[peaches100]

Something weird has started happening, just within the last week. When it happens, I am usually doing something normal, like working on the computer or getting ready for work. I can't remember if I am thinking about something when it happens or not. But all of a sudden, I feel discomfort in my abdomen. It starts slowly spreading up toward my chest. As it spreads, I get a feeling of fear and dread. At that point, I am not thinking or feeling anything. It just kind of seizes me. It feels completely physical, like panic. It makes me feel nauseous, and like I have to go to the bathroom.

The first time it happened was 3 days ago, when I was curling my hair. I was home alone when it happened, and when I felt that panicked feeling start, I sat down on my bed and put a blanket around myself. Then I sat and rocked front to back like I used to do when I was upset as a child. I told myself things like "It's going to be OK. I'm OK" and it slowly subsided. It was incredibly scary.

Since then, it has happened 2 other times, the latest was just this morning. The worst part of it is brief (less than 30 seconds), but it takes a few minutes to calm back down. After that, I feel fine again.

I have no idea what this is, but it always starts the same way: with the uncomfortable feeling in my abdomen, rising up, and then the strong anxiety.

Have any of you ever had something like this happen? Is this a panic attack? I am a little puzzled that it has just started happening recently. I had my t session yesterday, where we talked alot about getting to know the different parts of me. But I think i handled it fine. i haven't been feeling upset about anything.

[Sannah]

It sounds like a panic/anxiety to me. You say that you aren't upset about anything but I think that I have noticed here in the last week that you are positioning yourself to move beyond your safety zone. Maybe you just aren't consciously aware of this yet?

[Amazonmom]

Sure seems like a panic/anxiety attack. I know there are differences between the two but I don't know enough to tell you which kind.

What Sannah says sure seems like a reasonable explanation. When I bring up difficult material in T session, I seem okay at first. It's like I am numb...then a few days later the full impact hits me.

You can do it, I know it's hard.

[sittingatwatersedge]

Originally Posted by peaches100

Have any of you ever had something like this happen? Is this a panic attack? I am a little puzzled that it has just started happening recently.

I have, Peaches. But I didn't have the resource of a T at the time. I also noticed that I had starting taking a lot of deep breaths - it seems that I felt as if I was drowning in the circumstances of my life, although I would have said that nothing was new or even very different. But there are currents moving under the surface of awareness, all the time.

about this >> I had my t session yesterday, where we talked alot about getting to know the different parts of me. But I think i handled it fine. i haven't been feeling upset about anything.

Between sessions, your mind goes on processing.... probably a good idea to call yr T, if you have phone contact, or email or whatever, and make it known and see what kind of reaction you get. be well , dear Peaches

[Elysium]

Hi Peaches...

This sounds really familiar to me, and I think that you may be experiencing anxiety/panic attacks.

For me, I get a strange whirring sensation that starts in the center of my abdomen. It's almost a mechanical sensation. It sits there and builds and festers momentarily before it starts to spread up my chest, to my arms and then to my head. I don't feel it so much going through my legs.

During these episodes, I feel like I am going to go completely crazy, I feel like I am going to drown in this overwhelming sensation, like I want to run away as fast as I can, but I can't move.

It's a horrible thing to experience, even though it can be brief it really sucks!!

Definitely talk with your T about it. You might not be aware that you are getting close to something inside and your subconscious is reacting.

I'm always here if you need to talk!!

Take care...

[mightaswelllive]

I agree that it sounds like anxiety/panic, but just for piece of mind, it might be a good idea to see your GP. At very least talk to T about it.

Peace

[thalia2]

Definitely see a GP. Not because I think it's not an anxiety attack, but because you really shouldn't assume it is until the doc's ruled other things out. Especially if this is new and sudden. Wouldn't hurt to get an EKG or a stress test at the very least. Probably should be standard for all new-onset panic attacks anyway.

The feeling of the stomach rising up with panic symptoms is also a symptom of a temporal lobe seizure or aura. Just saying. IANAD though.

[deliquesce]

ir certainly could be a panic attack, but if this isn't something that has happened before, i'll 2nd (3rd?) the suggestion to see a GP/pdoc.

for me - i've only had these after (1) taking new medication and (2) (bizarrely) eating a new brand of bread. i'm pretty embarrassed about the 2nd time, because i honestly did think i was dying. but it turns out that the increase in fibre or something can mimic the gastrointestinal symptoms, and also kind of lead up to your heart. not fun!

so yeah - i'd mention it to your GP or pdoc. if it is a panic attack, then that's cool, but if it isn't - maybe there is something else that will help you prevent further episodes.

[Brightheart]

That sure sounds like anxiety to me. It's a horrible feeling. And yes it has happened to me many, many times. The others are right, though. A physical problem should be ruled out first. Have you been worrying about something a lot?

