Awful Panic Attack

[hounderawr]

So I've been suffering from Panic Attacks for quite a number of years, I'm medicated by a doctor and it helps. I hadn't had one in a while, I was quite well I started about 18 (turning 25 next month!) and they've had they're periods where they've come on for a while and come off for a while.

I've recently had a period where I've been ok, I can do things I need to do and not have any anxiety about anything but yesterday was a whole different ballgame, I went to sydney with my 2 brothers and normally I'm ok (I've had some issues in the past going there, I think big crowds and loud sounds is a trigger of mine) but I've been there other times where that's not bothered me at all.

So yesterday we went there, went to Westfields (a shopping centre) one of the biggest in New South Wales, and it hit me just on and it lasted about 2 hours kept having its 'peak' and its 'ok', but it was just constantly there so I couldn't really enjoy myself I kept trying to breathe, Took extra medication but none of that truely helped so in the end we left a little earlier then we had planned and didn't really get to look around all that often but when I hopped in the car though, I was ok and today I've had just very mild but still there ups and downs and have had to had extra medication to get through it.

Has anyone else had a similar situation? I'm scared I'll get the feeling back, I know how to control it as best I can but the feeling I dread the most is when its right at its peak and you can't even relax or sit down you feel like crying but you can't, you sweat dramatically, it's just all around bad.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Has anyone else had a similar situation?

About 8 times a day, every day.

I downloaded an app for anxiety called What's Up on my android phone but there are others; just go to the app store & search anxiety.

The medaphors and thinking patterns helps me a lot. Im in a job that i need to 'snap back' fast so the one that helped me the most was first watching my breathing, making sure im not holding my breath and that im slowing my breathing down then (at first had to close my eyes but now dont so you can do this w/o anyone knowing it really eventually) i imagine myself floating on my back on water; once ive correctly achieved that imagine everything just stops, my muscles relax, brain slows, stop shaking really bad, and can do my job.

Now i do have BAD social anxiety and so ive never tried it in a crowd of peopls but maybe if you can start to do it at home first, at least find the metaphor fhat works for you and gef the imagine down, then try it in small crowds, then increase slowly the amount of people you're around?

Im also on medication and get to red zone dont know what im saying or doing rage so i cant go off my med but i can stop an attack thats not red zone like that.

I hope this helps!

 

[Nikie]

I have had only a few panic attacks not even to mention.. Didn't last longer than 5 min but its extreme.. Didn't use meds .. Cos I didn't know it was a painic attack .. But after everyone I pass out for 2 to 3 hours wakup with a headache ..
I believe you fear that. I fear it and I have 5 min experianses ..phewww 2 hours your body must be exhausted after sugh a thing..
I believe in digging deep for getting the roots of this.. You said the music and people might have been the trigger.. But why. ??Where did this all begin..
:hug:.. I really do. hope you get the answer to your panic attacks ..you are so young and have such a big part of your life ahead.

 

[Fraenzy MDM]

I also had long lasting panic attacks, not sure if it was 2 hours, but more or less like it.
When it is that bad the only thing that really helps me is going home and lying down (I luckily never had it when I was at work - but outside in the city center I experienced it) - because of my asthma I do have always a spray with me, that at least gives me a little security....u know, like I am telling myself this will make me breathe...nothing serious is happening to me. I also sometimes called a friend in this situations (when I was outside) and asked them to talk to me, just telling me something...distracting me.
My therapist told me distraction is not the way, but as I am new in therapy I used it before many times.
Also I do got recently medication...
I absolutely understand the fear of this coming back...especially as it lasts for so long it is not only physically exhausting but also allows ur scared mind to ask "Am I really not going to die" like a million times within these hours...

Working with my new therapist did help me so far...as my panic attacks are less now...and mostly at home where I can handle them somehow (huge thanks also to my dog who always comforts me...)

