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The length of a panic attack


17 years ago 0 8760 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Maggie, That's such great news! I'm so proud of you! Way to show that anxiety who's boss in your house. Keep up the great progress! Danielle ________________________ The PC Support Team
17 years ago 0 26 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Maggie don't feel alone. Myself and Im sure plenty of others have had panic attacks in their safe space. When I start to have the feeling of a panic attack coming on at home I usually turn on the computer and play a game. This usually always help me take my mind off the panic that Im feeling. Playstation 2 is also one of my big distractions that I can turn on and get my mind off myself.
17 years ago 0 112 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thank you very much for your advice. I actually managed to keep doing the dishes while having a panic attack today- and the rest of my day has been a lot better for it. I recognized my attack as just an attack, worked through it, and did not dwell for hours trying to figure out what else could be wrong with me. I'm just glad to hear that just because I am having attacks at home now does not mean there is something else wrong with me. Thank you again.
17 years ago 0 8760 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Maggie, Certainly & understandably, these panic attacks in your safe place have got you worried. Once a haven, now a place of great anxiety, right? Time to take back control. Keep working through the program and when anxiety starts to creep in, initiate self-talk. Identify thoughts that are going through your mind that may be related to anxiety on a piece of paper. On the same paper, write down positive statements such as, "I will be fine." Use this as a practice ground for bringing down your anxiety levels with the exposure section of the program. Easier said then done I know but you have to keep working at it for it to get better. Another strategy to try is to distract yourself when anxiety levels run high. Try reading out loud, listening to music, deep breathing or occupying yourself with a chore or activity you enjoy. Don't let those anxious thoughts feed your panic cycle. I hope this helps and better days are ahead for you. Keep close. Danielle ______________________ The PC Support Team
17 years ago 0 112 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I'm averaging about one panic attack a day now for sure- at home (that's where I am most of the time). Also, during and following my attacks I am feeling extrememly heavy hearted and tearful. I also have a hard time recognizing when I am having a full blown panic attacks sometimes, it's hard for me to recognize them as well when I am at home. Then I worry something else is mentally wrong with me. I'm having a hard time again lately because my home is supposed to be my 'safe place'. Anyone ever have their panic disorder affect them in this way? How do you limit your attacks or general anxiety when at home? Thank you.
17 years ago 0 26 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
My attacks have no time limit when I get a full blown panic attack it does not go away until I return back home. It doesnt matter if im 45 minutes from home the attack will last that long until I return Home. So there is no time limit, 5 to 30 minutes I wish but not for me. Its a full blown 10 till I walk through the door.
17 years ago 0 12049 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Maggie, Check with your doctor before changing your dose. They have lots of information about medications and dosages. Have you started the program and used your journal? This may help pinpoint areas that you need to work through and can be of great assistance. Josie ______________________________ The Panic Center Support Team.
17 years ago 0 112 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Quick question. Sometimes I have extreme anxiety in the mornings for hours, and eventually I take an ativan in hopes of bringing my anxiety level down. Most of the time it works, but there are days when it seems that the ativan is barely doing it's job. I feel the side effects of it (high, drowsy, etc) but I am still very anxious on/off. I notice that I feel more anxious when I am having scary thoughts about a mental illness, and then when I take an ativan and I still can't stop those thoughts- I begin to feel even more scared and panicked. I am guessing this is because between the 'high' feelings from the ativan and worries about having a more serious mental illness, I begin to think that I feel high because of something else. Does anyone else get this? Anyone very sensitive to these meds at times too? It's almost like I forget I am on ativan and think I am feeling these high and surreal feelings as a result of another problem...and I start to think that I am DEFINITELY going to lose my mind or self control THIS time. Also, sometimes I begin to worry that if I am still somewhat anxious on the ativan that that's proof right there that there must be something else wrong with me. Maybe I should increase my dose, but naturally I am afraid to when I already feel messed up enough. Thank you for reading.
17 years ago 0 112 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
When my anxiety level is ridiculously high, or following panic attacks I also tend to feel really high or brain fogged. Sometimes I'm even derealized for hours and hours, apparently it is common and nothing to worry about if you are a panic sufferer. Keep well. Try and not let those feelings throw you back into panic again, give yourself some time to recover instead. Just try and 'flow' with the feelings instead, I know it's difficult and scary- but it's the only way. Take care.
17 years ago 0 207 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I experience the same thing after every panic attack that I have. I feel sort of dazed and out of it, like I'm walking around in a fog or hungover. That's what scared me the most because the panic attack was over but I still felt weird and not like myself. It made me think even more that something was physically wrong with me and that this couldn't just be from anxiety attacks but I am wrong. The docs have ruled out everything, though I still worry something may be wrong, so that feeling must just be from the chemical changes that take place during an attack. But you are not alone and I guess it's normal and nothing to be too concerned with, like I was for so long.

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