Odd Panic Symptoms?

[Manic11]

Lately I've been having extreme problems with my anxiety. I don't think it's ever been so out of control. Everything and mean everything triggers me, I'm constantly panicking and when I'm not I'll get triggered by the most random thing. I'll crying like a little baby over the tiniest things and having very bad nightmares.

Today, something happened and I had a breakdown right before work. I went into work crying and shaking. It wasn't too good. I was speaking to customers and for about 3 hours until I calmed down, I couldn't hear anything. I was speaking very quietly and I know I was because customers kept asking me to repeat what I was saying but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't speak any louder and I couldn't hear what they were saying. I was like I had cotton balls in my ears.

I made an appointment with my doctor next week to try medication again. I need something but this is just too out of control.
But has anyone ever had the feeling of not being able to hear, talk or form a sentence together when panicking?
I've had it before a bit but not as bad as today. Especially when I would say something then blank out in the middle of the sentence and not remember what I was going to say... :doh:

Manic

 

[Paloma]

I have had the same problem when really stressed. Really freaked me out when I would be trying to review blueprints with a client and I could not understand a word they said...like it was a foreign language. I would nod away and hope they didn't expect a response. Couldn't put a sentence together to save my life...or if I did, I couldn't figure out how to speak. It would usually come and go for minutes to hours at a time.

When I get like that, I also have trouble with object recognition. My theory is I am experiencing what I have heard called an "amygdala hijacking". My reptile brain (fight/flight central command) has kidnapped the rest of my brain (speech centers, higher processing areas) for its own agenda. The chemicals that flood the brain when hyperaroused and panicky don't seem to be the best for producing articulate philosophy or insightful dialogue.
You have my deepest empathy...it is very scary...but you are not alone and it passes when you calm down.:Hug_emoticon:

 

[clare]

Hi Manic,

Sorry things are so hard for you right now. Do you have any idea what could be causing it? Is it more neuro based or emotionally charged? Could it be health related? Other then when I've been sick from seizures or more recently pneumonia, the only times I've been that anxious and unable to function are when the "cup overflows" to use Anthony's analogy. It's always due to particularly stressful situations, usually when I'm caught off-guard. For instance, I'm currently filing for bankruptcy, there's a problem and we could still lose our home due to our lawyers laziness. At this same time I found out about this, my 3 year old took a major tantrum and then my son's teacher called about his refusal to take part in the conga line because he has a problem with boys touching him-which she thought was irrational. UGHH-that's when I panic and can't think straight. I pace angrily and want to hit things. I got everyone out of the house, blew off some steam and read my biology book for 30 minutes. It helped alot, but if I didn't get that break I don't know what I would do. I know sometimes our PTSD symptoms come in cycles, I hope your getting the support you need to manage this one. Let us know how it goes with the dr.'s appointment.

Your in my prayers,

clare

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

Manic -

Often when my anxiety is high - I have trouble reading, understanding what other people are saying to me, concentrating, and verbally expressing myself at all. I will jump around in a conversation and mix the words and sentences completely. I look at it as brain overload. The stress and anxiety is taking up so much of my brain at that moment that it can't handle normal tasks. Oh - I also tend to drop things often and forget everything (where I put something down at - etc.)

So the question really is - why are you overloaded? Is there something going on that has added more anxiety or stress?

I hope you feel better soon - it is so hard to function when your brain begins to operate this way.

 

[NarcSis]

I can totally relate to this. I have been overloaded for the past three weeks. I cry for reasons that have no connection to anything, for example, my husband and I went for a drive in the country the other day and I essentially drove all day; I didn't mind it, it was completely distracting but shortly after we got home and I started to relax, I felt sudden fear hit me out of nowhere and I started to shake and cry...??? I've been having more nightmares again each night. I've also been forgetting things alot and I sometimes lose my train of thought mid conversation.

I've redoubled my relaxation efforts but it seems to not be helping all that much. I assume its just a phase I have to pass through and when I start to cry, I simply let it run its course - it doesn't usually last more than 5 minutes or so but I understand that it can be truly unsettling when it happens in public. Find a safe place, acknowledge the fear/anxiety, let it out and then try some relaxation techniques or medication.

