Having a Panick Attack

July 7, 2008 at 3:34 am

Steven

HI, i recently started having panick attacks and im 18 back in jan. of 08 before i turned 18 i had a heart attack caused by the flu, long story, ive had panick attacks since then and i jus dont know how to deal with them and it sucks because i feel like im dying. I HATE THE!!! lol but i know im strong enough to get through this so remember you jus have to stay strong and you’ll be fine!!!

October 23, 2007 at 11:24 am

guthrie

Hi, I am Guthrie and am 53 yrs old and have suffered from panic attacks since I was 3yrs old or so. Mostly seemed to do with tinitus (ear noises). I had an operation at 25yrs and that seemed to cure it – but its coming back and listen to an mp3 player to calm me down before I get too bad – seems to work. Reading some of the comments I cant help to say it must be a similar feeling – focused in a different way – for example about people coming to stay etc. I do know that when I was younger I had difficulty dealing with new relations – because I used to panic so much inside I had to run! -and my doctor said it was because it was an unknown or changed relationship that caused it. He was right – because I usually would have known partners as friends before – amazing. The feeling of panic was just the same as my ear – totally unreasonable and frightening – yet all around is fine to everyone else. We must distract and immerse ourselves until the panic goes away – very hard. God bless you all and me. Its 3 hrs since I panicked taking the kids to school this morning – getting under control now. Thanks for listening to me.

March 9, 2007 at 11:16 am

Virginie

Hi All, take a look at this posting:
Posted by: jill | July 15, 2005 03:41 AM
I’m new to pannick attacks, but I understand all you are saying, and you have the answer that we are all looking for. Thank you Jill for sharing this with us, so far you have made the greatest sense from all what I’ve heard.

November 26, 2006 at 4:08 am

Pam

Hi I am 34 year old mother of a 7 year old lil girl. I have having panick attacks for about a year or so now and I hate them so much. During the day its not so bad but at night its really bad. My husband helps a bit with them by holding me and telling its ok. but I don’t feel like its ok. I hate feeling like this and dont know what to do any more. If someone can help please do. Thanks so much…

November 21, 2006 at 3:50 am

harry

i am 27 years old and i have 2 kids that i love more than any thing in the world every night i think im going to have a heart attack and die. im sick of it some time i get so upset i think its going to be my last nite alive. but i do have good nite when i think im going to be fine. see i have alot of lbs on my i have last alot but it dont help em to be upset so i need to find a way to get over it plz help me

August 23, 2006 at 12:34 pm

Lisa

Hello…my name is Lisa…I am 21 years old and I have been experiencing panic attacks for about 5 months now.
The first one happened late at night. I was laying in bed, and caught myself about to fall asleep. I jerked, and when I did it felt like I died for a second. I got up…my heart was racing…I couldn’t seem to figure out what was the matter with me. I went to the bathroom, and looked at myself in the mirror. I sit down, and tryed to catch my breath. Nothing seemed to help.
I kept trying to go back to bed but couldn’t lay down. It started to feel like I was choking.
My boyfriend was sleeping, but I was terrified that I was truely dying, so I woke him up, and asked him to take me to the hosopital. He did (even though he needed to be at work an hour later.)
When I got to the hospital, I explained to the doctors how I was feeling. I also informed them that as a child I had asthma…which was what I originally thought was triggering my heart to race and me being short of breath. They checked my breathing and my heart and told me I had a panick attack.
During this time I was under alot of stress. They told me that could be the cause of the panick attack. They gave me a dose of medicine, (can’t recall what it was called)and then sent me home.
That night…I slept fine…but every since I have had panick attacks everyday and night. I am terrified for my life. I go to bed at night looking at my 2 year old son wondering if he is going to wake up and find me dead. It feels like there is something really wrong with my insides, like my heart is going to bust, or I’m going to stop breathing.
I have been seeing a doctor regularly, and am now taking a prescription med, called xanax. This medicine helps me to fall asleep better, but at the same time isn’t completely working. Panick attacks have over come my life and I’m terrified.
My doctor has advised me to see a psychiatrist, but says there isn’t one in my area for him to refer me to. So I guess I’m left to deal with this on my own. My family has now gotten to the point to where they just say “calm down Lisa…relax…It’s all in your head.” but they can’t feel what I’m feeling. This is a horrible thing to have to live with.
If anyone can give me advice on how I can over come these attacks it would be greatly appreciated. The reason I was on the computer researching panick attacks is because I was having one and didn’t have anyone to talk me through it. I didn’t want to have to call my local police department (to send an anbulance) to take me to the hospital for something that can’t be fixed there.
The worst part is when people say…”calm down it’s “only” a panic attack! I hate it! It’s not “ONLY” a panic attack it is the scarriest thing I have ever been through….so please if you have any advice for me my email address is lisaann_021@yahoo.com…and thank you!

