attacks, they have to deal with people who have a lack of understanding and arguments at the same time.
There are now simple techniques you can learn to help you stop panic attacks quickly and easily and eventually cure panic attacks completely. These techniques have been tested and proven through research and actual application to stop panic attack quickly and effectively.

Now, deep breathing technique is one of the quickest ways you can use to stop a panic attack from embarrassing you. It enables you to calm down your body and oxygen flows to your brain cells which in turn makes you feel light-headed. The deep breathing technique is also called diaphragmatic breathing and is a very important technique to learn if you what to quickly know of how to stop a panic attack. The challenge now is when you are experiencing anxiety, focusing on proper deep breathing can be very difficult task. The deep breathing technique requires you to breathe directly from your diaphragm and is the type of deep breathing you do during meditation. This technique is simple and anyone can practice it when you begin to feel the symptoms of panic attack.
I’ve included a link if anybody wants to really get to know more about these techniques and how to stop the panic attacks completely and for good. I’ve been there so I wish all those on the search the best, and I offer lots of optimism because this affliction can be overcome.

Good Luck

http://www.endofpanicnow.com

LegacyUser

i've had exactly the same experiences the OP is describing since i was a teenager. getting ready to go out on a weekend, i get excited and nervous and have a bit of diarrhea. i get really wound up about what i'm wearing and how my make up is, sometimes even just for a really casual thing or a day in town.
this problem is always much worse if there's other people waiting on me. recently i tried to explain it as best i could to my boyfriend because i was starting to really upset him (and myself) by being late all the time due to stressing out about being late. since hes stopped trying to hurry me, i've stopped getting so stressed, and as i result i feel better about myself as i'm getting ready and i end up being ready much quicker and feeling much more confident and happier when i'm out as a result.
i still get a bit of diarrhea if its a big event or something i've been looking forward to for a while, but the everyday situations are a lot better. i didn't know that this could be classed as a panic attack though? i thought it was just me being a nervous person in general.

LegacyUser

Hi OP,

I suffered very bad panic and anxiety in my early 20's, god i was so shocked to realize those words could feel that intense and scary, anyway i overcame my depression and fears and it all went away,

The thing to know is that anxiety is just a reaction to a fear you have, an underling fear, you say you feel safe in your home with your BF, so it must be a very emotional experience in the other houses you are going to, anxiety is like an alarm bell going off inside you- it is your friend, and once you learn to listen to it it can guide you to where you need to be, unfortunately many family members can bring up emotions or in my case if i was around someone who was uneasy or anxious i would be very sensitive to them and i would pick up on it and feel it too!! i would think it was my anxiety but it was not...We do this subconsciously, lol


All it takes is some understanding of it i saw a psychotherapist for a while and once i understood myself more i was able to manage it so much better,

I ended up getting out of any negative environments and stayed around only positive people and once i was safe it all melted away.

No one gets panic or anxiety for nothing but we can be confused over what we are feeling might be causing it, but just ask yourself and listen to it and trust yourself and guide yourself out of it.

LegacyUser

Hi I am posting on behalf of my bro who has been having panic attacks the last while and who does not seem able to cope with them. Instead of trawling google looking for a decent hypnotist/psychotherapist, i thought I ask on Boards if anyone has experience of therapists who can deal with this issue and recommend a good therapist in Dublin?

Thanks

piddif

Hi,

Just a few days ago i suffered what i now know to have been an anxiety attack. I was just lying in bed (a bit drunk) when all of a sudden i had this sudden surge through out my body which was uncontrollable...to such an extent that i jumped out of bed to find myself shaking all over...it was the most horrible experience of my life. The next night i went to bed thinking that the previous event was alcohol induced, but it happened again to my distress....it really shook me and i went straight to the local GP the next day. He calmed me down quite a bit and perscribed me a small amount of xanax but told me that if it happened again i should get counseling,(excuse my spelling). I slept the next night peacefully having taken one xanax tablet. Unfortuneatly i tried to sleep tonight without taking the xanax(i dont like the idea of medication) and it happened again, (it only happens when i try to sleep). It has really rattled me as I have no history of this sort of thing and Im quite the logical relaxed thinker. However Ive just taken a xanax and found this thread which has comforted me to no extent, and for this I thank you all, and possibly the xanax... but I am most definitly going to see a councilor as soon as possible. I dont know why this is happenening to me but perhaps it has to do with my university workload, or more so to do with the death of my father over two years ago now - something which i think may be affecting me without me knowing.... hopefully I can over come this and I wish you all the best of luck and good health. I would also like to echo the thoughts in an above post where it was stated that people in Ireland simply do not treat mental health anywhere near as seriously as it should be taken. I cannot stress how important I now consider my mental health and will strive to maintain it from now on.

Thank you all, Patrick.

