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Like Anne-Marie said, we cant really tell you if your having attacks...but we can share our experiences with you. I know that for me, my attacks are more likely to happen at night. Often times, I will wake from sleeping with the feeling that I am 'loosing it' or 'going to pass out'. Hearts pounding, dizziness... I was really surprised to find out that I was having panic attacks. I was fairly certain that I was either going crazy or dying. :) A doctors reassurance that I was not either of those things has gone a long way in comforting me. Like Anne-Marie said, you really should talk to your physician about your symptoms. Good luck.
Hi, Sam. It's terrible to live with panic, but I believe that what is worse is not knowing what is happening to you at all.
With what you describe, I would urge you to see a doctor and not keep putting it off. It sounds like the first thing you need is a competent diagnosis and then a treatment plan. Rather than ask the group to diagnose, which it cannot do, I'm sure it would ease your mind to discuss this with a doctor. He or she can then refer you to a competent therapist as recommended.
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Anne-Marie, Site Administrator
I just had another 'attack' this evening, decided enough was enough, started browsing for info and found this site. I'm still not sure whether what I am experiencing fits is truly a panic attack since the symptoms seems so different from what most of you are posting. My attacks only come at night and are spaced out to where I have one every two months or so. In spite of the infrequency I am very worried that I will do some harm to myself and others since I either have the impulse to commit suicide or reveal something I know would be emotionally damaging to my partner and our relationship (like: "I rented an x-rated video last month").
The attacks invariably go like this: I wake up from a sound sleep not knowing who I am or where I am. My heart is racing as I try to figure things out. Then I have a the overwhelming feeling I am going crazy - a part of which is the desire to do one of the two things I mentioned above. The rest of the time is spent trying my best to hold myself back until it all passes - 10-20 minutes. I also shake uncontrollably and feel a loss of control over bowels.
So is this a panic attack? If so, everything I've read so far suggests that I don't have a disorder (b/c of relative infrequency) and yet I am deathly afraid of causing some harm next time it happens. Luckily I have not had one while alone yet - my partner has been very understanding and having her there helps somewhat. Especially since she can try and prevent any harm I might try to do. I am scared, though, of having one of these when she is not around.
Should I see a doctor? Do nothing? A lot of posts talk about looking for triggers. How can I do that if they happen only when woken from deep sleep?
Do my "symptoms" sound familiar to anyone? BTW: these started only about six years ago - another odd thing I think.
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