Molly
13-06-06, 20:56
Hi there, my name is Claire and tonight is my first visit to your site.
I was diagnosed with 'acute anxiety' last year - after thinking that I was epileptic for the previous 10 years...it seems that my GP and neurologist couldn't tell the difference as my panic attacks look rather like 'grand mal' epileptic seizures - following severe visual disturbances I hold my breath until my head starts jerking and eventually I pass out.
It only used to happen in the first few minutes I was awake - usually if I hadn't had enough sleep and was worried about being late for something ie exams, days out etc. I used to think there was a link with consumption of alcohol, and my neurologist felt that this may be the case - but now I think it was the caffeine in the vodka and coke that did it as I am fully capable of a panic attack now and I have been teetotal for the last 8 years !!
Last year I had a big panic attack but did not pass out as I normally would - unfortunately as a result my heart rate stayed elevated for 2 weeks during which time I was sensitive to light and couldn't focus properly - it was a very scary experience. It was following this that I was properly diagnosed for the first time - and now I have been trying to learn to relax properly and above all to get some breath control !
Anyway, enough about me...hope all the above doesn't sound too rambling !
I was diagnosed with 'acute anxiety' last year - after thinking that I was epileptic for the previous 10 years...it seems that my GP and neurologist couldn't tell the difference as my panic attacks look rather like 'grand mal' epileptic seizures - following severe visual disturbances I hold my breath until my head starts jerking and eventually I pass out.
It only used to happen in the first few minutes I was awake - usually if I hadn't had enough sleep and was worried about being late for something ie exams, days out etc. I used to think there was a link with consumption of alcohol, and my neurologist felt that this may be the case - but now I think it was the caffeine in the vodka and coke that did it as I am fully capable of a panic attack now and I have been teetotal for the last 8 years !!
Last year I had a big panic attack but did not pass out as I normally would - unfortunately as a result my heart rate stayed elevated for 2 weeks during which time I was sensitive to light and couldn't focus properly - it was a very scary experience. It was following this that I was properly diagnosed for the first time - and now I have been trying to learn to relax properly and above all to get some breath control !
Anyway, enough about me...hope all the above doesn't sound too rambling !