August 12, 2006 at 10:14 pm

rebecca

hi im 30 know and started to have pannick attacks since 20,i thought i was going to die if i fell asleep,silly realy but i believed it.I have 3 children and dont like going on transport or anywhere realy,i have been fighting it on my own until i went to the doctors last week and it realy helped and also talking,dont do what i done and kepted it all in talk to me if i can,and get medical help as i relized you dont have to do it on your own there is help and im just taking it day by day and hopefully one day i can start living instead of just surviving . remember any one out there needs to talk im here to help

December 12, 2005 at 2:56 am

Halie

Hi, I`m Halie, I`m 14 years old. I had my first panic attack when I was about 11, which back then I didn`t know it was a panic attack. Panic attacks i guess i can say happen to me alot, but I am starting to control them. It runs through my family but with only the girls, thats what my mom says. Like all of you, I HATE THEM!! i just want them to go away!!! I currently don`t see a consilor, but i don`t want too, it may be a stupid reason but it is because me and my boyfriend (for a year) are almost insepreatlable. I know we need space but i hate when im not with him, so i don`t see a consilor. anyways, to get back with my story, a year ago when i was 13, I smoked weed (I DO NOT DO IT ANYMORE)after this time i wouldnt want too. I had a panic attack, when i was high. I got through it easily i just tryed to have funn with it, but as time progressed i just started thinking about panic attacks more and more. Finally i guess i developed a panic disorder. My most main symptoms are thinking im going to die, go crazy, or that i have an undignosed mental diese. Well, i know many people have the same feelings as me. Every one has told me that, my doctor, my mom, alot of people. But i really never noticed. I like this site alot, because i can just post my story, and as i read all of your stories here it helps me alot! I mean when i was 10 i remember i could deal with my emotions. i sorta just held it in. I had very bad family problems when i was little, it tramatized me. Now i think my emotions are catching up with me. If any one could Email me at HUNNIBABE256@YAHOO.COM and just give me some simple things i can do to control my feelings, or to just talk, that would be a great help.
I wish you all the luck of curing yourselves.
REMEMEBER:
YOUR NOT GOING TO DIE.
YOUR NOT GOING CRAZY.
YOU DON’T HAVE A UNDIAGNOSED MENTAL DIESE.
AND WHEN YOU DIE, YOU DON’T DIE ALONE, FAMILY IS WAITING, AND YOU GO TO PARADISE!

November 18, 2005 at 6:11 pm

lisa

hi all i to suffer from really bad panick attacks. had them for ages i feel like im dieing every time im also twelve weeks pregnant and worried for my child. i have a son who is 8 and every time i take a breath i think it’s goin to be the last one. i hate feeling like this all the time the attacks have ruined my life

October 28, 2005 at 3:06 pm

shelly

im 20 ive been suffering pannick attacks for over a year now i constantly feel frightend by every thing i am so low at the moment its really getting to me.
im usually a really strong person, but the pannick attacks are breaking me,i know i need help but i dont know where to turn.

August 10, 2005 at 8:56 pm

E

hi every one i am felling all the same symptoms as you all and have been blessed to be getting better very slowly but better nonetheless

