Panic attack - can someone hold my hand

[ItsABeatifulDayNow]

Currently in the grips of a panic attack and need talking down. Is anyone out there? Full of self loathing and have tried taking a few different tablets to calm me down and now nothing has worked panicking about the tablets. Is anyone able to hold my hand and help me calm down? Sorry to ask x

So OP ... tell me ... What is with your username?? And who the heck is Vicky McClure??

Is easier to be angry than sad isn't it, I hate feeling sorry for myself like this but then I look back and think it's no bloody wonder considering everything that's happened to me. Want to feel proud of myself like I used to and feel like a little fighter but also it's hard being brave all the time isn't t

@Luvly12 haha that made me smile thank you. She has the loveliest accent ever - she's in Line of Duty and her voice just relaxes me!

Don't apologise! You've done nothing wrong. You're not being negative, you're being scared - which is totally understandable. You've asked for help & support - which is a brave thing to do. We're all happy to help.

As obvious and silly as it sounds, breathing is so important (I know - D'uh ). When you panic and breathe irregularly, it tricks your brain into fight or flight which releases adrenaline which raises your heart rate, makes you breathe too fast again etc. Concentrate on slowing that down and your brain will calm down. You can also try having a little something to eat. Your stomach tells your brain that it's safe. It's leftover from our more feral days. You don't have time to eat if you're being chased by a predator.
If you've read my very boring (but true) post, then that's probably slowed your brain right down

@RLOU30 how are you feeling now? I really hope you feel better soon it's horrid isn't it xx

Where's she from, her accent? I've never heard of her! I'll have to investigate now

just stepping gently into this discussion, op.

i have crash experience. that i'm still processing. but if it would help... ?

Dr Claire Weekes gives good advice on panic attacks when you're in the right frame of mind to read it. For the moment I find cuddling something like a soft toy helps and doing a gentle activity like colouring x

@MistyReturns god you are lovely thank you. Haven't eaten at all today as been sick a fair bit with stress. My poor little body is having such a horrid time on the epilepsy medication. You have no idea how nice it is to hear someone say I'm basically not being a burden and they are happy to hold my hand for a little while x

@Luvly12 I think maybe Nottingham she is a lovely lady x

@heartofgold any thoughts welcome - for me the crash somehow hasn't been the traumatic bit more so the aftermath with hospital stays, operations, being unable to work for a while especially as I own my own company (back working now) and now the epilepsy. Just such a lot to process isn't it?x

I'm the brave one that's my thing. So feel I'm letting everyone and myself down when I can't just keep being brave. God this is helping so much I just had my first proper breath all evening please stay with me a while x

Hi 😊 you are going to be ok. I have been where you are.

cbt4panic.org

Have a look at one of the best CBT programmes out there (it's completely free) written by a man who overcame panic attacks himself, and trained in psychotherapy to help others recover. I guarantee it will help you 😊

@Buffy101 thanks so much - will try that and when I'm less scared of having a seizure I'll give my house bunny a MASSIVE snug even if she tries to pretend she doesn't love it (she does) x

@Tweety2016 thanks so much I'm saving that to my notes and will look as soon as this round of panic is over. I appreciate it so much.

Probably stupid question but is there a best way to sit / lie down? I'm lying on my back in bed at the moment is that the best thing for my panic attack / breathing?

It's just a feeling and it can't harm you. Panic sufferer of 19 years - it will just go and best thing to accept it and move along. It really is just a feeling.

Of course you're not a burden, it sounds like you've been through a horrible time. You May have come out of it changed, but you've come out of it. Being a fighter is good, but even the toughest fighters need to rest.

It's really hard when you have something like this thrust upon you (I speak from experience). I used to be so confident and a real pocket rocket. I've spent a long time in a lot of pain and lost a lot of that (a lot of "me" disappeared). I'm now starting to fight back. It's not easy. I've had wobbles and help from the MN vipers. Sometimes you have to listen to the cliches - they are true.
"Look after yourself - rest. You can't pour from an empty jug"
This too shall pass"
"Things seem worse at night"
"Time is a great healer"
"One day at a time, or one minute, or one hour"

Nope, not on your back. Compresses the chest. Side or front better. Don't breathe deeply, just normally, letting your tummy in and out

@firesong thanks so much - it's so scary at the time isn't it no matter how much intellectually you know it will pass it is so physically horrible :( x

I listen to soft music and imagine mountains and stuff, but do whatever works for you! X

@MistyReturns thank you so much - I so so so don't want to give up. My counsellor gave me a brilliant exercise where I picture little me ages 5/10/15 next to me and I owe it to her after all we have been through to keep going. It's hard when your default is fighting / grafting to sometimes take time to self care and let things settle. I've just kept going for so long that I don't know how to accept things I can't fight / graft my way out of. Bit of growing up to do maybe x

I always lay on my front because I feel the slight pressure helps and stops me imagining chest pressure. Sounds weird writing it.
Pills are not always the answer but speak to your doctor in the short term for some propanalol maybe. I take it when I feel a panic attack creeping in and it helps
How are you feeling now? XX

Ach OP I'm exactly the same as you ... I've always been the strong one, the brave one etc.
But you know what .. we are strong, and brave but sometimes we get to the pint where we've just been through so much shit that bogs us right down .. and it's bloody hard hard hard.

And its not fair.

So you feel just sorry for yourself tonight if you need to. You actually deserve to feel sorry for yourself. You've been through shit.
A car crash is shit. Being ill is shit. Having epilepsy is shit. Having anxiety is shit. Panic attacks are shit.

Shit shit shit shit shit.

Let it out xx