[Nemo39122]

....and becoming way more frequent.
The first one I ever had was after a flu shot (needle phobia...) when I was 8 or 9. Then none until I was 14, with absolutely no trigger. The next one was when I was almost 16, I think the cause of that was just way too much stress.
So, I'm nearly 18 now and they've been happening every few weeks, occasionally they'll only happen every couple months. I had one on christmas day after getting a papercut A few weeks earlier I had one during a karate class, which usually makes me feel better. I can't figure out what's triggering them, or why they're happening so much more often lately. Anyone got any ideas?

Part of the reason this is a problem is because I don't know what's triggering it. What if I'm in the middle of a fight at a karate tournament, or driving, or anything that could turn out very bad if I have another panic attack? I know that's like the worst thing to think about because I've heard it just makes anxiety worse but I can't help it.

Just when I was figuring out how to kind of deal with depression and everything else, here comes more issues. Wonderful...

Thanks for any advice

[sundog]

I totally agree with you that panic attacks are evil. I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy!!

You're absolutely right that it can really make matters worse if we start worrying about when we're going to have the next panic attack. In fact, that is the definition of Panic Disorder. In other words when you get caught in a cycle of fearing the next panic attack, then you have Panic Disorder (my psychiatrist told me this and I have experienced it first hand!!).

It's really difficult to break the cycle of worrying about the next panic attack. But, one of the worst things you can do is to start avoiding places and situations (even though that is kind of the natural response!!). I have been down the road of avoiding things and it just leads to more problems (and more anxiety).

So I would really encourage you to continue doing your karate classes and to continue driving, and everything else, EVEN IF you are a bit worried about having another panic attack.

As for trying to figure out what triggers them, that's the other definition of Panic Disoorder: it's when the panic attacks happen out of the blue and not in a specific situation. In other words, you may not be able to figure out what's causing the attacks. I have had some of the worst panic attacks in my own bed, which is really not a scary place, and yet, for whatever reason, that's where I've had some really bad panic attacks.

It can be really helpful to work with a therapist. For a lot of people, anxiety issues respond well to therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). So I hope that might be an option for you?

I have also found it helpful to learn as much as I can about panic attacks and Panic Disorder (there is a ton of info online and there are some good books on it also).

Well, I didn't mean to write such a long post! Just want you to know that you are most definitely not alone with this!! Let us know how you're doing!!

[Nemo39122]

Thanks

Therapy isn't really possible right now, but hopefully it will be when I move out (in late 2011 or early 2012 probably....)
I'll definitely keep going to karate, its way too important to me to quit even with the occasional (ok, often) anxiety there. And I live in a really rural area so I don't really have a choice about driving

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by Xx_Not_Emo_xX

....and becoming way more frequent.
The first one I ever had was after a flu shot (needle phobia...) when I was 8 or 9. Then none until I was 14, with absolutely no trigger. The next one was when I was almost 16, I think the cause of that was just way too much stress.
So, I'm nearly 18 now and they've been happening every few weeks, occasionally they'll only happen every couple months. I had one on christmas day after getting a papercut A few weeks earlier I had one during a karate class, which usually makes me feel better. I can't figure out what's triggering them, or why they're happening so much more often lately. Anyone got any ideas?

Part of the reason this is a problem is because I don't know what's triggering it. What if I'm in the middle of a fight at a karate tournament, or driving, or anything that could turn out very bad if I have another panic attack? I know that's like the worst thing to think about because I've heard it just makes anxiety worse but I can't help it.

Just when I was figuring out how to kind of deal with depression and everything else, here comes more issues. Wonderful...

Thanks for any advice

Panic attacks are evil and stressful and I dont know the reasons why people get panic attacks either I was not born with them and just come out of no where for no reason and they getting too the point where I dont have any energy and getting them that last an hour or too big huggs

[Nemo39122]

Thanks for the replies
I've been trying to learn as much as I can especially on things that will maybe help prevent the panic attacks but I just end up triggering myself...
Maybe I'll try when I'm not already worrying about it, that might work.

[sundog]

Originally Posted by Xx_Not_Emo_xX

Maybe I'll try when I'm not already worrying about it, that might work.

That's a really good plan! I have found personally that most relaxation techniques work best when I'm NOT super-anxious. As I understand it, the important thing is to try and practice some form of relaxation exercise - or meditation - every day. That way you stand a better chance of lowering your overall level of anxiety and that makes you less vulnerable to panic attacks.

It's GREAT you're going to stick with the karate and the driving! You have a really good attitude!!

I really hope the anxiety lessens