how do I explain my sudden panic attacks to my family?
- Thread starter CrazyGirl
- Start date
hidwell
Well-known member
Many people have panic attacks, there is nothing to feel shame about. Your family I think will understand, just explain to them that you have these moments where you have panic attacks. And you certainly should not lose your job by seeking help for a common enough health issue.
Good luck, and don't worry.
Joan6466
Active member
A panic attack is so scary, isn't it! Thank heaven you're educated enough to know what it is. It's not a permanent condition- and not connected to suicide. Just tell your parents you're experiencing an anxiety disorder and need to see a specialist. Nowadays, people take anti-depressants to stop smoking; people regularly see therapists to deal with stress.
I remember a staff meeting, once, where one of the members said, "Hey, I've got to go-- I've got a meeting with my shrink".. She said it so matter-of-factly, people barely looked at her.
For heavens sakes, see a therapist; it isn't the black mark of olden days. Many people are under mental duress these days during this bleak economy and are seeing therapists. Best wishes to you!
I remember a staff meeting, once, where one of the members said, "Hey, I've got to go-- I've got a meeting with my shrink".. She said it so matter-of-factly, people barely looked at her.
For heavens sakes, see a therapist; it isn't the black mark of olden days. Many people are under mental duress these days during this bleak economy and are seeing therapists. Best wishes to you!
Steppen-Wolf
Well-known member
Tell them it's feeling and thinking you're dying, when you're really not.
Your whole body just screams in terror, even in a physical sense there isn't anything wrong with you.
Your whole body just screams in terror, even in a physical sense there isn't anything wrong with you.
Some people find it easier if they try to have a panic attack 'on purpose' - some weren't able to do that, and then managed to relax.
It helped me to learn about this more, I read it can be nutrition-related, so I think 'hmm, what have I eaten lately...' (usually sugar or such could be a problem for me, though dark chocolate or cocoa could be 'emergency help' for me sometimes, I try to not overdo it though) etc. These things can be individual, you could watch yourself a bit...
I also have some 'strategies' - eg journalling/DIY CBT (from help of a book)... even going elsewhere (to another room or eg to the bathroom) to escape 'overwhelm' has been helpful sometimes...
or thinking about how I can go for a walk with a doggie later or do something nice/relaxing...
So, I usually haven't said anything at home/anywhere, I just withdrew myself and journalled or tried to distract myself with something relaxing, or sometimes when stressed went for a walk...
I hope you have some support - eg support group or therapist/priest, older family member that could help/listen to you, maybe (informal) mentors... ? Sometimes these things can run in families, and you might discover family members with similar problems, so it could be easier to talk about it too?
Some people may think they had a heart attack, when it was just panic attack (happened to a friend, she said she locked herself into a toilet at job when feeling something like that...)
It depends on the job too, if you can withdraw yourself or distract yourself with something else...?
What kind of job is it? And isn't getting help a PRIVATE thing? (You could check legislation about this where you live?)
Oh, when I tried to explain ADD or OCD or such to my mum, it helped to read her articles from Wikipedia-?? (So maybe you could find some helpful articles/experts and inform your family that way?)
Maybe you could also say you've been under stress from work/life/circumstances... (sometimes people understand it easier that way...)
My parents are into nutrition, so nutrition explanations can help too... eg I told them that lack of magnesium and some other minerals can cause problems, and some foods with them...
It helped me to learn about this more, I read it can be nutrition-related, so I think 'hmm, what have I eaten lately...' (usually sugar or such could be a problem for me, though dark chocolate or cocoa could be 'emergency help' for me sometimes, I try to not overdo it though) etc. These things can be individual, you could watch yourself a bit...
I also have some 'strategies' - eg journalling/DIY CBT (from help of a book)... even going elsewhere (to another room or eg to the bathroom) to escape 'overwhelm' has been helpful sometimes...
or thinking about how I can go for a walk with a doggie later or do something nice/relaxing...
So, I usually haven't said anything at home/anywhere, I just withdrew myself and journalled
or tried to distract myself with something relaxing, or sometimes when stressed went for a walk... I hope you have some support - eg support group or therapist/priest, older family member that could help/listen to you, maybe (informal) mentors... ? Sometimes these things can run in families, and you might discover family members with similar problems, so it could be easier to talk about it too?
Some people may think they had a heart attack, when it was just panic attack (happened to a friend, she said she locked herself into a toilet at job when feeling something like that...)
It depends on the job too, if you can withdraw yourself or distract yourself with something else...?
What kind of job is it? And isn't getting help a PRIVATE thing? (You could check legislation about this where you live?)
Oh, when I tried to explain ADD or OCD or such to my mum, it helped to read her articles from Wikipedia-?? (So maybe you could find some helpful articles/experts and inform your family that way?)
Maybe you could also say you've been under stress from work/life/circumstances... (sometimes people understand it easier that way...)
My parents are into nutrition, so nutrition explanations can help too... eg I told them that lack of magnesium and some other minerals can cause problems, and some foods with them...
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