Panic Attacks Support Group

Hi,

My name is Kent and I am new to anything like this. Last summer I was smoking pot w a friend of mine and had an anxiety attack for the first time. I felt disconnected and really scared I was gonna die. The next morning I chalked it all up to the pot and moved on. Didn't have another episode at all. Untill february of this year. I was at work that over whelming feeling of disconnected came over me. I really believed in nmy heart I was going to die. I believe half of the reason I lost my last girlfriend was because of this. Everything is a big deal now. Everywhere I go I'm terrorfied about having another panic attack. The disconnection is the scariest part. Every day I have dealt w this. My dr put me on meds but I was affraid to take them for the longest because of the side effects. I've been on the meds for almost two weeks now and still feel very disconnected. I feel like no one cares or understands. "Just don't think about it" or just breathe. I feel helpless. Hopeless. Pitiful and like I'm going crazy. I'm at my wits end and I am so so thankful to have found a group like this one because at least now I know I am not alone. Welcome to my humble life.

Ps. I am drug free now except for wot the dr has put me on. Thank u

It sucks, I had it for about two years, and thought I was going crazy, I'm a medical person, but was being told I was fine via the er. It made no sense, and it became a vicious cycle to stay in safe places and I had to work!!!

I was in a carpet store, only person there, and had one. I went out to the door, felt like I would explode into nothingness, and passed out from hyperventlation and sweating.

I grabbed the nurses cross I saw in the er, then to be told I'm fine???? What???

To try to stop the cycle understand, it's not going to kill you, even though it feels like it will. And to go with the panic, not avoid it, try to fly with it, to accept it, rejection only causes it to get worse.

There are alot of people here that understand and can relate to all that you are going thru, welcome kent,

wolf

Hi Kent...well let me let you in on what we all hear when we say our meds aren't working...."your'e not giving them enough time" and the classic act of your doc changing your meds a few times.....personally i'd say stick with the meds until your next dr. appt.....and talk to him about what you think about your meds....whether you need to change them.....ask about "PRN" meds for times you feel one coming on....seroquell is often used as a "PRN"....try not to panic as much as u can....try and use techniques for relaxation when you feel a panic attack coming on....but most of all...talk to your doctor...be honest and straight up...no shame in the truth....i suspect the "thought" you MIGHT get a big attack brings one on on it's own.....take your meds.....try and stay relaxed...and talk to your doc...if he's busy....ask them to call you if an appt. opens up......and posting on here helps....talking about it helps bring it to a controllable level many times.

Best of Luck and Bless You Brother......R

see, like robert,,,,,,,cheers kent, you found a new home.

thank u. I see that now. The feeling of disconnection is the worst. Its niced meeting u.

Robert,

Yeah I am affraid that's exactly the response I'm gonna get. You haven't taken the meds long enuff yet or the switch up that costs tons of money. Thanx for the encouragement. So nice to not be alone

hey, kent. welcome to the group. you really have found a great place to be. lots of caring people who totally understand what you're going through.

as for the disconnection, can you describe it more? when my panic attacks come on the disconnection for me was also the worst. felt like everything was a dream. nothing was real. not me, not anything. and i hated it. and then the disconnect came on for over a week. talk about feeling like you're going crazy. however, i learned a little more about it. that it was called depersonalization and derealization. and plenty of us with anxiety and panic disorders experience it. and it is scary. but it won't kill you. and i believe that the sooner you can face that terror the faster it will subside and eventually go away. Like Donna was saying, face it, don't fight it.

learn as much as you can about anxiety and panic. i find that that helps as well.

and if you have any more questions about the depersonalization or different things to read and what not, feel free to pm me. and, like i said, a lot of us know what you're going through. we're here if you need us.

there could be a lot of reasons as to why you are panicking. just remember, you are ok. really.

big hugs your way.

Hi all

Hi Kent

Kent - sorry you are having so much difficulty. Glad everyone has jumped in and is helping you.

I am having some problems and can not be much help for now.

Raven - I hope you feel better.

Love, Raoul

First let me say that on my way to work today I was feeling really bad disconnected. I took some meds to calm me but it wasn't until I logged on that I began to relax and feel better. After I read all of your encouragements I felt relaxed and at peace enuff to be able to work.Well as far as my disconnection goes, sometimes it feels like I'm on auto pilot. Like my legs are moving and I'm getting dressed but none of it feels like I'm controling it u know? I know this all sounds really weird but I don't know how else to describe it. Sometimes I think its my own fault too. Like ill stop and think"am I ok yet?" And then I realize I'm not. Robert. Raoul and everyone I forgot to mention thanx. I feel selfish as I have not enquired of any of u yet. Am I posting right? I wanna make sure I'm reading and responding to everything that is being said. U guys are angels.