Anyone have panic-attacks?
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Anyone have panic-attacks?
| Sat, 02-26-2005 - 11:41pm |
If so how do they feel? and what did or do you do for them?
Im asking because I have been feeling very off latley. I feel down and just like crying a lot and the other day me and Emme went to Toys R Us and my heart started to race and I felt like pucking and I just wanted to get out of there.
We have been going throught a lot latley with the house and we have no idea if we will have a place to live at some point and I guess Im freaking out or something and since we moved here I have not meet any new friends or seen any of my old friends so Im just with the kids all the time and sometimes with DH. I do think I might have a bit of depresion too.
Thanks for reading
Kerri

The symptoms you described sound like textbook anxiety attack--heart and breathing racing, feelings of heightened anxiety/fearfullness, nausea. They can also include hyperventilation, increased startle reflex (very easy to frighten), uncontrollable shaking, shortness of breath or tightness in the chest. Some people mistake a severe anxiety attack for the onset of a heart attack, so the syptoms can be pretty upsetting.
Depression and stress can both lead to anxiety, and what people think of as "panic attacks". I have dealt with anxiety disorder for years, and I know it can be frustrating--I promise you aren't going nuts, if you are having panic attacks, the symptoms are very real! Sadly, there are still some doctors who will try to tell you that you're just imagining it--I'm not sure what those doctors tell their patients when they land in the ER with elevated heart and repiratory rates, and adrenaline pumping through their veins like mad! Some people have underlying anxiety disorders (like me) and some people have the attacks in reaction to things going on in their lives right then. Either way, it's something you should talk to your doctor about. Regardless of the reasons, something that can raise your heart and respiratory rate, and cause nausea and vomiting suddenly isn't something to ignore--frequently if ignored the syptoms become more severe and more sudden, so don't wait until you hit the ground, or hyperventilate to talk to someone about it. With the added bonus of having symptoms of depression, you have a lot to try to tackle all on your own, so don't be afraid to ask for some help.
I will tell you a few things that having panic attacks may mean--that you're over stressed, you have a huge amount of responsibilities and not a lot of ways of relieving some of the anxiety that goes along with that, there are things going on around you that make you feel helpless, and you may need to find new ways to vent some of your frustrations and worries so they don't build up inside you.
NOW, I will tell you a few things that having panic attacks DOES NOT mean--that you're crazy, that you're unable to deal with your life, that you just need to "grow up" or "be stronger", or that there is ANYTHING wrong with you.
Talk to your doctor, or a local help line, or a nurse, or someone (!!) about stress management techniques that can help you not have any more attacks, or at least minimize and deal with them better if they do happen. If your doctor suggests a temporary mild low dose sedative to carry with you, at least listen with an open mind before you reject it (does it sound like I may have experience with that one lol). You aren't alone, you aren't crazy, and you're going to be okay. I promise. :)
Hugs,
Angela
Pat yourself on the back, the fact that you didn't exit and run to your car, driving home as fast as you could, means you beat it!!!
Good Luck!
nancy
I would think the best thing to do is see a dr about it. They might be able to help you.
(((((((((((hugs))))))))))
Go straight to the doc and at the very least get some Xanax to help you through the really tough times. And if I were you (and I have to say I have been there), get something for the more long term (even if that is a few months until you get things sorted out).
Then, go find yourself some mommy groups or church groups. Get some new friends. That will help tremendously!
Ejkdmom
Come visit my store:
www.leorra.com
I too struggle with this. It first happened when I was PG but my OB just thought it was because of the baby pushing on organs and such since it did not happen often so I dismissed it. That was until later when I could not eat a bowl of ceral without my heart racing 140 beats a minute and I was out of breath. I know I am out of shape but I should still be able to wash 5 sippy cups without the need to take a rest.
So I went to my family dr and she ran all kinds of test to rule out any other illness. I had 3 blood work ups, check x -ray, ekg, wore a holter monitor for 24 hrs to monitor my heart rate, and did a breathing test for asthma. All of this came back negative that is when she decided I had anxiety. I did not want to buy it and to this day dh does not buy it. (not helpful when there is not support in the house) I took the Zoloft for one month and did not feel like it was doing anything so I stopped that is when I did notice a difference in my behavior. I was struggling with the fact that I needed to be medicated to get thru the day. Now I can joke about and tell dh if we have another one I am going to have to up it to Prozac. So I have been on it for over a year now and things were much better. So defiantly go and see your dr. it is real and it makes just living everyday much harder.
I too have no friends where I live. I guess I never wanted to try to make any since we were moving so often. Well last week I joined a MOMS group and so far it has been great!! I wish I would of done it sooner.
Take care-
Sarah
"Well last week I joined a MOMS group and so far it has been great!! I wish I would of done it sooner."
I can't say how important this is. We are social people, we really are. The companionship of other moms can make a huge difference.
When we moved a few years ago I joined the MOMS group about 5 days after we moved. The difference it made in my adjusting to the area was immesurable. Joining a religious organization, mother's day out group, MOMS club etc. really can help.
And I say this as a mom who has also had panic attacks and such.
Ejkdmom
Come visit my store:
www.leorra.com
Kerri,
I suffered from these when I was a teenager. By then I lived in a group home and had a great counselor she helped me to
Find some time to have "you" time. Go get a pedicure, manicure, go for a walk of a movie with friends. Just family free- and no errands!
Hugs!
Corinne
http://corinne.momexecs.net