View Full Version : Curing Panic Attacks, Panic Disorder + Social Phob
Curing a panic attack is possible. Curing recurring panic attacks is even more possible. In fact, it's so simple you might kick yourself.
I suffered from panic attacks for only about 8 months, although it seemed like the longest 8 months of my entire life.
My panic disorder left me a nervous, shivering wreck. I was too scared to take tubes, trains, buses, cars. I was too scared to stay in London where I loved. I was frightened of walking down the road. I was scared I was losing my mind, + on a large number of different moments, even decided I had.
Agoraphobic, claustrophobic, de-realized, de-sensitized. Physically unwell. I could not run 100 yards without feeling like I was going to die or pass out or both.
Undoubtedly, the worst bit was the de-realization. The distinct sense of detatchment from the self. This is one of the most un-nerving things I've ever experienced. Ever.
If you've had a panic attack, or suffer from them repeatedly, don't worry. You'll break this thing now.
My panic attacks began when I was on the tube one afternoon. A couple of weeks after the terrorist attacks in London last July. I'd ridden the tubes all day, every day for years prior to all this. I'd used the tube on the day the terrorists struck, + I'd continued to use it immediately afterwards.
One Tuesday evening in July, I'd taken the Tube back to my flat. The train stopped in the tunnel. Unfortunately, it was a hot day, + I'd happened to get on in the middle of the rush hour.
We spent an eternity down there, + I was growing more + more tense as time progressed. I tried to calm down by playing my iPod really loud. I tried to fan myself with the newspaper. I was hot + bothered + trapped. I looked out of the window of the train at the tunnel walls + became claustrophobic. This had never happened before + I grew edgier.
The driver came on the intercom + informed us that the train was to be delayed for much longer.
I don't know what happened next, but I found myself clinging to the nearest commuter, scared senseless. My body leapt again + again. I could no longer see properly. I thought we were going to die down there.
I'd already decided at this point that if the train were to ever get out, I was going to take a bus home.
We finally got out of the tube + I fell onto the platform + hugged the bench in the station before shaking all the way up the escalator.
There was a security alert when I got to the top of the station. I slowly made my way to the gates to a guard who noticed I was looking totally wrecked out + then saw I'd had panic attacks. He took me aside to the control room + gave me a glass of water.
Within a while, the security alert petered out + I was led to the platform by the guard who said he'd escort me to Tottenham, a few stops from the flat.
I grudgingly accepted but knew I couldn't do it.
Those 15 minutes from the station I was at to the end of that line were the longest 15 minutes of my life. Undoubtedly. I knew at that point I'd never take a tube again.
As time progressed, I became increasingly edgy on all forms of transport, before becoming panicky about work + finally about the flat + the road I'd lived on. I became totally agoraphobic + claustrophobic at the same time. My stomach felt constantly nervous.
I left London in January, convinced I'd die if I stayed in London + that I'd be fine in the countryside.
I'd spent a few months in the countryside, I realised the answer to killing panic attacks.
The answer is indeed so simple. I cried for hours when I realized the answer. I suppose the only way to describe it was an epiphany.
So here you go.
How do you stop panic attacks?
First.
Understand it. Your panic attack is essentially a response to a threat. An invisible threat at that. Your panic is a mechanism designed to protect you. Unfortunately, you can get into a situation where that mechanism is triggered too easily.
Your panic attack may make you feel shaky, sweaty, hot, cold, claustrophobic, agoraphobic, depressed. Your heart rate may increase. It ma
Wannabeloved85
15-06-06, 23:17
one great post! that should be stuck to the top of this thread all the time! thanks for that.
Becci x
thanks :)
i'm not doing this for personal gain, by the way, but if anyone feels good enough to buy me the new muse lp, i'm not complaining :)
no. in honesty. panic is ****. no-one should live with it.
keep me updated on how it goes.
jamieo
wow - what a post - you certainly understand what a lot of us are going through - everything you say is soooo true but at the time - being on a crowdedbus or stuck in along queue in a hot department store - you find it difficult to remember what you said - how did you actually cope and finally get over this - what situation were you in when you finally cracked it??
Thanks
Love wenjoy x
Hi, thankyou for your comments. The truth is, I do understand what you're all going thru; I've been there too. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but it was an experience, nonetheless, + afterall, life is a collection of experiences - both positive + negative.
OK, so, how do you remember this when you're out of your comfort zone? Well, firstly you must learn the truth that you cause panic. If you have a walkman or whatever, it may be of help to record yourself explaining it. If I had a nice enough voice I'd record what I've learnt so that you could all just listen to it whenever you needed to. Unfortunately, I'm not the cockney Richard Burton-a-like I'd like to be.
