Just curious - ThinnerTimes

botchy · 05-25-2005, 11:35 AM

For those of you that have had them.... What is an anxiety attack like and why do people have them?

ScootRider · 05-25-2005, 11:57 AM

I started having some general anxiety for the first time in my life about 2 months ago. I really have no pinpoint explanation why. After consulting with my doctor I have been on Lexapro for a while. Feeling better than I was but not like my old self. I believe mine is somehow stress related. It is not a fun thing to deal with and I hope you are not having to.

Mike

LizardQueen · 05-25-2005, 12:50 PM

I used to have them frequently. It got to the point were it was like a disability. I felt like I couldn't breath, panicked, scared, unable to move, my heart would feel like it was beating out of my chest, I would get sweaty, and occasionally felt as if I was going to pass out. Here's an example-i went to the grocery store, had almost a full cart, all of a sudden I felt like I was trapped in the store, like I couldn't get out, my heart was racing and I had trouble breathing, I was terrified to the point that I left the cart full of stuff got to a pay phone and had to have my grandfather come get me. I had to leave my car and go home until it passed. I took meds for a while but a lot of it was mind over matter. I had to teach myself to calm down and that I was okay. I hope this is a good explaination. Please, call your doc and let him know what is going on. The meds really do help short term until you can get to a good therapist who can teach you coping skills.

Amber

JJ Girl · 05-26-2005, 05:12 AM

I had panic attacks on and off since I was 8. Completely under control now with meds. I might have one a year and it does not frighten me anymore because i understand them. It is a chemical thing - many times it is genetic. I never had one in a crisis - usually when there was no reason at all. Your body gets this severe adrenalin rush (you know fight or flight response). Anyway, the good news is that your body can only sustain this adrenalin rush for 10-20 minutes and then it will go away. The biggest problem is not so much the panic attack, as the fear of future attacks. That is why people become agoraphobic. I spent years not traveling or doing things because I was afraid I would have one. Back then, no one understood them - there is a lot of information out there now.

suzanne · 05-26-2005, 03:18 PM

Anxiety attacks are awful!!!!!!!!!!!
My mother has them and so do I. Mine started about a year ago for no main reason. I have a very stressful life. I am raising two children, in which I gained custody off, going to school full time, and working a full time job. Needless to say bringing the kids home from camp last year I had a full fledged anxiety attack and my mother had to take me to the hospital because I thought I was dying. My heart was racing, I was hot, I didn't want my mother to leave me, like if she left I would die, you feel like something bad is going to happen. It was just horriable. My doctor put me on Lexapro and I have been fine. I don't know if you are experiancing them but if you are get to your doctor he will be able to help!!!!!

botchy · 05-26-2005, 06:52 PM

I'm not sure if this is what's going on or not. I'm not under a great deal of stress, and I'm pretty happy in general lately. I already take Lexapro that I started because of post partum dep three years ago. 10 mg.
It started at night with dreams that I woke up from unable to catch my breath, with my heart feeling like it was going to pop, and experiencing an indescribable BAD feeling. Then day before yesterday I was doing bills and I got that feeling in my stomach and I couldn't swallow and I had to take short breaths. I went jogging later and felt fine afterwards... feeling fine since.

TabFox · 05-26-2005, 08:11 PM

I've had a few panic attacks. The first one, we didn't know what was going on, and neither did the paramedics. They ended up taking me to the ER, where they did a complete cardiac profile. The diagnosis was panic attacks. The doctor gave me Ativan to take when I felt them coming on. Thankfully, I've only had 2 or 3 in the past year. Sometimes I can concentrate on my breathing to stop them, and others I can take 1/2 pill to stop them. They usually wake me from a deep sleep. They have no idea what causes them, but like the others have said, it's an immediate adrenaline rush.

rebelg66 · 05-28-2005, 02:55 PM

That sounds like a panic attack. I had them off and on for years and finally was able to recognize what it was when it was coming on and tell myself "I know what this is and it will go away and won't last forever" Eventually they stopped for me. Don't wait to talk to a Dr about it. It can become dibilitating for some. No shame, just face it head on and deal with it. BY ALL MEANS do not ignore it!