Hi.
The first time a panic attack happens it seems like it comes out of nowhere. Truth of the matter is that it has been building up to the breaking point. Why it doesn't happen sooner is usually that a person goes through life thinking the way they are living is normal. In the Agoraphobic it is the loss of control over there life that causes the panic attack. The trigger is usually some thing or thought that they don't want to do or fear because of a bad situation that happened or happens when they do a certain thing.
Keep that in mind. It is not going outside, that is a normal occurrence people do every day. It is the thought of going outside. Now you need a reason not to go outside because that will keep the panic attack from happening. This is negative thought. "If I go outside something bad will happen" A totally illogical thought since you do not know for sure that something bad will happen. This thought can cause your stomach to be irritated or for it to stop working as part of the fight or flight system that shuts down every thing not necessary to the situation in preparation to fight or flee. So now comes the vicious circle. Anxiety causes your stomach to be sore, which causes more anxiety, round and round. The symptoms could be something else, a sore back, a head ache, vertigo or practically anything.
The symptoms are real and will probably need to be treated both physically and mentally. Medication for the pain and CBT for the thought.
CBT is a bit different for every situation but basically it is like this. Change negative thoughts to positive ones.
First though you have to be sure there is no physical reason for the symptom. Second for a time you have to remove all irritants.
Here I am sitting here drinking coffee which for a long time I did not dare touch. I know it will bother my stomach and leave me slightly dizzy if I have too much. That is a positive thought based on acceptance of the situation so that I have control. A negative thought would be " I'm going to be sick or I'm going to have a panic attack " I love coffee so I live with it. It is not the coffee that is the actual trigger but the thought that comes from the effects.
This is the thing with panic attacks. Often the trigger is not what a person thinks. Often what a person thinks is the trigger is just an effect. And worse, often the trigger is subconscious.
It takes time to learn all of this. But first you need to learn relaxation techniques and coping skills to survive and then all the rest to cure yourself.
Follow the program, no skipping ahead, it is important to do it in order.
Ask anything you do not understand. Post often. Vent your frustrations here and know that we are here to support you.
Oh and I am just a member like you but one of the cured.
Davit.
