Hey everyone,
I have read a few articles and almost all the articles argue that a panic attack peaks within 10-20mins.
This isn't really true for me. I can be having high anxiety for days, building up and building up until I have absolutely no control and have a 'panic attack'. Yes the panic get worse then eases a bit (your body overcomes the flood of adrenaline) but the build-up has been over days and not 20 minutes or so. I wonder if people who haven't experienced panic disorder believe that the majority of sufferers feel fine, have a half hour panic episode and feel fine afterwards.
From my experience, the panic attack DOES have a peak but even the after effects feel prolonged and much worse. I understand that many people (like myself) have a panic attack and then have an extreme low period afterwards. This depression zone can last for a week or, occasionally, right up until the next panic attack. During this time I feel insane, I want (and do) stay in my room and cry for 6 hours straight. My mind is dark and full of thoughts that the real me doesn't think of. I just wish the symptoms that follow a panic attack peak within 20 minutes!!
What is the peak? Is it the highest point of your anxiety or the point where you feel at your worse?
Do many of you have an extreme low period following a panic attack? Sometimes I'm convinced that I have bipolar disorder. My manic period builds up until I completely lose control and have a panic attack whilst my depression period fills in the time before my anxiety starts building up again. It's comforting to read posts from other people who believe they are loosing the plot! Glad I'm not the only one!
Take care
x