You may wish to try a sanitized experiment. Only you know what causes your panic. Perhaps it's a train. I decided to take a train on a Sunday morning. I went from one stop to the other. As the doors closed, I did what I've said. I tried to make the panic attack worse. I tried to make it the worst it would ever be. This bit will be different for everyone, so I won't explain what happened when I did this, but needless to say, I don't have panic attacks now.
The following day, I found myself in London. On a tube. Yes, it was frightening. Undoubtedly. But there was no panic. There was no tension or tightness of the chest. The panic had abated. Within a few minutes, I'd re-learnt the joy of riding the Underground (because it can be a joy - except in rush hour or summer, when they wouldn't even transport animals like that).
Panic attacks are at street level, a very bad habit. They're much worse than smoking.
Panic is an obsessive topic. When I first experienced it, I was obsessed that something was wrong. Then, I overcame panic, + now I'm obsessed by how they occur, + all the scientific stuff around it. I'm actually a journalist (although, sometimes my writing skills would suggest otherwise!) when I'm not writing stuff on the internet, and I find that this is probably the most interesting thing I've ever studied.
I'm now going to share some things that I've learnt about panic, OCD, PTSD + social phobia:
1. The physical effects of a panic attack are identical to that of an extremely large orgasm. The only difference is that you choose to believe that it's all bad because that's what you've come to believe.
2. Your average Joe in the street has no idea what's happening to you when you're having a panic attack. Panic attacks are not as visible as they may seem.
3. Panic attacks are harmless.
4. You're not going mad. How can you reassure yourself of this? Simply by asking yourself if you're going mad proves you're not. If you were going mad, you'd have no idea of it.
5. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Phobia + Panic Disorder are all the same thing. The difference is in the initial trigger, + therefore, the diagnosis has a different name.
6. You weren't born with panic attacks. You probably remember what it was like not to have them.
7. It's only when you finally reach the utter pit of despair that you want to change.
8. You created your panic as an excuse for not dealing with something.
9. You're not alone. Around 17 million people in the UK have panic attacks in one form or another.
10. Doctors cannot cure panic attacks. As cynical as it sounds, doctors are employed to dole out anti-depressants. Anti-depressents suppress your thoughts. If you do not think you will have a panic attack, you won't. Isn't that the same as what I've already said? I think so. Prozac, citalopram, seroxat + all the other colorfully named pills you're offered make you worse. Honestly. There is nothing physically wrong with a panic attack sufferer. It's all based on negative thought, habit + boredom.
11. Panic attack suffererers are generally more creative than people who don't suffer from panic. It's just that the really creative ones are too scared of themselves to display their work, or play gigs or whatever.
12. Comfort Zones. You've created this. You may know that you don't have panic attacks at home.
Furthermore, if there's anything else about panic you need to know, my MSN is: bigredcontrolmachine@hotmail.com
I'll be happy to answer any questions I can.
J
hey jamie,
thanx for the input- glad to hear ur doin good!!
Just wonderin how old u was? have u moved back to london now??
Ammeg
hi
i was 22. it was only a year ago it all kicked off, + while i haven't yet moved back to london (due to the whole let's get a job up here + try to meet someone nice thing going on) it's something i intend to do in january.
the most liberating thing is realising the cause. when that happens, you just don't need to panic anymore
This is a fab post and I beleive every single thing you say, it is the only way to get rid of attacks, there is also a website which tells exactly same thing.
I have been trying to put it into practice for some time now by letting it be as worse as possible ect, but unfortunatley it is just not working for me the attacks still continue and I know that it must be because I still fear them.
I have a read at lot and totally understand what must be done to stop them but like I say they still continue, what am i doing wrong?
I guess my real question is how can I stop fearing them?
Thanks
Worrywot
hi,
you've realised why your panic is perpetuated. this is undoubtledy the beginning of the end.
the thing is, you know exactly what your panic attacks do to you. you've had one before? you've probably had hundreds before, so what is the fear for? do you fear that the next one will kill you?
it is hard. i'm not doubting that at all. determination. get angry, get fired up. say it very loud, say it very proud, 'i no longer suffer from panic attacks.'
think of all the great times you've avoided, all the fun you could've had. get really, really determined + jump into that situation. when the panic comes, close your eyes, think of the utterly worst thing that will happen to you, + say '**** it. this won't hurt me. this ends here.' keep thinking that thought. make this panic attack incredibly bad. it's important that you realise right in the middle that it's not hurting you. it can actually be quite a nice experience in the right frame of mind.
it's worth it though. but you gotta keep trying. just dive in. it's easy to swim thru.
brill post
........life is for living not just for surviving
loved this post! Put everything I think and try to do into words. Glad you are well now, hopefully ill be right there with you soon![8D]
wow - youre insight into panic attacks is totally amazing - I will try really hard to ride through the panic next time Im in a big store in a queue!!! Wenjoy
Hi there
your first post-couldn't read all of it -was part missing? can you tell mehow you stopped the attacks please
Nina x
Wonderful post.
