Categorize These Symptoms...

[arikajira]

I wonder if any of you more experienced sufferers may be able to give me some insight into my symptoms so that I may do some more targeted research on self care.

I have been diagnosed with C-PTSD by my psychologist and have no doubt this is the case. However, my symptoms have not been "classic" flashbacks, lack of sleep, or triggered events per-se. I'll be totally fine for days - weeks even - only to randomly have what I can best describe as a panic attack. Only I don't hyperventilate or have many physical symptoms. On the outside I seem fine. On the inside it's turmoil. Suddenly I don't recognise where I am. I mean, I DO know where I am; it's somewhere completely safe. Somewhere I was fine 2 minutes ago but all of a sudden I am looking around and feeling panicked. Breathing exercises don't seem to have an impact as my breathing rate has not increased much beyond normal. In fact, nothing seems to help. It stays for a while and then it goes. The more I let it freak me out the deeper and worse it gets.

Is this a form of dissociation? My perception of reality does take a sudden shift and gradually returns to "normal". Then there's also this panic attack that isn't unbearable. At least, I can control myself. It's just so overwhelming and terrifying and I never know when it's going to end. Today I just cried, curled up on the couch, and watched a movie until it passed.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[jaccat]

I don't have classic panic attacks, but I do get triggered into a fear response that sounds similar to what you are describing. Outwardly everything appears the same, inwardly it feels like I'm wound so tight I'm going to snap. The slightest sound or movement is unbearable to me.

Is there a pattern to these attacks? Do they happen in the same environment? At certain times of day? When you are around certain people? Can you work out what is triggering you. For me it revolves around going sleep, as historically this was the time of most danger at home.

You might want to look up mindfulness. Though you say breathing exercise are no help because you're breathing normally, which I get, focusing on your breathing or some other part of you can help bring you back. I'm no expert, believe me, but my T swears it helps;).

(ETA: just spotted you're new- T = therapist)

 

[nothere]

Have you looked into grounding exercises? They work really well to bring you back to the present. Give em a google. :shy:

 

[arikajira]

I don't have classic panic attacks, but I do get triggered into a fear response that sounds similar to wh...

Thanks jaccat. No - there doesn't seem to be an identifiable trigger so far. It's not really a frequent occurrence. My T (thanks for explaining the lingo) says I'm still "thawing". When it happens I'm not sensitive to sound or movement or light, etc. It's really just like my grip on reality slipped a little.
I looked up panic attacks last night and found this:

A full-blown panic attack includes a combination of the following signs and symptoms:

• Shortness of breath or hyperventilation
• Heart palpitations or a racing heart
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Trembling or shaking
• Choking feeling
• Feeling unreal or detached from your surroundings
• Sweating
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or faint
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Hot or cold flashes
• Fear of dying, losing control, or going crazy

I get the ones in bold. I guess that's why I didn't think it was a panic attack initially. I'm going to have a chat with my T about it. I'll look up the mindfulness practices as well - thank you.

 

[arikajira]

Have you looked into grounding exercises? They work really well to bring you back to the present. Give...

I haven't! I will now, though. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Chava]

Sounds like panic, or like panic "aura" (if there can be such a thing). I feel this sometimes before the heart rate gets messed up or I feel really ill. But I haven't had panic attacks in a while. But sometimes a sense of dread and unreality without body symptoms. But I can't say for sure how/what it is for you. For me, just recognizing what helped me get through was most beneficial, and that's pretty individual (breathing stuff doesn't help me either).

 

[shimmerz]

A potential place to start your research would be with derealization.

 

[arikajira]

Sounds like panic, or like panic "aura" (if there can be such a thing). I feel this sometimes before the h...

Thanks, Chava. That sounds more like me - less physical symptoms and just all in my head. Like a sudden reality shift that just hits me out of nowhere and the more I focus on it the more entrenched it gets.

 

[arikajira]

A potential place to start your research would be with derealization.

Thanks, shimmerz. I've had an extensive look into that. :) More to talk about with my T, I suppose.

 

[Chava]

though I wouldn't say "all in my head"....(like in it not being "real" because it's not physical). There are probably minute and subtle changes hormones, adrenaline, etc. Sometimes it feels like I'm being squeezed or like the air pressure around my head is too tight, sometimes tingling in my face. I wasn't really being squeezed, but the sensation pointed to something shifting.