[chaotic13]

I've experienced something similar over the course of my therapy. Often times, weeks later, connect it to something that happened in therapy or elsewhere that caused a ripple in the internal ego states.

Always good to rule out other possible causes too.

[peaches100]

Originally Posted by Sannah

It sounds like a panic/anxiety to me. You say that you aren't upset about anything but I think that I have noticed here in the last week that you are positioning yourself to move beyond your safety zone. Maybe you just aren't consciously aware of this yet?

Hi Sannah,

I'm not sure I know what you mean by I'm getting ready to move beyond my safety zone??? But I think you are right, that what has started happening is like an anxiety attack. I have also been getting heart palpitations within the last month, so it must be stress related. My sensitive constitution just does not hold up well with stress, unfortunately.

[peaches100]

Originally Posted by Amazonmom

Sure seems like a panic/anxiety attack. I know there are differences between the two but I don't know enough to tell you which kind.

What Sannah says sure seems like a reasonable explanation. When I bring up difficult material in T session, I seem okay at first. It's like I am numb...then a few days later the full impact hits me.

You can do it, I know it's hard.

Amazonmom,

Yeah, I have been talking about some pretty heavy things in therapy lately. . .first, my frustration and anger about the whole "hug" business, and then last week, with talking about parts of me. I'm also filling in for somebody at work who is off for surgery, and the work is really piling up and overwhelming me. Yes, yes. It's got to be anxiety.

[peaches100]

Originally Posted by sittingatwatersedge

I have, Peaches. But I didn't have the resource of a T at the time. I also noticed that I had starting taking a lot of deep breaths - it seems that I felt as if I was drowning in the circumstances of my life, although I would have said that nothing was new or even very different. But there are currents moving under the surface of awareness, all the time.

about this >> I had my t session yesterday, where we talked alot about getting to know the different parts of me. But I think i handled it fine. i haven't been feeling upset about anything.

Between sessions, your mind goes on processing.... probably a good idea to call yr T, if you have phone contact, or email or whatever, and make it known and see what kind of reaction you get. be well , dear Peaches

Sittingatwatersedge,

I didn't think of that, but you're right that our subconscious mind goes on processing after the session. Sometimes, I can feel the "undercurrents" under the surface. But with this latest anxiety, it just seems to come out of nowhere and to be totally physical. It's unnerving. . .scary.

[peaches100]

Originally Posted by Elysium3006

Hi Peaches...

This sounds really familiar to me, and I think that you may be experiencing anxiety/panic attacks.

For me, I get a strange whirring sensation that starts in the center of my abdomen. It's almost a mechanical sensation. It sits there and builds and festers momentarily before it starts to spread up my chest, to my arms and then to my head. I don't feel it so much going through my legs.

During these episodes, I feel like I am going to go completely crazy, I feel like I am going to drown in this overwhelming sensation, like I want to run away as fast as I can, but I can't move.

It's a horrible thing to experience, even though it can be brief it really sucks!!

Definitely talk with your T about it. You might not be aware that you are getting close to something inside and your subconscious is reacting.

I'm always here if you need to talk!!


Take care...

Elysium,

YES! YES! You explained it exactly! That is just how it feels to me also. I took your advice and emailed my t about it. She replied also that it sounds like anxiety and suggested some deep breathing.

Thing is. . .I sort of triggered myself too because after feeling that panicked feeling, I instinctively wanted to turn to t for help. Then it came into my mind that she'll be retiring before too long. The thought of having anxiety attacks like this and having my issues splayed wide open and then having her leave struck fear in my heart! So I ended up following up with a second email, asking her if she'd at least be working another 2 years. As usual, she wouldn't say. She always tells me that (1) she doesn't have any set plans yet, or (2) She doesn't know the future. It's SO HARD not knowing when she'll go. Somehow, I feel like if I knew really far ahead of time, I could somehow be prepared and it won't hurt so much. Or maybe not.

[peaches100]

Originally Posted by mightaswelllive

I agree that it sounds like anxiety/panic, but just for piece of mind, it might be a good idea to see your GP. At very least talk to T about it.

Peace

Mightaswelllive,

Thanks for the suggestion. Oddly enough, I just saw my GP a few days ago, but didn't mention these anxiety things. I think at the time, it had only happened once. But I did mention to her about the heart palpitations I've started getting. She did an EKG and it looked fine though. I just need to figure out how to seriously calm down and quit being such a spaz.

[peaches100]

Originally Posted by thalia2

Definitely see a GP. Not because I think it's not an anxiety attack, but because you really shouldn't assume it is until the doc's ruled other things out. Especially if this is new and sudden. Wouldn't hurt to get an EKG or a stress test at the very least. Probably should be standard for all new-onset panic attacks anyway.