Good luck. I'll be thinking about you.

 

[This Ends Now]

My theory is I am experiencing what I have heard called an "amygdala hijacking". My reptile brain (fight/flight central command) has kidnapped the rest of my brain (speech centers, higher processing areas) for its own agenda. The chemicals that flood the brain when hyperaroused and panicky don't seem to be the best for producing articulate philosophy or insightful dialogue.

Well said! :thumbs-up

When my amygdala gets hijacked any number of crazy things could happen.

I don't think it is that unusual to have "odd" symptoms during times of extreme anxiety. I recently had to testify in court about a minor traffic accident and I could not answer simple questions the judge asked like "was it day or night, was it raining, was it near a stop light". Even though I was not the one on trial I was so terrified that I was completely unable to answer simple questions... my mind went blank and my voice was scared away.

I hope you start feeling better soon. :Hug_emoticon:

Liz H.

 

[skyp56]

Yes, I've had the same thing happen. A common trigger for me is when I suddenly think how much I miss my grandson. My T says it happens because the little girl inside is upset, and misses him to play with.

What Sunnybrook says is exactly what happens to me, but I could never explain it so well:

Often when my anxiety is high - I have trouble reading, understanding what other people are saying to me, concentrating, and verbally expressing myself at all. I will jump around in a conversation and mix the words and sentences completely. I look at it as brain overload. The stress and anxiety is taking up so much of my brain at that moment that it can't handle normal tasks. Oh - I also tend to drop things often and forget everything (where I put something down at - etc.)

I thought it was part of my depression, since I'd had that "nervous breakdown" a couple weeks ago. But it does feel like "brain overload" to me, also. This new medicine I'm on seems to help with that, a lot. A couple weeks ago, I could not even follow an hour long tv show, but now I'm watching movies with my husband again. But, I guess if other PTSD'ers have these symptoms, then they could be PTSD instead of the depression.

Manic, I "feel" for you. I hope this gets better for you!
{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
skyp56

 

[Cate]

Hey, when I have the panic sypmtoms here's what happens.

My mind goes blank, I can't put a sentence together and I stutter. I've never stuttered in my life and now I stutter when I'm under stress. Still don't know where the stress comes from half the time or what the triggers are but I can also shake, hyperventilate and barf.

Yikes!

Anyway, we're here for you.

:occasion:

Cate

 

[the racha]

Hey, Manic. I'm not sure there is such a thing as an "odd" panic reaction. In my case, my hearing becomes super sensitive and it's like I can hear a pin drop from across my house. I definitely have a hard time reading, concentrating, and sometimes just putting words together. And, yes, I totally forget what I'm going to say mid-sentence (which is pretty embarassing).

Have you tried a benzo? When I get triggered to this extreme extent, if I want to function like a halfway normal person, I start up on my benzos again, on kind of like a short-term regimen.

Good luck. I know it's so hard, but little by little the anxiety will ebb away.

racha

 

[helena]

Sometimes beta blockers can help with the physical side effects of shaking/panic etc.

They seem to calm the mind without the usual side effects of tranquillisers etc.

Sorry if you already know this but wanted to offer some help too.

 

[blackdove]

Hi there Manic! For me I have found that my panic and anxiety are much less since I have started therapy. I think it is the bond with a supportive therapist that has really helped me to regain my "platform" of security. I am of the view that when our sense of self-security is taken away then we get panic and anxiety as a result. I sort of came to this conclusion as follows: I imagined myself being hugged by a giant ball of organic wool insulation every time I panicked. Then I realized that if this was to appear everytime I panicked then I thought "hey, I would feel really safe and wouldn't panic". So, from my point of view, a good therapist is just like a giant ball of organic wool insulation and I have found her. It's great and I really think it is a relief for me and my future to have her. Good luck to you and don't stop trying to sort it out.

 

[melody]

I'm the same Manic, and not only do I have problems putting sentences together, I stumble over my words and sometimes stutter (just like Cate).

Have you thought about what Sunnybrook said? Is there any more stress or anxiety in your life than usual? Sometimes it takes me a couple of weeks of "spaced" out behaviour to realize there's something that's triggered or triggering me. If that makes any sense...

Just know you're not alone. :Hug_emoticon: