Panic/Anxiety Aftermath

Hey everyone. I just had a quick question. Has anyone here ever experienced a day or two of being "out of it" or having a kind of wierd feeling in the head after a panic/anxiety attack? I currently am experiencing this so called "fog", and was wondering if anyone can relate to it? If so, how long does it usually last for you?

<font color="green">I think I know what you are talking about. Anxiety or panic attacks for that matter can take alot out of a person, it's very draining, is that what you mean?</font>

It sounds a lot like a dissociative coping response to me. Not unlike some of the responses you were having during the attack. I could be wrong. But it really does sound to me like you are sort of numbing out to be able to deal now.

I do hope you will be able to get a good counselor and sort things out!!! Good luck! (((((safe hugs)))) <-- if you want them

Angela

Sweet Crusader could be right about this, but it also could be a sign of depression from what it sounds like..... but Anxiety can be extremely draining, i know when i have anxiety or panic attacks i'm out of it for the rest of the night because it takes alot out of me.

I hope you can talk to someone soon about this and get it under control.

Thanks. I actually saw a counseler yesterday morning and again this morning, and we have scheduled meetings every other week for 2 months. This morning I told him about this "fog", and he told me that our bodies and minds get physically drained during an attack, and it is common to feel out of it or even have depressed feelings the following day. Yesterday, the day after my attack, was basically all clouded. Today has been much better with only a few instances of being in this "fog." He also gave me some ways to calm myself down. One thing that I found interesting is that he told me while going through these attacks, try to "experience" this different view of reality, instead of worrying when it will end and being scared of it. What do you guys think of that?

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One thing that I found interesting is that he told me while going through these attacks, try to "experience" this different view of reality, instead of worrying when it will end and being scared of it.

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He's right on. Some of us, after we realize what it is, just sit and let it go through us until it's gone. The panic attacks are very exhausting so it's not at all unusual that you feel in a "fog" afterwards.

You might want to ask your counselor about meds to control the attacks. You don't have to live with them. Although... I get the feeling that we're not getting through to you. At least, I don't. It's difficult to focus, though, when you live with anxiety so I really hope you read and re-read these helpful posts, think about them, and then act... don't REact.

Yup that's exactly what I said about feeling drained and out of it.. I know what I'm talking about when it comes to anxiety.. LOL.

I'm glad that you are talking to someone and working through these issues with anxiety.

Good luck.

Hi Thursdy. This fog that you refer to sounds a lot like what I go through immediately after a panic attack. It can last anywhere from a few minutes to several days. For me, I can only define it as a comfortable numbing sensation. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with exhaustion, but it has become a safe zone for me. If I am unable to focus or think straight, I feel safe to get the rest. I think sometimes that my body just does it to protect me after the panic attack. Keeping me from being able to get worked up so soon after. I hope that makes even a little sense.

Heathers

Yea. I don't think I am going to go the way of medication, just because it seems to me that this was more of a one time thing, not an actual disorder. I will have to see what happens within the next week and then go from there.

Anxiety is a disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Panic disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder.. It's all the same thing.. and sometime meds for anxiety is the way to go if you cannot cope with those feelings and symptoms everyday... I know meds have helped me out greatly, and I don't regret being on meds at all. I always thought that I would but once you realize that it is helping you, your negative thinking pattern will change.

After I experience a panic attack I feel very deflated. My body feels exhausted. And sometimes I get very sad.

I still have a couple questions here. If I have only had this one attack, I am still considered to have a disorder? Also, I figured that the better thing to do right away is to try and solve this problem myself, without the help of drugs. I thought that if I can talk it out with a counseler that it would be the better alternative than drugs. Now I'm not ripping into the use of these anti-depressents or calming drugs at all. In fact, I was wondering what you think is the better alternative for me regarding my situation. Should I contact my doctor requesting medication? And if so, which medication do you tihnk would be the better choice. I know that there is two alternatives to treatment with medication. One being any SSRI type of drug, and the other being something like Xanax, which can be used for just temporary relief. What do you guys think would be of best interest to me?

Also one more question. What effect does alcohol have on anxiety/panic situations? I was planning on drinking a few beers tonight, would there be any complications?

>> I thought that if I can talk it out with a counseler that it would be the better alternative than drugs... ...Should I contact my doctor requesting medication?

My belief is that the answer to the meds/no meds question has a lot to do with the root cause of your anxiety. If there really is a severe chemical imbalance at the root of it, then no amount of therapy alone will help you get past it. In other situations therapy and coping skills would do quite well on their own. And it isn't like a "yes or no" question, there are all the levels in between where meds might be of some help, or a lot of help, or where you might get through it OK with just coping skills but it would be a lot easier with meds.

Part of determining that though is not simply "deciding" if meds are needed. A trained professional really has to make that determination. In a perfect practice you would want to discuss this with your therapist and doctor, let them know all the details, and have them help you and advise you through an effective course of action. In actuality it is more complicated because like all doctors, each will have his own prejudices (opting for meds or for therapy alone for example... just like a surgeon will tend to see the "solution" to many illnesses as surgery while another practitioner may want to try medication first) and then we are also dealing with an illness where there are no "blood tests" to determine what you need, only the doctor's experience and expertise and also relying on you conveying your feelings and problems accurately to them.

