Panic attacks or something else, and what to do about it?

[LostHairband]

I'll summarise, but just ask if I miss anything.

I can have confidence in my comfort zones and with people, join in conversations etc, but I've always struggled a bit with actual self confidence. Over the years I've held myself back a lot, I'm not really sure why. But, I do have a happy life, lovely husband and family etc and have been fine.

Maybe 18 months ago I had a funny episode when driving where I suddenly felt v light headed. I assumed I was ill with something, but it repeated occasionally over the next few months and I realised it was linked with driving and therefore must be anxiety related. I'm a confident driver. It improved/disappeared.

However, over the last couple of months it's come back again, but this time it's not driving specifically. I struggled through for a while then stopped going to the gym because of it. I've had moments when watching the children's after school activities, a horrible experience at a concert I was enjoying up to that that point, and I was focussing on a face to face meeting the other day then bam, a horrible struggle for composure an hour in, light headed, fingers tingling etc. I've had to rearrange some long drives and logistics because it is not sensible to put myself and the children in that position.

The last straw was this morning, when I struggled to walk home from school drop off in one piece. And now I'm worried about today's after school club run but mostly just really annoyed with it and myself. I am not actually nervous about anything except being caught unawares with light headedness or worse. But I can see the pattern, it's when I am trapped (in a concert/car) and or being exclusively relied on and on my own.

I try hard to push through and push any thoughts of it away. But it's hindering my life now and pissing me right off. I am very well aware of anxiety and panic disorder as actual clinical things, my mum has suffered all of her life, up to consultant outpatient care, although she has been doing very well for a while. I got to 40 and thought I had got away with it, but maybe not ☹️

I can't talk to mum about this, her health is more important to me I can't risk destabilising her. DH is lovely and supportive, but doesn't have answers. So, could someone help me, what is a GP likely to suggest here if I make an appointment? I do have access to private health stuff if need be too. I feel I need to be prepared but I don't even know what I'm asking for. What can I do to help myself? I've tried to keep doing "things" etc but that's getting more difficult practically. Ugh I hate this ☹️ Can anyone relate?

You need to see your GP without delay. There might be a medical cause for this. And explain your symptoms and they will do tests. Various things can cause light-headedness. That's why you need to see your GP.

I'm building myself up to call and fight through the phone/triage system today.

As soon as I got indoors this morning and got myself a drink I was fine.

Thank you x

It sounds to me like your mental health. Mainly based on this:

"But I can see the pattern, it's when I am trapped (in a concert/car) and or being exclusively relied on and on my own."

I'd suggest a psychotherapist - go to BACP Find a therapist or maybe your GP will suggest one. So, maybe diving into those feelings of trapped and responsibility. For instance, do you give yourself options, when it arises, maybe that would help in the short term, whilst you address the underlying issues.

Poor thing. It could be panic but you must rule other things out, urgently. See a doctor.

Thanks all. I know it sounds daft, and I will force myself to do it, but I'm worried about going to the GP. Various reasons most of which I can logically dispute with myself (!) but it doesn't stop me thinking them, like not wanting to make a fuss, and not wanting to end up like my mum, and worrying about getting to the appointment itself. I suppose I'm trying to predict what the likely outcome is to feel a bit more prepared.

But I can't go on like this. I just popped out to the shop (5 mins drive) but was feeling a bit strange before I even got there, and then was fighting the instinct to leave without my few bits of shopping and trying to think of something else while I was in there. I needed petrol but although I turned that way it was too much I was starting to feel wobbly and I need to be a responsible driver at least, so I immediately turned back for home. How has this built up so quickly, I've got shit to do! FUCKING FUCK🤦‍♀️

It does sound like panic from the way you describe fighting the instinct to leave - and it can come on quite rapidly and out of nowhere. Then you start dwelling on it worrying if it’s going to happen again and it turns into a cycle. Panic can definitely cause lightheadedness.

I recommend looking up the Dare app and some of their videos on YT. There’s also a book if you felt it relevant.

As others say, it’s always best to get checked out as well just to make sure you’re not lacking in anything as deficiencies can similar symptoms.

I started having panic attacks when driving when I was in my 40s. It was a perimenopause symptom. Don’t do what I did and stop driving or it’ll ruin your life. I can’t even stand being a passenger in a car now so my world has shrunk dramatically. 😔

see the doctor for beta blockers - they stop panic attacks. You can just carry them around with you and not even take them - it’s reassuring just to have them there.

there are lots of things you can do when you feel it coming on. The one that helped me with driving - until I just bottled out and quit - was to narrate my drives. “I see a woman in a red coat on the pavement; I’m changing to second gear now; whoa there’s a big lorry; oops I’m on the wrong side if the road,” etc. It apparently is impossible to panic AND narrate - they’re different parts of the brain.

and another one us to name 5 things you can see, 4 you can hear, 3 you can feel, 2 you can taste and 1 you can smell. That works to stop the panic attacks too.

HRT is the best cure though.

Sounds like cleithrophobia which is a fear of being trapped or unable to escape from a situation. (Different to claustrophobia) and can cause panic attacks. Worth a chat with a GP.

It doesn't sound like panic attacks to me.

Any other symptoms of SVT? Feel your pulse next time this happens

It could be perimenopause and you need hormones. It could be that l- theanine n the morning will support you through the day. Maybe your thyroid is low. Microdosing lithium Orotate might help you. Learning to breathe in a relaxed way might help. If you want to avoid pharmaceuticals you could try a multi pronged approach like this. The GP I think will prescribe SSRI’s.

It could be very well panic attacks, but a general MOT to rule other things out would be a good idea. My GP sent me for an ECG when I had bouts of lightheadedness, which was reassuring

Peri menopause

So I filled out the online form and they got back to me offering a face to face appointment - earliest nearly 4 weeks away. Cheers, excellent triage system, half your patients could be dead by then like but no bother 🤦‍♀️ It comes with a message saying "if you consider your symptoms to be *URGENT*doubleunderlined, to call the surgery to be triaged over the phone if you can get through, which it's well known locally you can't now. I'm torn whether to try that, it feels like such a fuss when I've already told them the problem, and maybe I'll just get rejected because they've already decided I can wait. I feel like a bit of a drama llama now. Ugh. Sorry, I know they are busy, I just fancied a moan!

I could have written this. Exactly the same symptoms. For me it usually coincided with particularly busy and stressful periods. I was signed off work for 3 weeks initially and that really helped.

I also get a lump in my throat, feel all hot, stumble over my words, have to steady myself etc. it’s horrible!

no real advice I’m afraid. But definitely chat to a GP