Panic attacks

[Sarah77]

Have any of you ever suffered panic attacks? I think I had one in work on Monday.
I wasn't dizzy or short of breath, but I was so restless and tensed up I couldn't cope.
I literally found existing hard - and the awful feeling of helplessness because I didn't know how to make it stop.
Lasted for about an hour. I hid in the toilet for a while.

I then had a strange dream that night that my best friend from years ago got divorced.

I'm goung through strange times!

[JMJW]

I had them in 2013 and it feels like dying. Heart pounding at 150 bpm and it's difficult to stand let along walk. Called the ambulance the first few times I got them cos it feels like a heart attack. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy really helps with it, as does removing the source of anxiety.

[Jin]

I always get attacks on bill paying day. Flashbacks to when I was broke. Now I am only poor but the anxiety is still there. I am getting better though, it has been several months since I actually vomited afterwards.
Long walks help, reduce caffine comsumption.

Please stay away from alcohol on the bad days, it only makes it worse. Trust me.

[Asche]

I get attacks like that.  Not the increased heart rate, but I find myself shaking and I'll bite my fingers until it hurts (no, it doesn't break the skin) just to distract myself.  I never feel what it is that's making me anxious, I don't generally even feel anxious, exactly.  I just act that way.  And I tell myself I should be able to stop, and I intend to stop, but I can't seem to turn the intention into action.

Sometimes I think I'm slowly having some kind of breakdown.

[Balerie]

I used to get those up to about a year ago including several times while driving but I've had them since 9-11. When I was driving I had to open all the windows and cough hard because I thought I was having a heart attack. I believe it's partly caused​ by stress and the fact that I was unable to express myself not take any action on my gender issues. I've since taken steps to feel better including​ starting HRT and so far I've had no reoccurring attacks. I agree with Jin. Avoid caffeine and alcohol when it happens.

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[AlyssaJ]

For me it's always been heart racing and shortness of breath, sometimes some dizziness as I start to hyperventilate.  The solution I found was the 4-4, 4-6, 4-8 breathing method.  Take 2 breaths where you breathe in for 4 seconds then out for for.  The next two in for 4 and out for 6, then in for for and out for 8.  Helps relax you and slow your heart rate.

[Sinclair]

I used to get those up to about a year ago including several times while driving but I've had them since 9-11. When I was driving I had to open all the windows and cough hard because I thought I was having a heart attack. I believe it's partly caused​ by stress and the fact that I was unable to express myself not take any action on my gender issues. I've since taken steps to feel better including​ starting HRT and so far I've had no reoccurring attacks. I agree with Jin. Avoid caffeine and alcohol when it happens.

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Interesting you mention 9-11 because I don't have panic attacks about my gender or transition, but I did about my country and safety on 9-11. I know some, perhaps many here are too young to relate to 9-11. But, at that time I was living in the DC area, about 5 miles from the Pentagon (which was hit by a hijacked plane). Just to shorten the conversation, we all left work early that day, called our loved ones, and that night all I could smell outside my house was jet fuel and smoke. Best advice when dealing with panic attacks, don't use alcohol or drugs, it only compromises your brain chemistry and will make your emotional state worse.

[Balerie]

Sinclair, back then I lived in New Jersey and could see the towers from my window. The events were surreal and I remember spending at least 2 of three days crying as I watched the aftermath on TV. It really traumatized me. To this day, I avoid ground zero when in Manhattan and any transmission of the memorial on the anniversary of the events.


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[warlockmaker]

I had my first full blown panic attack when I was 60 and just had Facelift surgery, my first ever surgery. The panic attack was quite scary as men dont talk about these personal matters and had no idea what was happening. My doctors confirmed that it was most likely post op and reaction to morphine, called the doom and dread syndrome. It passed in a few days.

When I started HRT I continued with my love for late night wild parties and found myself unable to consume the various party candies, and would have panic attacks afterwards. This included waking up in a panic, gasping for air, and having to get up and walk to the kitchen to control myself. Then fearful of falling asleep. So off to the Dr once again. Seems that my tolerence to various party goodies is very low after HRT. Also, was advised that once exposed to these panic attacks that they will recurr. So I now reduce my intake considerably but still fun, and also to recognize the dark place as it begins again.

Now I know how to identify the attack as I sense the dark place approaching, and know how to distract and calm myself and push it away. Have not had one for years.I have often wondered if females are more  prone to panic attacks as their metabolism, and now mine also, cannot process alcohol and party drugs as well as a male.

[JoanneB]

I never knew what a panic attack was until I was on my way to allowing myself to have feelings of any sort with some thanks to HRT.

[royalty]

I just smoke pot.

[Shy]

Panic attacks are a natural bodily response to perceived danger, be it real or imagined. "Fight of flight" is probably a better description.
It's a primal, very natural response. I mean our earliest ancestors knew that when they heard a saber toothed tiger prowling outside the cave it was time for them to kick into action, focus and become acutely aware of their surroundings to stay of the kitty menu. Their heart rate shoots up and senses become more acute as they prepared for action.

We still have these same primal responses hard wired into us, it's what keeps us safe, only sometimes the system gives false positives and gets out of whack. We perceive there to be danger when in fact there is none.

What helped me was to train myself to catch the thoughts that triggered the initial anxiety and deal with them immediately. Was I really in danger? Was I really having a heart attack? How do I respond appropriately to the overwhelming feelings of panic? how do I calm down and rationalise the situation?

I'd suggest a little counselling, as I certainly am not one, to give you the tools to manage your panic. It's very common, you're not going nuts and It can be treated very successfully once you understand the causes and triggers.

Peace and love and all that good stuff,

Sadie

[Sinclair]

What helped me was to train myself to catch the thoughts that triggered the initial anxiety and deal with them immediately. Was I really in danger? Was I really having a heart attack? How do I respond appropriately to the overwhelming feelings of panic? how do I calm down and rationalise the situation?

That is CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy. Which works. Understanding you can change emotional outcomes if you recognize the triggers and walk back the emotional responses you have. The last thing you want to do is go to a doctor and get fed sedatives like Xanax or Ativan. That is a path to addiction.

[Sinclair]

Sinclair, back then I lived in New Jersey and could see the towers from my window. The events were surreal and I remember spending at least 2 of three days crying as I watched the aftermath on TV. It really traumatized me. To this day, I avoid ground zero when in Manhattan and any transmission of the memorial on the anniversary of the events.
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It's hard for me too. Watching reruns of "Friends" where they often show the twin towers in city shots still effects me. I think many people have some form of PTSD that witnessed those events, particularly those in NY/NJ and the DC area. *hugs*