July 15, 2005 at 3:41 am

jill

Hi everyone,I have had pannick attacks since i was 17 and like most of you,i remember the first one very clearly.I dont know why they started,all i know is ,they did,and they changed my life,i thought for the longest time that i was going crazy.That was the scariest part.I am 33 years old now,i have had 4 children and i lived over in NZ in the high country of the north island for 5 years.This ,of course meant that i had to travel,in a plane,with my kids,completely responsible for them,on my own to visit my family.I did this,it took strength and courage,I did it 7 times and on the 7th i was leaving my husband and taking my 3 kids that i had at the time back to Australia for good.I had no idea where i was going to live,i had been invited to stay and meet with,my birth mother who i had spoken to a few times but never met,she lived in canberra,i had never been there.I did it,i went there,i stayed for 3 months and I CAUGHT BUSES AND TRAINS….woth the kids…..I did it because i thought it.I thought i could,i thought that it was possible,remember i said i started having pannick attacks at 17 years old….i didnt leave the house for 3 years and although i knew people would think there was something wrong with me,i never told anyone apart from my partner at the time,who co-incidently i have found again and reunited with.I spent hours and hours at the doctors and in hospitals trying to find a reason for the way i was.Someone finally told me that i was having pannick attacks,so i learned all i could about them,i went through many dark days ,horrible times,its all about learning that you are NOT A NUT AND YOUR NOT GONNA DIE! Its a normal body function,its just happens more often with us,and i began to laugh at my misfortune ,every time i was out and i felt that familiar feeling of fear trying to take over,i would giggle to myself and think…nup not this time buddy,im in cntrol now and i would automatically change my breathing….slow and steady with a few giggles in there.Bottom line is this…Its all in the thought pattern…if you had never had a pannick attack you would never be thinking of having one would you? NUP.Its just that you have had one before and so now you fear it,just like people that have been hit by cars,they have a fear of busy roads,but if they had never been hit by a car before,busy roads would still just be busy roads…more women have pannick attacks then men because men tend to be able to forget things more easier where as women need to have an answer,they need to know why,men are more “ok that was wierd…now move on…”.Its all thought,everything is thought,you create your life through your thoughts….nothing ever happens till it was first thought about….Dont be scared to go outside the house,dont let pannick attacks ruin your life,your not here for long,dont be so hard on yourself,next time you think about pannick attacks change the thought to something you love….relaxing on the beach on a warm day,or simply tell yourself to SHUTUP,you have had enough,for those of you that are new to pannick attacks…..dont let them drag you down,remember they are what they are…pannick attacks,nothing more than that…they cant last for over two minutes at a time anyway,for those of you that are now suffering from depression and phobias brought on by fear of pannick attacks…ITS TIME TO CHANGE,it will be hard because you have talked yourself into a thought pattern and that is what needs to change,you will get stronger everyday if you can just practice changing your thoughts,YOU ARE NOT DIFFERENT,YOU ARE NOT CRAZY,YOU ARE NOT DYING,YOU ARE YOU…and you have the power to change your thoughts and get back to living life.I had better shut up now bla bla bla,just wanted to let you all know that there IS light at the end of the tunnel,If anyone wants to chat,please email me at brydon6@yahoo.com.au. SEE YA.

May 20, 2005 at 2:32 pm

KEZ

LIFE IS TOO SHORT LIVE LIFE FOR YOURSELF
i believe these but still i feel unable to do the things i want to. im 21 and have always been a nervous person but for about 4 years now i’ve stopped doing things like using public transport ,letting others drive and going anywhere different. i want to do something about it now im fed up! but i panick about going to the doc’s. my parents dont understand but my partner is very supportive. to everyone we all have the strength to beat this so good luck x

May 9, 2005 at 5:48 pm

jaymee

hello my name is jaymee i have had panic attacks now for a year it started out with my heart beating out of control i thought i was having a heart attack at 21 so i went to the er. they put me on paxil 10 mg then 20mg i never uped the dose and i just recently started getting them at least 3 times a week. it ususaly happens after i eat or right before bed but they are getting worse and its really scary i dont feel like myself ne more it seems more physcological im dizzy,confused, and really really scared about who knows??? if anyone has any advice please email me its almost a relief to hear about other people having them 2 thanks

December 14, 2004 at 3:02 pm

Pablo Ferro

Dear all, I too suffered from panick attacks and yes, It does feel like you are dying or have an underlying incurable disease. Currently I am 43 years old and I will never forget the first time I had my panic attack.
I was the night before Thanksgiving 1986, Since not a day has gone by that I dont recall that miserable time of my life.
I want to share will all,THERE IS HELP !!!! I was blessed to find a great ! psychotherapist who put my mind ease, Who informed me NO I was not dying and she taught me great cognitive behavior modification and breathing methods, that way when I felt a panick attach coming on I would avoid it.
Thanks to those methods I have not had a full blown attack in 8 years. Sure I have had the beggining symptoms but with the breathing exercise I have been able to control it and not cross over that thin line.
To all of you, life is too precious to be couped up in your home with fears that if you venture outside you will have an attack and make a fool of yourself.
If you get anything from this message, please, please, note there is help out there to those of us who suffer from this terrible disease.
Take care, get help and live life to the fullest. !!!

