General Anxiety Attacks Out Of Nowhere For No Reason??

[Justmehere]

I can have panic attacks triggered by something going on internally - a passing thought or even a momentary body sensation.

 

[ellienad]

I can have panic attacks triggered by something going on internally - a passing thought or even a momentary body sensation.

Yep, me too!! You're definitely not alone in that :hug:

 

[Sally sue]

I think it was only last week the T and I stumbled upon a trigger for me, when people's eyes are widely dilated, or dilate suddenly...that may sound very strange, but one of my recent traumas involved a friend dying in my arms and that's what happened to his eyes. I can't even remember how we figured that out, but OMgosh it feels hopeful (although weird) to at least have something to put my finger on with a trigger or panic attack! They can be so subtle, a smell, a sensation, a thought, etc.

 

[.Bubbles.]

Like others have said, panic attacks happen for a reason. The persons PTSD was triggered, or it could have been general anxiety. It may seem out of the blue, but it's never from nothing. It's possible the sufferer doesn't even know why it happened.

 

[Pencil]

Before I had PTSD I had never had a panic attack. When I did, it was full out, felt like a heart attack, scared out of my wits, panic attack.

Long before my 'official' entry into the world of full blown PTSD symptoms, but after the official diagnosis, I had a panic attack and ended up in ER with all the symptoms of a heart attack. I was in my early 30s. I was sent home the next day - fit as a fiddle - with the great news that it could have been a panic attack. Embarrassment is not the word. (This happened while enjoying a pleasant evening out with a friend. Soon after being served we had to abandon our meals and she rushed me to hospital. She was pissed off!)

For a long time afterwards I had tachychardia - a higher than normal heart rate, plus irregular heart rate (I think there is a separate term for it). Heart monitors did not reveal a cause. It disappeared as mysteriously as it had started.

I connected the dots only now...

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I'm glad that you're posting here to get feedback rather than telling your sufferer that his panic attacks for no reason seem fishy as this could be construed as you thinking that he's faking it, and I don't think that would go over too well.

I oftentimes suggest to sufferers that when they are triggered that they keep a journal of the date, time, preceding event, reaction, how it was dealt with, etc in order to figure out how to conquer these triggers. Perhaps it would help you if you kept a similar journal as you're on the outside and perhaps could recognize triggering events a bit easier. It may also help you in your role as a supporter so that you can see what topics may cause stress. That way you'd be able to recognize these patterns and be better prepared when a triggering event happens in the future.

 

[nahla1204]

Thank you so much to all of you. You have helped me to understand in a very short period of time. I think you are all amazing individuals.

 

[Ladyghosthunter]

Sadly, I have this constantly but then again, after doing self-research for a couple of days, I figured out that my panic attacks are due to "triggers" and there, just IMHO, is a difference. With my panic attacks, I shake and literally panic as though I can't deal with and issue (fight or flight response). I start crying (at times) and then I find out why I'm having these issues. In regards to to the "triggers", I just emotionally shut down to the point of isolation. Although I try to keep a diary about my triggers and my panic attacks, no one will truly understand or I cannot write down the true agony of my emotions at that exact moment. Depending upon which I am experiencing, some will bring me to my knees and I pray that my Higher Power will get me through this in one piece without the rage.
Yeah, I feel like The Incredible Hulk and it truly sucks.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I have had PTSD all of my life. Currently, I am being treated for a anxiety disorder which is so much better than it was. I used to have a floating anxiety attack for no apparent reason but later on after working through, I began to learn what caused them. I still have the occasional panic attack and dissociation but I am slowly getting a handle on the after affects.

I wish you well with finding out what your anxiety is all about. Since you are a supporter, perhaps the care giving is affecting you in ways you are not aware of. Just a hunch and my own opinion.