valeriej
16-11-06, 09:15
Hello there, I'm thankful I found this website, reading some of your stories is putting everything into perspective for me and I don't feel so alone.
I suffered from panic attacks and claustophobia back in 1997-1999. The doctor wasn't helpful then but I had some lovely colleagues at work and they helped me, along with relaxation tapes, lavender oil and reading up on panic attacks. I haven't really suffered since until now although I avoid public transport, lifts and closed in spaces.
I've been under a lot of stress just lately and have been feeling low for a while (not long been diagnosed with PCOS). My father died in May 2005 and I thought I was okay. Anyway to cut a long story short I had a few anxiety attacks last week on the stairs at work (can't use lifts) and in the street which I managed to control. But yesterday things came to a head and I realised I needed help. I broke down in the street completing panicking. It was the Opening of Parliament yesterday and I was in Whitehall trying to get across to the Embankment, loads of crowds, fences up everywhere, just couldn't find a way out and I panicked/cried (a first). Asked a couple of nice policemen/woman to help me and they calmed me down and walked me to the Embankment where I met up with my husband.
I visited the doctor yesterday afternoon and asked for help. She thinks it a combination of all the stress I've been under and my father dying. She has given me 2 mg diazepam (just taken the first tablet) and signed me off work for 2 weeks and suggested counselling but said there was a long waiting list on the NHS for counselling. We actually have counsellors at work as I work for a large Government Department.
I'm never off sick and have never used a medical certificate. I can self certificate for 7 working days so will probably do that and go back to work so I can make an appointment with a counsellor. I felt guilty just taking that medical certificate.
I felt soooo stupid yesterday once I realised what had happened. I feel very low but reading some of the threads on this forum has been helping this morning and may be the diazepam is kicking in - at the moment I feel sort of calm and sort of dejected from it all (is that what diazepam does?). Not sure how long it takes to start working.
Thanks for the info, I'll go and buy some Rescue Remedy too as that sounds useful, I was scared to take the diazepam so don't want to rely on them.
Well, that's me. Thanks for listening.
I suffered from panic attacks and claustophobia back in 1997-1999. The doctor wasn't helpful then but I had some lovely colleagues at work and they helped me, along with relaxation tapes, lavender oil and reading up on panic attacks. I haven't really suffered since until now although I avoid public transport, lifts and closed in spaces.
I've been under a lot of stress just lately and have been feeling low for a while (not long been diagnosed with PCOS). My father died in May 2005 and I thought I was okay. Anyway to cut a long story short I had a few anxiety attacks last week on the stairs at work (can't use lifts) and in the street which I managed to control. But yesterday things came to a head and I realised I needed help. I broke down in the street completing panicking. It was the Opening of Parliament yesterday and I was in Whitehall trying to get across to the Embankment, loads of crowds, fences up everywhere, just couldn't find a way out and I panicked/cried (a first). Asked a couple of nice policemen/woman to help me and they calmed me down and walked me to the Embankment where I met up with my husband.
I visited the doctor yesterday afternoon and asked for help. She thinks it a combination of all the stress I've been under and my father dying. She has given me 2 mg diazepam (just taken the first tablet) and signed me off work for 2 weeks and suggested counselling but said there was a long waiting list on the NHS for counselling. We actually have counsellors at work as I work for a large Government Department.
I'm never off sick and have never used a medical certificate. I can self certificate for 7 working days so will probably do that and go back to work so I can make an appointment with a counsellor. I felt guilty just taking that medical certificate.
I felt soooo stupid yesterday once I realised what had happened. I feel very low but reading some of the threads on this forum has been helping this morning and may be the diazepam is kicking in - at the moment I feel sort of calm and sort of dejected from it all (is that what diazepam does?). Not sure how long it takes to start working.
Thanks for the info, I'll go and buy some Rescue Remedy too as that sounds useful, I was scared to take the diazepam so don't want to rely on them.
Well, that's me. Thanks for listening.