The feeling of the stomach rising up with panic symptoms is also a symptom of a temporal lobe seizure or aura. Just saying. IANAD though.

Hi! Thanks for your concern. I did have an EKG, which looked OK. I didn't think of the temporal lobe seizure though. I'm not familiar with what that is, but I'll look into it. Thanks!

[peaches100]

Originally Posted by deliquesce

ir certainly could be a panic attack, but if this isn't something that has happened before, i'll 2nd (3rd?) the suggestion to see a GP/pdoc.

for me - i've only had these after (1) taking new medication and (2) (bizarrely) eating a new brand of bread. i'm pretty embarrassed about the 2nd time, because i honestly did think i was dying. but it turns out that the increase in fibre or something can mimic the gastrointestinal symptoms, and also kind of lead up to your heart. not fun!

so yeah - i'd mention it to your GP or pdoc. if it is a panic attack, then that's cool, but if it isn't - maybe there is something else that will help you prevent further episodes.

Hi Deli,

I think it must be panic/anxiety. What's new about it is that I usually know what's making me anxious. In this case, it just comes upon me! Makes me think it must be something buried WAAAAAY down there.

[peaches100]

Originally Posted by Bether91068

That sure sounds like anxiety to me. It's a horrible feeling. And yes it has happened to me many, many times. The others are right, though. A physical problem should be ruled out first. Have you been worrying about something a lot?

Hi Bether,

I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), so quite honestly, I'm always worrying a lot. It feels nearly impossible for me "not" to worry! It's really awful, because I know i bring most of it on myself. It's just so ingrained. I think I must be high strung. You know, I've always been prone to anxiety and worry, but I've been much more this way since I had my breakdown a few years ago, and now that we're digging into my psyche in therapy. Before my breakdown, I had everything stuffed so far down that I thought everything was great and cool and that I never felt angry or had any disturbing emotions. Until everything got too big and broke through the wall of denial.

[peaches100]

Originally Posted by chaotic13

I've experienced something similar over the course of my therapy. Often times, weeks later, connect it to something that happened in therapy or elsewhere that caused a ripple in the internal ego states.

Always good to rule out other possible causes too.

I'm hoping I'll be able to connect it to something the way you do. It would be a little less scary if I knew why it was happening, as I would feel that i had some control rather than having it just happen to me. I'm guessing that it's just as you mentioned, something to do with ego states.

[Sannah]

Originally Posted by peaches100

I'm not sure I know what you mean by I'm getting ready to move beyond my safety zone???

When a person operates only in their safety zone they don't try anything new or take any risks. You seem to be getting ready to go beyond this.

I also like the idea floating around on this thread that you are stirring up unconscious things and this is what is causing the anxiety. Have you learned any relaxation techniques yet?

[rainbow8]

Peaches: I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner. It's not that I don't care; I've just been preoccupied with my own T problems, as you probably know from my threads.

I'm glad it's not something physical. But I have to ask. Somewhere you said that nothing has been going on to make you more anxious lately. It seemed like you were discounting everything going on with your T and the lack of hugs. But I see you acknowleging that in a later post. I think that whole situation with your T is the tip of the iceberg, and that it's a major, significant reason for your anxiety attacks.

Hang in there! I'm wishing you strength and calm thoughts as you continue your journey.

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by peaches100

Something weird has started happening, just within the last week. When it happens, I am usually doing something normal, like working on the computer or getting ready for work. I can't remember if I am thinking about something when it happens or not. But all of a sudden, I feel discomfort in my abdomen. It starts slowly spreading up toward my chest. As it spreads, I get a feeling of fear and dread. At that point, I am not thinking or feeling anything. It just kind of seizes me. It feels completely physical, like panic. It makes me feel nauseous, and like I have to go to the bathroom.

The first time it happened was 3 days ago, when I was curling my hair. I was home alone when it happened, and when I felt that panicked feeling start, I sat down on my bed and put a blanket around myself. Then I sat and rocked front to back like I used to do when I was upset as a child. I told myself things like "It's going to be OK. I'm OK" and it slowly subsided. It was incredibly scary.

Since then, it has happened 2 other times, the latest was just this morning. The worst part of it is brief (less than 30 seconds), but it takes a few minutes to calm back down. After that, I feel fine again.

I have no idea what this is, but it always starts the same way: with the uncomfortable feeling in my abdomen, rising up, and then the strong anxiety.

Have any of you ever had something like this happen? Is this a panic attack? I am a little puzzled that it has just started happening recently. I had my t session yesterday, where we talked alot about getting to know the different parts of me. But I think i handled it fine. i haven't been feeling upset about anything.

Yeah, sounds like a panic attack. They suck. I have Panic Disorder but I think it's in remission. It gets better if you talk about it all with your T.