December 9, 2004 at 7:03 pm

lee warren

my name is lee adge 25 hi had panick attacks on the bus

December 9, 2004 at 7:01 pm

lee warren

my name is lee have@panick attacks in bed in on the bus in the shops

December 7, 2004 at 4:17 am

Jo

hi every1, god its nice to know im not the only one!!! I Did forms of drugs whan i was younger and i think my panickattacks might stem from there.
Ive had them for a year now and i have sort of got then under control but when im hungover and really tired i get then 10 times as worse, i go hot and sweaty and my legs go wobbly and i go dizzy and i feel like i have to run somewhwere (where i dont know) i hate it one moring i was ok the next this, i think it can also be caused by depression as sometimes i feel relly bad and for no reason its like a big black cloud that hangs over me for days, im such a lively outgoing person that ive had to force myself to carry on and go out and try and have a normal life, so guys i totally understand!!!!!! xxxxxx

November 16, 2004 at 3:19 pm

karen

I used to suffer from panic attacks 10 yrs ago, then they stopped! until a few months ago when I think they started again! am I having pannick attacks again, or am I seriously ill? the symptoms match but Im not sure If Im really suffering from panick attacks again or is it something else?

October 27, 2004 at 3:16 pm

Milica

I really dont feel bad at all …now but i just wounder why do people like us have to have this i just dont get it does it come from deprestion?…..i did drugs for about a year all kinds is it from that ? im 20 im a female and i just dont get it i really dont i feel verry loanly i wish i can make somefriends if anyonoe can email me please do its milica42420@yahoo.com and heres my aol sn marina1aqechi@aol.com i would appriciate it thanck u bye

October 26, 2004 at 12:52 pm

NIGEL

HI IM 34 AND BEEN HAVING PANNICK ATTACKS SINCE FINDING MY FATHER DEAD MINE ONLY CUM ON WHEN I FEEL IM OUT OF BREATH A LITTLE THEN I THINK ABOUT IT AND MY HEART STARTS PUMPING THEN HAVE THE FEELING OF DOOM ,DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ,FEEL LIKE RUNNING TO SOMEONE AND TELLING THEM I CANT BREATH , ITS HORRIBLE CAN ANYONE HELP OR HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE MAIL ME IF YOU DO
THANKS … NIGEL.

September 20, 2004 at 2:13 am

lisa

Im 30yrs
And my first panick attack was at 17yrs. I also Have panick attacks and could not go out. But now I go out and fight the panick attack . It was really hard for me at first but i did not give up and I told people my problem and they also helped me when I was having a panick attack. Sitting around locked up is not going to help you. You have to get out and face it and fight it.
I still have panick attacks but not as much as i once did.

May 31, 2004 at 7:34 am

Alex Sinclair

I am 43…
I have just three questions.
How do I know if I’m having a panick attac?
How many relativly minor illnesses are masked by people having panick attacks because they are fearful of the meaning behind their REAL symptoms and the assumption of GPs that if they are having panick attacks, then that must be ALL that is wrong with them?
How many of these relatively minor & treatable illnesses then develope into serious ones because they have been missed? or am I just a typical panick attack sufferer?
OK… so that was 4 questions…. Whatever..

May 21, 2004 at 12:59 pm

Eddie

Hi, My name is Eddie. I can’t beleive I found this site. I feel like I am reading my own story. I am 28 years old and have been suffering from panick attacks for about 3 years now. The first time I had an episode was in the middle of the night. I woke up thinking I was having a heart attack. I felt faint, numb, and was having trouble sleeping. I must have gone to the hospital about 6 times in a 4 month period and accrued about $4000.00 in Hospital bills. They never found anything wrong with me. I have been copping with them by the grace of God. I ave also learned to recognize certain triggers. My faith in God is the main reason that I have been able to cope. Well if anyone has any questions or feels like talking about this dissorder feel free to email me at EHERNANDEZ17@aol.com.

April 29, 2004 at 8:58 am

Roy

Hi all, I am 27 and have had panick attacks since I was 17. They used to be every day and back then no one seemed to know anything about them. Weeks in a hospital on monitors, a million different medications and all the thoughts I read here mirror my own at one point or another. I used to have atleast one every single day and never seemed to have a reason.
Advice:
Medication is not bad, you do have a problem that needs to be dealt with because no matter how much you do not want to take a pill when you get up in the morning that 1 second drink could make a difference between an attack and none. Just because some people had a side effect does not mean you will and it is importanrt to remember that the list in a book is a list of all symptoms a large number of people felt not what they all felt.
Paxil is what i have been on for the last year and it seems to help a lot. Once in a while I have a problem but nothing like I used to. Also remember that just because you stop your medication and were fine for two months does not mean your fine. MEdication that you have been taking for a while will take that long to leave your system and soon you might be back at step one. Feel free to write if you want to talk, ask advice or feel the need to vent.
Roy

