Panic Attacks?

Question

I get anxious now due to some panic attacks I've been having. My first attack was really scary, got dizzy and felt like things werent real if that makes sense.

Anxiety often brings me all the usual symptoms, izziness, heart speeding up, sweating etc but my attacks when they do happen always involve a feeling of dizziness and disorientation. I've found that if I mentally focus on what I'm going through the attack will subside and I've not had an attack as severe as the orginal since.

People say they come out of the blue or are a result of an underlying worry but I can't identify this. I've had a few health worries leading directly to the first attack and i've been unhapy in my job for some time.

Three months ago I was fine and now I live in fear (anxiety) of another coming when I can't control it, such as driving the car etc. My doctor gave me some Fluoxetine to calm my anxiety which has varying success.

Can anybody sympathise with this and help me dela with this?

Answer 1

i completely symathise with you. I suffered from panic attacks over the course of a few years, they would come out of the blue and to this day i dont know what the cause was. When I was pregnant with my first child they became even more intense to the point where i was waking up in the middle of the night with them. Once my daughter was born they totally dissappeared, i think probably because i had a focus. I am hoping they dont return. I have had the feeling that you get when one is coming on but have managed to calm myself by thinking, oh well it will pass I will be ok. I think it can often be a case of mind over matter and the more anxious you are of having a panic attack the more likely it is that one will come. Good luck with dealing with this, you will find your own way to cope, just remember, it will pass, occupy your mind and stay calm.

Answer 2

Yes, I have had bad panic/anxiety attacks for many years. Prozac and the other antidepressants did not ever work for me. Look up serotonin syndrome, and make sure you don't get any symptoms. We've found that xanax or Valium work best (benzodiazipines have been around a long time). Xanax is faster acting. However, doctors don't like to put you on it if you have ever been addicted to anything. It's because, they can be addicting, but, if used correctly a miracle of true relief for anxiety! I have functioned now for years taking it only when needed. Before, I could hardly function.

I also got tested for vertigo, because I was getting dizzy with my attacks, and found that I would especially have a problem when driving over any kind of bridge for some reason. Dr. said, I did have it on top of the anxiety/panic attacks. Go figure.

Also, to reduce your chances of having an attack, get plenty of sleep! Also, high amounts of caffeine, alcohol, and of course drugs. Try to get some exercise to produce your bodies own natural endorphins. Massages work great too! Good luck to you and know that you are not alone!

Answer 3

I have been having so called panic attacks for years now.. I have gone to several doctors about heart conditions that are not there. I understand how you feel. It is ok. You will be fine. When you have panic attacks you need to remain calm and try to remember that no matter how real it feels it is just a simulation of stress or anxeity. YOu are in controll of your body. It is ok to go see a doctor, I reccomend it. Maybe a physicarist....they can talk to you and help prescrice you with some medicaiton, do not think that you are crazy, it can simply just be a chemical imbalance in the brain. I take a medidication, and it helped me greatly... I hardley ever think about it now.. basically the medications just help you gain controll... I highly consider it..... It would help..... Well good luck friend..... You can email me for any more questions.... Take care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

I can definitely sympathize and empathize with you. Panic attacks aren't fun. When I had my first one, I ended up in the emergency room thinking I was having a heart attack. It sounds like you're on the right track, knowing when you're getting really wound up and working to calm yourself down. You should also find a healthy outlet for stress. I love to go fishing. Sitting on the riverbank is very calming for me.
You may also want to consider getting into some counseling. It can really help.

Answer 5

Absolutely, same things happen to me. What helps me is finding someone to talk to when I start to feel nervous. Even if I don't talk about anything important, having someone else involved in your life right then makes you feel more grounded and less likely to let things snowball. If you can't find or call someone, just concentrate on things about your life that make you happy, and try to find something to do that will distract you.

Also, look into meditation or yoga. It's a little new age-y, I know, but really, really helps.

Answer 6

I can totally sympathize with you! What helped me the most was realizing that a panic attack will not kill me or even hurt me and I can overcome it. Then if I felt one coming on I would just talk myself through it and try to refocus my attention elsewhere. I haven't had one since I stopped my medication in August 2005 to get pregnant. Hopefully they'll never come back! Good luck!

Answer 7

Well that is a big part of it, the fear you are living in , cause you have had attacks. Now you are always waiting and worrying about them. Just forget about them, and learn to let them float over or pass or through you, and you will find that they will quit coming back at all, but as long as you are fearing them, then you are thinking about them, and that is what is causing them to happen so often, you need to learn to let go of them, and they will in time let go of you.

Answer 8

keep a journal of this & let your Dr. know
what's going on

my sister in law is bipolar & she has
anxiety too, some days she's fine & other
days she worries about every little thing,
know that you are NOT the only one who
has this & keep talking to your Dr. until
he/she finds the best medicine to help you

& if you believe in God , prayer helps too

best of luck

Answer 9

The best thing immediately is to get a paper bag and breath deeply and slowly. these will relive the instant effects.

Answer 10

well i have an axiety disorder. i have the same symtoms. i am on lexapro and it seems to help me. it is a scary thing especailly when you dont know when they are gonna hit. just be careful and try not to stress to much.