Is this Panic disorder or something different?

Question

First off I did go to the doc and they put me on zoloft. But I'm wondering if this is normal for panic attacks.

I have EXTREME fear in the morning that wakes me up but yet I fully realize that I'm not dying. It's just impossible for me to relax. Then during the day I will at least once just start getting real scared and things just don't matter. No matter what I love it just doesn't matter for that period of time. I can't stand anything during that period.

After talking with a friend or relaxing I'm back to normal for the most part. But the EXTREME fear during the panic attack is what bothers me so much. I'm not suicidal by any means but during the anxiety period I would cut my own leg off if it released the pain from my brain.

Thanks.

Answer 1

It sounds more like a hormonal imbalance or hypoglycemia if you wake up that way.
Do you skip meals or eat a lot of sugar?

Answer 2

What you're saying fits the definition of Panic DIsorder as I understand it.

DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Panic Disorder With or Without Agoraphobia A. Both (1) and (2):

1. recurrent unexpected panic attacks
2. at least one of the attacks has been followed by 1 month (or more) of one (or more) of the following:
persistent concern about having additional attacks
worry about the implications of the attack or its consequences (e.g., losing control, having a heart attack, "going crazy")
a. significant change in behavior related to the attacks
b. Presence or Absence of Agoraphobia
c. The panic attacks are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
d. The panic attacks not better accounted for by another mental disorder, such as Social Phobia (e.g., occurring on exposure to feared social situations), Specific Phobia (e.g., on exposure to a specific phobic situation), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (e.g., on exposure to dirt in someone with an obsession about contamination), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (e.g., in response to stimuli associated with a severe stressor), or Separation Anxiety Disorder (e.g., in response to being away from home or close relatives).

Answer 3

I have panic disorder and it sure sounds like you do too. Panic disorder is diagnosed when you have had two or more panic attacks and you fear places where you have had or might have a panic attack. Try seeing a psychologist for more information. WebMD is great too. If you are diagnosed with panic disorder you can go to a psychiatrist (different from a psychologist) and they can put you on different meds if you want.

Answer 4

The DSM is no more then a political tool to label behavior, this issue is being taken before Congress to see what can be done to make sure that textbook labels do not influence our world in this way. They vote on this every so often to see what goes in and what goes out in fact slavery and homosexuality were only two of these labels. Recently they wanted to add road rage to this book and I suppose with the public outcry decided not to.

Answer 5

I would recommend talking to a therapist. I had anxiety attacks often.