Panic Attacks Support Group

This is Diana here. I’m 30 and suffer from sudden fear. Without any reason, my palms begin to sweat, my throat dries up, I experience palpitations, and I feel scared especially when I’m alone. Sometimes, this happens even in the presence of others at work. I’ve tried talking to my partner, but John being a very light hearted man, feels I could be tense about something. Can anyone explain what this is? Do I need to see a Doc? Should I go on a diet? I have 2 boys aged 3 and 5.

Diana

From your symptoms, it shows that you could be going through panic attacks or anxiety attacks. Although you’ve no reason to feel anxious you could be having some underlying reason, maybe some upsetting matter that occurred in the past, that is haunting you. You either got to analyze your thoughts, your experiences and speak to John one day, or seek counseling. A psychiatrist may be able to put a finger at what is going wrong with you. Try therapy and interact more with people. Meditate. Yes, cut down on fatty and fried food. Think positive. That someone who’s watching over you is not some human or spirit, but God.

Peter Fox

Hi Peter,

Happy to get a prompt reply from someone somewhere. Do you intend to say that I consult a shrink? I’ve been toying with the idea too. However, scared that would involve long therapies, medications and counseling. I’m unprepared for such a grueling ordeal. And what if matters don’t work in the end? Remember, I hold a job as a chef at a boutique hotel. I can’t afford the luxury of frequent trips to the shrink. Or perhaps, I’ll try a few sessions. If I begin to feel better, I shall continue. My bouts happen once in a while, although the intensity seems terrifying.

Diana

Hi Diana,

You have a choice to make-between your health and your career. This is not to say that I regard your career as less important. Only if you’re healthy you can concentrate on work. Have you tried vacationing? When was the last you took your family on a vacation? Perhaps it’s time that you relaxed. The human machine senses trouble and your brain is receptive to everything. Either your fear has some underlying cause that needs to be looked into and eliminated or it could be good old stress.

Think about it. None other than a shrink can solve your problem. Who knows, perhaps, you will be amazed to realize that you had unconsciously repressed some repulsive experience that returns to haunt you now. I can suggest the names of some shrinks who live in your neighborhood.

Peter

Hi Peter,

It seems unnerving to realize that you are a shrink yourself, although I feel I can clarify a few dreading moments online. NO John has not been a part of childhood life, although, I met at the university. However, he is a happy-go-lucky guy, independent, ambitious too. That’s what attracted me to him at first. He hasn’t changed all these years. I too seem the same down-to-earth, ‘no-nonsense woman’. I guess we complement each other well.

I started having these apprehensions very recently, much after child birth. As far as my memory goes I don’t think I have had any trouble getting along with anyone. Perhaps I should come to you for a past life therapy. It’s quite trendy these days. What do you have to say?

Diana

Great, that you have had a wonderful childhood. You can try past life therapy. You don’t have to get regressed to a past life. You can regress to your childhood to seek answers. You see Diana, when there is some unpleasant experience, our conscious mind filters and store those unpleasant memories into the subconscious. The subconscious mind at the most inappropriate time lets out the hidden matters. These unpleasant feelings rare their ugly heads in dreams or as anxiety attacks. These unpleasant experiences can be matters when we might have been hurt, rebuked by someone, or our dreams were crushed, or when we have been subject to some embarrassment. It can be with women who might have been assaulted or molested when they were very young. This is not to say that you might have experienced any of these. These are just some of the reasons. Keep writing.

Peter

Practice relaxation breathing until you feel you can automatically switch over to it when you begin to feel tense. You can practice this breathing anywhere at anytime. The main factor - keep practicing, force yourself to keep doing it - and don't give up.

Take in your breaths through your nose with your hand on your abdomen, slowly and feel the abdomen rise. Exhale through you mouth, pursed lips, slowly and just feel the process. Keep doing it whenever you can.

Then if you find yourself becoming overwhelmed, which is what I believe causes the fear to begin... start the relaxation breathing!

Emotion and feeling work is essential. There's something deep inside that eating at you!

Kathleen