Honestly, as someone that has anxiety and has had panic attacks since I was a teenager... I don't think you had a panic attack. It sounds like they don't know what it was so they diagnosed you with panic attacks. My suggestion is to just watch yourself carefully and if you notice anything odd, then go back to the doctor. There is a real chance that it won't happen again and you will not ever know what it was. Concerning panic attacks, yes for some people there is medicine you can take. However in my case I have learned how to deal with them through experience and can ride them out.
Very eye-opening thread for me. I had a very traumatic event back in 2009 and, in the aftermath, had several episodes like Harrisment describes - although they never lasted longer than 5 minutes or so. I had to sit down, start taking deep slow breaths and tell myself that it was going to be okay. I never told anyone about them. Not even my wife. I didn't want her to worry about me. I was supposed to be taking care of her, not the other way around. I feel a little better reading through this thread and (maybe) shedding some light on what actually happened to me.
One thing that has helped me a whole lot is that I keep telling myself that the attack will pass, and that I will be fine. The deep breathing others said help a whole lot as well. Also I like to sit down if I get light headed. Sometimes when they are almost over or mild, I like to pace back and forth. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't real. Still, you do have some control over limiting them once you are more familiar with them.
Careful, nook, the mental disorder defense brigade might put you on ignore! LOLs. :grin: LOLs. OooOooOooo, insults! Corrections! Scary! LOLs :grin: Thank you for all that, groogrucks. LOLs @ roxxfan's comparison of a WAR VETERAN to someone who just stresses over medicine or the inability to maintain his composure. Haha. Yes, THAT is the same... definitely the same... yeah. Yeah. My dad lets me drive on the driveway. I'm an excellent driver.
Very nice. That is a logical fallacy. My comparison, however, was not. A war veteran and someone who suffers from panic attacks are in the same category: mental illness (albeit a result from two separate extremes.)
SwoLy-D is clearly wrong about panic attacks necessarily occurring with a fear trigger. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/ask-and-learn/ask-expert/how-can-i-tell-if-i’m-having-panic-attack-or-heart-atta What is most alarming about panic attacks is that the person does not know what triggered it. If it were clear that they were just stressing out or afraid of something they would not seek medical advice. Of course it is possible that OP has a heart condition, but if he has sought medical expertise and was diagnosed with a panic attack then how can you argue? In regards to war veterans, PTSD is common among individuals who have suffered other traumatic experiences. Most people who experience PTSD suffered early trauma, specifically sexual abuse. As with anything mental there is a spectrum of experiences.
People - just report the posts with the exclamation button and describe the trolling and derailing in this thread. It's pretty disgusting and would be better dealt with that way. And stop responding to him. Harrisment - tough thing to go through but not uncommon as you can see by some of the responses in this thread. Diet, exercise and low dose alprazolam to take as needed (see a doc) will get you through this spell if stress related which is most likely. A panic attack usually causes anxiety for a period of time after (up to a couple of months for that feeling to wear off and for your brain to get back to normal processing) as it can be a very traumatizing experience.
About 15 years ago I started having panic attacks. Yes, I thought I was dying. The doctors didn't know what was wrong. It was very frustrating. Someone that has never experienced a panic attack can never really understand what it feels like. What I couldn't understand was why I was having them. I didn't feel like I was under any stress. I wasn't worried about anything. But the attacks would just come out of nowhere for no reason. Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night having a panic attack. Eventually, I realised I wasn't going to die from this, and was able to learn to ride out the atttacks. I did start taking a low dose tricyclic antidepressant and a low dose beta blocker. I didn't want to take any habit forming tranquilizers. Eventually, the panic attacks went away, and I haven't had any problems in years.
I also find the ignore function works very well, but totally agree that replying is the least helpful remedy. Cheers.
