[artichack]

Just remembering the first time in my life I experienced a panic attack....followed by thoughts of death.....depression.....I was maybe 6 years old, visiting with friends....and felt all of a sudden very removed....glassy....like tunnel vision....I paniced.....ran home as fast as I could.....found my mom and layed my head in her lap and cried....terrified...not knowing what was happening....heart racing....never told anybody about it.....that was in the mid 60's.....Iv'e had more attacks over the years....but that started the whole long journey....can anybody else relate? arti

[Rohag]

Hello, Artichack!

Originally Posted by artichack

...the first time in my life I experienced a panic attack...I was maybe 6 years old...

Six!? And that's just your first memory of an attack. Did your parents have knowledge of perhaps similar events earlier in your life?

I have not been diagnosed with a panic disorder despite my experiencing "episodes" of a couple of different types. Have your doctors had anything to say about the early appearance of the panic attacks?

Wishing you lots of Alaskan sunlight soon!

[Leed]

I don't remember having panic attacks that early, but I do remember feeling "sad" that early. I NEVER felt "happy" as a child. In fact, I didn't know what happy felt like until I FINALLY got on an antidepressant that WORKED and that was just 20 years ago - when I was in my 40's. That's pitiful.

I came from a VERY dysfunctional family - and all 4 of us kids are depressed. So it's no wonder there was no happiness in that family. Hugs, Lee

[Can't Stop Crying]

My anxiety/depression started very young also...it was brought on by my environment. Occasionally I will get a memory that just pops in my head and I'm not sure where it came from...do you know what triggered this memory, were you feeling anxious when it happened? I think memories are in layers and some time when we get the top layer off, a new one will surface. Hope this helps

Hang in there!