Hi everyone! My name is Toni, I am a 23 year old female from the States. I am here because I am fighting a battle against panic disorder and anxiety. I was diagnosed with having depression when I was 16. I dealt with it by taking medication and seeing a councelor. I was in a bad car accident last may, and since my accident, I suffer from Panic Attacks. My first attack was a few days after the accident. I called my doctor, and he suggested going to the ER. They gave me Ativan and instantly the physical symptoms diminished and then went away. They did a cat scan just to be sure there was nothing else they should be concerned with, but everything turned out to be alright. Since May, I have had maybe ten attacks...the most recent two just happened here at work within the last week. I was taking zoloft, but would skip days. and then try to take it, and it seemed to make my anxiety worse, so I have altogether stopped taking zoloft.
The attack I had yesterday was dibilitating. I was sitting down having lunch, and all of the sudden, whoosh....I feel faint, dizzy, nauseous, my head buzzes, I even see spots sometimes but that is when I feel closest to passing out, I have heart palpitations, I sweat, and my body becomes flushed.
I had to leave work, and my dad came to get me. The doctor wanted us to go to the ER again, but I was afraid to go, so my father called and explained to him what had happened the last time I felt this way and what they did for me, so my doctor called in a perscription for the ativan. I took it, and I felt much better.
I am afraid of all these things that are happening to me. I feel that nobody understands...I am so afraid of everything that it has already started to disrupt my life. I just started this job in December and already I am assistant manager, and I love this job SO much...I work in weight loss, so I get to lose weight (which I am in need of) and help others, and I love having a job that actually improves someone else's quality of life, it sure does make me feel better, but I am afraid that if I keep having these attacks at work I will be jepordizing my future career plans with this company.
I spoke with the owner today and let him know my problems, he knew I had some already, and he just told me to do what my doctor says, excersize and stuff, so I am doing all that. I am also praying a lot, and doing meditation and relaxation therapy.
Any other suggestions?
Much love to you all!
Hugs,
Toni