I thought I'd introduce myself here because it helps to know that I'm not alone in these experiences.
I recently had my first panic attack at work and had no idea what was going on. I went to the ER and have been going to different doctors since then. So far no physical problems have been found.
I've been terrified since my first attack and have had several since. I've been living in a nearly constant state of panic, anxiety, and depression. I've been reading CBT books but my tendency is to finish them too fast. While they are helpful for a short period, I think I need to take my time in this program to be truly successful in getting over this.
I haven't been the same since I started getting the attacks and it makes me feel even worse because I feel like I'm not as fun to be around anymore. I'm often anxious or crying now, even at work. I'm going to put in whatever effort I need to to get better.
I talked to my doctor today and even though my blood tests for thyroid problems were fine she wants me to keep getting them done every two weeks to make sure. She also wanted to prescribe me Prozac (I said no) and Ativan (which I will probably get filled but never use) and keep taking Propranolol (which I'm not sure I really want to).
Does anyone have any thoughts on these medications? I'd really like to try to do without them.
Was just wondering if anyone else's anxiety and panic get worse as the day goes on. I usually wake up feeling okay. Then anxiety starts to pick up in the afternoon. Then it gets really bad in the evening although it sometimes eases up before bedtime if I'm lucky.
It's very tough because I feel like I'm recovering and then the day continues and it gets overwhelming.
I'm going about my normal routine (I'm trying not to avoid anything because of fear) but I've just been this way since my first panic attack. It's discouraging because in the morning I think I'm fine but then as the day progresses the anxiety and often panic come back. I know part of it is that I do fear the panic and I'm trying to get over that.
I've been working through the program, I'm just trying to take my time with it because I have a tendency to rush things.
You are right, it is difficult to be patient. I think it's because I felt fine a few weeks ago and I'm having trouble comprehending why I can't just feel fine again now.
I have my first visit with a therapist this week so I'm hoping that by working through this program and seeing a therapist I can make progress towards feeling better.
Well, that's something I'm still trying to figure out although I have a few ideas.
I know that I've always had tendencies to worry about my health and symptoms, although never nearly this bad but that's probably a factor. I've also always seemed to have a stronger fear of death than other people, and seem to ruminate on it more than other people (at least I think this is true, I'm not sure how often others think of it).
I've also come to realize that I try to be very nice and this causes me to sweep my feelings under the rug automatically more than is probably good. This is an automatic response and I don't even realize it until the upset feelings come out later.
Finally, I tend to be a bit obsessive so after my first panic attack I've had trouble getting my mind off panic, anxiety, and my health in general.
This happens to me usually at work. I'll just be sitting working on something, not overly stressed or anxious, and I get a flash of a feeling that something is wrong and usually a weird feeling in my chest or a hot feeling (it happens sometimes when I'm just watching tv too).
The strange part is it only lasts for a few seconds if that. Sometimes I am shaken up afterwards. Today it really seemed like only a second that this went on and with the next breathe or two I felt fine. Would these even be classified as panic attacks? Is it common to have them in "flashes".
I started the program fairly recently myself. I agree that panic can be disabling; starting to get panic attacks was probably the worst thing I've ever experienced.
I'm not sure about a trigger but I have noticed that it seems to happen more often when I am not focused on anything; for example spacing out at work or watching TV but not very engaged.
Last week was pretty good for me; my average anxiety and depression went down a bit and my panic attacks seemed to be fewer and further between.
But today I was just sitting at my desk working when my heart pounded and I got a hot flash. I didn't even feel stressed or anxious and whenever this happens I get scared again and lose some of my hope and optimism. It only lasts for a few seconds but I really feel like there's something wrong with me, these things never used to happen to me. Although my medical tests have all been coming back fine, it's just hard to believe that these spells are caused by anxiety.
I do think the program is helping me with my anxiety and I start to feel a lot better when I have a few days with no panic but then this happens and I'm scared again. I know I shouldn't be, but it's tough.
My first therapist visit didn't work out but I have an appointment with a different one (that I'm a lot more optimistic about) on Monday. I'm really hoping it'll help.
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