Is this a panic attack? Or Anxiety..HELP!?
The other day I had to drive a very long distance away from my home and in the middle of the drive, I got very panic-y, I started feeling sick, sweating, I started crying, I had to pull over 3 times etc. all because I realized how long I had to drive! But that was definitely not the first time that has happened. I acted like that everyday before my speech class, I have a son and my husband is never home-so if I get stressed I’ll start having those symptoms, and if me and anybody get into a fight I’ll go into one of these fits. I know I shouldn’t be asking a medical question on yahoo but I am going to see a therapist on Thursday. I just want to know what you guys think is wrong with me (from experience)? Also, do you think the therapist will give me counseling or medication? Or both? And what will they most likely give me?
(sorry so many questions)
Thanks!
If it helps this has been happening for a year and a half.
Those are classic symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder. I have had them in the past and it happened when I was driving too. It is frightening isn’t it? Very rarely I will start to have one now but it’s easy to stop it. Stress is a common cause.
Counseling will help you get control. I’ve found 0.25 mg xanax will stop an attack.
Comments
Comment from puddles
Time January 17, 2010 at 11:13 am
yes, get klonopin , ativan, or xanax
References :
good luck
Comment from Chrona
Time January 17, 2010 at 11:51 am
Hey… Victoria here, maybe my personal story can give you some solace…
a lil about me- about a year after my husband left me and my daughter died about 5 years ago.. I was at a very difficult point in my life, and was ultimately diagnosed with depression, severe anxiety, and panic disorder. I would say that i’ve always for the most part been a little depressed and had some degree of anxiety, but this just completely tipped the scale. I remember there were days on end I would just lie in bed, and whenever I would be in a social environment my anxiety would go through the roof and I would often have panic attacks. Therapy never seemed to be effective for me, and my psych put me on damn near every med out there. I’ve been on everything from wellbutrin to paxil, zoloft, prozac, lexapro, celexa, buspar, valium, klonopin, xanax.. etc. Sometimes 2-3 different ones in combo at the same time. Nothing really seemed to work for me. With the exception of some of the benzos (klono./xanax) .. these worked well for a little while, but I grew tolerance quickly, and became highly addicted.
Then one day while researching online i came across this reputable looking website http://www.anxiety.pcti-system.com .. which talked about this program to eliminate your anxiety for good, all naturally. Long story short, I wound up signing up to try it and the program worked amazing.. Not only do I no longer have panic attacks and anxiety gone, but my depression has also seemed to dissipate a little. And I’m currently starting to slowly ween off the meds I’m on. >>>>
I would personally say that possibly the biggest driving factor in all this is OCD. I think obsessing and constantly having your thoughts focused on your own condition and constantly analyzing your own thoughts/actions plays a very significant role in the persistence of our ails. Almost like the condition is a small lit fire, and OCD is the fuel that keeps it consistently burning… Also, I’ve come to the conclusion that meds are generally a unhealthy short term cure that only semi-treats the symptoms, and never the cause. Hope I was of some help!
References :
Comment from Steven
Time January 17, 2010 at 12:38 pm
It definitely sounds like you’re having panic attacks so I’m glad you are seeing a therapist soon. One of the reasons why people continue to have panic attacks is the fear of having them. Your therapist will most likely provide (or recommend) counselling.
I found that all relaxation and breathing techniques for the prevention of anxiety and panic attacks only worked to a degree. Often I would get one moment of anxiety/panic under control, only to be anxious again soon afterwards. I also tried some medications but was frustrated by the side effects including sedation and nausea.
Fortunately I stumbled across an online anxiety reduction method last year ( http://www.anxietyreliefmethod.com ). The method enabled me to prevent anxiety attacks and even stop fearing them which was half the struggle. The technique wasn’t hard to learn and has been successful for many people. I personally recommend it but each to their own.
I hope you find your solution to this serious problem.
References :
http://www.anxietyreliefmethod.com
Comment from raymond m
Time January 17, 2010 at 10:45 am
Those are classic symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder. I have had them in the past and it happened when I was driving too. It is frightening isn’t it? Very rarely I will start to have one now but it’s easy to stop it. Stress is a common cause.
Counseling will help you get control. I’ve found 0.25 mg xanax will stop an attack.
References :
experience