topic Re: Panic Attack in Wellness

Panic Attack

fortune — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 17:28:38 GMT

What are the sure signs that you're having a panic attack?

Re: Panic Attack

Puppy Lips — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 17:33:24 GMT

Someone in my family has been having panic attacks for about 3 years now. He says his heart races, he can't catch his breath, he get sweaty, sometimes he feels like he is going to throw up. There is a feeling of not being in control. It will eventually pass and is not life threatening. He is now on medication and is doing better. With time, I think hope he will be able to get off the pills. There is a lot of information on the internet about it.

Re: Panic Attack

hckynutjohn — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 17:40:23 GMT

fortune,

I know what my "signs" were, but everyone is different and that is why it is so very important to see a Mental Health Professional for an Evaluation and diagnosis.

If I chose, I could speculate with the best of them on this or any other forum. All anyone but a professional can do is "speculate", and that is the bottom line.

My speaking is from my own personal experience of being diagnosed with Clinical Depression and Panic/Anxiety Disorder. I spent 7+ days in a mental ward and I am not ashamed nor do I feel like less of a man or a person to admit it.

To do anything other than read what others type here? You may get lots of responses, but none of them can be thought of as "signs/symptoms" or anything other than someone's opinion along with "pure speculation."

hckynut(john)

Re: Panic Attack

fortune — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 17:41:33 GMT

@hckynutjohn wrote:

fortune,

I know what my "signs" were, but everyone is different and that is why it is so very important to see a Mental Health Professional for an Evaluation and diagnosis.

If I chose, I could speculate with the best of them on this or any other forum. All anyone but a professional can do is "speculate", and that is the bottom line.

My speaking is from my own personal experience of being diagnosed with Clinical Depression and Panic/Anxiety Disorder. I spent 7+ days in a mental ward and I am not ashamed nor do I feel like less of a man or a person to admit it.

To do anything other than read what others type here? You may get lots of responses, but none of them can be thought of as "signs/symptoms" or anything other than someone's opinion along with "pure speculation."

hckynut(john)

Thanks, John. How is Cindy doing?

Re: Panic Attack

tedEbear — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 18:09:37 GMT

@hckynutjohn, Sincerely wishing you and Cindy some PEACE for a good long time.

@fortune Like John everyone is different in thier diagnose. My first bit of advice is see your Medical Dr and make sure your physical being has not changed. Tell the Dr what you are feeling. That being said, what John says re:Mental Health Pro.

My 1st attack was going to pickup the kids at airport from thier honeymoon. DH driving, about 2 turn offs I screamed get off of here NOW. DH" are you nuts?" I told him I would jump. He got off next ramp and took me home, then onto airport himself. That was 26yrs ago, my FIRST panic attack. Several years of doctors and 4yrs of therapy am still the same. In BOTH my HEAD and HEART, I know it is irrational. I have missed many travel experiences with DH,my Mother, my kids because of this. DO NOT WAIT FOR PHYSICAL and MENTAL help!!!!!!! If it is a family member you are speaking of DO NOT TELL THEM TO GROW UP,or any other nonsense,it doesnt help! It only HINDERS. You need Family and Friend support in this, which I didnt have.

GOOD LUCK

Re: Panic Attack

ChynnaBlue — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 18:13:07 GMT

As John said, everyone's symptoms are different and a professional evaluation is important. A friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I've known him for over 20 years and as long as I've known him, he's had an issue with shaky hands. It's constant and no medical tests were able to explain why. He can't take a photo without it blurring because of the shakiness and if he's holding a piece of paper in his hand, it's even more obvious. Turns out it's caused by the anxiety disorder. He's 50 now and just learned this in the last 6 months.

I've only had a panic attack once and it was triggered by an event and I haven't ever had another. My experience was similar to what Puppy Lips described.

I have several friends who have them frequently, usually triggered by work or family stress. One says he thinks he feels like he's having a heart attack.

So whether this is for you or a friend, find a good doctor and discuss symptoms and tactics to help cope with stress, prevent, or end panic attacks.

Best wishes!

Re: Panic Attack

Karnerblue — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 18:16:49 GMT

I agree with John. Seek professional guidance.

It's like the symptoms for a heart attack are different for each individual.

