ANXIETY? panic? HELP PLZ :(

[Arrmina]

hey guys, im really looking for answers. n plz help if u can in any way. last may i had my first panic attack scared me nearly to death i thought i was dying. i got to the point where i was unable to leave my house out of fear of having another panic attack. i dont get it. i was never an anti social person. i always loved going out. i have alot of friends. i love to have fun.but i was never a drinker or used any kind of drugs i was just always a happy playfull person., but when my panic attacks started happening in random places. like once i was at a resturant with friends n they ended up having to take me to the hospital. ive been through alot since then.and everyone tells me its in ur head, or somethings bothering u when nothing really is. or i cant point it out?.. and i hate when they say its in ur head the feeling really sucks.. u cant tell me im not dying when im in mid panic attack. i feel very detached from the world. my heart races. my tears our. and im terrified or passing out or dying. i seen a doctor who put me on paxil, n i know someone who recomended it. i was on it for a while. felt weird. i didnt feel like myself at all. i felt like a robot. i slowly got myself off of them 3 weeks ago. ive been fine no panic, no side effects n i thought ok im over this. i started goin out again. well today on a drive somewhere i had the worst panic attack ever. i really thought that was it for me. life was over. is this normal? what do i do? should i go back on paxil? eventho it made me another person?. i miss the fun me.. is it all over? will i be like this forever. im sorry this is very long. i just dont know what to do. and is anyone has been through this plz give me tips. something that will help.. anything. please and thank you!!

 

[ImNotMyIllness]

I wish I had advice for you. I never had a panic attack before. I wouldn't want to take a medication that changed me either. Maybe, a lower dose or another medication coupled with therapy would help?

Best of luck! Hang in there!

 

[ryan2022]

I've only had two of what I would call panic attacks, and you are right, theyre really tough to get through.

You're in the drivers seat now, because you know you can make it through them.

There was an excellent tattoo one member had from this site, that read, "this too shall pass" It is very true.

I wish I could tell you what would make them stop, although In my opinion there is an underlying cause. It may dietary, environmental, or there could be somthing you're struggling with, without knowing it. If its caused by thought patterns, I've found that positive thoughts are as habit forming as the negative ones. they take time to develop to the point where positive reassuring thoughts are the norm, but it will come.

I can tell you that breathing and meditation worked for me. Youtube has some excellent breathing meditations, as well as visualization. Also if you're near a chapters, I'd suggest picking up a copy of The new ultimate nutrition for the mind. (I hope I can vouch for good books)

Also, know your triggers! Mine are MSG, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. I'd cut out as much of these as you can, and slowly reintroduce them over a period of time.

Above all else, know that your health is top priority. Somtimes its okay to step back, take some time out and take care of #1.

Good luck, keep us posted.