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Panic attack's

4 replies

eveningshadows22 · 02/02/2019 20:30

Hi I'm just looking for any positive stories from anyone who has been in a similar situation. I have always had mild anxiety but over the last year I have had a lot going on, marriage breakdown, relocating and quitting job, finding new job and place to live. I guess everything has taken its toll on me. I finally found a new job I was really pleased to have got it but this week I was due to start a week of training for it and as soon as I got there out of nowhere I'm having panic attack's and having to leave early. I only made it in 2 days and had to take the rest of the week off and am due to start again next week. Of course now I am terrified the same thing is going to happen again. And I can't get out of the panic attack until I completely escape the situation. Even now I am generally feeling unwell, lightheaded, nauseous, shaky. I have been to see my gp who has put me back on antidepressants and also given me a short supply of diazepam but I don't find it really does much, it's a very low dose. Has anyone been able to overcome this kind of thing? Will the antidepressants help stop the panic attack's eventually? I realise they will take 2-4 weeks to really kick in. But I am terrified I am going to feel like this forever now.

OP posts:
WingsofNylon · 03/02/2019 05:50

You won't feel this way forever. Panic attacks and awful things but it is your body, you can find way to get it to work with, rather than against you.

Starting a new job always triggers my physical anxiety even if mentally I am pleased with the job. Here's a list of things that help me in the moment.

Counting, not just a little, I'm mean proper counting, slowly until you feel stronger. If you're not alone, and need to appear to be working/listening this is a good one. You can also count objects if you like. Number of keys in your keyboard? Number of lights in the office?

Set your self a time to worry, it sounds odd but for me it buys me time. So if I know that at 6 I am allowed to worry for20 minutes (set an alarm) my brain seems to feel safer, a bit like it knows it will have time to be heard. In the allotted time don't fight the thoughts or physical reactions, just sort of observe them.

If you can, break things up into small slots. I read somewhere 'A person can tolerate almost anything for 15 minutes' and it stuck with me. Usually when I get to the end, I find I can do another 15. Then another.

Write down a list of things to be proud of and keep it in you. Ideally use paper and not a screen. I have a small list folded up and kept in the back of my phone case. Get it out and read it when your having a day that might be triggering. Mine said things like 'You beat 50 other applications to be here - that's damn impressive' Go overboard, be your own cheerleader.

Wiggle your toes...my god it helps. Especially in very early moments of attacks. Wiggle away. Better if you can try to do some sort of pattern pp because I find it is impossible and so I become amused that I have uncoordinated toes...

Anti depressants with help over time. The diazepam with also help, even if it doesn't seem to be.

Look, panic attacks are fucking horrid but they your body's best attempt to protect you. That pretty sweet of it. You have to help it see that there are other ways to cope. So if you can handle the slight cringe factor, then talk to yourself. ' Hello self, thanks for noticing that we might be in danger. It's not as scary as it looks so can we try another approach today? Let's enjoy the new experience at work. Etc...' do it with the same kindness you would so for a child in your care. Say 'well done' to yourself at every opportunity.

Sorry for the length. Hope these things help

WingsofNylon · 03/02/2019 05:51

Argh sorry my paragraphs disappeared

eveningshadows22 · 03/02/2019 10:56

Thank you for your reply. I will definitely try out some of the techniques you have suggested. It's so frustrating feeling this way, i feel so out of control from it all. And I can't help feeling weak and pathetic that I can't get it under control. I've never had it so bad before. Praying the antidepressant will eventually get it under control.

OP posts:
KarBB · 07/02/2019 15:54

Hello, I sympathise as I have had a combination of GAD & Panic Disorder & it's horrific. My panic attacks got so bad it felt that as soon as one subsided the next one was starting up... it was relentless & exhausting and I could barely function. I had about 6 weeks off work to recover and it felt like an eternal torture.
Thankfully ADs helped me immensely. I take Citalopram 30 and while I do get occasional feelings of anxiety and am at the more highly strung end of the spectrum, the panic attacks have stopped completely and if I do have the occasional meltdown (which for mean means becoming overwhelmed, starting to cry and then hyperventilating a bit and usually only happens when very overtired ) the worst of it always passes after a few minutes and my mood resets back to normal by the next morning. The rest of the time I live a happy and fulfilling life with an enjoyable & challenging job, nice friends & a wonderful DH.

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