Panic Disorder. I don't know what is happening...

[-Peter-]

Hello,

I'm a 29 year old man from rural WA. About three weeks ago I was doing some shopping at Coles when I started feeling nausea, tingling in my hands, panic, tightness in the chest and trembling uncontrollably. The girl at the checkout was looking at me strangely and I know why. My hands were shaking and all the colour had drained from my face. I looked like a ghost. In the past 3 weeks I have had around 10 or so of these horrific panic attacks. I went to the hospital 1 week ago and was referred to a local GP who started me back on medication. In the doctors waiting room I had another massive panic attack and almost feinted. I knew I had to get help so I stuck in there. When the doctor showed me into her room I was basically in tears. I have another appointment with the Doctor a week from now but I am too scared of having another attack in the waiting room.

Now whenever I leave the house I am getting these panic attacks. I purposely go to the Deli just down the road so I don't have to go into town. I am no longer able to function properly. I am terrified of having more attacks. I am completely dominated by these feelings and it seems they have no trigger, apart from leaving the house.

This is by far the most horrible feeling I've had in my entire life. I am considering asking the doctor to visit me at my home because I don't feel safe to drive.

I was previously taking medication three months ago but I weined myself off them as I thought I could cope. Is this just a reaction to stopping my meds? I scored extreme on both the anxiety and depression tests. I really need help to overcome this because this is absolute torture.

Thank you for reading my long winded post. I really hope whoever is reading this is having a better time than I am.

[Rainbow_river]

Hi Peter I'm sorry for you suffering. It seems everyone has said alot of good things. If you follow these suggestions they'll help you. I dont have anything like this but my son has Panic Disorder he suffers a lot with it so i know how you must be worried about the shopping centre etc. the only other thing i see is that some avoidance is creeping in The more you avoid the more those PA continue. Theres a need to expose yourself slowly to places you had the PA in. Make yourself a plan & slowly tackle each spot, dont beat yourself up, if you can't do it one day or if you're afraid, be kind to yourself.

There are now apps for reducing Anxiety which might help .. Stop Breathe & Think; Mindshift; Self Help for Anxiety Management; Breathe & Relax to name a few. you could have these on you often when you're on your own you need reminders & these are good. Hope that helps. A good thing is you've talked about Panic some people wont talk about it, they think it makes them worse so they're even avoiding that...so good on you Peter & look for the positive those little things you do right like walking to the deli or maybe just 1 block past it! Or sitting outside the shopping centre & not going in thats a possitive work toward the goal in small stepps I'm sure you are forgetting the positives & they're important. Take Care

[-Peter-]

Thank you all for your kind replies. There is a lot of wisdom here and I really appreciate all the time taken to write these messages.

So I'm on day 10 of returning to medication and yesterday was the first day I didn't have a panic attack. I even went to Coles and bought a few things. So I think I might be winning against this panic after all. I have taken a lot of advice from here and other sources and it definitely helps.

Now I just need to find something to work towards. I have been unemployed for more than 18 months now and it's really not an ideal situation for depression. It's hard living like this.

Mental illness is such a horrible thing. I like to think of us sufferers as "Veterans of the psychic wars"

Thank you all yet again.