I've named changed for this because it's potentially outing when linked to other threads I've written on other boards.
I've just experienced my first panic attack in years. I had a bout of them about 4 years ago which I put down to being on a particular pill. That time I had about 4 panic attacks within 2 days but as I'd recently started back on this particular pill i put it down to that, stopped the pill and felt better pretty much immediately.
I'm feeling happier than ever at the moment in general but today I experienced what i believe to be a panic attack completely out of the blue. I was getting ready to go out and just felt my mind slipping into these irrational thoughts and a sense of panic coming over me that i couldn't control, exactly as it had been years ago when I was on the pill, only difference this time is that I'm not on the pill. There is no reason at all why this should have happened today. I have nothing stressful happening. I've been through some very stressful times in the years since my last bout of panic attacks and have never experienced anything remotely like one since I came off the pill.
However, today it's back, exactly as it was years ago. My mind starts clouding with these completely irrational but very real feeling thoughts of panic, they're all consuming and I feel a need to get out of the place I'm in. My mind races, I start to feel hot and detached from reality with an over riding feeling of panic and dread. What is wrong with me?! Why is this happening? I had one earlier on this evening and have just had another one now. It's almost like an out of body experience, as if I have no control over my thoughts but am consumed by this sense of dread and panic.
I'm not on the pill as I was before. I'm in a great place mentally. I've been feeling great about myself and my life recently. What is wrong with me? Should I see a GP? What can they do to help? Last time i put it squarely down to the pill but I'm not on any thing now. I am receiving counselling at the moment for a family situation but I started that at the end of last year and am feeling great about things, having been through some tough times at the start of the year. I suppose what I'm trying to say is there's no reason why this should be happening now. Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Sorry for the length of this!