[SycoNI]

hi there. my name is jonny i am 19 and i live in ireland. since about february my life has been turned inside out by panic attacks. normally i could go out at the weekends and have a drink with my friends and do every thing without a care in the world. one night i was having a drink at my friends and all of a sudden i had a panic attack but at this stage i didnt know what was happening. it completely freaked me out and i havent touched alcohol since which i miss by the way. when the first attack happened i was upset for a few hours but feel asleep, i woke up the next morning and i wasnt quite aure what had happened but i felt right as rain. i was ok all the next day until i came in from being out driving on my motor bike and something jus felt a bit weird but i couldnt put my finger on it. then the night beforeall came back to me what happened and scared me again and there it was happening again to me. since then i have fought through it continuing to go to work. i lost over two stonne in weight jus worrying because i thought i was losing my mind. for some reason i seem to get visual disturbances eg like everything isnt reall and i cant focus on anything. not sure if this is common but anyone i have talked to about it hasnt encountered that problem. i dont get short of breathes but i just think im going to drop dead. im now on propranolol and its seems to be working .but i dont want to be like this the rest of my life. i just thought maybe coming to a forum like this and sharing my problem might help me over come it. i am alot better now but i cant even go out with my friends to clubs or anything its so annoying. i dont know if i am creating them barriers or what but im just scared of triggering it of again. even typing about it right now is making me feel slightly odd. thanks for listening or reading

[Der_Sohn_des_Leides]

Hi Jonny and welcome to PC.

I totally understand where you're coming from. Panic attacks are frightening and paralyzing. I get that same feeling you explained, where everything just doesn't seem real and you can't focus: it's called derealization, and apparently it is a fairly common symptom of a panic attack.

The best way to deal with panic attacks is to get at the heart of what triggers it. It might be easiest to do this with a therapist. Meds can help, too, but unless the disorder is only biochemical, they won't fix the problem, they'll just hold it at bay. You need to find out why you get panicked and work to address those issues.

Hope this helps; you're not alone here!

Take care,



J

[thelostone]

there are also physical conditions that can cause/mimic panic attacks. have you had a complete checkup and told gp that you have had panic attacks? just something to check on.

lost

[SycoNI]

im getting some tests done on monday so hopefully all goes well and i can get some help with this. i have been to the doctor several times about this and they put me on beta blockers to slow my heart rate and breathing down. it does work but i just feel that i shouldnt be needing them at such a young age. the thought of it all is getting me down a bit. i am falling behind in my career abit because of it because i just cant seem to stay focused on the task at hand. it has been getting less frequent but i think thats because i understand it more and realise every thing is ok and nothing has changed. even my house didnt feel like my house it was so wierd. i must admit i had smoked cannabis in the past and i know it does cause anxiety. but like i said i dont even drink anymore and i wouldnt dream of smoking cannabis again. thanks for the speedy replies. it is nice being able to talk to people who go through the same thing. alot of my friends seem to think that its all in my head and i will be ok but they havent a clue. its been ongoing for four months now and the first two months were the worst, i wont say i felt suicidal but i did feel very down because of it all i just wanted it to go away. i had also just started a new job which it has been very hard to explain to my boss and co workers whats going on as me myself had a hard time getting around it.

thanks

[thelostone]

good that you are seeing a dr regularly. it is very frightening, and not always easy to recognise the sorce of the panic. as long as you check out physically, talk therapy will help you find the sorce or at least deal with the panic. you are at a time in your life where there is lots of change going on. good job with the no drinking. many people find meditation and breathing exercises will help.

lost

[BalishBun]

I think I am finally used to all the different signs of a panic attack, but i do remember the beginning. It was so very very scary. I felt like life would never be the same, really it hasnt, but you can learn to control it most of the time. What doesnt kill you normally makes you stronger.

[SycoNI]

i just hope every thing gets better . my patience is wearing very thin with it all needing a way out. maybe hypnosis might help, anyone here tried that?

take it easy

[SycoNI]

went to the doctors today and he done and ecg and took some blood. he said my heart seemed fine but would do a closer inspection with some ultra sonic thing on my next appointment. he has signed me up to meet with a mental health proffesional to have a talk with about problems and so on. i am happy enough with these arrangements and i will let yous know how i get on at the T

take care

[SycoNI]

just bought the charles linden method for anxiety. recieved it in the mail today, looks very good indeed. i will leave feed back of my progress