Panic Attacks

[Rose4388 0]

Hi. I'm new to this board. I have always been an anxious person, but I started experiencing panic attacks multiple times per day right before I moved 5 months ago. I know the move triggered these attacks, but they have continued since. I have sought help since then, but still experience the inability to relax, and panic symptoms almost constantly. It is getting hard for me to handle these feelings- (tightness in my chest, racing heart, dizziness, muscle spasms, racing thoughts), on an everyday basis. Being at work with these symptoms all day feels like torture. And then, I dread the drive home all day. (My panic is worst while in the car). I have never been a depressed person- but I am beginning to want to just sleep all of the time, so that I don't have to feel this way. I guess I just feel like I'm alone in my own personal hell. This is supposed to be a happy time in my life, and I just feel pretty hopeless. Can anyone relate to these feelings? I am always tense. I can never relax. Nothing is fun anymore. I walk around constantly terrified. Taking one of the Xanax my dr. prescribed helps but then I start to obsess that I'll become dependent on it. How can I have gone from a successful independent woman to this frightened small person so quickly? It's a lonely feeling.

[busybee3 21]

Hi .i know how u feel.i hve always been uptight lol but this past year I hve been experiencing crippling panic attacks.eventually I had to give in n take meds which I know isn't for everyone.hve u tried therapy?.i am currently doing cbt therapy .i am starting relaxation hypnotherapy.hoping it helps.therapy is a good option if u dnt want meds.sometimes we just hve to admit we cnt handle this stuff on r own n need help

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi Rose and welcome to AC. You have written a perfect  description of GAD (General Anxiety Disorder). Every word is so typical of this problem. You are not alone because we all speak from personal experience, and I have been where you are now, as has everyone here. All your symptoms are the result of fear which is always at the root of anxiety. You have become afraid of how you feel so that you perpetuate the problem by adding more fear. "I walk around constantly terrified". That puts a considerable strain on you energy resources so that you feel drained; tired all the time. You are flogging yourself with fear of fear. You are in the fear/anxiety/fear cycle. You have become 'sensitised' for some reason. It could be anything and it is not useful to go looking for the why's and wherefores. Have you looked up all the info on the site and especially the 100 symptoms of anxiety? Then, under RESOURCES the information about the books by Dr. Claire Weekes. If you feel up to it, and I know how difficult it can be to concentrate for long, there are some useful articles under the 'Must Read' section.  Mild medication and counselling can work wonders. Have you any counselling available? You need not become addicted to drugs and a word with your GP should reassure you, and they can help a lot in the short term. It is very possible to recover; many have so don't despair. Keep posting and if you have any further questions, ask. We listen.     Jon.

[Rose4388 0]

Thank you so much for your responses and advice. I currently speak with a psychiatrist, who just basically prescribes me meds and then I leave- and I have spoken with a therapist in the past. I stopped seeing her, as she did not know much about anxiety disorder and I felt like we just dug into my past and opened wounds over and over again each week. I am scheduled to see a CBT next month, and I'm hoping she will be able to help! I'm at a point where I am so desperate for relief that I will try anything. I have somehow been able to make it through grad school and work these past 5 months, but it has NOT been easy. It's like every minute is a struggle. Your kind words have been really helpful!

[Rose4388 0]

Also, what meds have worked for you?

[Dany 10]

I am sorry to hear about your problems. Have faith, you will overcome them, with patience and in time. I sometimes get anxious while driving and it can be really frustrating. I love driving and this feeling is interfering with the pleasure of driving.

 

There are some effective techniques that have helped me reduce anxiety while driving and it might help you also:

 

>> Distract yourself while driving. Give yourself something to listen to so that you can get out of your own head. Music can help, but it may be better to listen to something like talk radio or podcasts in order to give yourself something to think about. That will make it harder to focus on the attack and how you feel.

 

>> Driving anyway. Depending on how severe your attacks are, you may want to try driving anyway. Those that get very dizzy during their panic attacks may find driving to be too difficult. But those that can still drive should strongly consider facing their fear and driving anyway.

 

>> Drive Safely. All stress is bad stress when you suffer from panic attacks, so make sure you're not contributing to anything that will cause you anxiety. Drive the speed limit, take very few risks, keep a GPS in the car so that you're not worried about getting lost, and don't try to swerve around traffic.

 

>> Control your breathing. While driving, the tendency to breathe too quickly increases. When you feel like you're having a panic attack, don't try to take in as much air as possible. Instead, try to fight the urge and simply slow down your breathing so that each breath takes as long as 15 seconds or more. You should breathe in for 5 seconds, hold for 2 or 3, and breathe out for 7. This will prevent hyperventilation and improve carbon dioxide levels in the blood stream.

 

>> Practice driving for extended periods of time. While it may not be pleasant, sometimes the cure for driving panic attacks is to drive for so long that you find driving boring. You may get a panic attack while driving, but if you keep driving, you'll find that you start to worry about it less.

 

Hope this helps. Take care!