Panic Attacks

[Johnny Stew]

I've had panic and anxiety attacks since I was about 13 years old. I've talked a little bit here about some of the things I experienced in my teens, and that's when the "problem" began.

I'm over the stuff I went through, but the panic attacks remain.

I have pretty acute agoraphobic tendencies. I am able to leave my house... to go to work (I'm part-time), and to visit family (the ones who live in town here), and a little bit of shopping. I can also do outdoors things.
But if it's anywhere too far away, or if it involves going someplace for an extremely long period of time, then I can't do it.

I've had some pretty big bouts with depression, too. Which I hate, because, ironically enough, it's really not my nature to be down and pessimistic about things. But sometimes I'll get deeply depressed, just completely out of the blue. Which, of course, annoys me to no end. I'll tell myself, "you have no reason to be depressed, so get over it."
It works sometimes.

Insecurity and self-doubt can be pretty acute, too. Though I do my best to keep things in perspective at all times. It used to get to me very deeply if someone on the Ledge didn't like me, and, yeah, I'll admit it can still get to me somewhat nowadays, when I'm feeling vulnerable.
But mostly I just tell myself that it doesn't matter one bit what anyone thinks of me. I'm just living my life -- if someone doesn't like me, it's their thing.

I have to say that I have always been extremely reluctant to go on medication. I don't doubt that they work for many people, but I often feel like I'd rather live with and continue working around the problem I'm already used to, than creating a new set of problems (with the various side-effects).

Beyond that, I also have no health insurance. Of course, I'll admit that affords me a great excuse to not go to the doctor's... something which I DREAD. Gives me anxiety just thinking about it in general terms.

I have a really wonderful and understanding man in my life right now, and I want to be able to expand my horizons... for me, for him, for us... and I'm working on it.
But 20 years of this... i guess it's pretty hard-wired into me now, as Eclipse said. And, truthfully, I can't imagine life without the panic attacks. In fact, as strange as this may sound, the thought of not having them is scary in its own way... I guess because it's all I've known for so long now.

[estranged4life]

suffer a "Panic Attack" (Which is also the name of a great tune on the new Dream Theater disc "Octavaium"), So after all the stress from this past March my Dr. put me on "Lexapro", Which lessened the "Panic Attack" and mellowed me out....But increased my severe headaches to the point I was nearly immobile on a nightly basis.

I will never take "Lexapro" ever again, If I currently had to chose between being mellowed out & having a headache from the "Lexapro" or being stressed out/hyper & not in pain from no medicine I know which one I'll take any day of the week all year long.

[amber]

For any of you who have anxiety, or something, and don't like pills, you may want to try St. Johns Wort. It's a calming herb, usually in pill form. It's pretty mild, but has helped some people quite a bit. I did some research on it before I bought it. Anyway, I've been taking it for awhile. I don't really have...um...severe problems? (I don't know how to describe). But I am under the impression that it did help to stabilize and elevate my mood a bit. I've read that there are other people with "more problems" that have noticed a more profound affect. I'm mainly just a bit overreactive and moody, but still I think it "helped" me. There is a certain recommended dosage...3 pills which contain .3 percent of the compound Hypericin per pill. The bottles I bought from whole foods were like....$5/bottle, which had sixty, which at three per night lasted fifteen days. Not to bad.
Anyway, just seeing if I can help someone. Especially some of you with perhaps a bit more mild depression or anxiety. The side effects are negligible. Although I think you are not supposed to mix it if you are taking certain other pills for the same thing. Dunno, exactly.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by amber

For any of you who have anxiety, or something, and don't like pills, you may want to try St. Johns Wort.

Thanks for the mentioning that, Amber.

I did actually try St. John's Wort a while back, and it really didn't help me... but I know that it can and has helped a lot of other people. So it definitely would be something worth checking into, for anyone who hasn't tried it yet.

[amber]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

Thanks for the mentioning that, Amber.

