Nervous breakdown?

[sair5412]

Have I had a mini nervous breakdown? Recently, my boyfriend and I split up. One day when my son was at school. I paced round and round the house crying and hyperventillating until I had to call my mum. By the time she came round, I couldn't stand up and I felt like I was going to throw up or faint. I didnt really feel aware of where I was and wanted to sink through the floor. She asked me what time my son finished school and I couldnt remember nor grasp the concept that he needed collecting. I couldn't stop crying and just wanted to die (or felt like the pain would only stop if I did die). It was awful but I am ok now. I am on anti-depressants and have been for about a year but I still went through this and don't feel they really do anything. I'm just so worried this could happen again but this time worse. My parents don't have much patience with me but it's out of my control, i can't help it. If you see me in the park playing with my son or out with friends, I am completely normal. What is wrong with me?

[aka pixi]

hi sair, Im not 100% certain but it sounds like you had a panic attack. I used to get them years ago and the hyperventilating and being unaware sounds just the same. I too used to feel like I was going to be sick or pass out and when they were really bad I honestly thought that what was happening would kill me. If it is panic attacks the best thing to do when its happening is to breathe into a paper bag or take deep slow breathes until the hyperventilating stops (easier said than done I know ) To be on the safe side I would mention to your doctor what has happened. I really hope you are feeling better soon.

[smudge]

I really do sympathise with you sair, but I'm not experienced enough to offer you any futher advice with your current problems, only that as you are already taking anti-depressants, your GP would be the best one to discuss your fears with.

I do hope you will soon be feeling well again & able to enjoy the summer with your son. Take great care.

[shaneystar2]

Just a thought sair ..but has your doctor done any blood tests.
I don't know how old you are....but you can get thyroid trouble at any age.I had similar symptoms to you all last year. Panicky,weepy and also these feelings of faintness amongst a host of other things.The panic feeling is the worst ..a horrible banging feeling in your throat and gulping for air.I feel fine now having got to the bottom of it.
Do go back to your GP to rule anything else out. Don't just let him fob you off with anti depressants which can become addictive.Get him to give you a thorough check up.
Hope you soon feel better.

[dancealot13]

Sair- I also have had anxiety attacks throughout my life and Im only 24. I do believe you had a panic/anxiety attack that was quite severe. There are a lot of different things that can help with anxiety. Reading for me is number one, authors and masters like Buddah, Dali Lama, Gary Zuckov etc., these are teachings and lessons to help control our thoughts and evaluate our feelings. My mother introduced me to these "self-help" books when her and my father got separated. This was when I was 16. I became an insomniac,I would have anxiety attacks all throughout the night, it was torture. My doctor put me on Vallume. It didn't work and I still wasn't sleeping (it had been 4 months), finally I had to find another way to get help, cause' I was going insane from lack of sleep. The most amazing part about our minds and our will is that WE have control. So when we feel out of control we may need a little nudge to get back on the wagon. One thing I would like to say to you is that- you were fine before you met your boyfriend, before he was ever in your life you were just fine. So use that as proof to yourself that you will be fine again,..without him. You have to believe that it will pass, you have to step outside yourself and look around you and ask yourself am I alright? You may be in a tremendous amount of pain, but you your physical self in O K. No one is trying to harm you etc. It's grounding yourself, and placing you back in this reality...you're not going to die because your boyfriend broke up with you because that's impossible, the pain isn't going to be there forever, you will get through it, and you will meet someone else down the road NO MATTER WHAT you say to yourself. You will love again.Talking like this will help calm you and feel more in control. When difficult things happen in this life, think of them as lessons, lessons to make you stonger, and to make your soul stronger for the bigger picture.

[smudge]

I'll probably get slated for this, but I think too many Doctors fob people off with anti-depressants without getting to the core of the problem &/or suggesting other ways to get through the anxiety or dark days.

They also tell you that anti-depressants are not addictive - if that's the case, why are so many people on them for years & years & years!

