My panic is growing. Help!
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My panic is growing. Help!
| Wed, 02-08-2006 - 12:53am |
I need some help. Does anyone relate? I'm having trouble with certain triggers and panic attacks. It has come to the point where certain thoughts, objects, people, and places bring on that dreadful fearful panicky feeling. For instance, I had a panic attack at a movie theatre once, and whenever I saw some of the people I went with that time, I would start to become anxious. Has anyone ever experienced this? Its so terrible because I am starting to associate these terrible experiences and feelings with the things, places, and people I love! I really really need some help now. I really don't feel like a normal person.. The thoughts that enter through my mind are so surreal like my mind is some kind of horror film.
-LernersPetite

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Lernerspetite,
Hi, my name is Kathy, I am pretty new here, but I am finding such great, nice, supportive people here! I have 3 boys and am a stay at home mom who will back to teaching in about a year or two. I figured I'd just introduce myself :)
Yes!! Whenever I have an attack somewhere, the next time I go there I am afraid I will have one again. What I do is try to think of the absolute worst thing that can happen. Then I tell it (my panic) to come instead of fighting it off, it sounds crazy but it works ,sometimes. I also try to force myself to do the things that may make me anxious and that works too. Of course these things do not work all the time but I know that I can do it, and just knowing that it has worked gives me the confidence to try again.
I always think about the worst things too, my mind is crazy with thoughts most of the time, what if my kids die, what if I die, what if someone kills me while Im going to the store, things like that. Like you said like a horror movie. It makes me feel like Iam not normal as well. I know that doesn't help much but sometimes knowing youre not the only one can make you feel better. I hope it does!
Hi Lernerspetite,
I can definately relate. I had a very bad experience at school/college, a fellow student started stalking me and then attempted an attack. He used to corner me, say degrading/perverted things, and send me disgusting email. I did not give him my email he got it off the class roster. Then one day I was pulled off clinical and escorted back to campus. Apparently he stated to some students he planned to "get me, make me pay" and an instructor overheard him. The whole event was hideous. There was a trial and he was unhappy with the result. I had to have security for the remainder of the school year and a guard at each class. Was very traumatic.
I still get very anxious when it is time to go. Especially when it is clinical day. I just cannot give up on my Nursing degree so I fight my way through the anxiety and go. It usually subsides after I settle in, sometimes not. Only a few months to go!!
Hope my story helps,
Lisa
Hi! It's nice to see you again. I am sorry for what you're experiencing. It's almost a given that returning to situations or places where panic once
Hello Lernerspetite,
Yes, I too can totally relate to you.
Jennifer
"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evi
Hi Lernerspetite,
Yes, I can totally relate to what you are feeling. When I was going through the worst of my anxiety years ago I would get obsessive scary thoughts. Actually, the thoughts for me were worse than the anxiety. I can also relate to associate certain people and situations to the first panic situation. You are getting that knot in your stomache and you feel that bewildered feeling like. This is not happening to me again. We tend to work ourselves up with these scary thoughts. I found that i would get more thoughts while I wass pms'ing and if I was over tired and I had alot of things going on in my relationships. Are you going under more stress? The scary thoughts would come for me I think as a sort of avoidance behavior to take me from stressful situations. Also, you fear of associating things with certain people are just another one of your scary thoughts. Just try to be kind to yourself and keep reminding yourself that you are having another scary thought!! they will not hurt you and you my get these reminders every so often. You are just sensitized to the earlier situation. Please get the Lucinda Bassett CD's and you will listen to a group of people that have scary thoughts. At first I never wanted to hear other peoples thoughts because I was afraid I would get scared too and than I just worked through the motions.
Be well,
Paula
I am the same way.
Sheri Ann
(((Lisa))) How horrible!
Sheri Ann
obviously none of us here can diagnose you, but you are describing are classic symptoms of a panic disorder. what you are experiencing is called anticipatory anxiety, where you are actually afraid and possibly avioding certain places because due to fear of another panic attack.
There are several routes you can take in coping with your panic attacks. You can take medication that can help tremendously, or you can focus on cognitive behavioral techniques that will basically teach your brain not to go into panic mode. Do you have a psychologist? perhaps you should consider talking with your physician about this and he/she can recommend a therapist.
this board is also a great therapeutic tool, a lot of people here have gone through panic attacks and can offer lots of valuable advice and support.
Thank you everyone for your replies. Its nice to know you are not alone. Even though I know there are plenty out there with similar problems, when I am experiencing them I feel like I must be the only one.
I am applying for health insurance now. Right now I only have temporary health insurance which doesn't cover much. Hopefully I will be approved which would allow me to get meds again without spending $200 a month and not even having basic coverage for other health needs. That surely isn't assuring for us worriers. Its been almost over two years since I have been able to regularly take meds, and I don't want to believe that they will fix my problems, but I know from the past that meds are good training wheels for facing and dealing with anxiety.
I've decided that even if I can't get health insurance, I need meds. There's no use in spending money on having a cell phone, food, my car and so on if I can't enjoy life because of this anxiety. If I have to go in the hole to start to feel better thats just what I'll do. I've been waiting too long for help and I don't want to wait any longer.
-LernersPetite
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