Do I have a panic/anxiety disorder?

Question

I get this same feeling a lot. It happens out of nowhere and in different places. I get really dizzy, short of breath, and I just feel like I need to leave or like run away. Sometimes I feel like my body is numb and I can't feel my arms. At times I can talk myself out of these episodes and I've found eating something or taking my mind off of stuff I can calm myself down but sometimes I can't and it eventually passes. This happens during school a lot and I really wish it wouldn't.. any advice and are these episodes panic attacks at all?

Answer 1

it sure does sound like anxiety/panic disorder--i suffer from the same like symptoms: anxiety develops seemingly out of nowhere, its hard to focus on anything including finding that magic something that will make that horrible feeling go away!! I know it feels unbareable. is there someone who you trust and feel completely secure with sharing these episodes with where maybe you can set up together that when you feel so desperate that safe person can talk to you and help you focus on a safe feeling, thought or sound or even an object! we all need a helper even if we don't admit it---to get through tough times. I know we sometimes don't recognize what the trigger to anxiety is= but if you and someone- you trust can be a life saver. Also you didn't mention if you are taking any medication for this condition--you may need it and maybe not--but you should check with a medical dr., a psychologist or psychiatrist. definately check with one at least--and definately find a safe person you can trust your feelings with--even if its a lack of knowledge of the feeling--all this talking and i did not mention that listening to meditation music whether a soft voice or calming music or guided immagery OR
do breathing excersies
at this moment i can't remember the breathing pattern but maybe some one else on this site does

good luck friend

Answer 2

It certainly sounds like a panic/anxiety disorder. Carry a paper bag with you so you can breath in it very slowly when you become short of breath and feel dizzy. The reason you are having these symptoms, plus the numbness is because you are hyperventilating due to the anxiety. Breathing slowly into the bag, clasped firmly around your lips as not to let out air from the bag, will allevieate the dizziness and the feeling of numbness should go away. (My doctor actually gave me his lunchbag to use when I explained my symptoms to him and it really helped).

Also, see your doctor about it. He/She will give you advise that can help you along the way. Until then, you can also try a remedy called, Bach Rescue Remedy. You can get it at most health food stores, and also Whole foods, vitamin shops, etc. It does not have any side effects and you just put a drop or two under your tongue. It really helps to take the edge off. It is a totally safe remedy.

Answer 3

Getting off of meds would be a great step. I don't know your situation, but I know generally speaking people aren't afraid of the actual panic attacks but are afraid of having them in public. I don't know if this is true for you. If that's true, a therapist may be able to teach you some relaxation exercises. The thing about giving meds to someone with an anxiety disorder is that the meds are basically an avoidant measure, which kind of reinforces the illness as people with anxiety disorders usually come up with all kinds of avoidant measures. Hope that helped. E-mail me if you have any other ?s

Answer 4

Well, it sounds like you have developed a coping skill for your "attacks". It might be situational and you need to look at the environment you are in and what you are doing when these feelings arrise. Anxiety has a lot to do with how one percives oneself to handle stress and uncomfotable feelings. (of course it also has to do with too much of a certain type of nuerotransmitter firing off too often). If you did have a anxiety disorder you would not be able to "talk yourself down" or get away from these feelings. Your freaking yourself out. Knock it off and move along to the next task. If you can do this you have no disorder. If you can't then talk to a pscychiatrist. It's mostly behavior. Good Luck.

Answer 5

Yes, this is panic/anxiety. I had it horrible for years. Don't take the pills! Paxil only numbs you from the symptoms and doesn't fix the problem. I know ppl who've been on it and they say the withdrawl when you try to quit is hell. I fixed the problem with Che Lel Chi Gong, but it takes 2 years of regular practice. Of course this takes time as you are fixing the problem and not just covering up the symptoms. In the meantime, take good care of yourself emotionally. Avoid people who talk to you harshly or make you feel silly, stupid, or bad. Try to do things and be around people who make you feel better about yourself. The energy that makes up your emotions is weak and you need to rebuild it and stop tearing it down. Good luck.

Answer 6

I went through this for years.
And I learned to control them instead of going on meds and making it worse.
My anxiety attacks were caused by me always being worried, and having crazy thoughts, even silly things that now I think back and laugh about.

I did suffer from this for many years,
I ended up in the hospital many times
and I got to the point where I would take Nyquil every day just to be able to sleep.
My parents did not understand what I was going through
but I did overcome this all on my own with no medication and you can too.


I'll be honest,
only you can stop this.
when you start to feel that you re about to get an attack
tell yourself you re in control
think about good things, quickly get all negative things off your mind.
Don't allow it to control you
soon you will overcome this.

If you ever need someone to talk too about this feel free to email me
I know how horrible this feeling is.

If you need more help
do a search on a program called " Attacking Anxiety "
Its by Lucinda Basset
I will provide a Link

Answer 7

I have an anxiety and depression disorder, and for a long time, I had to take medication to help calm myself down. Before long, you'll be able to talk yourself out of them and they'll eventually disappear alltogether. You can't predict when you're going to have them sometimes, but you might start to feel like you're going to die from something like a stroke or a heart attack because your brain is going crazy through the panic, but you just have to calm down. Some parents aren't supportive and will just tell you to "grow up", much like my friend's dad did with his case, but you'll just have to ignore them and cope with it on your own. It does help to talk about it. Don't feel ashamed that you have them or anything like that, because you can't really control it, just handle it.

Answer 8

Yes, it sounds like you are having a panic attack. It would
be a panic/anxiety disorder.

If you are eating to help yourself you have an eating disorder
called "binge eating" which is not good.

What is going on at school that is upsetting you? Are you a
freshman & afraid of the unknown?
You probably would benefit from some antianxiety meds -
I'm on Klonopin and it helps me. All it really is, if you look at it,
is fear. You need to sit down and take a look at what it is and
how you can overcome it. Maybe some counseling? Helps me.
Good luck.

Answer 9

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 10

I used to three years ago, to the point of having the emergency medics called out to me three times. The answer turned out to be scientifically acclaimed the world over. Only reason I had not heard of it is because it upsets drug companies and the nonces who have shares in them, so they cannot advertise what they have very easily.

I have had one panic attack in the last three years, a few months ago actually. This was a walk in the park compared to the good old days.

Happy hunting.

p.s. Avoid drugs, chemicals, social workers and psychiatrists like the plague, they'll do your head in.