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Panic Disorder - Scared of sounds and parenting

gam_gam
Community Member

Hi

 

 New here. I had a panic attack after Boxing Day - first one in 8 years (I have had many life stressors this year so obviously this is why.) 

 

 

my panic attacks sound different to what I read online. Mine include; sheer terror over trivial nonsense things like sound, fast cars, balloons, dogs wagging their tails etc my gosh that is so crazy when I write it down. I am so aware when I have these thoughts they are irrational but the body won’t respond straight away. They last about 1-4 minutes and then usually in the past I have  shrugged it off and compartmentalised the whole thing .

 

At age 35 I had a big panic attack and it left me in a depression for months after. I’ve counted 5 episodes of this in my adult life now. I did have them as a child (the trigger there is obvious was I was abused.)  I recently became a parent at 40 and now this panic attack had thrown me. I’ve been scared to leave the house today and yesterday. I don’t feel like I can parent my 3yo. My husband is supportive but I have the biggest guilt over this. 

When people say their panic attacks feel ‘like they are going crazy’ is that what they mean? Over sensitivity to light, noise and irrational fear ? 

2 Replies 2

mmMekitty
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

Hello gam_gam & welcome to the forums.

From my understanding, anxiety & panic can be similar for the people who have these disorders. It is fairly common for us to recognise the fears & what we are panicking about are irrational, & so we often conclude we are 'going crazy'. Stuff is going on in our brains. Perhaps we are responding to something from our past, brought into the present, by something that has triggered the anxiety or panic. Emotions & memories come up just like they did in the past, as if our brains don't understand years have passed & we are 'over' those past events. That can feel confusing & distressing. We often have physical reactions to the intense fears.

Naturally, when faced with a real danger our brains response is to 'fight', 'flee', or 'freeze', in order to protect ourselves. Now, years later, our brains are not responding appropriately to situations where these sorts of responses are not necessary.

If you are not already doing so, you can work with a therapist who can show you how to manage the symptoms & teach your brain to not 'over-react' with panic & anxiety when it is not helpful. See your GP, who can help you find an appropriate therapist.

If you look around the forums here, especially under the topic of Anxiety, you will find many people sharing their experiences, & who offer many tips & tricks tey have learned over the years themselves.

 

Hugzies

mmMekitty

Thankyou so much for your thoughtful response am looking into a therapist