Living with Panic

[Political Heretic]

Hello!

I'd like to share something I've just written for two reasons. First because I have some small hope that maybe it will be encouraging to someone out there who is going through something similar. Second, because a certain level of confessional honestly about my own experiences is very therapeutic - it helps me bring closure to my former life as I begin a new journey.

I am, unashamedly, going to provide the link to the writing purely for self-promotion reasons. Maybe someone will find other things they enjoy on my blog and decide to subscribe to the feed. More subscribers gives me more motivation to keep updating, which in turn is enjoyable and rewarding for me.

So here it is - Living with Panic:
http://political-heretic.blogspot.com/2008/07/living-with-panic.html

[ThomCat]

1. A number of people here have panic attacks.

And a few have written about it here. I think you've find people here pretty understanding about this.

I hope you are managing well and have your life under control. :hug:

[DebJ]

2. Adair gave me severe panic attacks. Hideous. I didn't know

what was causing them until I went online googling and found a lot of comments on panic attacks posted by others using the crap. My doctor insisted this wasn't the problem and
referred me to a shrink, who also insisted it couldn't be the problem. I stopped using the stuff and the panic attacks went away (so did a lot of other bad effects).

The attacks were just horrible. I felt like the entire world was closing in on me, claustrophobic even in the back yard under a clear sky. I felt like I'd rather be dead, then came panic attacks about death. Absolutely was losing my mind. Two weeks after I stopped the Advair, 10 months ago, the attacks vanished. I had been afraid it was because of midlife hormone changes or something. . .was just the meds. My son has serious BP, OCD, ADD, and I was fearful I was heading that way . . . all due to meds.

Here is a BIG hug for you on your journey, and warm wishes.

[Swede]

3. The first time I saw my nephew have one,I thought he was dying.

He'd literally slump over like a bag of potatoes. Pale as a ghost. He's gotten them under control,and hasn't had one in years.

[rebel with a cause]

4. I live with chronic stress/anxiety disorder

with a generalized panic disorder. I have always suffer from depressions but have learned over the years to cope somewhat with it, but that does not mean I do not still get depressed. Diagnosed also with agoraphobia which explains some of my panic attacks such as when I cannot stand being in a crowded store and such. Many of these disorders/phobias run in families, and certain members have many of the same phobias and disorders although they may not discuss them until one member discloses their own problems.

My daughter has been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, something that I suffered from when I was young but not to the degree as she has it. Mine has now progressed to a different type of problem. Many of your symptoms are similar to what she suffers from. You might want to ask your doctor/counselor if this may be connected to your problems panic attacks.

The going over everything that happens in the day is very familiar to me, as well as going over every thing that I must do in the day. She is the same, only she faces each day with a disdain that is far stronger than what I ever knew. My problems began when I was around five years old, and so did hers.

The only medication that works for me is Xanax, because of it effect on me and the fact that I can take it only when the need is at the worse. Right now I take it at night so I can sleep and not stay awake all night haunted by what has happened and what might happen. My daughter does not like this drug but swears by Zoloft, which she says helps her.

[Political Heretic]

5. Just wanted to say thanks for the nice responses - I went to bed right away last night. :)

[eowyn_of_rohan]

6. I started getting them again 2 weeks ago out of the blue

Thanks for your courage and honesty. Hope it helps to know you certainly aren't alone. It does me.

[fizzgig]

7. thank you for sharing this

i began having panic attacks when i was 12 or 13 but it took me a long time to even be able to vocalize what was going on.

i have had people tell me that they don't know what i'm getting so worked up about and how on earth do you explain that to them? i am not weak and it's not as easy as just 'getting over it.' it can be a daily struggle that drains you of all you have and it can be damn near impossible to push through.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Panic attacks suck the big one. I'm bipolar 2 and panic seems to be part of the package for me