Fear of Panic Attacks leads to Anxiety/Panic Attacks

I havent comment on the anxiety forum before but came to find out everyone elses experiences.
I was diagnosed with depression and an anxiety disorder at the age of twelve after I had difficulty sleeping and was having unexplainable stomach complaints.
I then began to get all the physical symptoms of anxiety - racing pulse, nausea, vomiting, depersonalization etc and had a huge panic attack New Years eve five years ago. Since then I have awful thoughts for example I can be sitting, moderatly okay with low anxiety levels but will then suddenly thing "What if I have a panic attack right now? What if my anxiety medication doesnt work?" and this sends me into a panic. But I have no idea how to break this thinking.
I am also very afraid of getting ill because I have IBS associated with my anxiety and if I think I could have food poisoning or Im going to be sick this also sends me into a panic. Its having a huge impact on my life as an 18, I rarely go out or if I do its only to try to take my mind off of my anxiety.
My emergency medication is diazepam.

Hi there,

Anxiety is an awful thing to deal with but you can learn techniques to control it. Medication can help when things get really bad for you, but in between those times you might find other resources to use. Cognitive therapy, EFT, counselling, meditation are some of the things that have worked for a lot of people.

I think it is surprising how many people actually struggle with anxiety so you are not alone.

It is not something I have completely overcome, but I have accepted that certain situations will make me anxious. Giving up caring about it is [i]obviously[i] the key. I ask myself, do I really care what these people think of me? Nine times out of ten the answer is a resounding No.

Hopefully, someone with a lot more insight will come along to offer you some good advice.

Take care

Topaz

My doctor told me this is called "anticipatory anxiety," the anxiety about having anxiety. I don't have panic attacks per se, but I do have clonazepam to take when my anxiety gets really bad or interferes with my sleep. For me simply having the medication is a kind of security blanket that lessens my overall anxiety (since I know I have a way to stop it, at least temporarily).

And, oddly enough, talking about The Incredible Hulk to Bruce Banner will cause him to turn into The Incredible Hulk.

I am the same way. I stay away from my triggers. But the triggers are the keys to my happiness. And without them I am empty. I am at a loss. I am going into group DBT therapy soon, getting my meds adjusted. The Klonopin does jack-nothing for me anymore. Never did, actually. The Topamax makes me calm, takes the rage away. But I still need to take an edge off. I am still fearful of this and that and everything else. I cannot let go. I avoid everything like everyone has the plague. I hate living this way.

I erm... was goggling anxiety in the classroom when I came across this site and your post. I just wanted to say reading it was like reading my own, I can relate to the IBS and food poisoning, I constantly feel sick or the need to eat every two hours (but I have to force it down)
I also tend to think that I no I’m going to panic if in a certain situation, and I will and will always be a bad one.
Just today I had an appointment, I felt sick from the moment I opened my eyes (then to my dismay I got told I have to attend a group session) you can imagine what happened then.
Anyway I don’t want to go on to much about myself, I wanted to just explain and say I relate to you and hope the best for you.
Take care

Greenbunny26

A panic attack may be a one-time occurrence, but many people experience repeat episodes. Usually, the panic-inducing situation is one in which you feel endangered and unable to escape. You may experience one or more panic attacks, yet be otherwise perfectly happy and healthy. Or your panic attacks may occur as part of another disorder, such as panic disorder, social phobia, or depression. Regardless of the cause, panic attacks are treatable. There are many effective treatments and coping strategies you can use to deal with the symptoms.

f mae wrote:And, oddly enough, talking about The Incredible Hulk to Bruce Banner will cause him to turn into The Incredible Hulk.

I am the same way. I stay away from my triggers. But the triggers are the keys to my happiness. And without them I am empty. I am at a loss. I am going into group DBT therapy soon, getting my meds adjusted. The Klonopin does jack-nothing for me anymore. Never did, actually. The Topamax makes me calm, takes the rage away. But I still need to take an edge off. I am still fearful of this and that and everything else. I cannot let go. I avoid everything like everyone has the plague. I hate living this way.

Nearly a year out.... Dang, what a development. The Klonopin does help, at times, just not everyday. Once in a while. The Topamax kind of helps, but again...you are still stuck/rut.

You have found that you need to avoid more people like the plague? Yes? Why have you not done more of this in the past year? I mean, you have, but not in totality. You can't be a total recluse. Can you?

You don't panic because you disassociate. Der.... That's always been your niche. Your fail-safe. You want off this planet. Everything is just too weird for you. It's obvious you can't hang with all of this.... Why would anyone expect you to do so? obligate you to do so? It's embarrassing being a participant in all of this mucky-muck, yes?

Pathetic. No progress.