Is anyone about? Feel like I’m going to die - panic attack I think

[butinneverdo]

I’m in hell. I’ve taken PRN meds as prescribed and still not settling and don’t know what to do.

I live alone and if something happens no one will now

What have you taken and how long ago?

3 x 2mg diazepam. took one this morning then the other two if needed. Stupidly held off as long as possible for the other two - I don’t like taking them as terrified of becoming addicted. Took the second one about two hours ago and the third one about 20 mins ago.

plus I’m on beta blockers, which I took at 6pm.

I have got a MH team/crisis team but they shut the crisis line at 6 and switch to NHS 24 which has a very long wait usually.

Try breathe in as slowly and deeply as you can in through your nose and out through your mouth. In for 5 secs, out for 5 secs. Panic attacks are very scary but they aren't dangerous, you can get though this. Do you have anyone you could call?

Hi @butinneverdo. panic attacks are awful but remind yourself that it is just that, a panic attack and it will pass. In the meantime try the 5 4 3 2 1 method, look around for 5 things you can see, four you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Also deep slow breathing in for 3 hold for 3 out for 3.

I can relate. I am going through similar. Lay down and raise your feet. I know for hard but take deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth.

Thank you, I’m trying the breathing. It’s when I’m alone I get scared. Thoughts get too much and if something happened I wouldn’t be able to get help.

You've got this! As the PP said, panic attacks are scary - in fact, they're designed to make us feel like we won't survive them. They conjure our worst fears and they make us feel like it's all happening. But. They aren't dangerous. They don't hold that power.
You DO have power.

Sit down and put your feet flat on the floor.

Now tell us one thing you can see.
One thing you can touch.
One thing you can smell.
One thing you can hear.

Concentrate on each thing.
Ground yourself.

Nothing is going to happen. It will end. Ride it. You'll get there

I find going outside and taking in some fresh air helps me. Hopefully it has passed by now

The diazepam will make you feel weak and maybe a bit spaced out. Sometimes that can cause you to panic more. You will be fine. Have you got the tv on? Watch something funny or relaxing.

Have you got friends or family close by who you can ask to ring you at hourly intervals? Sometimes just knowing they are going to ring will help calm you.

I’ve got TV on yeah, think it’s radio 1 festival highlights thing. I can see TV, hear it faintly (turned volume down). Can feel cushion under my arm and my feet on the carpet. Can smell deodorant that I sprayed a while ago.

yeah diazepam makes you feel weird. I find it makes me panic more, it helps a lot but I’m never sure when I’m meant to take it, just told 3 a day when anxious, and that I can have it on repeat, psychiatry are going to see me soon to try other meds but told to keep taking diazepam meantime. But I panic about getting addicted to it. I’m anxious all day every day. (Cptsd).

I have but I wouldn’t want to tell them, sounds silly but I’d worry they’d think I was being daft if I said I was struggling.

It’s a bad anniversary today, I keep re-experiencing things in my mind and really been struggling today. Had a good week. Then I have a day like today.

Do you have any pets?

If you want to send me your number I will keep checking in on you. Don't know if I am allowed to ask that on here but just trying to help.

I am sure they will understand if it's a bad anniversary. They will probably be happy to help.

Today is a bad day for you. It’s understandable, and probably normal, to feel the way you do. Allow yourself to acknowledge that.

This will pass, it’s awful while it’s happening but know that it will end.

We’re all here x

Some really good advice here OP, keep talking to us. Diazepam is ok, it makes me incredibly sleepy. Could you turn on a familiar program and close your eyes and rest for a bit? New day tomorrow.

Hey, I suffer frequent panic attacks so I completely sympathise, have clonazepam prn which if I don't take in time excarcebates my panic attacks sometimes. Change the environment, go outside take a brisk walk around, deep breathing is important do this whilst having a walk. Or sometimes I jump in a cold shower, you could splash cold water on your face, grab some ice etc.
"I am safe, this is just anxiety" let it be your mantra. You'll get through this x

Try this, or a cold shower (apparently that works wonders in calming you down)

X

I live alone and had bad anxiety and panic attacks. I didn't like phoning people but one day it was really bad so I did. Just talking helped and daft as it sounds they suggested music, lively and loud. It really did help.

Hang in and please people would rather you phoned then struggle alone xxxx

Spot on. It's amazing what loud music can do. Gets you singing so controls your breathing and definitely lifts your mood. Good advice.