When all is quiet, old man panic comes over

[CJ_stuff_and_stuff]

Hi there,

I have been monitoring my panic spells and have noticed that they occur almost always in the evening, at home when I am relaxing...

Does anyone have any experience with panic occurring when you’re not thinking about much?

My fear is a heart attack so I will be laying on the couch watching TV and will have a muscle twinge or perhaps an imaginated pain and old mate panic starts catastrophising.

Just now I realised I was feeling fine and in a moment of habit I checked my pulse and noticed it was calm and not pounding - my immediate thought was that it must be running out of batteries and I was in the early stages of a heart attack.... all of this in a matter of minutes.

I am starting to think that my body isn’t ok with me relaxing. I have been for a long time a super busy person and it seems when I let my guard down the panic comes.

Please tell me I am not alone in this!

Thanks,

CJ

[CJ_stuff_and_stuff]

Hi there,

Your numb, out of body feeling is very familiar to me... especially when you feel like you’re not a live so you think you must be about to die.

I agree, it is the worst thing to ever experience. It is far worse than any actual physical ailment I have ever had that is for sure.

my dr has prescribed something for when that feel becomes uncontrollable- it helps to know it is in my purse if I need it. I take a tablet and try to lay somewhere dark - I seem to be affected by light and movement.. I am sure that might not be an option given you have lots of babies to look after.. have you spoken to your GP about something to take the edge off?

i have just weaned myself off long term anti anxiety medication because I am quite convinced that beyond the weight gain it also made my panic spells more frequent. The ‘take as you need’ medication seems better for me...

I know there is nothing anyone can do to make you feel better when you’re in a place like this but know I am thinking about you and hoping this passes soon for today at least!

X

[Chloe_M]

Hi MiloGirl,

I understand. Living with anxiety sucks, and learning to deal with it can be hard and tiring, but also rewarding. Keep breathing. Focusing on the here and now can be a really good way to banish the anxiety. That's why I do mindfulness meditation every morning.

Just letting you know that I'm here if you need me.

xx Chlo

[MiloGirl]

Thank you CJ.

when I was about 16 I was diagnosed with agitated depression. I have been on and off one medication most of my life. My doctor has put me back on it and today is day 4, hopefully I’ll feel the affects in the next week. I need it as school goes back in 3 and I need to be able to do school runs. I’ll be ok I know!

I have had anexity/panic from about age 14. And have seen a therapist for about a year now working through the reasons I get the panic and anexity feeling. It leads back to my father dying from heart attack when I was 8.

The worst part I think is that I KNOW exactly what’s going on and why it’s happening but I can’t stop it even tho I feel it creeping up. I can usually stop a panic attack but it takes a lot of effort and that can be very exhausting.

thabk you for you replies. It does help knowing there are other who know how/what I feel and go through. 🙂

[Chloe_M]

Hi MiloGirl,

sorry about the late reply 😬 Sometimes lots of new threads appear and others get pushed to the bottom.

By the sounds of it yiu are/have been struggling. Being on and off meds sounds exhausting. One week you're fine, the next week you're not. I'm just imagining I've never been medicated.

Your father's death must have been extremely traumatic, as losing a loved one at such a young age is horrible.

I too know why I have anxiety and depression and I can do nothing to stop it. I can't even stop a panic attack. How do you manage it? Please tell me I am plagued by panic attacks, especially at school.

Have a good day, and remember that we are always here for you xx

Chloe

[MiloGirl]

Hi Chloe,

Yes even now I miss him terribly.

I guess because I’ve suffered for so many years I can feel The starts of an attack and get usually calm myself down before it takes over. I can’t always stop it. And those times I feel as if I need to be hospitalised. I have this massive sense of feeling like I’m about to die right there. It’s not nice.

I try hard to rationalise my thoughts when I feel it creep up. Talk my self through each step I feel.

• I’m feeling hot, so open a window/Take a step outside.
• im beginning to shake, have I eaten recently
• my heart is pounding, count the beats

I guess doing these things allows my mind to focus on one thing and not let it spiral. I’ve paced the hallways at 3 am because I knew my aderline needed to move through my body. If I stay laying in bed I’d end up having a panic attack.

Its exhusting. And it takes all of my energy.

I cant imagine what it would be like at school.

Thinking of u.

[Chloe_M]

Hey MiloGirl,

yeah that feeling like you're about to die? It really sucks.

Rationalising your thoughts is actually a really good way of keeping calm. It has never crossed my mind to do so, but I will try it in the future. Haven't had many panic attacks to deal with though, am on school holidays and not experiencing much pressure, but I expect them to become more frequent when school starts back.

Have a good night and take care of yourself. Thank you for thinking of me also 😊

Chloe x

[CJ_stuff_and_stuff]

Hi everyone,

ive been managing my panic much better the last few weeks although I am always conscious of it being right there with me all the time...

So annoying, I’ve felt good all day and then I over did it when I got home and the thoughts have started!!!! I took a cushion cover off a cushion and must have inhaled a piece of fluff and now I can stop fixating on it being in my throat! How utterly ridiculous!!!

how is it these thoughts even exist let alone convince you of their accuracy!!

[Chloe_M]

hi CJ,

Sounds good! I wish panic would leave me alone but nope, not today! Had a panic attack today and I also had one last week. Woop de doo.

Haha it is ridiculous, I get it. It really sucks.

Apart from that, how are you travelling? Good to here from you again 🙂

Chloe

[CJ_stuff_and_stuff]

Hi Chloe,

thanks for replying 🙂

I think I need to practice perspective more... in reality, I am doing really well. Working every day, doing my PhD and having some social life so I seem to be ok.

i have noticed though that I hit a wall around 4-5pm and if I don’t manage that time through either medication or sleep I have a very disrupted night of over thinking and catastrophising.

do you think blood sugar or sheer mental tiredness effects you and your panic attacks?

thanks again for caring :)!

[Chloe_M]

Hi CJ,

I think sometimes that yes, tiredness affects my panic attacks. Not sure about blood sugar though.

what is your PhD in?

x Chloe