My problem is that I don't know what causes mine.How do I figure this out.
One week I am full of panic, the next week fine and I can't seem to find the trigger.
My therapist says who cares what causes it, we just need to control it, but I have told her I feel I need to know so that I can face the fear, whether real or imaginary and get on with my life. I don't want to just control them, I want to stop having them and stop feeling afraid.
Maya
I enjoyed reading all of your posts and agree whole heartedly! I was very happy to find this site but at the same time after a night full of reading everything I felt almost like I was encouraging another panic attack. Made me almost want to not come back on here. Anyway - the approach I have taken basically is that I am going to face up to everything. I will not let my mind create another panic scenerio. I know it is in the mind. It is hardest to deal with if you are in an innappropriate place when it happens (such as with your boss when he is trying to train you for something....haha that's me!) but you are right about other people not noticing. I don't think he noticed except for the fact that I could barely type around him because my hands were shaking so bad. Nothing came of it and I recovered. I am not scared really except of having to explain it to people and now suddenly you are on their worry list. I told my Mom and now she doesn't see me the same way. She seems to worry about me all the time now.
Sorry- I am babbling. I totally agree with everything you have said. Good luck to you and stay strong.
Kathleen
Crying as I read this post, what a mess I am, I will SO try to put everything into practice, I want to beat this more than anything in the world ( I even managed to smile at the orgasm bit - hope the fear doesnt put me off sex!!!lol)
I know you posted your hotmail, but would it be ok to drop you an email, as I am really struggling with this just now, and your post was excellent although like someone else said was there a bit missing from the first post?
Thank you for an excellent post and for removing some of my tears of sheer frustration.
Lynne :blush:
nomorepanic
19-05-07, 12:48
I will try and recover the missing part of the post - it got trunctated when we moved to the new forum.
This member hasn't been back on the site since 15th June 2006 so I don't think he will read the replies to be honest.
Hi,
Thats great.For how long did you suffer from pannick attacks. Did you have any high BP? I have read the panic away book by Joe Barry and the books is very useful in dealing with pannick attacks. Did you go through this book? Please let me have more info. Please & please help me. You can email me on pratimahd@yahoo.co.uk
I tried many times to go places and enjoy myself and "breathe" through panic eventually all it did was left me housebound so that didnt work for me.
On one particular occasion at a large shopping centre I felt really panicky but got on with the shopping.I tried to ignore the panicky sensations.I got the shoppping done alright and got home but didnt venture too far from where I live for a long time.
bet :)
Great post, and undoubtedly some great truths and advice there. I am convinced this is ithe way to end panic attacks, and I have almost got there myself (see my other post....)
my first visit on here and already i feel optimistic that i can break these panic attacks. I cannot seem to find a trigger for them,they just seem to be constant at the moment. for 3 months difficulty sleeping has been my biggest problem,am i breathing? am i breathing too heavily or taking too many breaths. is this common with people? i have a young child and all i long for is to be able to spend as much time as possible without constantly thinking about chest pains and feeling faint.
Hi Webby
Basically overcoming panic attacks is down to loosing your fear of them. What tends to happen is that you feel panic coming on, which makes you feel frightened, and then it just escalates from there. If you can stop your fear of them, then you can stop them before they start. The only way to stop your fear of them is to convince yourself that they can't harm, embarrass, or hurt you in anyway. Do this and you are well on your way to recovery.
Tom
Hi all, I would just like to pass on a little tip.when you feel an attack coming count it up to a scale of 10 i was reaching 10 - 4 or five times a week until i was told by another sufferer of this method. i now count up as attack starts i don't get past 5 i then count it down as it subsides i give my self regular checks to see where i am usually hovering about 2. i think the reason it works is that you are thinking of something possitive as you are having attack.i used it for the first time as i was sitting in my car with three of my friends when i was caught up in accident on the motorway only in the jam mind but was starting to get very panicky because of being couped up with no escape it was torrential rain it would have looked stupid me getting out of the car, i started counting my attack up to the scale of 10 it reached 7 and then started to subside before using the method i would have gone to 10 gone into the height of panick and then got out of the car pretending i had a puncture or anything just to escape .but traffic started moving so i was o,k kept on using method throughout day didn't pass 3:bighug1:hope it helps John (60)
James.Skunder
20-06-09, 12:26
I had them for most of my life but have got to grip on them now... I take St John Wart and Seredyn in times of trouble and it seems to keep me calm in all situations. I used to get stressed when talking in groups and my heart would be pounding, my face would be red, i would start sweating.... but all that has changed now. i have a better outlook on things and the SEREDYN i take really chills me out and gives me confidence. I struggled to buy it online from UK companies and to ship it from USA was costing me a fortune. I found a guy selling it on ebay (ccfc.webbo) or just search for 'SEREDYN UK' and he sells it reasonably and sends discreetly. It is worth trying though cos you'll see a real change in your behaviour in stressful situations and this in itself will give you confidence!!! Good luck mate... :bighug1: James.
