PTSD??? Managing anxiety and panic attacks after traumatic bereavement

[Ell95]

Hi I’m wondering if anyone can help me, I am currently waiting on diagnosis from drs, 5 years ago my brother was murdered by family members, about a year after I started having panic attacks and really bad anxiety, I had a breakdown 2 years after while I was on holiday, previous I had my own business and kept my self so busy, but kept getting panic attacks while working, I went on holiday for a break and ended up in hospital over there due to the physical symptoms of what I thought was anxiety and panic attacks, all my symptoms are I go dizzy, a burning sensation from my head down my body, can’t see properly, can’t hear well, ringing noises, totally disconnect from everyone around me, vomit, poor bowl movements, numbness in hands, pounding heart, once this stage calms down I’m totally wiped, I hate going anywhere now, hate being around people, constantly feel on edge, I feel everyone emotions, even when watching tv, if I hear someone arguing I think someone is going to die, I forget things all the time, can’t take in what anyone is saying to me, I’m totally drained, I now have a young baby and I’m so worried I won’t be able to do things with her involving school and other people, I’m not sure if it ptsd or just anxiety can anyone help?

 

[Friday]

I now have a young baby and I’m so worried I won’t be able to do things with her involving school and other people, I’m not sure if it ptsd or just anxiety can anyone help?

I took the tack that predicitble is preventable.

I’m not always able to be the parent I wanted to be. So? What I did was set up time for adventures-away (both planned in advance, and on the fly), and come up with FUN things at home, that require near zero effort on my part to cover for when I was hurting.

- Sleepovers / weekends away
- School break camps
- Parents night out
- Setting up the tent in the living room, with fairy lights, pizza/Chinese/etc., & movie marathons for a Jammie Movies Day

Meant my now 20yo never had any idea how gutted I often was, when he was little, and even now has some trouble believing it.

 

[arfie]

hello @Ell95 . welcome to the forum. you just listed quite a few of my own ptsd symptoms, but psych symptoms crossover freely between psychiatric disorders. this is not a good place to find your diagnosis, but it is a most excellent place to ask questions and sort some of those boatloads of challenges that come with parenting.

welcome aboard ell. i hope you find stabilizing companionship here. you are not alone.

 

[Sideways]

That’s a lot to deal with. For some folks, panic attacks get so bad, and cause so much dysfunction, that it becomes a mental health disorder all of its own.

The good news is that it’s very treatable. Often using a combination of meds, CBT, and other therapies.

Hope things start to come together for you with your diagnosis and that sets you on a path to the most effective treatment.

 

[ManukaLuver]

Hi I’m wondering if anyone can help me, I am currently waiting on diagnosis from drs, 5 years ago my brother was murdered by family members, about a year after I started having panic attacks and really bad anxiety, I had a breakdown 2 years after while I was on holiday, previous I had my own business and kept my self so busy, but kept getting panic attacks while working, I went on holiday for a break and ended up in hospital over there due to the physical symptoms of what I thought was anxiety and panic attacks, all my symptoms are I go dizzy, a burning sensation from my head down my body, can’t see properly, can’t hear well, ringing noises, totally disconnect from everyone around me, vomit, poor bowl movements, numbness in hands, pounding heart, once this stage calms down I’m totally wiped, I hate going anywhere now, hate being around people, constantly feel on edge, I feel everyone emotions, even when watching tv, if I hear someone arguing I think someone is going to die, I forget things all the time, can’t take in what anyone is saying to me, I’m totally drained, I now have a young baby and I’m so worried I won’t be able to do things with her involving school and other people, I’m not sure if it ptsd or just anxiety can anyone help?

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor but have struggled with thyroid issues for decades and am dx'd with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and some of your symptoms remind me of my thyroid symptoms. Also, I had Covid-19 and now have Covid Long Haulers and your symptoms also remind me of my C-19 Longhaulers symptoms. Again, I'm not a pcp/doctor and am just sharing my issues with you. I hope you find your answers.

 

[caroline_13]

I took the tack that predicitble is preventable.

I’m not always able to be the parent I wanted to be. So? What I did was set up time for adventures-away (both planned in advance, and on the fly), and come up with FUN things at home, that require near zero effort on my part to cover for when I was hurting.

- Sleepovers / weekends away
- School break camps
- Parents night out
- Setting up the tent in the living room, with fairy lights, pizza/Chinese/etc., & movie marathons for a Jammie Movies Day

Meant my now 20yo never had any idea how gutted I often was, when he was little, and even now has some trouble believing it.

That sounds so fun. Quite innovative of you.