[thunderbear]

Last night I did'nt go to sleep till about 5am. I had been up since 7am yesterday and was so tired I could'nt sleep. Anyway, I had to get up at 7am this morning to get my son ready for school. About 5 minutes after I got up, I felt dizzy....I think it was from lack of sleep....but I totally freaked out over it. I felt like i was going to pass out. Sick to my stomach. I tried to go into my bathroom (that's where I go when I panic I sit in the dark in there) but my legs felt like I was walking in sand or mud. I was shaking so bad i could'nt hardley get my son's jacket on. I hav'nt had a panic attack that bad in probably a year. I am still shakey and sick to my stomach over it. I finally went back to bed to get some sleep but my mind kept wondering back to my mom. So I started missing her alot. Now my thoughts are scattered and my hands are so shakey. My mind keeps replaying this morning. Tomarrow I will be the only one here to get my son off to school and I am so so so nervous about it it's all I can think about. What if I get out there and pass out or freak out. Our drive-way is far from my house and I don't know what I am going to do. Right now that panic attack has left me with a huge migraine. And nausea. My husband got me an Ipod to help take my mind off when I panic but I am so shakey i can't push the buttons right. I can't eat today. I hate being this way! Xanax don't help. Neither does anti-depressants. I don't know what I am going to do.

[romanjames2004]

I totaly know what yourgoing through. I get them at night alot and it sucks becasue I stay up all night because of them and then I end up soo tired and since my dad left, I get my mom, and sisters ready for work/school in the mornign and after the mornign rush and when there all gone, I just want to crawl into my bed, cover up, and cry myself to sleep.

Just know that I am here if you want to talk. I know what your going through. I know an 18 year old guy wouldn;t normaly know how your feeling (lol) but I do. feel free to talk anytime!

I hop you feel alot better!

Roman.

[cantstopcrying]

thunderbear, as you know I am suffering the can't-sleep garbage right now, too. Mine turned into tears instead of a panic attack, though. I'm stumbling through my day now, putting my head on my desk while waiting for something to print or while on hold. I don't know what time zones you guys are in, but next time I think we should go to chat and create an insomniacs room! TB, when you had your panic attack, was your mind focusing on something, on something that scared you or worried you? When you take your son down to the bus, take your cell phone with you...better yet, is there someone you can talk to on the phone while you're going down there and back? Someone that is calming to you.

I used to have an "Insomniac's Journal" and aside from being a journal it had all kinds of peaceful sayings and ideas for sleep. All that did was get me more awake! I'd write in when I couldn't sleep and V`iola I'd be wide awake because then my thoughts would really get going!

RJ2004 that's a lot of responsibility for such a young man--no wonder you have sleep issues, too. Ah the wonderful world of the minds that won't shut down. "The Minds That Won't Shut Down." Say it in your best TV announcer voice and it could be a soap opera or a game show!! Can you tell I need sleep?? Offering you both hugs!!!

[Sannah]

Thunderbear, I am sorry. You are not going to freak out or pass out while getting your son off to school. You have to believe that. This tough approach worked for me with my anxiety. My husband used it with me and it was really helpful. I would share something with him that I was anxious about, like over a health problem or something, and he would snap me back into reality by using this tough approach. (Of course he is sympathetic with me but when anxious thoughts go off away from reality he was tough). And anyway, so what if you pass out or freak out. Neither one will kill you. (I also used this "what is the worst thing that would happen anyway" technique and it worked well for me).

[Susaan van Zyl]

Originally Posted by thunderbear

...I hav'nt had a panic attack that bad in probably a year. ...What if I get out there and pass out or freak out.

Hugs to you thunderbear I've lived with anxiety and panic attacks for +- 16 years. I can PROMISE you that I have that exact same fear, and I have not, in 16 years passed out OR freaked out. Our minds make us think horrible terrible things. Ride it out, tell yourself that the worst will be over in a couple of minutes. Hang in there, and don't become even more panicky because of being panicked. No-one who have not experienced a panic attack will understand that. Take care, better days are ahead, I PROMISE. Lots of hugs and understanding.