Why could this be happening?

[Whywhywhynow]

I’ve name changed for this.

A few years ago I had a bout of poor mental health. I was really depressed and suffered from horrible panic episodes that were debilitating. At the time I was going through really tough personal issues and worked through these with a counsellor, looked at my diet, exercise and general lifestyle and over the course of about 18 months, got back on track. Since then I’ve had the occasional blip and been a bit anxious here and there but nothing I could t cope with.

Until Monday. I came home from work feeling fine, had a lovely evening but then started to feel really dizzy and the waves of panic flooded in. I experienced a panic episode in continuous waves from 9pm until 6am (ish) I was shaking, vomiting, sweating, unable to stay still. I didn’t sleep for the entire night. I was terrified for no reason.
I couldn’t go to work the next day. Since then I’ve had a few more less intense attacks but moments where I feel okay but know ‘it’ is lingering. Right now as I type it feels like my head is being crushed and my head is tingling.

The thing is that I’m so happy right now. I like my job. It’s busy but I like it. Family life is good...I really have no obvious reason to feel like this.

Why would the physical symptoms return when I feel mentally well? Has anyone had this? Or does anyone know what I can do to make sure this doesn’t get worse and I end up where I was 4 years ago.

Op I've had similar the last few days. The dizziness then leading to panic attacks feelings.
I at one point thought I was going to have a stroke.

Spoke to my mother and she has being feeling the same. Said it happened before she got a virus.
I haven't got the virus yet luckily and the dizziness has calmed down.

Maybe it is similar sickness and the feeling reminds you of panic. I think that's why I felt so concern

Concerned

It’s a possibility but I don’t think it’s a virus. I’d love it if it was.
Hope yours is just a fleeting thing too @Graciebutterfly

Anyone? Would be really encouraging to hear the experience of others. I can’t imagine in the only person to go through this?

The OP is struggling for traffic, so we're moving this to chat.

I guess it’s not as interesting as a troll post... I honestly thought I would get some support or help from this site.

Hi OP.

I felt really similar today- I'm coming down with a cold and I feel horribly sinusy and I felt really panicky and dizzy earlier.

My dd felt really dizzy and shakey Friday morning. Then she spiked a big old temperature. Perhaps you are coming doen with something. I think if you are naturally anxious, and then feel odd or ill, you can start to panic, then make your symptoms worse which then ends up sending you in circles.

I always feel stressed and anxious if I am going to be ill. Try and relax this evening, nice bath and pjs on, maybe 2 paracetamol and something yummy to eat.

Perimenopause, maybe? I remember getting agitation, heart palpitations and sickness whilst going through it. Could it be that's what happening and you're attributing it to a panic attack because it feels like one?

Maybe worth getting some bloods done with the GP?

Hi OP, I had similar a few years back.

I had been free of anxiety and depression for nearly 10 years, I felt like I knew how to manage my MH, was eating well, exercising, loved my job, happy at home etc then out of seemingly nowhere I had the most crippling anxiety attack of my life, and it took me nearly a week to start feeling better.

With my GP's help, I worked out that in my enthusiasm for life and new experiences I had just taken on too much. I was doing 2 different classes every week to learn about topics that had always interested me, I exercised 3 times a week, made all my food from scratch, and also looked after a young DD while working full time. I WANTED to do all of these things, and liked all of them, but it was just too much. I scaled back on the classes and let DH take over the "cooking" (hello, frozen pizzas) a couple of nights a week, and things settled back down again.

It was a real eye opener for me, I had always assumed my previously bad MH was because I was struggling with some aspects of my life, but it turned out that it could also be triggered when I was happy! I am very mindful now of making sure I get some rest, and some quiet time to myself here and there just reading or meditating.

Hope you feel better soon OP

I think if you have a tendency to being anxious you may be actually worry because things are going so well right now and subconsciously waiting for things to go wrong again? Hence your symptoms

@antennareborn

I identify with this so much actually! I’ve taken on a senior role at work, started a French class, am training for a half iron man and preparing for major building g work in the house as well as having 2 young children.
I’m loving it all...but maybe it is just too much and I e gone into some weird overdrive.

The perimenopause could also be something to look at. I’m almost 39 s do definitely at the age it could happen.

Thank you for all your responses

Caffeine?
My DH gets panic attack symptoms if he is drinking too much caffeine.

@Happygirl79 I actually have always feared losing the lovely life I have and in particular my children. I also do catch myself sometimes checking for anxiety symptoms ‘just in case’. I’ve probably stupidly just made myself worse...
Replies are bringing up what should have been obvious to me to think about...

@dontdoironing I cut out caffeine the last time this happened. I know I’ll be awful if I even have 1 cup of coffee so don’t bother at all now.