[HelloWorld18]

I've never really understood what panic attacks are and I really don't know if I get them.

Like, I know it involves increased breathing and muscle tenseness and sweating, but I only sometimes notice that some muscles are tensing (or flexing, isn't it the same thing?). Like is a panic attack where you feel even more anxiety than normal? Like I think right now I'm having a panic attack, but I really don't know.

I'm unable to sleep, and I seem to have a bunch of energy (in a bad way, I just can't sleep cause I'm feeling anxiety), like sometimes I pace without realizing it, pacing helps me think and calm down.

Like, this feeling I'm having is what I felt like all summer the last summer. I hate it. Something really good, or really bad is supposed to happen this week. And I have a bad feeling it will consume my thoughts cause that's what usually happens. I get very little sleep and I just worry and feel anxious, especially when something good or bad will happen this week.

So is this what a panic attack is like? Like this feeling I'm feeling is a bit different from my other anxiety moments, this is a lot stronger.

I just wanna ask my dr for something like Xanax so I could use it on an as needed basis, but I don't wanna sound like I'm some drug dealer or druggie cause I'm not. I just want fast relief for these strong anxiety episodes. So how can I do this?

[lynn P.]

I don't think you're having panic attacks, but its sounds like typical anxiety. Are you in therapy? Most people who've had panic attacks clearly recognize the symptoms - fast heart beat, increased shallow breathing, sweating, shaking .....feels like you have no control over your body. Some even feel like they're having a heart attack and this incredible sense of doom.

If you have a therapist - you can learn relaxation techniques and discuss what could be causing this increased anxiety. With general worries, its helpful to make a 2 column list - one side for things you can solve and the other for things you can't control. At bedtime imagine you're putting all your worries in a locked box and do simple slow breathing. Hope you feel better soon.

[Perna]

A panic attack is all consuming; you cannot think, much less post during one. Like Lynn says, I don't think you are having a panic attack. Sounds like you have something like Generalize Anxiety Disorder (GAD), where just about everything makes you more or less anxious all the time? That's what I was treated for. Therapy helped me with that. I still get anxious but about specific things, not "everything" in general.

[avlady]

Perna, are you on any meds? I am on several, and i think i need to be on one for anxiety, not sure if i have GAD but i have everything else in the book!! It would be soo good to be without anxiety!!

["Tilly may"]

i didnt find that xannax worked. nor did ativan. i still have anxiety and it is all encompassing and takes every bit of energy for me to function. time passing seems to be the best thing for me. as time passes i feel less anxiety over situations.