brit 14 Posted October 30, 2014 I'm having a really bad panic attack. I feel really dizzy, my heart feels weird, and my vision seems to be off. Also I feel really exhausted and weak, and my hands just started to buzz a little. I'm getting really tired of having this and I don't know what to do. I just started going to therapy last week, so it obviously hasn't had any effect yet. But I really need to know how to cope with this. It's gotten so bad that just a week ago I had such a bad panic attack I ended up on my floor crying and yelling for my cousin to come help me. It's starting to physically drain me and I just want it to stop. Also something I noticed is when I'm having a panic attack my heart will almost feel too slow, but then when it gets really bad it starts beating really fast. I had an EKG done for this, but my results came back normal and that's when my doctor gave me a list of therapists to help the anxiety. But does anyone have any advice? I really need it right now, thank you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonathan123 2339 Posted October 30, 2014 Hi brit. What you have described is a really classic example of panic. In fact it is a text book example. Now look up on this site the works of Dr. Claire Weekes. Get her book and if you can the CD's. I understand there is a free recording somewhere of a talk. (Gilly!). If I say that none of this will harm you physically you may think I am silly. Not so. Your body is reacting to fear just as it did to our cave man ancestors. The primitive part of your brain has taken over and the reasoning part is dormant. This is to prepare you to run from the Mammoth or Sabre Toothed Tiger!! You can't 'turn off' panic. There is a way to deal with it but if you get the book I suggest you will find the explanation from an expert. It will drain you because you use a great amount of emotional energy in panic. The 'what iffs' come thick and fast. As soon as you finish reading this get onto RESOURCES on this site and look up Dr. Weekes. She was a recognised authority on panic and agoraphobia. The book "Essential help for your Nerves" is still a best seller. Do it; you won't regret it, but do it now not when you feel better. All this does pass but you need help, and I can only reassure you from a distance. To hear the good doctors voice is comforting as I have found over the past thirty years. Adding fear to fear is what keeps panic going but it has a limited life. Adrenaline always dies down. That is a physiological fact, and the panic subsides leaving you drained. Try not to stoke the fires by adding fear to fear. Jon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lonesailor14 651 Posted October 30, 2014 Hey Brit! panicend.com helped me with panic attacks. It helps to know about fight or flight, as Jon says it's a primitive system but we still have it. Learn about fight or flight & the symptoms that it can cause. After that you have to notice what thoughts you have that lead you into a panic attack. Sometimes you may think you weren't thinking anything & that's ok, sometimes you just can't catch the reason. I know if panic is new to you, you're probably looking all over the place for a cause. Let me save you some time. The cause doesn't really matter. It could have been caused by physical pain, hyperventilation, caffine/energy drinks, stress, genes, lack of sleep, it could be anything. The problem is once you've had one, you then worry about the next one. You worry about why. You worry about when and where. All this worry then causes stress which of course causes panic which becomes a circle and repeats. panicend.com & having more knowledge will help you to stop worrying & hopefully break the circle. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lauragibs 0 Posted December 6, 2014 staying calm and thinking positive is teh key to get over it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