April 24, 2004 at 9:36 pm

nikki

i have had panick attacks as long as i could remember. i was on zoloft for a couple of months but i went off of it because it made me shake so bad(i shake really bad as it is, from nerves i guess). my doctor put me on a new medicine called klonopin but im scared to take it because i read the side effects in the pill book and they kind of scared me. i dont know what to do the attacks are getting worse everyday. if anybody elese suffers from attacks 2 or 3 times a day please help me i have tried everything!

April 19, 2004 at 8:18 am

Anonymous

hi all at the age of 30 i woke 1 morning to my worst fear a panick attack i was scared of the wind and to leave the house could not breath thought i was going to die. its all mind of matter after 3 years of panick attacks i started to teach myself deep slow breathing and wore a rubber band on my wrist every time i felt a panick attack about to strike i would flick that band on my wrist as hard as i could. i also carried around a bottle of xanax for 3 years never used them but they were my security blanket
just the thought of useing the tablets made me panick i would think and panick they would hurt me the best thing to do is learn deep slow breathing and relaxation. i played a relaxation tape every night for 18 months im not cured but i can control and stop all attacks now i wish you all luck hope i helped..

April 13, 2004 at 4:31 pm

tracy

i started having panick attacks when i was 14 they subsided and restarted after the birth of my first child (i am now 27) they put me on 50 mg of zoloft wich seemed to work then they came back, they increased my dosage to 100 mg, which work really well but i didnt like the idea of being on
on medication so i stopped taking it(gradually)and it has been about 2 months i was ok having to take xanax occasionally, but now they came back even worse, i read as much as i can online and i get alot of support from family wich is exetemely important. seek help you are not alone it can get better.

March 22, 2004 at 4:26 pm

lisa

i am 23 years old and getting panick attacks.i just started getting them and dont know why.it feels like im duying and im stresed out all the time its not fair to my kids if anyone can tell me any info please do

March 16, 2004 at 5:05 pm

Isela

To all of you especially the ones of you who are young….Don’t keep it a secret, share it and don’t feel like a freak…As hard as it is don’t give up and keep trying to do the things that you fear. If you avoid then yes it can get worse. It might be a battle that you have to deal with but there is hope..You, just have to believe in yourself–NO MATTER WHAT KEEP FIGHTING and be proud of your accomplishments.

March 16, 2004 at 6:55 am

peter

Hi, Tessa, Myla, Julie and others! I have also been having the attacks for nine monthsnow. It has not been easy, but I have managed to keep them under control most of the time. You have got to wish to help yourselves. Always remember you actually LOVE your life and do not WANT to live as you do now, so bound, under pressure and miserable. There is so much out there to live for, isnt there? If anyone wants to talk, feel free to mail me: mate5@net.hr Good luck!

February 7, 2004 at 10:38 pm

Tessa

Im 16 and just started year 12.I have had panick attacks since 2001 but only just realised that they were panck attacks.I am now developing a fear of having more attacks and i think that this will only increase my chances of having more.I am too scared to tell anyone.

January 12, 2004 at 11:40 pm

b

im 18 ive been having pannick attacks for about 6 months now. its driving me up the wall i dont know what to do. i keep telling everyone im dying because i think what if there relly is something wrong with my throaght and thats why i cant breath. I cant go outside my house anymore, i cant see my friends, i cant go shopping, i cant go to the movies i cant do anything! Im 18 and im meant to be having fun. and all the drs do is give me some valium to shut me up

November 20, 2003 at 6:38 am

julie

i really really need help i dont move out of the house anymore my son is stuck in all the time help me somebody!

November 20, 2003 at 6:36 am

julie

hello my name is julie im 19 yeats old and have been suffering from pannick attacks for about 2 years now and it is really getting me down they seem to be getting worse i need help i have a son who is 4 years old now and is not fair on him every night i cry myself to sleep thinking my little is not going to have a mum when he wakes up i think im gonna die all the time

October 6, 2003 at 7:39 pm

myla

please help, if anyone has suggestions on how to overcome panick attacks

July 15, 2003 at 10:51 am

kirsty

Hi1 im 22 years old,ive been suffering with panic attacks since i was 16.Its got to the point where i dont travel anywhere,i hate all forms of transport.Its killing me to tell u the truth.