I have suffered with depression at certain times in my life due to bereavements & have been prescribed anti-depressants, but found that pills are not always the answer. Facing your demons & coming to terms with the reality of losing loved ones &/or other problems in your life, is by far a better option.

Having said that, I understand everyone is different.

[sair5412]

Thank you so much everyone!

I am struggling to breathe today and I know if I cry about anything, I'll lose my breath completly. As I sit here in a (fairly!) calm state I can't breathe up as high as I want to and my chest feels tight. I have to yawn to get enough air!

Thank you for everything you have all said. I have purchased 2 books online (hopefully I won't panic when my bank statement comes-argh!!) both by Gary Zuckav, "self empowerment" and something else, I can't remember!

I have also thought about going back to a different doctor- one who isn't obsessed with writing prescriptions for anti-depressents. (I agree smudge- if doc knows for sure it is a chemical imbalance then fine!) He didn't really ask what was wrong, just listened to me cry told me to calm down and gave me the prescription and off I trotted within about 5-10 minutes. He was obviously pushed for time. Not been back since either so he doesnt know how I'm getting on. I will see a different doc and MAKE them talk to me about my breathing, not sleeping and shaking. It's kind of a mixture between depression/sadness/feeling down and panic/adrenalin/insomnia.

Thanks to everyone anyway, it really helps me stop feeling so alone in this.

Love to anyone else who needs it! xxxxxxxx

[smudge]

Believe me sair, I've been there - sitting in the doctor's surgery sobbing & not knowing whether you can get through yet another day! But I'm sure with the right help, you will get through it - just like I did.

When I was trying to get through bereavement, I found going for nice long walks, talking with my close friends, yoga, swimming, reading, listening to my favourite spoken word tapes, gardening, flower arranging courses at college, etc., all very beneficial in helping me to get back on track.

I have a wonderful family too, which helped a great deal.

I wish you & your son every happiness in the future. -x-

[lizwizz]

I agree with many of the above answers, above all going to talk to a professional about this. Panic attacks are frightening, but the paper bag trick is a good one for hyperventilating - don't leave home without one in your pocket!. Hope you feel better soon.

[Litchick]

Smudge, I just want to comment on how lovely your advice is.....I also suffer from intermittant panic attacks and, again, knowing everyone is different, would NEVER want to take antidepressants. I tried them once and they were worse then the anxiety. I do however take a Xanax when I have trouble sleeping or when the panic attack is really severe. What helped me was as you suggested, gardening, the self help books, talking to a friend, yoga (#1 way that helped!), walking, etc. and believe it or not COOKING was very therapuetic.

Hang in there sair, you WILL get throught it! We are all here to listen and help however we can.

xx

[Madgirl2]

I am really touched by all the responses here. I am a nurse and your symptoms sound very much like an anxiety attack which can be very frightening. My husband left me for someone else (without warning) a few years ago. I completely fell apart and suffered symptoms like yours. I too opted for a course of antidepressants and to be fair, they really helped! I came off them after 6 months (yes there were a few side effects but only for a couple of days) and found that I had regained some control over my life. It sounds cliched but time is a healer. I remember my father promising me that things would get better but I just couldn't see how they ever would. But he was right!!!! You have already shown your strength by seeking help from your GP and this site. Stay strong - you WILL get there! Take care x

[smudge]

Thank you Litchick, that's very nice of you to say.

I do try to help where I can & having been there myself, sympathise with people who are currently suffering.

Let's hope the sun shines soon, making life a little brighter for us all. -x-

[sair5412]

You are all so lovely. Thank you!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Litchick]

You're very welcome Smudge (wow! Just found out how to bold!! HAHA) -- it's true -- there were days when my sole goal for the day was to not completely fall apart...it turned out that it was mostly a hormonal thing for the anxiety to have been that severe but yes every odd day here and there I still get it and just use whatever I've learned in the past to cope and two years now it has NEVER been that bad.

Thank goodness we all have each other...xx