Panic attacks & work

[TaylorSatsuma]

I had mild depression for nearly two years, about 4 years ago. I also had what I now realise were panic attacks. It was a lot to do with my situation and a quite violent burglary, and since moving and getting married I've been much happier. I'm now in my second year of teaching, which although still hugely stressful is better than the first year (hell!), own a lovely house and have a fantastic DH. But the panic attacks have started again and I can't work out why, and it's just getting worse.

I'm generally much happier with my life than I was, apart from the fact that I lost my dad shortly before I got married. I found out a couple of weeks ago that the people who previously owned our house were burgled, which has made me jumpy, and I'm finding that I'm getting stressed out by normal things. I find it really hard to go places without DH or mum, and I've now had two panic attacks at school which have been embarrassing and messed everything up for eveyone because I couldn't teach my classes. I feel like I need to go back to the doctor but I don't want people at work to start thinking I'm a liability, as it's the sort of job where you're hard pushed to find anyone who's not stressed! I've been referred for counselling but that could take two months for an appointment and I don't think it'll help because it didn't last time. I don't want drugs because they made me so tired last time, and we want to start TTC.

I just don't feel I can face work but I don't know what to do about it. Teaching is like being on stage - if I had my old office job I could cope better. I don't know what to do and DH is trying to understand but doesn't know how to help me. I've got a day off today and was going to finish my Christmas shopping which would have helped as it's one less thing to worry about, but I had to come straight home again as money in account hadn't cleared and I couldn't buy anything. I was nervous enough going on my own and now I'll have to do it again but at a weekend when it'll be so much worse.

Sorry for rambling... I just don't know what to do

Ok now I've just spent the whole afternoon crying because I'm irrationally terrified that DH is going to die. I can't deal witht this any more, I feel like I'm going mad!!!

I think you do need to go back to your gp
it's better to take ads now than let things get worse and mess things up for yourself at work

Have had a lot of panic attacks after a double bereavement. The cruel thing is they go away and then return. I find it helps me to say "I've been through this before and got through it" and just accept it is happening and not try to fight it. Not easy, I know. Agree with other posters you should go back to your doctor. I think increased stress is probably bringing them on again - has happened to me. I think you then tend to get anxious about things that wouldn't have bothered you before. Best of luck.

Thanks. Am going to see nurse (only appointment today I could get) and hope she can help. Off work again and boss very quiet when I said why... I'm really worrying now! I'm just so scared it'll happen again at work and I'll feel bad all over again, especially as I felt so rotten yesterday, but I worry if I stay off. Feel like I can't win!

Ok I went to see the nurse and she took me in to see the doctor who luckily happened to be free. I can't go on beta blockers for the physical symptoms as apparently asthmatics can't have them (not sure why!!) but they have referred me for CBT which is a relief - apparently the waiting list isn't too long either which is even better. They have signed me off work for a week which takes the pressure off a bit, though I still have to set cover work... Have bought some rescue remedy pastilles to help too. Feel better than yesterday but still worrying... hopefully CBT will help change that!

Taylor betablockers can make your asthma a lot worse

Rescue remedy pastilles...I go nowhere without them, ever.

And CBT will hopefully help - I had some before it was even called CBT, as a student, and I learned about what panic attacks are and that they are self perpetuating because you start fearing that you will get one. I learned how to stop hyperventilating when I had an attack and even though they have recently returned they are always brief because i can pull myself back.

Passiflora and Valerian can work.

I used to take betablockers, but just take these herbal supplements at night now and feel a lot better.

Other stuff which can help include:

Cutting out all caffeine
Limiting your sugar intake so that you don't get blood sugar swings - low bs makes anxiety worse
A magnesium and calcium supplement - take last thing at night
Vitamin B complex