Re: Panic Attack

Shelbelle — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 20:56:46 GMT

For me it is racing heart, knots in stomach, cant look at food, and very lightheaded, almost like there is no ground below my feet. No actual headache, but a feeling of my head not being clear. It can be very hard to describe.

Re: Panic Attack

fortune — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 21:26:12 GMT

Unfortunately, medical professionals aren't always available when you're having these symptoms! I thought of calling 911, because I thought my blood pressure might be skyrocketing. But, I started to feel better. Just telling myself that I could just dial 911 before dying helped. I also went online and ordered a blood pressure monitor.

Online I found some suggestions on breathing techniques, as well. Thank you all for your responses.

Re: Panic Attack

Moonchilde — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 21:59:40 GMT

@fortune wrote:
Unfortunately, medical professionals aren't always available when you're having these symptoms! I thought of calling 911, because I thought my blood pressure might be skyrocketing. But, I started to feel better. Just telling myself that I could just dial 911 before dying helped. I also went online and ordered a blood pressure monitor.

Online I found some suggestions on breathing techniques, as well. Thank you all for your responses.

In a pinch, breathe into a lunch-sized brown paper bag for 5 minutes. If you start to feel light-headed again, repeat. It's very, very common for those with anxiety/panic attacks to hyperventilate - to the point of light-headed ess and even numbness and tingling of the arms.

Re: Panic Attack

Q4u — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 22:57:18 GMT

In Nov 2013 I had my first panic attack on the table of a CAT scan after being injected with the dye to illuminate my heart. It started building with rapid breathing and the sensation that I was trapped and that I wouldn't be able to get down off the table. I thought I was just having a nervous reaction and focused on breathing correctly and for the first time my "mind over matter" didn't work. It kept building, sweating, breathing hard and an insane feeling of running away.

I didn't know at the time much about "fight or flight" that is part of our primative automatic "switches" to help us get away from danger was a part of this reaction. THIS however is very interesting in that there was no danger, I am NOT and never was claustrophobic but was feeling that way. After a few minutes of this building beyond anything I had ever experienced I yelled for the technican to come and help me off the table... There was NO WAY I could continue with the test. I was literally shaking for an hour and they had to get my husband. I needed water and had to endure a stress test when I recovered.

What I learned from my heart doctor later on was that it was not out of the realm of his experience to hear that occasionally someone had a reaction such as this from the radioactive dye injected into the bloodstream.... For a year after I had 2 recurring episodes (not as bad) and often during the night if I couldn't breathe properly I would awaken with the sense of the feeling starting. Or if I thought of being trapped, or in a crowd, or even in a Dentist chair being worked on would start the sensation.... then it would stop. It took about a year but It totally wore off. I have had no reaction at all for two years now..... even if I force myself to think of being trapped.

Re: Panic Attack

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 00:05:41 GMT

For me, it's been the disappearance of the rational mind. Like I can't get a grip and the earth is spinning out of control. Nothing seems positive.

The physical symptoms that follow are a natural result, as someone else said, of the "fight or flight' response. Sometimes I wonder if the physical precedes the mental - as in, fear of heights, but having to be in a high place, that causes the "blanking" of the rational mind.

All I know is that I avoid things that might cause a panic attack to happen. Middle of the night, they sometimes still occur for me. There's really no way out of that one - except move to Scandinavia.

Re: Panic Attack

ms traditional — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 00:20:49 GMT

i had a brief interlude with panic attacks when i was dealing with something that was overwhelming. i had the same symptoms - not able to breathe, lightheadedness, feeling i was not long for this world. however when i dealt with the issue confronting me, they disappeared. never to return again.

Re: Panic Attack

MaggieMack — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 00:43:06 GMT

@ms traditional wrote:
i had a brief interlude with panic attacks when i was dealing with something that was overwhelming. i had the same symptoms - not able to breathe, lightheadedness, feeling i was not long for this world. however when i dealt with the issue confronting me, they disappeared. never to return again.

@ms traditional, when I first met my late husband, he almost couldn't get his hair cut without experiencing a panic attack. LOTS of childhood trauma. Lots of needing to be in control of the smallest minutiae in his life. Over time, though, and with him feeling unconditionally loved, and much self talk, he overcame the anxiety attacks. The only time after overcoming the anxiety attacks was the day we buried his 24-yr-old son when one arrived in full force. Understandable, certainly. A little Ativan helped considerably.