I did actually try St. John's Wort a while back, and it really didn't help me... but I know that it can and has helped a lot of other people. So it definitely would be something worth checking into, for anyone who hasn't tried it yet.

yeah, I don't think it's really something for agorophobia/anxiety that is more severe. I think it's best for depression/anxiety...that is maybe not as severe. Honestly, I'm not sure, but thanks - you're right, maybe it can help someone.
I think it helped me a bit. But like I said, my problems are "hard to put your finger on" ( sorry) so....
but if someone does try it, make sure you get the recommended and right dose, and that you give it a week or two. It's an herb, so there are different parts, and you want to get the right one.

[Miss Vicky]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

I have pretty acute agoraphobic tendencies. I am able to leave my house... to go to work (I'm part-time), and to visit family (the ones who live in town here), and a little bit of shopping. I can also do outdoors things.
But if it's anywhere too far away, or if it involves going someplace for an extremely long period of time, then I can't do it.

I don't think I've ever suffered a panic attack but I do have some agoraphobic tendencies and get easily stressed out. I also suffer from frequent stress-related migraines.
I don't have problems going to work or shopping or eating out or that sort of thing, but I get nervous and easily disoriented if I'm in unfamiliar surroundings.
I can go shopping at the local stores, go to the movie theater, or eat at certain restaurants and be okay. But if I break away from my "comfort zone" or am with people I don't really know it makes me really nervous. The same is true for any unfamiliar situation. These past two weeks at my new job - trying to learn an unfamiliar computer system, trying to master new skills, and working with people who I not only don't know very well but who speak English as a second language - have been hell on my fragile psyche.

[amber]

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

I don't think I've ever suffered a panic attack but I do have some agoraphobic tendencies and get easily stressed out. I also suffer from frequent stress-related migraines.
I don't have problems going to work or shopping or eating out or that sort of thing, but I get nervous and easily disoriented if I'm in unfamiliar surroundings.
I can go shopping at the local stores, go to the movie theater, or eat at certain restaurants and be okay. But if I break away from my "comfort zone" or am with people I don't really know it makes me really nervous. The same is true for any unfamiliar situation. These past two weeks at my new job - trying to learn an unfamiliar computer system, trying to master new skills, and working with people who I not only don't know very well but who speak English as a second language - have been hell on my fragile psyche.

All that sounds very normal to me. If any of it bugs you, I would suggest more exercise, mainly for your headaches. (I hate headaches). When I was young, I got them fairly regularly. Even though I did sports. I noticed they went away when I started running, started stretching ( call me airy fairy, but stretching and deep breathing is extremely good for you, especially for stress) and....when I moved out of my parents house.
Seriously, all that sounds normal to me.
I've noticed, also, when I feel anxiety building up, it really helps if I do something to make my life better. If I face what I'm anxietous about. Or if I can't face it right then, if I do something else that somehow makes my life better or furthers a goal I have. That calms me down right away, as then I feel like I'm doing something. Of course, a lot of my anxiety is a result of procrastination, but still, I think it helps.
Buy a yoga tape, girl!

[Miss Vicky]

Originally Posted by amber

I've noticed, also, when I feel anxiety building up, it really helps if I do something to make my life better. If I face what I'm anxietous about. Or if I can't face it right then, if I do something else that somehow makes my life better or furthers a goal I have. That calms me down right away, as then I feel like I'm doing something. Of course, a lot of my anxiety is a result of procrastination, but still, I think it helps.

Yeah, I've found that doing something to give me a feeling of accomplishment - like working on my novel - can really help things, but lately I haven't been able to. Being back to work at another veterinary hospital and putting in such long days has left me so phsyically and emotionally drained that I can't seem to focus on my work and summon the creativity that is needed for it. I just end up staring at the blinking cursor until I get pissed off and walk away.
Anybody here live in Solano County, California and in need of a job? If so... please bring your resume to Vacaville Pet Vet Clinic. I need a friggin' day off!!!

[amber]

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

Yeah, I've found that doing something to give me a feeling of accomplishment - like working on my novel - can really help things, but lately I haven't been able to. Being back to work at another veterinary hospital and putting in such long days has left me so phsyically and emotionally drained that I can't seem to focus on my work and summon the creativity that is needed for it. I just end up staring at the blinking cursor until I get pissed off and walk away.
Anybody here live in Solano County, California and in need of a job? If so... please bring your resume to Vacaville Pet Vet Clinic. I need a friggin' day off!!!

