Panic attack?

[plasterboots]

My DH has had a serious operation on his ankle, he's been in plaster for eight weeks up to his knees. Physically he's doing eel, mentally he's in a bad place, he's constantly thinking the plaster is too tight, it's not, to allow for observation of his wounds it's been changed many times and it's always fine.

Of course this feeling is real, he is now saying he's having trouble breathing, he has feelings of claustrophobia and he feels trapped,

I believe that this is all due to anxiety and I really feel he needs to see his GP? I'm
concerned that this situation is eventually going to make his physical recovery slow.

AIBU to really push or even insist he sees his GP to see what they can do to get him through this tough patch of life.

I do what I can in respect of taking him out, finding things to keep his mind busy. He did a physical job so had gone from 10 hour shifts to sitting down nearly 24 hours a day.

Sorry do you think these feelings are a type of panic attack?

The difficulty bresting coupled with a feeling of being trapped sounds like a panic attack. Does his heart rate increase as well?

I would say an appointment with his GP is important here. It may be a long wait for talking therapy, but they may prescribe a low dose antidepressant for the anxiety and/or beta blockers for the panic attacks (they don't stop the panic mentally but they do reduce the physical symptoms).

Can he go out during the day at all?

@JellyBellyyyyyyyyy he can only get into the garden, can't go anywhere else.

I think you're right he does need something to reduce the physical symptoms because they're causing him more anxiety.

This sounds like anxiety related to his situation. I don't know if I would be going to the gp. Instead is there a contact with the consultant/physio people who are looking after your husband who you can go to with this.

He won't be the only.one to have felt this way and they should have more.experience with ways to deal with it

Nousernameforme makes a good point actually, is there someone he can approach who is already involved in the treatment for his ankle? If so then it may be worth approaching them in the first case.

If not, definitely a GP appointment.

It would also help I think to help your DH wherever you can to establish a routine that doesn't involve daytime TV. The fact that he can't do much will be contributing as it gives him time to ruminate and obsess.

Can you get him some books? Have him sign up for an online course? There are plenty of free online courses in a huge range if subjects.

It would help him to keep as occupied as possible, however that may be.

I have suffered multiple panic attacks. Get him some CBD oil. It helped me, though, I now take it for pain, but it has relieved some other lingering health problems.

It's worth a try.