Oh man. I had that done with the L5/S1 and just realized that describing the outcome would contribute to your anxiety. Sorry. Talking to a specialist who could give you meds if your need them and suggestions about treatment that wouldn't involve meds is a good idea. I've had a couple of episodes that may have been anxiety attacks, but nothing as serious as what I've seen described here. Good luck, Harrisment, and get a second opinion about that surgery.
No worries . I've gotten multiple opinions about the back issues and have heard enough stories from people that have been through it to know it's not something I'm in any hurry to do. Fusion of both levels is what has been recommended if it gets to the point that I just can't deal with the pain any longer, but each surgeon I have talked to has given me the impression that it's something I should try to avoid doing if at all possible. I've been dealing with it for years, and surgery isn't something I'm planning to jump into any time soon. I get injections a few times a year, which help to reduce the pain temporarily. My impacted levels are L3-4 and L4-5. I'm hoping to get into a stem cell trial that my pain management doc has recently been accepted into, so hopefully that will prove to be a solution that allows me to avoid back surgery altogether.
What are they going to report about it? People can't have a difference of opinion on things? Go for it. "This meanie won't agree with me!" ??
Looks like lots of good advice has already been given. One more idea - consider keeping a detailed journal - activities, food, drink, exercise, stressful events etc. If nothing else, you might get a better idea of the situations that might lead to future episodes. Plus writing a journal is a very good thing to do and is therapeutic in itself
I had one of these in college. I went in to take a math final and felt fine. Five minutes into the final I started sweating, heart was racing, and I felt like I was going to pass out. I was freaking out. I finished it up as fast as I could and met my girl in the library. She's all what the hell happened to you? Lol. I was soaked in sweat, hair all messed up. Pretty scary when it's happening.
Very sorry to hear about that. I've had a panic attack due to anxiety, where I've just lost all control of myself, so I kind of get where you're coming from. However, my panic attacks came from a vision issue, not sure why it hit you the way it did. They've all given valuable advice, however, if you're doctor is certain that you need to be put on Benzo's, never...ever...ever...ever...stop taking them cold turkey. Always have a plan with your doctor when you're ready to taper down. I've lost my medicine before at a friends house (Let's be honest, it was stolen), and of course no doctor is going to believe that, so my doctor made me wait out 10 days with out taking one. Next thing you know, I have a seizure, and ended up in the ER. Just a heads up if y'all decide that is the best route to take.
lol @ the responses here to the village idiot. I also second meditation. My coworker recommended headspace to me which starts with ten free ten minute sessions for anyone who signs up. I liked it enough to subscribe for the rest. It's pretty much risk free and a decent way to begin practicing meditation without the expectations of becoming some master. What meditation does is to allow your mind to shift gears from critical thinking and solving problems towards being aware with your body, your surroundings and ultimately what you're dealing with. Through those practices, you also learn to be compassionate enough to accept what you've been ignoring or pushing back while you're focusing on your daily life. I've never had a severe anxiety attacks, but I've had moments where I begin to feel the signs of a light panic, where my heartbeat rises and my mind is overwhelmed with thoughts. It's usually in situations where I ignore things and push through any distractions. My take is that life catches up to your mind or the reverse, so giving yourself some time like 10-20 minutes is a good start towards developing those mental muscles. Keep in mind that the true gain from meditation is doing it as a routine rather than a prescription, but even an obligation free start is a good way to get your feet wet and see if those ten days gave you some help.
Sorry to hear that but take a trip to your pcp and he can refer you to a psychiatrist. Mental health is nothing to ignore and they can give you options and work with you by trying what works and what doesn't. Sometimes they start with psychotherapy and others go straight to pharmaceuticals. Mainstay is usually low dose benzo but many psychiatrist are using ssri and mood stabilizers and even off label anti seizure medication. It works for some and sometimes you gotta keep trying meds till the right combo works. I've seen some people recover quite well with both routes. Diet excersise can help but these can be caused by work or family related issues. Hope you find a physician willing to work with you and explain therapy. Best of luck.
