[Ambrosa]

Hi there I am a 35 year old woman with 3 girls and a partner. I have been suffering from panic attacks since I was 17. I had my panic attacks under control there for quite a few years. But in the last 7 months my panic attacks have become really bad again. To the point that last night I had a server one and had to ring the ambulance. Now all day today I have been anxious and worried that I am going to panic about the panic attack I had last night. I used to go to my GP. He would counsel me. he was doing that for about 9 years and he now has retired. I have been trying to find someone else out there that I can talk to. specially in the middle of the night. I get most anxious and panicy at night. I just want to be normal again. I am getting to the point I am to scared to drive in case I panic. I can't have a sociable drink anymore cause. Because as soon as that tipsy feeling comes in i start to get anxious. Are there people in here at night time that u can talk to while having a panic attack? I Live in Queensland, Australia so don't know the time zone really. I am sooooooo sick of being scared all the time and just want my life back

[MrsBro13]

Ambrosa, I totally understand how you feel. Although I am new to anxiety and panic, I too am struggling with the way I feel and just want my mind, body and life back.

It's 8:39 PM there right now, (Google is wonderful, lol) and 5:40 AM here in Missouri, central time. I myself am not on within the next 8 hours or so because I work, BUT, I'm sure that there would be some of the other folks on during that time as it's morning time in the US.

[onmyway]

Hi there, welcome! I'm sorry you're suffering. Anxiety is quite the beast, isn't it? Now, before i go on writing a book describing coping or prevention techniqes that for all i know you HAVE already been trying, what skills have you been taught to deal with anxiety in general?

And if you're asking if there's people on THIS forum with whom you can communicate with at night.. i have no idea. Do you have a phone number where you live to a 24 hour distress center? If you do, that could be useful as they would be able to just sit and talk with you through the worst of things.

[sundog]

Welcome ((((Ambrosa)))) I'm really sorry you're suffering like this. I can definitely relate to the fear you describe of having another panic attack. My psychiatrist told me that's one of the definitions of Panic Disorder. You don't just have Panic Attacks and then you're ok inbetween, with Panic Disorder, even when you're not having a Panic Attack, you feel anxious because you're worrying about when you're going to have the next Panic Attack. It's a horrible vicious cycle and my heart really goes out to you.

I think it would be really helpful for you to work with a therapist. I understand that you feel the most urgent need to talk to someone while you're actually having a Panic Attack, but it's really important also to talk in counseling about what might be behind the Panic Attacks. And a therapist or counselor can also teach you some coping skills.

You mention that your old doctor has retired, but I'm wondering if you could ask the new doctor to refer you to a counselor??

Re chatting here with people at night, I don't personally use the Chat Rooms, but I know they are really active and they are open 24/7, so I'm sure you would find someone to talk to. You do need to make 5 posts before you're able to access the Chat Rooms.

Wishing you all the very best (((((Ambrosa))))) Please let us know how you're doing.

[Ambrosa]

Thanks Everyone.
Onmyway you asked " what skills have you been taught to deal with anxiety in general?" I have my breathing techniques, I write in a diary, am also starting to do some gym. As panic attacks a run from adrenaline and they say if u do a good work out and burn that adrenalin that u a least likely to have one. We do have some call centres but some times u are put on hold cause they are busy, whilst having a panic attack. I went searching for different numbers yesterday to see what places take calls 24/7 so I have a few numbers there,

[Ambrosa]

Hi there.
"Sundog u asked" You mention that your old doctor has retired, but I'm wondering if you could ask the new doctor to refer you to a counselor?? That's the thing to I have to find a new doctor still very hard to find one. With my old doc he would give me coping techniques and If he thought there was something that i need to see someone about or something he would refer me on that way. But i would always take his advise on board. I am going to go to mental health tomorrow and have another assessment done on me and to see who they can refer me to.
I don't remember how I over came the panic attacks last time and that bothers the absolute crap out of me. I remember being this scared but how i won last time has got me stumped. I know that I was working last year in a rehab and one of the staff member's was causing that much **** that I had a massive one at work, that would go away then come back it was like that for about 3 hours. I had 2 female co-works laying out side with me near the clients pool trying to help me. I know that where i was working has brought on allot of stress which brought on the panic attacks. The **** that went one there was absolutely crap. I have quit and my panic attacks did ease up. But know when i get sick or something different happens to me I freak out.

