[Cush_and_Seba]

Hi. I'm new here. I'm a 21 year old female who was diagnosed with panic disorder when I was 15. It runs in the family. My father, brother, and sister all deal with panic attacks.

But they all have theirs under way better control. They've learned ways that work for them to help them cope.

After my grandfather passed away last June, my panic attacks have been out of control. I had to drop out of college because I would have attacks driving or just sitting in class. I almost lost my job due to the fact I couldn't make it through one day without an attack.

Actually I was having ten or more seperate attacks a day.

Recently I went three months without driving or being alone for fear of having a panic attack by myself. I became very dependant on my parents and siblings again, after years of making it just fine.

At one point, I was afraid to go to the bathroom alone. I'm not quite sure how pathetic that sounds.

But the last two months were really good. I got to come off of Ambien because I was finally able to fall asleep on my own. I don't take Klonopin daily anymore, only my Celexa. I went back to driving and staying at home by myself again.

But the last week as been a horrible nightmare. I get scared when I even think about driving. I'm nervous at work. I can't sleep. I'm having strange suicidal thoughts, even though I don't want to die.

It just scares me that my mind automatically jumps to suicide to stop the panic. Though, I am absolutely sure I would not actually kill myself... It is the obsessive thoughts that bother me.

I don't know what to do. The panic attacks are coming several times a day again. I'm experiencing headaches now, something I didn't before. I have chest pain and heaviness. And I go numb quite frequently, even when I'm not hyperventilating. And it's hard to eat, because it's hard to swallow. My throat seems to stay tight all the time now.

The stress of staying in a constant state of panic is deteriorating my body.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Does anyone have any advice for Panic Disorder?

I have tried deep muscle relaxation and deep breathing. Neither help.

I've heard B-complex is good for anxiety. Has anyone ever tried?

Hello, Mandie. You have been through a lot like so many here. Have you been evaluated by a psychiatrist? Have you tried therapy?

http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=134170

Love yourself. Be well.

[1flagwriter]

Cush, I suffer with GAD also, and was on Klonopin for years. I would strongly urge you to discuss with your T the option of returning to Klonopin again. I noticed when I had to come off of it (military reasons) I became extremely anxious and depressed.

If you don't HAVE to come off, I would urge you to go back on...that medicine is a God-Send!!!

[Cush_and_Seba]

Byzantine, I see a therapist. But I haven't seen a psychiatrist in years. I'm a little freaked at the thought. I don't wanna turn to medication to fix this. But it may be an option I have to leave open, in case nothing else helps.

My therapist helps. She's given me a lot of tips and ideas... Some that work, others that don't. I just feel like I'm getting no where. And when I finally do start to get somewhat better, I start backsliding. It's so infuriating.

FlagWriter, thanks for the advice. I chose on my own to start minimizing the amount of Klonopin I take, even though I am under a doctor's care. I don't want to become dependant. But it's not like I avoid the drug. I do realize it is good, when all else fails. I finally had to take one last night because my obsessive thoughts kept throwing me into panic and I couldn't sleep, even though my body was exhausted.