Panic Attacks

[mallyh]

for some unknown reason i've started to have panic attacks they really frighten me , i can't explain why this keeps happening ,has anyone on ab had this happen ?

[sunny-dave]

Yes - many years ago now - and the stigma of 'blokes don't panic' kept me from telling people about them and soldiering on alone for far too long.

There is often no specific cause/reason (although mine seemed to be to do with feeling 'trapped') - the key to getting better for me wasn't any "search for the the reason" but working on practical solutions to the very real physical symptoms and (crucially) letting other people know what was going on so that they could help/understand.

A really good book is

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

It is stuffed full of practical advice and simple ideas - helped me a lot.

Good Luck

Dave x

[mallyh]

thankyou sunny-dave ,did yours go as suddenly as they started .it s making me feel quite ill with such a feeling of doom coming over me .

[sunny-dave]

They came/went several times - it took a while until I felt I was genuinely 'free'.

But my problem was made much worse by a prolonged period of denial and embarrassment - which meant it got pretty bad before I admitted there was a problem and got help (from medics and friends).

The sooner you get some help the better. If you can catch the problem in its early stages then you should soon begin to be able to cope better with the physical symptoms & that is the main step to getting rid of the panic altogether.

[scorpiojo]

Yes, again with no obvious reason. Anti-depressants helped me but more importantly, learn how to relax. Have you spoken to your GP? He/she should know of any courses in your area for helping you with anxiety. There is also an organisation called No Panic if you have a browse online. Perhaps even talking to a counsellor at your GP's surgery? xx

[pixie373]

Yes, many years ago. Mine were treated with antidepressants, successfully- but it took a while. It is treated as part of depression. At the time, breathing in and out of a paper bag, or cupped hands can stop it. But GP is the first step.

[mallyh]

thankyou again sunny-dave and scorpio x i have been to the doctors in a right state as i thought i was dying .i feel really stupid after these attacks ,but when they happen sense goes out the window ,i feel my throat is closing up and gasp for breathe the doctor has given me pills to calm me but i don't want to rely on them .OH when home is great talking to me and getting me to calm down.xx

[sunny-dave]

The paper bag trick is a good one (never, ever plastic though).

Breathing the same air in/out several times increases Carbon Dioxide concentration in the blood/brain and this has a very quick calming effect.

[mallyh]

thanks pixie i did the paperbag breathing but was in such a state which was getting me to feel worse ,i've had about 12 over the last fortnight some last for about 15 mins others for hours it is helping me talking about it and knowing others have had them .xx

[pixie373]

You really need to do it for a couple of minutes. It really does work, as Dave described. I'm surprised your doctor has given you calmers and not antidepressants. That's very unusual now.

[pixie373]

They really aren't logical. I used to feel panicky the second my OH left the house. I knew there was no reason and that i would be fine, but i couldn't stop the feeling of panic. It's horrible.

[mallyh]

doctor said to try these first then i'm to go back in 15 days to review the situation .

[sunny-dave]

Tricky isn't it Pixie - anti-depressants didn't help me, but do help most others in the same situation.

Valium/diazepam (used very occasionally and in specific circumstances) was one of my key aids in getting better - but for many people it was a dangerous crutch that became the problem itself.

One size doesn't fit all and a GP (or secondary referral) is the only real answer for any individual.

[mazie]

Yes it happened to me Mally. The children were 3 and 4 at the time . I know what triggered mine, it was a friend of mine collapsing in the street, her 5 year old son was with her , she died that day. somewhere In my mind I thought the same thing was going to happen to me. When I had the first one my OH called the Doc because we both thought I was having a heart attack! She explained about panic attacks and gave me tablets to calm me down. Like dave we didn't tell anyone, I felt so ashamed(silly I know) I took the tablets for about 18 months until I conditioned myself to accept them for what they were. Once I did that I was able to relax, breath through them and let them wash over me . I do hope they don't last too long Mally . this could have been triggered by your Daughter's recent battle with cancer. Xxxx

[Peaspeculiars]

Hiya, I have panic attacks now and then when around a lot of people/ crowds, but they are getting less and less now. Once you get more used to knowing when an attack is coming and what you personally need to relieve the symptoms it does get easier. My mum also used to get them and we even now have to sit her on the end of a row when we go to the cinema so she can make a quick exit if she starts to panic. Strange really as we are both very confident otherwise. I found this blogger a few months ago, although her blog is mainly about steampunk, the writer also suffers panic attacks and often puts on hints and tips which I've found very useful in the past. I hope it helps: http://www.epbot.com/2014/01/5-ways-to-help-your-loved-one-through.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+epbot%2FfOpU+%28EPBOT%29

[pixie373]

Fair enough. Do you mind me asking what they are, out of interest? Thinking about it, i was given diazepam prn to start with, until i saw a doctor who understood and explained that while they may temporarily help one symptom, you need to treat the underlying illness to make a real difference.

[mallyh]

thanks mazie, i didn't realise they were so common ,i just can't put my finger on one particular thing to cause this ,it could very well be my daughters cancer and her recent passing out episodes but i thought i was coping well with this perhaps it is the build up of stress (and i thought i was a strong person ) xx

[mallyh]

thanks peaspeculiars x pixie the tablets are trazadone 2 a day x

[pixie373]

It's not a weakness, mally. You were strong when you had to be and now your body is wanting a rest. They are very common. They can be treated and you will be fine xx

[hellywelly4]

Oh bless you. I really do sympathise because the terror is so real. Try and tell yourself that it will pass. Very difficult I know, but it will. Perhaps you should give the tablets time to kick in. The doctors don't give you ones which are addictive these days like they did when I had the attacks, so I'm sure they will help you. It's an automatic response I think, 'Flight and Fight'? Not sure but if you can just sit down and let the feeling pass it will get better. You are obviously going through a very worrying time with your daughter, and that will have had some effect on you I'm sure. I do wish you the very best and hope they will pass.

[mallyh]

thanks pixie i wish i'd spoken of this two weeks ago it's really helping talking to others i'm actually getting a feeling of calm for the first time .xx