First Time Posting - Panic/Anxiety Disorder

[Nicki_85]

Hi All - Just joined this forum and thought I would see if there anyone else that relates to my situation. I experienced anxiety for the first time at 18 years old after big nights out on alcohol, I would wake up early in the morning with racing thoughts, panicky feelings of being unsafe and would often turn up at my fathers house just to feel safe/secure until the bad feelings subsided. This feeling continued every time i drank alcohol and using party drugs and by 21 I was a full blown alcoholic who drank almost daily as I couldn't cope with the terror of coming down off alcohol. Luckily I ended up in AA and have not had a drink for 7 years now. My anxiety has remarkably improved since, However, some of the panic/anxiety has stayed. About every 6 months I have a severe panic attack where I feel very very un safe, terrified, impending doom, like i am dying or I am losing my mind/going to go crazy (I have a huge fear of going crazy). This lasts about 2-3 days and is really terrifying, at the time I am convinced I will feel that way forever and obsess over how i will live my life or look after my children with the panic and million thoughts a second running through my head. It always gets better though and after a week or 2 I am back to myself. The things that have happened right before the panic attacks have come over the last few years are: Each time i move house, go on holidays, take time off work, start a new job, when i had a baby. I had a big breakdown last year just from going overseas and went mad trying to get home to familiarity. When im in this state I feel quite detached from who I normally am and desperately seek out familiar people and places.

Does anyone have similar experience? I am glad since i quit drinking that these attacks are only 1-3 times a year but its still very debilitating and can take weeks to get back on track each time.

[Croix]

Dear Nicki_85
First off thank you for coming here to the beyondblue forums, it seems a big step at the time though you will find it is full of warm people who have come here both to be helped and to help others. Many, including myself, have suffered from anxiety disorders. We are here for you

First off you have my admiration for kicking the booze – it’s no easy task to do, in fact for many it’s a lifetime job, you must have been very determined

As for the panic attacks, I can speak from personal experience they are completely overwhelming and frightening. They don’t just have physical symptoms but make the mind race over all possible unpleasant things, going on and on. Such attacks affect the whole family and of course your children

I found my judgment at those times to be quite distorted

I’m happy to say my own situation has improved immeasurably due to medical treatment and also to self-help and experience

It’s good that you are able to identify some of the things that trigger your attacks and also have some idea of how long it takes you to return to normal afterwards

To master this problem it needs to be approached from a couple of different fronts.

May I inquire if you have sought medical treatment for this condition? If not I’d strongly suggest that this is a very good first step, see your GP and explain the situation and see if it is possible to have time with someone familiar with the field, possibly a psychologist. There you will receive advice and maybe medication

Secondly you can find a wealth of information on this site about anxiety. The general articles are found from the home page. You have already found the Anxiety forum, one of the most useful posts here is SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING ANXIETY

Have you discussed this with your family? Normally getting better is something a family can take part in, both at the level of understanding, and also to help reduce the number of triggers

Speaking from my own experience it is far better to get help as early as you can and not try to soldier on alone. This was one of my big mistakes and made my recovery a lot more difficult

Please feel free to post as often as you feel the need.

Should you be in distress there is always our professional help line above on 1300 22 4636 or chat online too

My best wishes
Croix

[blondguy]

Hi Nicki

Croix has really provided some really sound advice above through experience

The severe anxiety attacks are still only bad feelings even though they feel so powerful physically.

Our thinking can make our adrenaline pump way too much when we dont need it to. You mentioned you have severe anxiety after moving house.......changing jobs....having a baby....let alone going overseas....ugh!

I used to have acute panic attacks starting when I was 23.....I wasted over 7 years of my life trying natural remedies and occasional visits to a psychologist....I was so wrong....

I hope Croix doesnt mind me quoting a piece of his/her post but its spot on;

"Speaking from my own experience it is far better to get help as early as
you can and not try to soldier on alone. This was one of my big
mistakes and made my recovery a lot more difficult"

• With weekly/fortnightly counseling the anxiety will lessen in severity.
• Having even a small support network of people is a great way to vent
• Anxiety is our system warning us we have way too much on our plate
• The less you have to cope with....the less the anxiety/panic attacks

The forums are rock solid secure to ensure your privacy Nicki. There are also many super kind people here that can be here for you. It would be great if you could stick around!

please be gentle with yourself and see a GP 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paulxo

[Nicki_85]

Thanks for your reply! i saw a psychiatrist and psychologist on an off since i went to AA 7 year ago. ive been on lexapro 20mg ever since then which i believes helps general anxiety not so much panic attacks. i saw the psych last wk who suggested baby dose of seroquel 25mg however im still undecided about it. i dont have much day to day anxiety its just these huge every few months..

[Croix]

Dear Nicki_85

It's hard. I'm pleased that you have already had contact with medical professionals and and are actively seeking answers. My own experience was that it took time and various strategies before one was found to be reasonably effective (plus I tried to ignore the facts for far too long - now I know I was being silly) .

There's additional information on the bb website using the drop-down menu towards the top of the home page

The Facts\Anxiety\Types-of Anxiety\panic-disorder

which sets things out - my apologies if you have already been there and downloaded the 'Panic disorders fact sheet'.

I found a combined approach with everything from medication to exercise and therapy was the way for me.

Please feel free to post whenever you wish - there'll always be someone here for you

My best wishes

Croix