i'm new with this whole "anxiety/panic" thing

[supmittenss]

well i am 15 years old so as you can imagine i had no idea what was going on when i first got a panic attack a few months ago
i suspected that i had some sort of anxiety for years now
because i am, generally anxious about a lot of things sometimes.
but i didn't even know "panic attacks" existed
i will probably sound like an idiot because i am so young
but the first sign of one was a day after i had drank a lot
i kept forgetting where i was
the next day got even worse, and i was at school too.
on the bus ride home i got numb and tingly
and i had a few friends over and i really thought i was going to die
i started shaking and i could not breathe
my parents were gone and left their cell phone at home
so i called my brother about it
turns out it runs in my family all along
my brother used to get them all the time
my mom used to take medication for them
he explained to me that nothing was wrong with me
that i wasnt going to die
it eventually got better in a few days

there were a few more in between here. but they never got THAT bad.

the next time was a few weeks ago
i went to a friends house
and we took a walk
there was a scent of really strong perfume near this one house we passed
and everything started to spin.
i almost passed out
and i tried to go back to her house and calm down
but i had never been there before so the feeling was uncomfortable
i went home

the next day i didnt feel crappy at all
it's really hard not to drink when all your friends do
its something thats highly social around here
the whole city meets downtown every thursday and drinks pretty much
so i drank again
i coulnt sleep very well
i went on a vacation the next day for 9 days with my family and a friend
the car ride was pretty much one long panic attack
[we drove for like 2 days]
i went to the movies there with my brother his girlfriend and my friend
and in the car it was the worst panic attack i have experienced yet
i almost passed out but i tried very hard not too
there is always this tight pain in my chest
then when it goes away i imagine it still
i am very glad i came to this site because its the first one that told me the after effects of alcohol can lead to panic attacks
my brother told me it chills him out when he gets them
but he is 21 years old
i am 15 and very tiny
i have definitley decided to lead a sober lifestyle from now on
but the panic has not stopped
ive been having horrible horrible dreams for like a week
i woke up 3 times lst night
and no matter what i am afraid that something is seriously wrong
but i logically know that its not true
its just hard to eliminate the feeling
i get upset that i can't live a "normal" lifestyle
i get claustrophobic and afriad everywhere pretty much
i am very afriad of something bad happening and not being stable
i am trying very hard to eliminate anxiety from my life
but one of my biggest fears is pills
so i am trying to figure it out on my own

any advice?

[honeybee3939]

Hi

And welcome to NMP, its lovely to see you here, i hope we can be of some help.

Im pleased to hear especially at 15 years of age you have decided to give up the alcohol, believe me hun alcohol can make anxiety/panic 10 times worse I can understand what you mean though about drinking been a social thing with your friends, i have a 16 year old my self and it seems to be the "in" thing for them all to meet and drink. I have to say i think you are taking a very wise decision to stop drinking especially at such a young age.

Take a good look round the site hun theres some great information that can help. especially the Symptoms, How to cope and First step pages which a sittuated at the left hand side of this page.

It dosnt always mean because you suffer with anxiety/panic you will have to take pills, lots of people who have suffered have recovered without the aid of medication, so it may be wise to discuss this with your parents and visit your gp whom im sure can advice you on which avenue to take.

love

Andrea
xxxxx

[Southern_Belle]

Hi,

Welcome to the site. I too am glad you are giving up alcohol especially at your age. It does increase the panic and anxiety too. As for advice, have you spoken to your parents about this issue? You could also speak to your doctor. Counseling also helps many people. There are so many people here who feel exactly like you do, you are not alone. You will get so much support here.

Laura

[Lindalou64]

HELLO AND WELCOME
IN GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU REALIZE NOW THAT THE ALCOHOL JUST MAKES IT WORSE,ITS NOT THAT YOUR BROTHER IS 21 THAT HE DOESNT FEEL ILL....MAYBE HE DONT DRINK TO AN EXTENT.I KNOW ITS HARD AT YOUR AGE TO FIT IN THERE BEEN THERE STILL AT TIMES AT 43...I SEE IT RUNS IN YOUR FAMILY AS IT DOES MINE...BEST THING TO DO RIGHT NOW IS KNOW IT WONT HARM YOU YOUR NOT GONNA DIE I KNOW IT FEELS THAT WAY BUT YOU WONT TRY AND GET SOME SELF HELP BOOKS AND RELAXATION AND LOOK AROUND HERE WITH MUCH INFORMATION STAY POSITVE AND KNOW ONE DAY THIS WILL PASS I DO WISH YOU THE BEST I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT....HAVE YOU SPOKE WITH YOUR PARENTS IM SURE YA MOM WILL TOTALLY UNDERSTAND ........WISH YOU THE BEST.......LINDA

[Nibbles]

Hi Supmittenss and

As others have said well done for giving up alcohol as it doesn't help when drunk in excess. It also shows you have great strength of character so will overcome anxiety and lead a normal life. As for advice you'll get lots on here and make new friends along the way. Visiting your GP and chatting to your family would be well worth the effort as medication isn't the only way. Cognative behavioural therapy is something very popular these days and helps lots of sufferers. It basically trains you to change your thought pattern. You can also get self help books and tapes from the library (I recommend Claire Weekes). Lastly there is a natural product called Rescue Remedy which comes in dropper or spray form. You just put a bit on your tongue and wait for it to take effect.

Take care,

[nomorepanic]

Hi and welcome aboard - lovely to see you here and hope we can be of some help.

[groovygranny]

Hello Supmittenss to you!

Certainly don't think you're an idiot because you're so young - anx and panic are no respectors of age.

You'll get plenty of help and support here - good move on recognising how alcohol can adversely affect you. Plenty of time to enjoy a drink or two in moderation when you're older. Don't rush to grow up - enjoy your youth.....it'll pass by quicker than you think lol !!

Pleased to meet you!

[Pink Princess]

hey, im 16 so no its not silly because you are young so dont worry

im sorry you had to go through this but we are all supportive here and you will get lots of advice and support and make lots of friends here who understand what you are feeling.

hopefully this site will help you as much as it helps others to beat anxiety and become stronger xx

take kare and welcome to the site xxxxxxxx