Re: Panic Attack

sfnative — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 00:54:32 GMT

@fortune wrote:
Unfortunately, medical professionals aren't always available when you're having these symptoms! I thought of calling 911, because I thought my blood pressure might be skyrocketing. But, I started to feel better. Just telling myself that I could just dial 911 before dying helped. I also went online and ordered a blood pressure monitor.

Online I found some suggestions on breathing techniques, as well. Thank you all for your responses.

@fortune

Fortune,

What the kind folks here are trying to tell you is this: get referred to a healthcare professional, psychiatrist would be best, who can address your problem. Of course, there isn't going to be a doctor available right now if you were to have a panic attack in 5 minutes. That's unrealistic. Please get in touch with your primary care physician and tell him or her that you need a referral to a psychiatrist because you're ready to take on your panic attacks and need the best help possible.

God bless you - you WILL get better. ~Rebecca

(I'm following this post with another, which has personal information.)

Re: Panic Attack

ms traditional — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 00:55:51 GMT

@MaggieMack wrote:
@ms traditional wrote:
i had a brief interlude with panic attacks when i was dealing with something that was overwhelming. i had the same symptoms - not able to breathe, lightheadedness, feeling i was not long for this world. however when i dealt with the issue confronting me, they disappeared. never to return again.
@ms traditional, when I first met my late husband, he almost couldn't get his hair cut without experiencing a panic attack. LOTS of childhood trauma. Lots of needing to be in control of the smallest minutiae in his life. Over time, though, and with him feeling unconditionally loved, and much self talk, he overcame the anxiety attacks. The only time after overcoming the anxiety attacks was the day we buried his 24-yr-old son when one arrived in full force. Understandable, certainly. A little Ativan helped considerably.

@MAGGIE Mack - gosh that is amazing that he was able to overcome so much. i do feel once you know what is going on, you can start to talk yourself through the attack and take control back. i do remember downing a tranquillizer once which helped me to move ahead when i got so very immobilized. this was 30 some years ago but i do remember still how those attacks feel - they know so much more about things now.

Re: Panic Attack

sfnative — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 01:26:36 GMT

@fortune

Hi Fortune,

I'm back with additional information.

My mother used to describe me as high strung, memory like an elephant, never stops moving, knows all her Bible verses, won't eat liver, talks back too much (to her) and the like. We didn't have a very good relationship. I decided to list these qualities and such, that she would constantly pound me with, as I believe they eventually were partially involved in the development of my adult personality, which turned out to be a pretty strong personality.

Having a "strong" personality was a good thing, until I went to work for the military. As a civilian employee,though a Division Head of some note, I was not allowed to be privy to any personnel matters, even my own staff. I was livid at a system that would disallow me knowledge of my staff. Furious!

And so it happened that my lead surgical assistant went AWOL (in my book). He was a civilian and had been "missing" for over 3 weeks. I continued to ask my department head when Tom would return, as his absence was causing me undue amounts of stess and additional hours of work (was working 60 hours a week).

One Friday, I had to take 3.5 hrs off work for an appointment with my Gyn. While I was in the shower, my left eye felt funny, as though I had gotten a lot of soap in it, but hadn't yet washed my hair. Weird, I thought. When I got out of the shower, I noticed that the white of my left eye was totally red. Clearly, I had spiked a BP and busted a blood vessel in that eye. So, off I went to my very savvy Gyn. As soon as I sat down in her office, she took one look at my eye and asked me what was going on, so I exlained the work stress. Further, I explained that I'd been experiencing this weird sensation in both of my forearms that felt like ants crawling under my skin. Again, weird. She looked me straight in the eyes and told me I was having a panic attack. "What," I said, "I don't get panic attacks. You've got to be kidding." Then she proceded to exlpain the physiological consequences of the stressors I was under. Long story short, I walked out with a prescription for a med and counseling. The med did GREAT! After three sessions with the counselor he said,"You really don't need me. You have your act together. Let me know when and if you need help."

So you see for me I just needed the med. I was a simple case, but can't imagine how many different manifestations of panic there are.

Please know that no two people have the exact same panic attacks. Also know that great strides have been made in the development and availability of medications to treat panic attacks. This means that if the first med doesn't work another can be tried.

