Panic Attacks And Panic Disorder
By Rozie37
@Rozie37 (15499)
Turkmenistan
August 26, 2008 1:59am CST
I have had enough of these to write a book. I have been paralyzed with fear and afraid to go places that I am sure will cause an attack. I try my best to avoid these places, but one therapist told me that it is causing my world to become smaller and smaller. Altough, I can certainly understand what she means, this revealation hardly makes me want to run out and start tackling any fears.
For instance, I never want to go back to my aunts house in Altadena Ca. She was my favorite aunt and she passed away in 2004. I did not go to the funeral and I realized that on some level this did not allow me to fully accept her death. But going to her house and realizing that she is not there and is never coming back, would surely send me into a full fledged attack.
Getting anywhere near her home, would start an anxiety attack. I wish her daughter and I were closer, but because of this situation, I am kind of glad that we are not. This way, I am not expected to visit. I do not know why she is not close with some of her family member's, but I am not the therapist of the family, she is, so let her figure it out. Have you ever experienced a panic attack? How do you cope with them?
http://www.everydayhealth.com/publicsite/index.aspx?puid=9580ac01-6ade-4f9f-9fb9-9ad812852094&p=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthEmotionalHealth_20080826
3 people like this
9 responses
@alpram96 (95)
• United States
27 Aug 08
Well yur therapist was right that panic attacks can make your world smaller but she should have gone further than that and helped you explore the roots of your anxiety. A good therapist will help you deal with the problem not just tell you what you already know. There are also some very effective medications for those who suffer from severe anxiety and panic attacks. Don't give up on therapy, see if you can find one who has a lot of experience dealing with anxiety disorders (my recommendation would be a therapist with a cognitive/behavioral approach). Good Luck and don't give up.
1 person likes this
@mikinikih (201)
• United States
27 Aug 08
My husband used to get panic attacks. He found that a combo of medications (specifically Zoloft for day-to-day and Lorazepam for severe attacks as needed) as well as biofeedback helped. He doesn't usually have issues with crowds, but doesn't respond well to stress as a whole. It might be worth trying! You might miss out on some great stuff in life because of fear, so hopefully you'll be able to get it under control. Best of luck!
1 person likes this
@lwethu (242)
• South Africa
26 Aug 08
I think I do have one of this attact but I can not say what is it exactly because when I am with the group of people I am friend to speak its like my ideas they don't make sense I feel useless and I end up not saying any thing just keep quit and every time when I am with firends I keep quit And now some of them when the calling me they say the quiet one and I hate this becuase I know that I am not quiet some they even say Hey you might think she is quiet but when place her in dark area you will be suprised I just keep similing no comments.And others will ask are you like this and I will say yes just to end the dicuscion.
And I used to be afraid to be alone but now I am improving even to go out of the house becuase I now that I will keep qiuet when others I socializing some they even say that I have pride.
@mac1946 (1602)
• Calgary, Alberta
26 Aug 08
Yes,I have them all the time,I keep trying to go out in public to the mall just to window shop or to just try to be with people,but as soon as I get there,all I can think of doing is look straight ahead,get what I want and get out.
I do and always have suffered from sever clinical depression ,and with my med's I feel much happier than before,but I still can not handle crowds of more than three people,I just have to seperate myself.
I do find,I am fine,so long as there is a counter or window between me and everyone else.
I realy do not beleive there is a cure for this,it would be great to be able to get involved with people.
That is one of the great things with mylot,you can interact with people and not be chritisized because of medical or mental problems.
Many Blessings.
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
26 Aug 08
I know what you mean about being overwhelmed by a crowd. If I am amoung more than two people, I am anxious. I no one else is on their way out, then I will leave. It's that simple. As for as there being no cure, I believe that exposure therapy can be effective as long as the therapist really knows what they are doing. Then there is always God, there is nothing to hard for him to do. I believe that I will be healed in the name of Jesus, amen.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
26 Aug 08
Hi Rozie37! I guess, the therapist is right when she said that it can cause your world to become smaller and smaller. I think that I can still manage my panic attacks. I usually manage to overcome such attacks. Even if I am in the edge of my being a nervous wreck for being so panicky, I still do what I must do. And after my ordeal, I usually have the sense of satisfaction and relief of overcoming my fears. I hope that one day, you will find your inner strength to overcome your fear my friend. And I believe you that through the Grace of God you will!
Take care always..God Bless!
1 person likes this
@harleygal98 (82)
• United States
29 Oct 08
I have panic attacks quite often, but I have also been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse so sometimes it's hard to tell which I am experiencing. My mom suffered from panic attacks as well when she was alive. I think the worst panic attack I have had was in Walmart of all places. Sometimes when I'm there, it feels as if the walls are closing in if you know what I mean. I know it is mind over matter, but sometimes it comes on so fast you don't even have time to think. It's awful. I have had this as far back as I can remember. Rozie, I sent you a friend request. I want to know more about this BPD. I think I may have this as well. I was seeing a therapist for a while, but it wasn't movily along quickly enough for me so I quit. I do remember her telling me I had no sense of self. And I forgot to mention to her that I do think in terms of black and white, no gray area here. It is causing problems in my marriage because it seems like I either love him or hate him. Not that he hasn't done some things that would make me think that or anything, you know!
@lwethu (242)
• South Africa
26 Aug 08
I think I do have one of this attact but I can not say what is it exactly because when I am with the group of people I am friend to speak its like my ideas they don't make sense I feel useless and I end up not saying any thing just keep quit and every time when I am with friends I keep quit And now some of them when the calling me they say the quiet one and I hate this becuase I know that I am not quiet some they even say Hey you might think she is quiet but when place her in dark area you will be suprised I just keep similing no comments.And others will ask are you like this and I will say yes just to end the dicuscion.
And I used to be afraid to be alone but now I am improving even to go out of the house becuase I now that I will keep qiuet when others I socializing some they even say that I have pride.
@cookie2442 (15)
•
22 Oct 08
I suffer from panic disorder and panic attacks everyday. I have been going through it for 8 years and was recently diagnosed with agoraphobia.
I've learnt that panic attacks cannot be caused by where you are, you geography.
You could either be in your living room or across the globe, it doesn't make any difference.
I always find that if I tell myself that I am the one thats causing all of these symptoms and fears then my panic seems to subside alot quicker.
Good Luck!
x
