How did 'we' end up with panic attacks?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
How did 'we' end up with panic attacks?
18
Sun, 08-28-2005 - 8:54pm
I have a question. Someone recently asked me-How do ppl end up with panic attacks and anxiety?...All I could say I knew was that it was possibly hereditary and a chemical imbalance in the brain...I don't really have an answer. Does anyone here?
I felt like this person believes that panic and anxiety isn't a 'real thing' and 'real health issue',and also that they feel like this is my fault.
I am sure others here have ran across ppl like this that don't understand....It's rough for me, because this is not something I would fake, or want anyone to have to experience or live with. It's not like I did something wrong to get these problems.
This question-What causes some people to have panic attacks and anxiety, and others to not have? To me-Is like asking what causes any other physical disease...Sometimes there is no answer. I just don't think we know enough about these health issues yet to have an exact answer...
Can I please get your guys thoughts and input so maybe next time, I have a better answer when someone asks me?
This just makes my heart so sad that ppl don't understand or try to understand.
I hope your family,friends, co-workers, etc. are understanding as you try to get well, and overcome this. Thanks for listening.
Have a great Sunday! hugs, shasta

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Sun, 08-28-2005 - 10:02pm

Hey Shasta.


I was just talking about this with my cousin's friend who is an RN. We were talking about meds and things and she was asking me how I'm doing.


So, I asked her "the question" I told her of my HUGE family history with all kinds of illnesses.. including depression, anxiety, alcoholism (which came from anxiety/depression).


Then I started to tell her about my situation and how my diagnosis is actually adjustment disorder with severe anxiety. I asked her if she thinks it hereditary or situational and she said that she believes it to be genetic and in my case I just had the "trigger" to bring it out. She said that I have most likely always had "it" but it was never truly triggered.


Of course then I started on the " am I going to go crazy stuff" LOL Gotta love us anxious people...


fWIW she said that she has heard great things about lexapro and thinks that klonopin is a great drug when used properly.. just an fYI for anyone on those.


Also Shasta, I have asked my p and tdoc and they both are shocked that I didn't get this sooner given my family history and they both believe it to be genetic also but with some people it takes triggers to bring it out.


HTH


(((HUGS SHASTA)))

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Sun, 08-28-2005 - 10:10pm

Shasta, that's a really interesting question. As a psychology student I have taken several courses that explain possible causes for anxiety. First of all, it is important to keep in mind that anxiety and panic are not purely biological. So even if there is a hereditary component to the disease, it is not offer a full explanation, after all it is a behavioral 'disorder' (I hate that word). Another clue

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2005
Sun, 08-28-2005 - 10:10pm

You know what it comes down to--some people are just cold fish and won't make the effort to understand.

I believe p/a is both biological and environmental. For some, if their mom was always really uptight and tense around them, they will learn to behave the similarly. Also, I think certain events may trigger p/a. And yeah, it is a chemical imbalance as well. I don't know that anyone's pinpointed how much of it is environmental and how much is biological, though.

Hope that helps. That's just my take on it based on my plethora of therapy sessions. :D

Kendra

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2005
Sun, 08-28-2005 - 10:13pm

Mia,

I really enjoyed reading that. You've got such a wealth of knowledge, and you explained it nicely. Thank you! :)

Kendra

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Sun, 08-28-2005 - 11:34pm

Maybe this is rude, but I think it's ignorant for anyone to even ask. I guess it depends on how they say it. If they are genuinely intereted in the topic then it's ok. I'll give you an example, my previous dh died, I HATE when people ask "how did he die?" I feel like it is insensitive and uncaring, like they are just being nosey. When people ask about anxiety, I often get defensive, too. Like they think we're making it up or are weak. I'd never ask someone why they were bald or why they had a leg amputated. Anxiety is a medical condition and people don't treat it as such, uugghhh, I get so frustrated by it!

Sheri Ann

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 08-29-2005 - 12:19am
(((Sheri Ann))) The older I get, the dumber ppl are. It's ok if it's your therapist, but everyday conversations with ppl I barely know,
 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-29-2005 - 9:38am

I just know that all my life I've been a worrier. It's only

Mad Men siggie



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Mon, 08-29-2005 - 9:54am

thanks Kendra. I've really enjoyed studying psychology, but I enjoy even more sharing that knowledge with others.


I dont mean to start conflict, but just offer my perspective..While I can see how this question can be offensive, I also think it's beneficial to ask these questions. I think the people who take interest in understanding where anxiety comes from are the people who are interested in learning more, understanding the disease, and becoming less judgmental. So on the one hand, it is a very personal matter, but on the other hand we have to educate other people if we don't want to be judged.


mia

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Mon, 08-29-2005 - 5:47pm
Thanx for your input,Mia. I would like to see the addtl web info you have too.
hugs, shasta
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Mon, 08-29-2005 - 5:53pm

Sheriann-I am so sorry for your loss <3 I am sending you a BIG HUG <3

That is horrible that ppl would ask you about your dh like that. That is rude.

My problem is the person who asked me this question is a family member, so I'm not quite sure what to say or do...But I may ask my therapist this question also, when I have my next visit, so I can have a ready answer for the future.
Thanx for sharing.
love, shasta

Pages