Panic Attacks Are Getting Worse

[FindingMyself88]

Ok, so I know everyone's panic attacks are different. My normal ones in the past have come on either slowly or been triggered and started immediately. Either way I am normally able to get by myself. My breathing becomes labored, but not severe. I more like hold my breath and then hyperventilate.

This week alone I have started having more severe panic attacks and in very public places. Leaving group therapy Tuesday I was in a fog and all of a sudden my throat felt constricted and I was gasping for breath. It took me to my knees and one of the members from my group went and got my therapist. She stayed with me and got me to take my anxiety medication.

Then today I went to my doctor's office to get a letter from her and out of the blue I had another panic attack identical to the one on Tuesday. Again they made me sit until I was calm again. I am beginning to be afraid to leave the house. I have no warnings with these and I feel embarrassed when they happen.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

(((((@FindingMyself88))))) So sorry you are going through this. What does your T say about this?

Have you been able to connect these attacks to anything in the present? Anything going on in group?

 

[FindingMyself88]

She is reinforcing my coping techniques and also having me monitor when I zone out and get distressed.

The more severe ones have come out of nowhere, but on days where I was having a really off day. Honestly I zoned out the entire time in group because i had counseling with my T before and I was still reeling from that…

It just seems that I am beginning to have more bad days than good. I'm afraid to go out alone without my roommate. I really feel like this is where getting a service dog will help, just know its going to take time.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

OK. I was looking back over your other posts to be refreshed. It seems like you felt the fog after therapy, right? Were you talking about trauma in that session?

Also, I know the foggy feeling increases your anxiety. So that could be the cause of the panic attacks?

I know she has been teaching you coping techniques. Has she specifically told you what to do to cope when you are zoning out and getting stressed?

 

[FindingMyself88]

That's the thing. I didn't talk at all in group therapy. Regular therapy we talked about my parents moving up here.

I definitely think the zoning out or fog is related to the attacks, one way or the other. My psych is fitting me in to see her on Tuesday.

My T is just working on me monitoring when I zone out right now. Like how I feel and such

 

[FindingMyself88]

I'm honestly fighting a panic attack right now but can't take anymore anxiety medication today. It's second panic attack in one day.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Do you think the thoughts of your parents moving in with you are freaking you out because you want to have this under control before they get there?

Maybe coping techniques would be best. What coping techniques have you been utilizing? What coping techniques did she give you to manage this symptom?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

It's possible that your medication is actually increasing your panic. That's what happens with me. I have to be really stingy with my medication.

 

[Barconian]

This week alone I have started having more severe panic attacks and in very public places. Leaving group therapy Tuesday I was in a fog and all of a sudden my throat felt constricted and I was gasping for breath. It took me to my knees and one of the members from my group went and got my therapist. She stayed with me and got me to take my anxiety medication.

You have a lot on your mind!

 

[FindingMyself88]

@EvenStrongerNow I think a lot has to do with my parents. Not so much getting better before they get here, but dealing with living with them again. Me and my stepdad are good, but its my mom I worry about. Right now we are in a good place, but with her that can change without warning. In the past she has been emotionally abusive. My therapist keeps telling me to have confidence in myself though because I've done a lot of work on myself and boundaries since moving her to Birmingham and that now unlike last time I lived with her, I have a large support network (my T, my group, my psych, my church).

@Solara Me and my psych have considered this in the past, but when I try to wean off any of them, I get WAY worse. Like I become COMPLETELY unable to function. The only "new" medication is the Risperidal (sp?) and I've been on it for 2-3 weeks now and it was helping at first. It may be that the dose needs to be upped.

@Barconian I do, and ultimately I think thats what is causing all of this. It just sucks. I am having to do a medical withdrawal from school this semester due to my gastro issues I had at beginning and have not gotten caught up on. So now I feel like a failure… not working, not going to school, barely functioning outside the house…

Hopefully I will get some answers from my psychiatrist on Tuesday about why I am starting to zone out a lot and why the panic attacks are intensifying. We have honestly come to the conclusion that medication is not going to help me completely, that the service dog is my best chance at getting my old life back. I just wish the process would hurry up...

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

I'm going to come back later and reply. Hugs.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Hey, how are you feeling today?