i'm frightened

[slothoncanvas]

hello. i just joined this forum today.

i've had pretty minor anxiety issues for a little over a year now, but i sort of had a handle on it. they never got too bad.

but just recently, like within the past week... i've been getting these absolutely terrifying panic attacks. pretty frequently too. my hands go numb, and i feel like i'm sort of watching myself. like i'm outside myself. everyone's features are exaggerated. i feel like i'm about to loose my mind. i get short of breath. it's the scariest thing that i've ever felt. almost like i have a head full of acid, but i definately don't. i've been reading a bit about these things, and it seems like they're usually only supposed to last a few minutes. when these things happen to me, they last for hours. the only thing i can really think to do is fall asleep.

it runs in my mom's side of the family. i knew i needed help, so i found someone to go to. he's a psychologist, so he can't perscibe meds. i'm sure that's what i need. my first session was last night, but as soon as i sat down in his couch... the symptoms started again. i had to concentrate so hard not to just freak out and run away. it was very difficult to discuss all the symptoms with him while i was concentrating on trying not to think about them to make them go away. i'm supposed to go back there next thursday, but i don't know if i can go through that again.

he's recomending me to a psychiatrist, but i'm not sure it's going to happen soon enough. i'm a senior in highschool... the year is coming to a close, and i'm terrified to go to school.

i need relief fast, much more quickly than i'm sure is possible.

[jackie]

hey you. youve come to the right place we will help as much as we can.

firstly and perhaps more importantly u are not alone. we have all been where you are. many of us are still going through it

dont be afraid to panic, scream or cry for help here we all know what you are going through

jackie

[Ma Larkin]

Hi there, welcome to the site. My attacks last for days sometimes. The initial panic and hyperventilation usually subsides within a couple of hours, but the palpitations, tingling & chest & back pains seem to be with me constantly. I would really recommend seeing your doctor & asking for some medication. There is lots out there for different forms of depression/anxiety/panic & there will be something that suits you. You don't need to be panicking when you're at high school, that's the last thing you need hun. Go get some treatment & start helping yourself. You'll feel tons better. For short term relief there is a spray or drops called Rescue Remedy. I have the spray, you just spray it on your tongue & it relieves anxiety i.e. nerves just before you take an exam or your driving test. Might be worth a try. There are other herbal remedies if you don't fancy medication, you will find all you need on this site.

Good luck hun.

Les, xx

[Alexandra]

Hi Danny

Welcome to the forum.

You will find lots of help & support on here.

Take Care

Alex

Many People Will Walk
In & Out Of Your Life
But Only True Friends
Will Leave Footprints
In Your Heart

[Karen]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

You might find the following information helpful:

First Steps (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=firststeps)

Symptoms (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=symptoms)

Links post: Links to posts about Common Problems (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7784)

Depersonalization
D/Personalisation (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2304)
derealisation/depersonlisation (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2512)
Hi new member mom w/ panic and dp/dr (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1239)
Disassociation (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2732)
when will this feeling leave? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2971)
FEELING SPACED! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4079)
?Derealisation (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4682)
My mind and depersonalisation (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5345)
Derealization (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5523)
Surreal, Unreal, Spaced-Out, Derealization etc (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5569)
Weird Feelings in Mind (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5622)
Feel Weird and Confused (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5833)
Is this Depersonlization or something worse? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6009)
Anyone got any positive feedback on DP/DR? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6044)
PMT, tiredness, and feeling of unreality (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6670)
[Link removed as post deleted]
Derealization (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7230)
Terrifying Depersonalization/Derealization (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7436)

You will find a lot of help and support here.


Karen



Happiness is not a state to arrive at but a manner of travelling.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough ~ Christine Cagney, Cagney & Lacey

[blondeangel]

welcome to the board...
I am fairly new here too, and I am in college studying to be a child and youth counsellor, and I am actualy takinga abnormal psychology at the present time so I can offer some help.
First..I first starting getting panic, anxiety and depression 5 years ago. I was on meds for 2 years, and then for 3 years I only took meds if I had an attack...I wanst on meds every day, and I was feeling better. But In DEcember they came back suddently...and in a bad way. First we all have our panic attacks differently with different symptoms and for a different time period. When I go my panic attacks back, I finally went to the hospital after having a 3 day panic that varied in intensity. Some attacks can last a few minutes...some a few hours....when it lasted a few days I knew I needed help. I was referred to a psychologist who put me on medication again for everyday. I take Effexor, but I take the lowest dosage you can possibly go...I don't want to reallly take meds..and I have clonazapam for if I get anxiety or panic.
Seeng a psychologist/counsellor can be very beneficial...their methods of therapy vary, but can be useful. I am taking counselling myself and thinking of joining a support group for people with PD. Psychiatrists are doctors, but decided to go inot the mental helath field...they are the ones that prescribe meds. My psychiatrist doesn't really talk to me...just prescribes my mes and asks how I am doing on my meds.
Have you had a diagnosis? You probably have my your psychiatrist. The thing with panic is that it is biological...meaning tha actual panic attacks are casue by a lask of a neureotransmitter in your brain called seratonin. Most meds for anxiety, panic and depression work with those neurotransmitters (the same meds for depression are also often used for panic)
I would suggest if you go on meds ot be very careful...different med swork for different people...but I also suggest some kind of thereapy or counselling too...or being involved in a support group. Usuallu you can find support groups if you look into certain mental health agencies.
I hope this has been helpful.

[a-little-room-to-breathe]

hey danny,
dont be afraid to tell your counsellor that you're panicking right now!!! they'll probably understand perfectly and help you get to grips with it. i kow it can be scary to talk to people about your panic attacks and anxiety, and i know how it is to be quite young and suffering from these things (im only 14) so dont worry.
maybe meds would be quite useful to you, to help you get through the tougher moments, so you should see your doctor.
i hope this helps. feel free to pm me at any time.

love katie xxx

"If I can wipe from any human cheek, a tear,
Convince one man that hope and heaven are near,
Create more joy, more hope, less pain,
And though not one shall know my name nor drop a flower on my grave,
I shall not have lived in vain while here."