Danniboo

Speaking from a lot of experience here I went through a horrible phase of having panic attacks. They are awful. I completely understand the "having panic attacks thinking about panic attacks". It's an anxiety thing and the more you stress and worry about it then you are just feeding it. If you think oh god i'm so stressed and worried i'm gonna have a panic attack you will. Some people believe panic attacks are to with the "fight or flight theory". Back in cave men times or even now if there was a danger someone trying to kill you for example the fight or flight response is triggered and panic sets in. This is thought to be controlled by a switch in the brain called the "amygdala". This switch is suppose to be triggered by immediate danger, however with anxiety and panic attacks it's like its permanently on. Anyways that's enought gibberish I just find it helps to educate yourself about these things. If you actually say to yourself when you're having a panic attack this is stupid sure nothings gonna happen to me my heads not gonna fall off laugh about it(I know easier said than done) but this really helps because you're taking the power away from it. What really helped me was hypnotherapy, I never looked back you should try it. I also got a program(books and cds) from a guy that studied this for years his life was actually ruined for years because of panic attacks be got through it himself and made up this program. You can get it online for about 40e. Not sure if I can put his name and details up here, Mods can you please clarify. PM me if you like, I hope you feel better soon xxxxxxx

doctor_gonzo

Hi OP,

I have suffered from panic attacks for a long time and for the most part I have it all under control. The trick to panic attacks is to remember that they won't do you any harm. You're not going to die and it has to pass, your body can't sustain a panic attack for a long period of time. All it is simply is too much adrenaline being released into your system and nothing more.

The main technique that I use is simply to allow it happen, instead of saying 'oh jesus I'm having a panic attack' and ringing your hands, just say, ok, fair enough, this feels horrible but it can't last. Sit quietly for a few minutes and try some breathing exercises. Keep telling yourself that you're ok, this won't hurt you and that you're just gonna let it run its course. It takes a little while to get the hang of this but it definitely helps. Panic attacks are all about the mindset. If you can master that you'll never feel overwhelmed again.

Also sit down and write down some of the triggers, say for me it was public speaking, write down how it makes you feel, getting it all down on paper is a great way of releasing the tension. Also if you have someone you trust to speak to, just talking it through makes a huge difference.

If you want to PM me about it, feel free, I know having someone to talk to is the main reason that I have so few panic attacks now. Best of luck!

LegacyUser

Xiney wrote: »

Just a note: if a GP thinks that someone needs medication to help manage their panic attacks, they are in a knowledgeable position to make that judgement. Far more so than all the opinionated people on the internet, for that matter.


OP, I strongly suggest you visit your GP and see what he or she makes of the situation.

Have to disagree with you completely here. I went to my GP a number of times over panic attacks and all they do is throw valium at you. While this does help it's only masking the problem and you can become very dependant on them. I would avoid tablets if possible for this type of thing.

Danniboo

Xiney wrote: »

Just a note: if a GP thinks that someone needs medication to help manage their panic attacks, they are in a knowledgeable position to make that judgement. Far more so than all the opinionated people on the internet, for that matter.


OP, I strongly suggest you visit your GP and see what he or she makes of the situation.

I strongly disagree with this. All doctors will do is throw valium or xanax at you and while this helps you can become very dependant on these very easily and quickly. They only mask the problem and are not a long term solution but can become a long term problem. When I told my GP I didn't want to take anymore meds she simply told me "It was a crutch to get over a hard time", which she seemed to repeat like it was rehearsed or something, and then handed me a prescription which I binned.

Wibbs

username21 I would agree with Xiney, but in a way I would also agree with you. It depends on the GP in question, what their experience is and what extra knowledge they have of the condition. Like every job you will naturally get some better than others. Some as you say will just dismiss it for different reasons and write up a script for "mothers little helper", valiums xanax and the like.

What I would say is like any other service, if you're not getting the help you need get a better service provider. Find a GP with an interest in this that will either help you directly or pass you onto some other health professional with more expertise.

LegacyUser

As someone who has had anxiety attacks I have two suggestions - 1. The permanent solution- See a psychoanalyst/ counsellor to get to the root of the problem. This enables you to find out exactly why you are feeling worried, sometimes it's a build up of many factors some of which you don't even realise or don't want to admit. Finding the cause can present effective solutions.

2. The temporary solution: See your g.p with the possibility of being put on some anti-anxiety medication as a security blanket. This is not a long term solution! talking about your problems is the best solution.

piddif

Hey, I found this site which proved very useful and more personal than other sites etc... It helped me so i hope it can help others on here aswel!

http://www.panic-attacks.co.uk/

RossFixxxed

If you go to a crappy doctor maybe.

However, I've been to a good GP lately and I haven't had pills thrown at me, only a couple of day's worth, to get me calm enough to start looking at my options, and now I'm working on it free of someone 'chucking xanax at me'....

Don't write it off.

Oh and something that has been of help to me: the RACING HEART you feel.. .isn't your heart, it's your neck muscles tightening and you can feel your pulse!! That alone, relaxing my neck is enough to show me there are lots of other things I can do to beat this.

Meds are there to help, to help you get started, to get perspective, etc etc... They're not immediately a good or bad thing. It depends on the WHOLE TREATMENT you go for.


2 books: Anxiety, Self Help using CBT by Helen Kennerly

And the opposite end of the scale

Self Help for your nerves by Claire Weekes (it's a fiver on amazon) It was written in the 60s so the terminology, and some of the medical stuff is dreadfully outdated.... but some of her simple techniques (like the neck one above) are genius and VERY reassuring...

Danniboo

Hey OP,

Everyone seems to be suggesting websites so I guess it's okay. There's a guy called Charles Linden who put together a genius program. If you look up "The Linden Method" online it will give you all the info. Honestly this proved so helpful.