 

[Gadgie]

Quote......."Has anyone else had a similar situation? I'm scared I'll get the feeling back, "

I'm afraid there is no definite answer to that, I suppose panic attacks affect different people in different ways.

My ones are triggered by anxiety, when I feel hammed in, or meet strangers? My PTSD flash backs are triggered by, loud sounds, smells and vision, but the worst part of it all, .......are the nightmares!

 

[hounderawr]

When it is that bad the only thing that really helps me is going home and lying down

That's what held me knowing I'll be able to come home too.
Thank you for all your responses, I'm better today not so afraid. I feel like I'll be able overcome this, I'm seeing a therapist soon (I've yet to make an appointment) but I think these are triggered because I'm a quiet person in general and let people walk all over me, and just hold things in – I know I shouldn't but I do.
My friends and brothers are good support, but my Mum is my best support (Sounds odd I know) but she just knows exactly what it's like as she's had these before so I think it's sort of nice to have that to relate with.

I downloaded an app for anxiety called What's Up on my android phone but there are others; just go to the app store & search anxiety.

Am looking into this now actually, I've an apple but I'm sure there'd be something.

I think sharing and posting about it is a good way as well, just knowing you're not the only one and people have different variations. I just never experienced one for so long, websites always say they last about 30 minutes but nothing ever about ones that last hours.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Am looking into this now actually, I've an apple but I'm sure there'd be something.

I posted about the app in its own thread and had stated i searched anxiety and someone in there has apple and said there were many so in sure you can find an app that helps! :)

 

[Disorder7]

What kind of "meds" are you taking throughout the day?

I'm not saying this is happening to you at all, but I will say people who take benzos eventually hit tolerance. Then they start having interdose withdrawals, which they write off as multiple attacks throughout the day.

Again, I don't know what you're taking and I don't know what's going on. I just wanted to toss it out there. Take care.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I will say people who take benzos eventually hit tolerance. Then they start having interdose withdrawals, which they write off as multiple attacks throughout the day.

Ive taken xanax for 7 yrs & not gotten used to them, only recently had to increase due to massive more amounts of anxiety but i only take them if needed and not for small amts of anxiety i can get myself thru. Also stopped taking for a few months & no withdrawls or anything.

I do agree that you have to watch any addicting medication.

 

[Cas]

I have these panic attacks at least that's what I think it is where I start shaking all over they will last sometimes between 15- 45 minutes followed by a very bad headache and nausea

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I have these panic attacks at least that's what I think it is where I start shaking all over they will last sometimes between 15- 45 minutes followed by a very bad headache and nausea

Sounds like a severe pain attack. I also shake really bad inside and out with a lot of mine.

Not sure it will help i would try one of the free mobile apps. It helps really well with anxiety thats not 'red zone' or caught before it gets there and settles down the shaking completely, tightened muscles, mind racing. I combined the breathing exercise that worked the best with the metaphor that works the best.

Unsure if you're on medication but thats a non-chemical way to help. If it helps and if you can catch it early and stop it, the headache and nausea wont come either.

Def, if possible, make sure its nothing medical.

Hope that helps and in sorry you have to go through that!

 

[deleted]

I've had situations like that! My therapist calls it a "rolling panic attack" It's a punch of small panic attacks pushed together. As one fades another one starts up. It's one of the worst things! My psychiatrist put me on Klonopin and I they helped a lot in these situations because I knew I only had about 30 minutes until it would kick in and start to calm me down. I started misusing it though and had to be taken off so I don't really have a way to deal without a benzo of some kind. I use Xanax that I get from a dealer now because benzos are the only things that help, especially in these situations for me.

If you have a doctor or psychiatrist I recommend asking them about trying out a benzo or stronger anxiety medication that you can use in these situations! It gives you the relief of knowing that the panic will fade in about 30 minutes. :) Benzos are addictive though and it's really easy to start misusing them and I really caution you about that! It is a slippery slope in that area, trust me. But if you can use them properly then they are a life saver!

Good luck to you!