Panic Attacks Support Group

Had my first panic attack about a year and a half ago while on my way to work at a bar. I swore that I was having a heart attack, and thought this HAD to be the case because ive played football my whole life, and have been big because of it. So I drove my car to the emergency room,and walked in telling them i was having a heart attack. As soon as I told them this I began to feel better. Sure enough the ran a bunch of tests and told me I was having a panic attack.

Since then I have been having them off and on, always at eh most random times.

I've always been able to mentally work my way through them, but today I had the worst one I ever had.

I was at work when all of a sudden it set in. I knew what it was, but it wouldn't go away, so again i convinced myself i was having a heart attack, the fear of which i thought would go away since ive lost 60lbs since the first attack.

It went on for about 3 hours, I finally sat down in a bathroom with the lights out and a wet towel on my forehead, and it began to subside. It was so bad that I went online searching for reassuring info and found this sight. even as I type this now Im still feeling the lingering effects.

I'm so alarmed by the severity of this attack that I want to skip the 4th of July party I was going to go to tonight and just sequester myself in my house until Thursday when I have to go back to work.

Hi Goose, I recall having my 1st panic episode. That was nearly 30 years ago. My attacks have fortunately gotten better over the years but unfortunately, they have not gone away completely. You said your last one happened at work. Is your job really stressful? Stress IMO plays a big part in the onset and the course of the disorder over the panic disorder sufferer's lifetime. My attacks are mainly nocturnal now. Glad everything checked out medically ok for you btw.

Post edited by: LostInCyberspace12, at: 07/03/2012 05:19 PM

goose63,

Welcome to the Group!

I am sorry for what you are going thru but I want you to know that you are not alone and that we understand.

Try to work on your breathing when this happens like in thru the nose and out thru the mouth deep belly breaths and sip on cold water or ice water.

You CAN get thru this and post as much as you need to.

Try to read some of the articles that have been posted and the self help tools and techniques. They really are helpful.

We are here for you! You are not alone anymore! {Hugs}

HI Goose - welcome to the group.

hugs, Raoul

Yes my job is fairly stressful.......i manage the sales department at a construction company...... i ended up going to the party tonight... but am still feeling drained from earlier

How did the party go tonight?

Just wanted to let you know that Alcohol and Caffeine are HUGE triggers for panic and anxiety.

Just letting you know. Not implying that you drink just passing along some important information!

Congrats. on losing the 60 lbs btw goose. The lingering effects you said in your initial post after the panic attack is usually due to anticipatory anxiety. Usually after the very 1st time most people have their first panic attack, you start to fear having subsequent attacks. The more panic attacks, the more anticipatory anxiety and the more anticipatory anxiety the more panic attacks. I remember being caught up in this vicious cycle when my disorder began nearly 30 years ago. I would definitely try to eliminate or limit any alcohol intake as Angel stated above. Some people with panic disorder actually try to self medicate with alcohol but this will not work and just complicates the illness. A guy just posted in the anxiety disorders forum who had been in remission for nearly 5 years, had some major psychological stressors occur in his life simultaneously, and now the condition has re-emerged. We can't eliminate all stress in our lives but we can try to reduce as much of it as we can. If you do this, you will probably also see a reduction in your anxiety and panic. Many other people use physical exercise and meditative practices to mitigate the effects of stress. Sleep is really important too IMO but unfortunately, sometimes insomnia and panic didorder go hand in hand.

For me personally, if I meditate right before going to bed, I can then get in bed and fall asleep usually in < 30 minutes. If I don't, it sometimes takes 1-2 hours and the sleep quality is usually broken and of very poor quality. This group is a good place to come and share with others. The online interactions can be very therapeutic in some cases and help to allay some of your fears and concerns.

Yeah definitely having some anticipatory anxiety right now. Don't want to leave my house

Well you have to do what you want to do. It is your choice.

Let us know what you decide to do and whatever that choice is just hang in there.

Stay hydrated!

Hey goose, welcome to the group! I'm so glad you found us. Panic stinks and it is scary but rest assured it will not harm you. You mentioned you used to play football so you know how much exertion your body can take. You can handle this, mentally and physically. Panic is just our own human nature working against us. Try not to let it take away your independence the more you avoid social situations the more the fear wins and the harder it can become to control you panic. Just drink lots of water, try to relax and do some deep breathing before you head out and know that you will be okay. Hugs to you on this journey ().