Possibly have Panic Disorder...need help

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Possibly have Panic Disorder...need help
12
Tue, 03-15-2005 - 8:35pm
I'm really afraid that I may have what's called panic disorder. This is a real problem to me, not just some vague phobia. I really need some advice from people who have this or knows someone with it. I am a 21yr old female. In the last yeat there have been major changes in my life that possibly could've triggered an underlying disorder. I have always been a "worry wort" but now its out of hand..Let me explain the changes, first off my parents moved out of state, I got my 1st Apt, new car, crashed new car, new relationship, college f/t, work f/t etc...Last October I had my 1st panic attack. I thought I was having a heart attack and went to the hospital. Then inbetween then and now I've had this impending feeling that things aren't right and obsess over when the next panic episode will be. I am going to get help for this ASAP but does anyone have any suggestions in the meantime? I had one yesterday and feel very axious today as if it will happen again.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Tue, 03-15-2005 - 9:50pm

Hi there Jade,

I am sending you big hugs and happy thought vibes! I am in no way a professionsl but the faact that you are obsessing over the feeliong of impending doom is a big sign that you are suffering anxiety disorder. whether it is actually that or panic disorder is something that only a doc can tell you.

For right now this minute I can tell you that you are not alone. I have heard of so many people that thought they were having a heart attack and it turned out to be panic. Myself, I have never experienced it to that level but do know and understand that this is something that is very real and very frightening to you. No one here is going to make light of this problem, nor will anyone here tell you to "Just get over it".

I would suggest that you get examined by a psychiatrist. They can do an evaluation that may take hours to complete but is very thorough and gives them definate answers in regards to your diagnosis.

Most have found that if this is actually thier diagnosis that the best course of action is a treatment plan including both medications and talk therapy. The medications help to keep things under control while you are learning non-medication ways to deal with these situations.

I hope that you will continue to visit this site and look to those here that really know what you feel. They are a most wonderful and beautiful bunch of ladies, and I will swear to that!!

God bless and keep you,

Vicky

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 03-15-2005 - 11:49pm
Hi Jade!

Blessings, Suz   Posts in this Community   

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 3:59am
Hi! Just wanted to add my welcome. There's alot of info in the folders further down this page. Also, if you can, join us in chat. There's alot of sharing about meds, therapy & coping strategies. Carry through on seeing a dr. Get a medical check up just to be sure. There are conditions out there that can mimic panic or contribute to
 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 03-17-2005 - 1:16pm
Hi Jade You have had a lot of stress lately. This leads to fear and panic for some of us.
I have panic disorder and take medication and therapy to keep in control!
The dread of having another attack is awful!
This held me back so many times from doing things I wanted.
Try to distract yourself during these times when these thoughts come into your head.
You are not dying or going crazy!!
You feel like you are and have thoughts that you are but you are not.
Get medical help as soon as you can before it takes over!
I carried some stones my daughter gave me which I would hold when I got worried.
These feelings you have are like the ones I had- if you read the symptoms some or all of yours are probably there!
It does get better- much better!!
So get help and remind yourself you will feel better with help!
Take care! Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2004
Thu, 03-17-2005 - 5:33pm

The other ladies gave you some great advice, but I just wanted to add that the biggest thing that has helped me is knowing that I am not crazy! There will be a better day. And I CAN overcome this. And YOU can too!! With the help of a good therapist you can learn to manage your stress and anxious feelings. You can learn to talk your self down from panic. You can learn the things you need to do to take care of yourself so you don't panic as often. This can and will get better. (((((Hugs)))))

Jess

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Fri, 03-18-2005 - 8:32pm

Oh my goodness!!! this is a very serious thumbs up on your response, Jess!! It can be done and just how you said. I have been very sucessful in the past doing this and am in the process of doing it again!!!

It can be done!! We CAN overcome and it is in the way we allow ourselves to think!!

You go girl!!

Vicky!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Sun, 03-20-2005 - 12:34pm
I just wanted to thankyou and everyone else for the advice and for welcoming me to the group. I find that reminding myself that I am not crazy does help. It also helps that someone else has experienced the same thing and makes me feel like I'm not alone in feeling those things. I have been feeling a little better the last couple of days. My doctor gave me Zoloft to start on and hopefully I will seek out some counseling and ultimatly try to RELAX. I do have one question for everyone though...when your panic/anxiety was at it's worst did you find that when you were around other people it helped you to distract yourself from negative thoughts? And if it did distract you when you felt bad..did you have a fear that those negative feelings would come back when you were alone? This is how I've been feeling but I'm coming to understand the mind is a powerful tool and we can't listen to everything it tells us. I guess I just have to be strong.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 03-20-2005 - 1:34pm
Yes, to both, Jade. Anxiety loves an unoccupied mind. Being with ppl does give us comfort. Then, when we are alone & undistracted, the anxiety returns & our fear of it & being alone, returns
 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 03-20-2005 - 2:57pm
Being around family and friends, doing things that you like doing, doing things that you don't like doing, the whole thing is important.

Blessings, Suz   Posts in this Community   

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2004
Mon, 03-28-2005 - 8:19pm
I am a 24 year old male who developed "panic attacks" in September, i'm 7 months into this hell and like you initially ran to the hospital for fear of dropping dead at a young age. Fortunately i have been reassured that "panic attacks" dont mean death. These seven months so far have been extremely painful for me, i have had many attacks for no apparent reason sometimes that last for an hour or longer, then fear of more bring more. I have experienced nearly all of the symptoms of panic attacks and would say that 70% of these last seven months I have had some sort of symptom at varying levels. My attacks are not as frequent as they once were but are still extremely painful and unsettling. I find myself often wondering why me? Is this what i get for being a caring, worrying person, who seeks to make everyone happy? This sucks. Anyway, though I have not yet rid myself of this rut i am in, i can advise you to recognize the problem for what it is.......a panic attack. when that surge of adrenaline hits you like a freight train plowing down the tracks, just try to work through it, breath it off.......make sure to make time for yourself, get sleep, eat, and drink lots of water. Also....though its not usually my way, "panic attacks" have inspired me to go abit "new age", exploring chiropractic means, massage therapy, etc. I also am seeing a psychologist to try to get past this mess, and it is a mess. To me, it feels like a never ending hang-over with chest pains and an inability to breath clearly. Good luck.......i feel your pain.
Also, in response to your question about "panic" with, or without the presence of people, i have found that at times i would worry about having a "panic" emergency in the presence of others. Early on in this chapter of my life (and i firmly believe that it is a chapter, something that will end!!!!!), I suffered "panic" attacks in the presence of others just because i was scared to have an attack in their presence. I dunno.......these attacks are very odd to me, random at times, and others i know what brings them on (thats why we fear having more). Ultimately it comes down to changing something about us, our brain, and body is sending us a painful message.


Edited 3/28/2005 10:18 pm ET ET by flyguy2004

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