Has anyone ever experienced a panic attack like my first and worst?

[HenrysFriend]

I was a 22 year old electronics technician servicing country sites when I had my first, and worst, panic attack. I was driving alone towards Cunnamulla. It was getting near dusk and my thoughts were focused on the job ahead.

Then from nowhere I had an uneasiness, a sense of foreboding. Very quickly it became a sense of impending danger and before I knew it I felt threatened by everything around me. It was like 2nd world war stories of people running as bombs rained down on them.

I decided to hide in the scrub. I stopped the car on the side of the road and bolted for the bush.

Scaling a fence I remembered that I hadn't locked the car. Ran back to secure it and as I was locking the door it started to ease. "Maybe I could just lock it and hide in the car." I thought.

Then inside the car "It's getting late. Maybe I could just drive on for a bit and if it happens again I'll pull over."

As I drove on it just went away.

The first thoughts were an unbelievable sense of relief. Better than winning lotto I'd reckon. Just elation at the thought I was going to survive.


And finally "Oh sh*t. What if it happens again? In a minute from now. An hour. What if I am talking with the customer and it happens then?"

As time went on I felt secure that it was over.

And it wasn't a bender after a great night on alcohol and drugs. I didn't take drugs cause I couldn't stand the thought of being out of control. And I only had a few beers the night before.

Since then I have had many panic attacks but never anything like that one.

Has anyone else ever had anything like it? Would love to hear from you if you feel you can talk about it.

[Betternow]

Hello Henry’sFriend

i’m glad your first panic episode subsided fairly quickly. You write that you’ve had more since then. Are you coping okay? Have you felt the need to seek treatment?

To answer your question, no I have not experienced an attack in the circumstances you describe but I’ve had plenty that produced similar emotions as you. Tingling feet and hands, elevated heart rate, a trapped feeling, hot and fearful and a desire to escape. Pretty typical.

If your travelling okay, no need to respond but if you are looking for some general support, fire away.

[Philomena]

Hi Henry’s friend

From what I read your panic attack is nothing unusual it is only an emotional problem which you will get over in course of time don’t take it seriously. Our emotions play a great part on our minds and feelings of fear, isolation, breathlessness, raised heart beat, despair , sweating are some things you may feel also physical problems may arise of headaches, body pain, weight loss or weight grain and then a sense of withdrawal not wanting to do the things you did before these feelings are a normal reaction to a situation that may have disturbed you earlier in life and which is still in your sub conscious mind.

The the first step would be to look at life positively that there is always a hope for the future and hope does not despair or get depressed but knowing that we are not alone in this world and have a hand to hold onto from above this gives confidence and strength and no matter what you feel nothing is going to happen to you . These feelings of panic attack will go away it is also good to know that life can never be perfect there is bound to be ups and downs in everyone’s life and everyone at some point of time go through these feelings some are strong to fight it whilst others give into it.

Would be good for you to enjoy getting involved in what you like. Giving time for yourself to sit quiet at times during the day, listen to some music and talk to friends who think positive.

stay strong there is much more to life than worrying.

[HenrysFriend]

Hello Betternow

Thank-you for the reply.

Yes, that first one only lasted 15-20mins but it was the most intense. Longest was pacing the floor for about 7 hrs in state of high anxiety over something. Never liked taking tablets so no doctor's help, just alcohol. Exhausted myself to sleep. My advice to anyone would now be to seek help. Don't be ashamed to admit that you have a problem. (mind you it's easier now. Back in the 70s-80s nobody shared 'secrets' like they do now)

You say "I’ve had plenty that produced similar emotions as you". Did you get help early on or keep it to yourself? It's hard to admit you might have a problem sometimes.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer.

[HenrysFriend]

Thank-you Philomena

You said "still in your sub conscious mind" which made me think that it could have been associated with emotions at the time. There was a lot of tension in a relationship and I often wondered if it played a part.

Your advice about being positive is so good too. Even now I find myself thinking negative thoughts about something..some news item on TV or whatever. If I keep allowing myself to think negatively (could even be just cynical response to an innocent commercial) I end up feeling negative in general.

So now when I find myself thinking "what's wrong with the world these days... blah blah blah" I stop myself by reminding that times change and so do people. I recall seeing a documentary about the human personality being constantly evolving. The person you married WILL change with time. Their values, beliefs, emotions will change just as yours will - really it's probably amazing that we stay together as long as we do.. but that's another topic.

Thanks again for the response.