[Ambrosa]

Thanks for all the advise everyone. just writing on here is completely different then writing in ya diary and helps a lil bit more.
just wanna say thank you.

[Ambrosa]

Originally Posted by onmyway

Hi there, welcome! I'm sorry you're suffering. Anxiety is quite the beast, isn't it? Now, before i go on writing a book describing coping or prevention techniqes that for all i know you HAVE already been trying, what skills have you been taught to deal with anxiety in general?

And if you're asking if there's people on THIS forum with whom you can communicate with at night.. i have no idea. Do you have a phone number where you live to a 24 hour distress center? If you do, that could be useful as they would be able to just sit and talk with you through the worst of things.

I have my breathing techniques, I write in a diary. I am also on medication. When i start getting anxious My middle daughter rubs my back . My partner has never had a panic attack and he doesn't understand them. I just ask him to talk to me to take my mind off things.
We do have some ph centres 4 so far that I have found that run 24/7 but there not always able to take ur call whilst having a panic attack. Though, I just woke up a lil over a hour ago and it was 4.15am and i was anxious, So i jumped oin the computer and writing on here helps.
Any other tips or advice would be great!
Thanks for ur help

[Ambrosa]

Originally Posted by sundog

Welcome ((((Ambrosa)))) I'm really sorry you're suffering like this. I can definitely relate to the fear you describe of having another panic attack. My psychiatrist told me that's one of the definitions of Panic Disorder. You don't just have Panic Attacks and then you're ok inbetween, with Panic Disorder, even when you're not having a Panic Attack, you feel anxious because you're worrying about when you're going to have the next Panic Attack. It's a horrible vicious cycle and my heart really goes out to you.

I think it would be really helpful for you to work with a therapist. I understand that you feel the most urgent need to talk to someone while you're actually having a Panic Attack, but it's really important also to talk in counseling about what might be behind the Panic Attacks. And a therapist or counselor can also teach you some coping skills.

You mention that your old doctor has retired, but I'm wondering if you could ask the new doctor to refer you to a counselor??

.

I used to see a therapist years and years ago. I went to 3 different ones and found there was no click. So that is why my doctor started counseling me. I still have to find a new doctor. There is a nurse that works at my dr surgery that said she is willing to talk to me and helo me out when ever i have one.
I just can't believe that i had a grip on them for years and I don;t knkow how I over came the opanic attacks. Where's this time where i used to worked they think brought on the panic attacks from stress and a some of the male staff bulling. I had a masive one at work about 7 months ago and it would go away then come back go away then come back. It was like that for 3 hours. I have since quit work there and the panic attacks did ease up a bit. But know as soon as something different happens I freak out. I just qant to remembr how I won the battle last time

[Cyran0]

Ambrosa, I don't have much to add at this moment but I wanted to say welcome and I'm glad writing here has been helping you.

Cyran0

[OrangeMoira]

(((Ambrosa)))

I'm glad you're here working on it!

[sundog]

It's really good news that you overcame your anxiety and panic attacks before! Even if you can't quite remember now how you did it. The fact is, you've done it before!!!! Which is great! So I'm sure you'll do it again!

It's good that being here and being on the computer helps you. I also find the internet to be a great distraction. I really hope you're able to find a new doc soon and move things forward on that front

[onmyway]

YEs, it is hard when those closest to you don't understand. But we definitey do, which is unfortunate, but great for support!

Check out this link:

http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=178630

Where several people posted fabulous ideas they implement both during and as preventative measures. That'd be at least a start, maybe give you some ideas you've not thought of?

[Ambrosa]

Well I went to a new doctor today, and he wants to see me once a week and work on different technique's. He was actually really caring. That is so hard to find these days. So here's hoping that i start getting on top of things. Fingures crossed

[sundog]

Yay! That's great news! ((((((Ambrosa))))) Good luck!!!!

[Cyran0]

Originally Posted by Ambrosa

Well I went to a new doctor today, and he wants to see me once a week and work on different technique's. He was actually really caring. That is so hard to find these days. So here's hoping that i start getting on top of things. Fingures crossed

This sounds a lot like what I'm doing with my current therapist. It sounds like you have a great start, please let us know how it progresses and how you're doing.

Cyran0