Anxiety question...Do you remember the first time an attack hit you?

Question

I am 47 and have had anxiety attacks going back to my teens. But, I can remember one paticular time that it really knocked me down! I was living by myself at the time, and life was a bit overwelming too. And that attack(not know it was panic attack at the time) I thought I was headed to meet my maker with a sure heart attack!! Now.. I have attacks still, but I have medication that helps control them much better. So those of us who have experienced these FUN MOMENTS, what was your most fearful experiece looking back??

Answer 1

Hi, I am treated for depression, pretty successfully, but I do get panic attacks occasionally, often when driving long distances. My first attack was a doozie, I was fifteen, lying in bed trying to sleep when I started having this thought that I wasn't continueing to breath after falling asleep, as if the moment I started sleeping I would jerk awake and gasp for air. Pretty soon this turned into a full blown panic attack. I was absolutely certain I was going to die from a heart attack, at age 15. You know, I had one just the other night and they don't seem to affect me quite so badly anymore. I just try to breathe normally and remind myself over and over again that I am not having a heart attack. I suppose the only real threat for me is if I really do have one, because I'll probably write it off as a panic attack. I'm in my thirties, so I guess that threat isn't a huge one. alprazolam helps me, too. Thanks for sharing your story. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

My experience came when I was 25 and had just lost a baby
I believe I was suffering from post-natal depression and grief
as well as post traumatic stress disorder. I didn't know about
all these symptoms (medically) back then, but have since learned by researching and talking to doctors and psychologists.
I was at home alone (after coming out of the hospital) and I felt like I was losing my mind and maybe having a heart attack. I didn't know what in the world was going on with me and it was very frightening. I would curl up in a corner and cry alot.
I don't know, since your a male if it affects (anxiety attacks)
you differently than it would with a female. That was the worst time in my life because I didn't know how to get help at that time and I was embarrassed to ask. But now I know better
and realize that thousands of people have this and it's nothing to be ashamed about.

Answer 3

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 4

Will when I was younger I would break out in hives if I got real nerves, but my first attack was in a grocery store.It was like all the can and boxes went all the way to the roof of the store and it keep getting smaller as (in my imagination) cereal boxes were falling from the shelves and attacking me. Hot and cold sweats thought I'd pass out if I didn't get out . So I left and they never have.

Answer 5

I don't remember my first one, but I have had a few that were quite scary.

When I was a kid, I had a cat that my father hated. He took me and my cat for a ride in the car. I had no idea why we had the cat with us. When we ended up on a highway, my father started ranting and raving, which in itself scared me. He then opened his window, and flung my cat out the window, and I saw it get hit by another car. My father told me that he would shove me out the window if I started to cry or told anybody.

Years later, I was driving and I saw a cat run onto the highway that reminded me of my cat and I was hit by a major panic attack. I broke out in a complete sweat, my limbs went numb, I started shaking, and I somehow managed to steer off the side of the rode before I blacked out. Just thinking about it now is making me shake.

Answer 6

I started having panic attacks when I first went to college. Whenever I'd have one at home, my dad would just yell at me to stop crying, shaking, etc. He thought I was doing it for attention. 5 years later, when my husband left me, I started having them again. This time my dad was more understanding, would hold my hand and talk to me soothingly until the ambulance arrived. I refused to take any meds, but after landing in the hospital one too many times, I finally agreed to take Zanax if I felt one coming on. Well one day I was at work and felt one coming on so I took a pill. About an hour later I started feeling another one coming on so I took another pill - big mistake - I got totally woozy and my co-workers had to carry me to my car and then my boss drove me home. I was so embarrassed that everyone at work saw me like that, but they all assured me they were just worried about my health and that they didn't think any less of me. I took some time out of work after that incident and made sure my meds were regulated befor going back.

Answer 7

My first anxiety/panic attack came at a Halloween party in 2004. It came out of nowhere and I had to run into the hall. I dragged my boyfriend along with me and I kept telling him I didn't know what was happening to me but I was freaking out. It lasted about 20 minutes. I still don't know what triggered it.

I've had anxiety since I was a child but that was my first 'attack'.

Answer 8

I think i had two(first two ever) last week........my chest still feel heavy..and i dont feel right...my nerves are shot
i went to the ER thinking i just survived two heart attacks..not the case......can you explain a little about what it felt like?


still not sure if that was it


Vera......sounds like my second one..i was driving when all of a sudden im shakey unable to move(did manage to pull over) pale sweating and my whole insides from foot to head felt like they were on fire.

Answer 9

i had a hard time breathing, my body hurt every where, and one day i had a Minnie stroke at 34 part of my memory is gone but i am still here