So I Do Have Panic Attacks

[Luminous Lotus]

I figured out really recently that the reoccurring problems I've been having are all symptoms of panic attacks. The most common symptoms I have are shaking and losing the feeling of being in reality. Most of the time I can stop it there, but when they get bad I get heart pounding, shallow breathing, and feeling like something terrible or even lethal is going to happen (with seizures being the main thing on my mind given my history). Recently I actually had hot flashes after a strain of really bad panic attacks.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I have panic attacks really often, although I am able to stop them most of the time.

One place that commonly causes me to go into a panic attack is actually this website. I often find that I'm comparing myself to everyone else, I feel like I'm something of a junior in everyone else's eyes. The cause of my PTSD is major surgery, which seems to be highly discredited. Part of me seems to take that knowledge and use it to say that I will be discredited, especially among so many people who have a form of PTSD that's more credited. Aside from that, there's also my age. I've noticed that I think about these things every time I try to reply to someone or to help them, as stupid as it is I relate age to experience and next thing I know I'm having a panic attack.

I will be going to the doctor soon in the hope that I can get medicine for my panic attacks, but I'm expecting to have a panic attack at the doctor's office because of the fact that my PTSD has to do with hospitalization. My mother thinks I'm crazy because "It's a doctor's office, not a hospital," but that's never made a difference.

I guess I'm just wondering if there's something I can do about the panic attacks caused by either of these, or if I'm just going to have to endure until after I get medicated.

 

[franciemarnie]

You are no junior. PTSD is PTSD no matter how or when it was caused. My symptoms go back to grade school.

I don't get panic attacks often but when I have - arghh! Terrible. I do pranic breathing or walking.

 

[crazy8]

I get panic attacks too. Long, hot showers is the only thing I've found so far that can get me out of one.

And you're not a junior. Or discredited. Each persons experience and history is unique and uniquely important.

 

[arfie]

Yup, that is how I would describe a panic attack. I tend to use "panic attack" and "anxiety attack" interchangeably. We seem to have similar triggers, too. Medication helped, but I still had to deal with the causes. The good news is that I almost never have to deal with the attacks or the medications any more. Recovery is possible.

Be patient yourself and the process, Luminous. Small, steady steps will get you there.

 

[Luminous Lotus]

I keep reading those comments over and over again. Logically I know I shouldn't be considering myself a junior, but that's been the truth about how I feel. I greatly appreciate your reassurance.

Walking is a fantastic idea, but unfortunately I have zero tolerance to cold and it's snowing. I've tried just walking around in the house, but it just turns into pacing which makes matters worse.

Hot showers definitely help me out. I've been taking a lot of them lately, but like anything else it only seems to help for a little while.

The more I think about those though, the more I realize that the anniversary is probably greatly responsible for why I'm having so much trouble... I've had a great deal more panic attacks since my emotions got so strong. I guess I just didn't think about it because I'm having trouble seeing anything but what's happening now.

@arfie
I was using them interchangeably myself, but when I tried to look into anxiety attacks I just found anxiety and panic attacks. Until I figure out what's up with the phrase "anxiety attack", I'll just be using "panic attack" myself. The thought that we have similar triggers doesn't really surprise me too much, but it's still interesting to know.

Yay, for that! I'm no stranger to working through my own problems, (although I've been vastly running out of patience with how small the step are,) but ever since the panic attacks started in October I've been having a lot of trouble getting anywhere.