I pray you will find a physician very soon. Please do come back and let us know how you're doing. We all care for eachother.

God Bless ~ Rebecca

Re: Panic Attack

hckynutjohn — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 02:47:09 GMT

@ fortune wrote:
Unfortunately, medical professionals aren't always available when you're having these symptoms! I thought of calling 911, because I thought my blood pressure might be skyrocketing. But, I started to feel better. Just telling myself that I could just dial 911 before dying helped. I also went online and ordered a blood pressure monitor.

Online I found some suggestions on breathing techniques, as well. Thank you all for your responses.

fortune,

If a person is having a true Panic/Anxiety Attack it can be very easily compared to having something like A-fib, a heart irregularity symptom. It generally is not life threatening, but is certainly something that needs to be checked out and diagnosed by a Cardiologist.

A person does not necessarily need "immediate professional care", but to not seek a Cardiologist for testing? To me that would be foolish and very dangerous.

Similarly, if one is having a "True Panic/Anxiety Attack(that can be diagnosed as such", they do not necessarily need immediate help from a Mental Health Professional. What they need is to seek a diagnosis as to what is causing the problems.

Panic/Anxiety Attacks are not something that comes and goes like the wind. Being nervous and anxious is some situations is more likely the problem. I could go on and on and create a whole diatribe of contraindications with many disagreeing with what I am saying, so I will not go there.

My experience with my dianosed Anxiety/Panic Disorder was not "from an experience" like going over a bridge or driving a car in high level/high speed traffic. To me would be considered being "nervous or fearful", and also one would know the cause of this issue.

With my Disorder, it was what "I did not know", that was the problem. I felt like I had to get away from "something", but I had no idea what or where that something might be. It was nowhere close to the "fight or flight" fear that many experience.

Someone pointing a gun at you/coming at you with a knife, and so on. You know what you are fearful of happening to you along with knowing "THE CAUSE".

Most suffering the same thing in my 7+ days in a mental ward experienced the same thing, or close to my experiences. They were afraid of something, but they did not know from where it came/why it was, or what to do to escape it.

A high heart rate and rapid breathing can be caused by nervousness and many times it can be reduced by the old "breathing in a paper bag" relief function. That is done because fast breathing with a high heart rate while not exercising.

Many times this is caused by trepidation of the the body not being able to expel the amount of carbon dioxide being removed from the body that is equal to the amount of oxygen being introduced within the body.

Thus the paper bag that prevents the escape of carbon dioxide and the inhalation of more and unnecessary oxygen.

Anyone that has suffered from true Panic/Anxiety Disorder knows it is not something that "comes and goes" like a windy day. It is something that needs a Mental Health Professional Diagnosis along with being given the proper tools to be able to live and co-exist happily with this Disorder, but never being able to say "I am cured".

Re: Panic Attack

AngelPuppy1 — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 09:51:31 GMT

Boy, I feel for anyone who has these. I have experienced these for years. For me, they seem to come in groups. I will not have them for a good while and then I seem to get several.

I wake from a sound sleep with them. I will find that I can't seem to get any air. It's as if all the air has been su*cked out of the room. Things look foggy. My heart races. I feel like I don't know where I am. Like I want to run away, but where? I also have what I call a feeling of unreality --- like I am not me. I feel as if the walls are closing in on me. I also cannot stand the darkness. I perspire and feel sick to my stomach. I do better if I can go outside and walk around. A cool cloth to the head and wrists help some. I must try and distract myself by listening to music, t.v., walking or talking to someone. If I do not do this, I feel as though I will lose my mind. It is an absolutely terrifying feeling.

I am sure everyone experiences different things. Seek help though. They can give medication which helps if things are severe.

Re: Panic Attack

LilacTree — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 15:18:01 GMT

Xanax. (Of course ask your doctor.) A low dose (.05 mg) does it for me. It's a physical misfiring in the sympathetic portion of the brain called the amygdala. In other words, it's physical, not mental. No amount of psychiatric treatment or antidepressant is as effective as Xanax.

Doctors don't like to prescribe it because it has become a street drug when used in high dosages and very dangerous when mixed with other drugs. However, if used properly and not abused it is a godsend.

It is also very inexpensive.