Ive been off here for a fourish weeks - just after the last time i was on, i ended up in hospital, two panic attacks later i had hit my head on the wall - it seems i cant go anywhere, i can get the attacks at any time.
Anyway tonight for the first time in about 2weeks i had a mega bout of heart palpitations the cold sweats the de-personalisation - and i came here and read this first, i want to thank you now, for making me remember this is all in my head, no matter how real the feelings are, for reminding me that although i felt like i took a step back tonight having this, sitting down and not rushing to the doctors or hospital means i actually took a step forward, I want rid of this, or at least it to calm down and this reminded me that i can move forward and get back to my old self, Thankyou, Jamie :D it really helped!
your post is truly amazing, you can def tell you are a writer, i wish i cud be as positive as you are, i have been suffering for about 2 years now, i still remember the 1st time after having a sleeping tablet of my friends and freeking out, i even called for an ambulance, how embarresing, i think thats why i mainly get them when i am out i am constantly thinking what must people think of me, especially when i have the kids, 'that womens on drugs, drunk, or mental etc' i try so hard to control them i just cant and then run away, i dont know what to do?
Rachel_123
29-06-09, 12:06
fantastic post, thank you so much!
you have just inspired me to say f*** it , feel the fear and do it anyway :)
well jamieo,id just like to say what fantastic writing and the way you explain things,well done,ive suffered panic attacks and anxiety for about 8 years (im 25 ) and ive only come to realise about four months back that theres no miracle cure out there for overcoming this,its the positive thoughts and confidence inside you that helps you through it,it has been there all the time i just never realised it
tanya x
I would just like to add my voice to the requests to try and re post the whole of the first post as it is missing the crucial bit about how to stop the attacks.
Thanks
Holly
x
Hi Guys
I am on this course at the moment and its everything that is in this thread and more.
Hope this helps. Acceptance Therapy....
http://act-for-anxiety-disorders.com
Mee
Although I think it is a great post, I don't fully agree with it to be honest. Any sign of the full post being put up?:blush:
Please can we have the full post up if it is possible?
Hey Meewah,
Is the course in Ireland or is it online? I would love to do an ACT course - my first CBT therapist used act and it helped more than the exposure stuff doing now but she stopped practising to go into teaching.
Holly.
Hey Meewah,
Is the course in Ireland or is it online? I would love to do an ACT course - my first CBT therapist used act and it helped more than the exposure stuff doing now but she stopped practising to go into teaching.
Holly.
Holly
Just click on the link above, in my last post. The course is a combination of a book sent from the states and online questionnaires. You need a strong motivation to keep reading the course material but the theory is to take your anxiety with you on your journey through life. If you accept it it looses its power.
Hope this helps
Mee
I am new here and just wondered, jamieo, if now that it's been 3 years, are you still doing well?
Hi,
I'm so glad I've read your post, I've recently relapsed with panic especially on public transport, in particular trains! I'm coming to London on work placement in September and the thought of getting on a tube terrifies me! It's nice to know someone has been through what I'm so scared of.
cymraig_chris
22-03-10, 13:14
Post removed by author
Hello i suffer really bad wiv anxiety and panic attacks n my doctor wana out me on amitriptyline 10mg as he say it will help ans it will help wi my constant chest pain, am really sik of it all now tho and i hate it as at tyms i feel lyk i cant cope :( i wana b strong n i wana beat dis tho, am just scared that i cant at tyms, av had a terrible week wiv my anxiety, is it ok if i add u on msn to chat?? i dnt really ana go on any medication as am onli 18, wa do u think i shud do?? xxx
ladybird64
23-03-10, 14:54
rhea,
Not sure if you are asking the original poster jamieo to add you on msn?
If so hun he has not been on the forum since 2006 so it's unlikely he would read or respond.
There is a section of the forum for penfriends/msn friends, why don't you try there? Just make sure you don't give out your msn on the public forum, ask people to private message you and then you can exchange details.
Good luck :)
kat_orr101
23-03-10, 17:36
I cant see all of this post!!!!
how do I read the whole post? I really want to read this!
Wow, this really is an awesome thread...kudos to you for starting it..I'm going through a really tough day as I stated in a thread I started, today. I'm doing my best to not go through a panic attack..and this is really some useful info!!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.