I'd love to work at a vet, but that's too far.
um, if you are tired and drained, again, I'll have to recommend exercise.
do you know, sometimes I can't settle down and do my homework unless I do yoga.... Just saying, it really calms and focuses my mind. And, it gives me more energy, in a calm way. Even If you're not athletically inclined, it's pretty easy. I can do 20 minutes and feel way different, afterwards.
*hops off soapbox*
Congrats on your job.

[sparky]

I think I may have a had a panic attack once - could have just been a stressed out temper tantrum in traffic. But I had all the symptoms. If I get extremely frustrated and angry in public, or am in a very bad crowd (parades, street fairs, etc.), I reach a point where I simply HAVE to get out. I will practically knock people down to get out. Funny, it never happens at concerts.

It may not help at all to the discussion, but having dealt with depression on and off into my early thirties, I cannot stress the importance of psychotherapy enough. I am not a shrink myself, but it would take me pages and pages to go through all of the things I have learned about myself and the causes of my behavior from my shrink. It isn't easy to find a good one - I think I test drove 4 until I found one who worked. But, I think it is essential, and to be honest, I think I have met only a handful of people in my life who couldn't benefit from at least a brief round of therapy. We all have things we would like to change about ourselves, and we simply don't have the perspective needed to change ourselves, let alone see our own actions clearly. And friends don't cut it. They have too much to lose to be as honest as is needed. When a problem is severe enough to affect how much one enjoys life - only a professional can do the trick. I can't rebuild my transmission, so I take the vehicle to a mechanic. And my brain is a lot more complicated than my truck.

Before I was an adult, I went to a free counselor a number of times. They are plentiful, and the people who do such things, even though they may not be PhD's - really care and want to help. I am not sure of the root cause of anxiety and panic disorders. I haven't researched it much. Much of our lives can be changed with outward efforts and readily available tools - like Amber suggested. Exercise, basic relaxation techniques, diet adjustments and the like can work wonders. I feel for anyone who suffers from this stuff. But I know there are solutions, and hope anyone who needs one finds their way to them. There is no reason to suffer with these illnesses...lots of people can help, and it doesn't always take money.

[Alison]

I want to thank all of you for posting your responses. I know at times it is very painful to talk about such things.

I had my apt with my naturalpath Dr. yesturday.
She has given me "rescue remedy", and put me on a bowel rejuvenation diet.
The rescue remedy has calmed me down and stopped the start of a panic attack.
I have stopped taking the beta blockers, as these were making me very sick and
giving me insomia. I wish I had a spell check on this thing.
Anyway I feel I have hope. She is trying to reballance my body.
I have tried many anti depressants in the past, all made me very ill. I was seeing a therapist, I was doing really well. Then this last week. But I think once my body starts to functioning properly it will make the stress easier to cope with and take the stress of my heart.
I will keep you updated.
Again thanks for all the support.
Alison

[Mad4stevie]

Originally Posted by amber

For any of you who have anxiety, or something, and don't like pills, you may want to try St. Johns Wort. It's a calming herb, usually in pill form. It's pretty mild, but has helped some people quite a bit. I did some research on it before I bought it. Anyway, I've been taking it for awhile. I don't really have...um...severe problems? (I don't know how to describe). But I am under the impression that it did help to stabilize and elevate my mood a bit. I've read that there are other people with "more problems" that have noticed a more profound affect. I'm mainly just a bit overreactive and moody, but still I think it "helped" me. There is a certain recommended dosage...something like...3 pills which contain .3 hypericons (or something) per pill. If you look it up you can find the dosage. The bottles I bought from whole foods were like....$5/bottle, which had sixty, which at three per night lasted fifteen days. Not to bad.
Anyway, just seeing if I can help someone. Especially some of you with perhaps a bit more mild depression or anxiety. The side effects are negligible. Although I think you are not supposed to mix it if you are taking certain other pills for the same thing. Dunno, exactly.

I have taken this in the past and I had to stop because it can interfere with effectiveness of birth control pills. And that was certainly not a risk I wanted to take!

I was also told by my counselor that another natural remedy was "Sam-E". I never tried it, but see if often at drugstores in the herbal remedies section. It is a bit more expensive than st. John's, but not nearly like the cost of antidepressants.