So I still think that "to medicate, or not to medicate" is something that should be discussed with a doctor, so in answer to your question "Should I contact my doctor requesting medication?" the answer is that you should contact your doctor and inquire about medication. Let him help you decide if medication is appropriate. But at the same time always be sure to advocate for yourself. Don't necessarily just follow what he says if it doesn't "feel right" to you, and seek another opinion if you are still unsure.

Hi Thursdy,

(Oops, Sorry replied to your post thinking I was on page 2)

Though still as Dexter said the professional you work with such as your T would know more on rather they feel medicatons would benifit you with this.--Kris

I am glad to see you are getting into Therapy quickly after these symptoms become more severe for you.

I wish you the best with your therapy, and hope you can recover without medication. Hopefully you and your T can help you identify your triggers and coping skills to help you deal with these symptoms.

I am on medication for Panic and Anxiety disorders, only I think your T will be able to help you to be able to reduce your symptoms and advise if he/she feels over time if medications are necessary.

Best Wishes to you!

Welcome to the forums! Yes, Iwas going to suggest the "fog" might be from the stress on the body (especially when it's a involved panic attack).... I also become quite fatigued after such an experience It has become something I had to learn to accept and rest, regardless of what else had to be done...

I think Xanax is quite appropriate for something like this: I say this because of so much anxiety from all the hurricanes here in FL my MD suggested there wasn't any Xanax left in the State (from all the scripts they'd been writing to help ppl cope!)

Therapy is a great idea (I'm biased.) Using something like CBT .... learning to recognize potential anxiety ridden activities/ situations and coping adequately is a learned response: that's a good skill we can learn from our Ts!

If you've only had one then chances are it's not a disorder. Everyone gets anxious it's a natural thing... but it's a disorder if it's something that happens all the time, feeling anxiety all the time. Avoiding siutaions because it makes you uncomfortable, if that's happening then it is a problem. I you want to try dealing with this through therapy without medication then you should do that. Only take meds when it's necessary.

If you feel that you might want to give meds a shot then talk to your doctor. For me i've always had anti-depressants, or remeron. I've also had two tranqulizers Lorazepam & Clonazepam and only took that as needed. So an anti-anxiety might work. It's hard to tell really because i'm not a doctor, on you and your T can figure this one out.

IF you've been anxious i'd say probably to stay away from the booze just in case the sensations from a drink triggers anxiety, but you arent on any meds right now so you will probably feel ok. See how you feel, and if you feel fine a drink is not going to bother you. If you are feeling down in the dump I would suggest you not drink at all.

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate all of your replies.

Thursdy,

This may or may not be any help to you, but I thought I would mention it anyway. I talked with my own doc and he said that caffeine can cause panic attacks. I don't know how much you take in, but I know I was up to about a 2 liter a day. He told me that if I can not wean myself off the caffeine, that I stood little chance of getting over the panic attacks. I hope this helps!

Heathers

Heathers is right, if you are already feeling a bit of anxiety, coffee, coke ect can intensify it. If I know i'm going to be anxious that day whether I have a job interview ect I stay away from it.

That's definatly true.

So, I ad the attacks on Monday and since then havn't had any other attacks. However, I have been feeling anxiety daily since the attacks, which is something I have never had to deal with before. It makes me wonder whether these attacks triggered something in my head. Anyways I told my doc (Doctor not Counseler) about this frequent feeling of anxiety, and she gave me 5 weeks worth of samples of Zoloft. Does this seem like the right thing to take when dealing with anxiety? Also, does anyone else in these forums take Zoloft particularly for Anxiety/Panic? If so, I'd like to know how your experience with it has been. Thanks.

I took Zoloft for anxiety and panic, not just depression and PTSD.. even though it's an anti-depressant it is still used to help with anxiety..

I feel anxiety everyday, rarely panic though but there is a reason for the anxiety, maybe you are anticipating the panic, therefore you are getting anxious? There i'm sure is alot of triggers for your anxiety you just haven't figured them out what that quite is yet. You will though and once you do you'll be able to face them and deal with them.

Anxiety is not the end of the world, I was diagnosed with GAD 8 years ago and still get anxious. But I still go out and do what I want to do when I want to do it. The panic only sets in once in awhile with jobs...

Good luck I hope you have sucsess with Zoloft like I have. The side effects aren't fun. But they always go away usually within 6 weeks... Take care.

What side effects have you experienced with it?

I cannot remember exactly becaues it was 8 yrs ago. I did feel I believe agitated, anxious, nervousness, nausea...

I honestly cannot recall. IT doesn't mean that you will even expierence that, some people are lucky and do not get any side effects at all from their meds, i've always had to deal with it though. But they always passed, except for one drug I was on called Celexa, never touch that again. But others have benefited from it.

IF you feel any side effects, or think they are but you're not sure then post them..... No one feels wonderful when they first start, it sucks to feel that way, but if you feel an upset stomache starting then drink gingerale, or you can go to your pharmacy and get ginger root capsules, and it helps and it's natural, much better for you then gravol.

If you get hot flashes ect, then go sit in front of a fan or put a cold cloth on your face.

Are you feeling any different since you started Zoloft? What mg did the doctor start you on?