Hi: glad to hear you have some friends with whom you feel comfortable confiding about panic issues. I know I didn't tell some people for fear of being judged and I had the embarassment too. If my own family didn't understand, who would? I did pick and choose who, where and when to confide. Sometimes it felt lonely, shameful, and so tiring above all else. Oh yes, and didn't want anyone to think I was weak - I thought that of myself until I took CBT course and finally understood what was happening.
It could be your Dad was saying that it was no big deal so you wouldn't worry about it (?) too much. Sometimes people don't know what to say especially if they've never seen it before. They just know you are reeeeeaaaaally stressed out - lol. I got a lot of, "oh, you're just too sensitive" etc.
Yes, this place is great to vent! posting helps me be able to let it out and share and hope I can help somebody at the same time. I'll be looking for you too. Hope your day was a good one and tomorrow even better.
I know when I had my first panic attack I called my dad who I love and respect very much. I told him what happened with the racing heart and so forth and he jsut brushed it off. Like I was making a big deal over nothing. I in turn stopped talking about it with him. I didn't to show any weakness. I only feel comfortable talking to a few people about my panic....also because I don't want anyone to see it as a weekness. It is so comforting knowing we have this place to vent
Hi Crunky: Just saw this post from you. I remember yrs. ago when I first had my panic problems, my sister and brother did not know about anxiety disorders and when I tried to explain to them that such a thing does exist, they did not believe me. I felt hurt and saddened by their reaction but knew I was on the right path with CBT work. I no longer confided in them not because I was angry/hurt, or vice-versa, but because I learned that for the support I needed at the time when I was going through the worse, I needed to find people who were sympathetic to my cause. For me it was my best friend who would listen over the phone when I was going through an attack, she understood or at least was sympathetic and would talk to me about anything so I could be distracted - then I would catch my breath, my heart would slow down, etc. and I could thank her and know she was there for me if I needed her another time. No point in confiding to and seeking sympathy or empathy from those who can't give it. For whatever reason, I don't judge, they just don't have it to give. I try to remember, this is my journey. Each of us has their own journey. We are all at different stages.
I am very embarressed by my mental illness. And it makes me angry when I know people this it is all in my head and I could jsut snap out of it if I wanted to. I hate how people look at me when they see that I am scared. I feel like screaming I have panic I am not crazy.. but then they would think I am more crazy LOL
How do others deal with what others think about panic?
Fact: Anxiety disorders are real and serious medical conditions, much like physical disorders such as diabetes or heart disease. They may develop from a complex set of biological or environmental risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and traumatic life events.
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