Have you ever had a panic/anxiety attack?

Question

I had one last week (long story) and it was terrifying.

I'm fine now thanks. I was really stressed and also sick last week and it must have triggered the panic. And I cried all day at work, so they ahd to sent me home.

I meant - had to send me home

Thanks for your answers guys, hope everything works out for those of you that may still be having them. xx

Answer 1

Yes I have, they are very scary aren't they I am a member of an Internet support group, see below. This has advice and guidance. I found the more I learnt on the subject the better I felt able to cope. I wish you well. Terry.

http://www.anxiety-panic-attacks-phobias.co.uk/index.php

Answer 2

Yes, a couple of them. I have dental phopia and they gave me nitrus oxide to calm down. Another time, I had to go in for a "procedure". My thyroid has a nodule. They wanted to take a biopsy, so I went in knowing they were going to stick a needle in my neck. So they gave me a local anesthetic and two guys came in with this HUGE syrenge. it was HUGE, I've never SEEN anything so enormous! The needle was SO long, and they were going to stick that thing in my neck? First they were going to do it while I was sitting up and decided to lay me down instead. OH MY GOSH! These guys don't even know what they are doing. They poked my neck, drew a sample, then said they needed to do it again! Hello! I'd had enough of that, then they said, well, maybe they had enough and I'm just freaking out and I start to cry. I was around 35 years old at the time and I am crying! Did it hurt? NO! (maybe mentally), I'm just freaking out! So they sent a nurse in to help me and asked if I had pets and we talked about my pet skunk and that sweet little pet sure helped me get out of that situation. I guess just getting your mind on something else does the trick. I felt very proud of my award winning show skunk, so I talked about him and it worked. Then I had the same procedure done about two or three years ago, and while I can't say it was painless or stressless, I didn't have a panic attack, this guy was great! Good Luck. Valium at the dentist works too.

Answer 3

I never have. It seems that I am an odd sort, though. It probably is a genetic characteristic since my father and I are the same in this. What I am talking about is this. When something goes horribly wrong or I am facing some major stressful situation, I become very calm and my mind begins to function very clearly. However, once the moment has passed and I am now safe or releaved I seem to come unglued.

In other words for some reason I can shove all of that emotional turmoil to the side, temporarily, and deal with a situation very rationally. But I guess all that emotion has to come out somehow. For me it is after the fact.

For instance, many years ago, a man with a gun tried to mug my wife and me. I calmly reached into my pocket (while he had the gun pointed at my face) took out the small bills I carry in my right hand pocket and threw them out onto the street. When he turned to look at the money I cuffed him in the throat with my right hand and he collapsed, choking to the pavement.

In that moment I could think very clearly. It was as if someone increased the focus on a blury image. Once the threat was dealt with and my wife was safe we got to our car and suddenly it hit me. I started shaking so badly that I could not get the key into the ignition. My mind was filled with all kinds of thoughts of what could have happened or how badly it could have turned out. I was filled with fear.

But it always happens after the fact. While the threat exists, I probably seem like James Bond. When it is over I look like a babbling idiot.

.

Answer 4

You should talk to your Doctor if you have been experiencing these things they will be able to help you with it.

I have been using This alternative therapy call Emotional Freedom Technique on my anxiety and depression which has helped me a lot. I only have mild anxiety depression now and feel a lot better. It's very good at getting rid of all kinds of negative emotions and dealing with all kinds of issues quickly. It does sound crazy but does work. It might be something that can help you. If you type panic attacks in to the search engine of emofree.com you should find some articles about EFT helping people who suffer from panic attacks. Also try the technique from the third link.

Answer 5

I had one last week as well. It was right in the middle of a training course at work and I had to walk out infront of everyone in the room. I was so embarressed but it felt aweful. I'm on meds for over a month now for panic attacks, but they obviously aren't working.

Answer 6

You must have been traumatised by it. I know I am when I get one. I have had them on and off for the past twenty years and am still unable to enter my local shoping centre by a certain door without freezing. My skin feels hot and prickly and I cannot breathe. I am aware of people talking to me and moving around me but I just cannot respond or move on my own.
The doctors say it is a defence mechanism telling me to stop as I am going into danger or about to do something which could cause me harm.
The only cure they can offer is that I become aware of the triggers so I can avoid the situation/site of the problem. Just knowing them does help. Try asking the Samaritans (I called them as I thought I was going mad) for a counsellor or get your GP to refer you to one. Just talking about it does help you clarify the problem and its causes.

Answer 7

Yes a couple of years ago when my hubby had an accident at work, I thought I was going to collapse with panic, hope I never have to go through one of them again.

Answer 8

Yes, when I was stalked by a pervert guy on my way to school few years ago, thank God I noticed him (he had stalked me and my friend few days before that)... He was waiting for me in a dark road to attack, since I noticed him first, I took another road which was a longer one to pass through...
I cried after I arrived at school, luckily my friends were there to calm me down...

Answer 9

I've started having episodes where I get all shaky does that count. I'me feeling very stressed and depressed at the moment which Ihave never done before. I wonder if they are related.

Answer 10

It's the closest thing to feeling what a heart attack must be like aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarhhh I'm going to die bye bus! x