I suspect I have panic disorder

[Koodji]

Hello, 

Im Koodji, 

um don't really know how to do this so will just say it how it is....I suspect I have Panic Disorder. Yes, I should seek professional help...but I've been scared off by one GP who said I was kidding myself and seeking medication. I told him from the outset I didn't WANT medication. Anyway. 

I did the beyond blue test (honestly!) and came out 'High'. Can't say I was surprised as I've got all the pointers....family history, repeated attacks, started age 34, irrational thoughts (even though I tell myself they are irrational) elevated heartbeat, disilusion from reality when they occur...yada yada. 

 Some things, sometimes, work (after trying to rationalise the irrational), for example...

1. phoning my awesome other half and saying "Positive". That's his cue to tell me some positive thing. He does one heck of a job dreaming something up on the spot. 

2. Breathing, walking away or changing the circumstances. Not always convenient but worth a crack. 

3. Trying to out-think my own brain. A form of CBT, I guess. I ask myself a series of questions, e.g WHY has this happened? WHAT can you do to change it, WHO can you call for help if it doesn't work. 

Somtimes though. They stick around, despite my efforts and last alllllll day. I'm exhausted by the end of it. It's debilitating. 

Dunno what to do. A nurse once used a pressure point (temples) when I freaked out so bad I thought I was having a 'Heart Attack' one day and called the other half at work to drive me to hospital. I was also at work. Not that it always happens at work. 

Can anyone advise alternative pressure points that might work for my condition? The temples appear to have stopped working. 

Sorry for the long post!

 one more thing (sorry!) I'm also looking for somewhere I can 'post' during meetings etc that doesn't look sus and get some sympathy....yours in suffering, Koodji

[Chicken_Wings]

Hey Koodji,

Welcome, I'm sorry you're feeling this way.

Well you do seem to have all the symptoms of anxiety. I know you've had a bad experience with a GP, but I really strongly suggest you find one who didn't fail the compassion part of the test and have another chat.
I've found most GP's I've seen have been pretty understanding so I'm sure there will be one you can talk to who will have a more favourable response.

It may seem really hard, but it's also really important. If it makes you feel safer, take your partner with you.

You've said you don't want to take medication, but don't count it out as an option before you've explored it fully. Medication is not a magic potion, but it can really help.  Finding the right medication can be the difference between dwelling on every thought every day and being able to get on with what you really want to be doing in life.

All those techniques that you've mentioned are really good. 
The time when you thought you we're having a heart attack was most likely heart palpitations which are one of the main signs of an anxiety attack. The first few times it happens it can be really scary.

Understanding your anxiety is a key to being able to get it under some sort of control. Understanding what sets you off, why and what helps. There may be some triggers which are really obvious to you, but there may be times when you know what triggers you and you're not sure how to stop the feelings. You just want to escape them.

This may sound silly, but I've found that when I'm really anxious, brushing my hair can help! 
I dunno if it works for other people, but its that nice relaxing feeling that sort of relieves the tension.
If my partner is around he sometimes pushes on the arch of my foot, that weirdly works too.

[Guest_1055]

Hey Koodji

I cannot advise you in finding other pressure point areas. As I have never even heard of that. I don't even know how that all works.....

Sounds like you are using a few strategies to help yourself. What are cool ' other half' you have........There is a lot of people on these forums who have episodes of panic, I have had a few myself,  So please, please be re assured you are not alone in your suffering. These experiences are absolutely awful, and you wish they would just go away.

Anyway I wanted to give you a welcome hug, and I am pretty sure you can post in here whenever you want.

With hugs 

Shelley xxx

[ci]

Hey koodji 

You sound similar to me always had mild anxiety but I'm my 30s something shifted and I now have panic disorder along with ocd and depression. I also have very strong family history so guessing it was bound to happen. 

I very strongly against mediation due to family members experiences is that why you reluctant as well. Took me a long time to ask for help things started as panic disorder but then ocd happened and then obviously depression but things hard in my head to be fair to myself think anyone who spent some time in my head would feel depressed.

Sorry starting to ramble! What I'm trying to say is I think I might have been wrong about mediations like you tried all the different techniques even tried a diet high in things that help.

I'm about to start trying medications cause things have gotten bad to bad to function and I'm a mum this has to get better!

I really suggest you go see a doctor take your other half. Try Google see if can find someone who is good with mental health I had to try a few before found gp  and phycologist happy with but it does help. You don't need to take meds try other things first but please if you feel things getting worse consider it I wish I did cause lost so much time due to this. 

welcome to beyond blue I'm new here to but found it helps to get things out and to read posts so nice to know you not alone feeling like this!