Just had first panic attack

Wow they really really really really suck.

Don't want to get into what set it off. But I just freaked out. For about 10 mins I was hyperventilating, having trouble breathing, felt impending doom, doubled over holding onto my legs while I shook uncontrollably. And then after nearly 10 mins it just stopped and I felt like it was all so surreal. Still shaking a little now, about 10 mins after the attack.

I've had anxiety problems and a bit of depression and a lot of bdd for the past 6months (bdd a lot longer). If I've just gotten a panic attack, what can I expect from here on?

What can you expect from here on? Well, you are going to be more aware of yourself from now on. What triggered the last attack, for example? If you know that, then you can prevent it happening in the future. Just - overall - be aware of your own body and mind and don't push it too much. We all have limits and need to know them. When we're young, we always have our parents to fall back upon if we go overboard, but it's different when we are adults and are 'out there' on our own. You should also just have a chit chat with a doctor about this for further assistance.

I don't want to get into what triggered it, but I know what hasn't been helping. And that's smoking weed. I only smoke a little at night to wind down after the day, but I really think it's been making my anxiety a lot worse. I got rid of all my weed yesterday after the panic attack, and I'm actually feeling pretty good today, like woke up with the most energy I've had in a long time.

Anyway hopefully if I just don't smoke that stuff anymore my anxiety levels will lower. If not I'll go see a doctor.

Thanks

Hi Tim - yes they do suck big time. You are not alone! I have suffered with anxiety and panic attacks on and off for years. I find there is not always an obvious trigger. I have experimented with various ways to mitigate my panic and anxiety from self help books, websites and relaxation CDs and it has helped so much. The physical symptoms can be really scary but for me its the feeling that something awful is going to happen that really gets me. I've spoken to my GP on several occasions and he tends to prescribe drugs. Successful for many but not for me. Personally I find exercise incredibly helpful and I think that makes sense bearing in mind that most of the symptoms are caused by an excess of adrenaline. I always try to turn things around in my mind when I feel like that and I think well if my mind and body can cause such negative feelings and symptoms just think what it could do for me in a positive sense! Ultimately the key is getting behind what is causing it - the problem is never the problem type of thing. I'd like to hear more from you and others about panic and anxiety problems.

Yeh, weed will do that to you buddy! It's a killer in the long term. If you are suffering 'withdrawal' from it, then relace it with drinking tea. There are man different types of teas out there that I'm sure you could find some ones that you like. There is green, jasmin, chamomile, peppermint, earl grey, lady grey, etc. Tea is the only thing I drink, and it has become habit for me nw to drining two pots of it at night.

The things that I know about anxiety (having dealt with it since I was diagnosed at 16 now 29) is that you need to find out what the trigger is. Once you know what it is you can start to deal with how it makes you feel, How to stop the panic before you start hyperventilating. Reminding yourself that it will always go away- no matter how crappy you feel, or scared you feel anxiety always goes away.


Some people say weed helps with anxiety, but to me it makes it worse... so stay away from it... same with anything really sugary and caffeinated because too will trigger the anxiety.

Why wouldn't you want to go see a doctor?
What do you feel is the worse that can happen?

Also, if you are keeping away from the weed and still find the anxiety coming on, keep track of it.
Write down what you were thinking, what your symptoms are, what you were doing , any other automatic thoughts, because with anxiety anything can trigger it, whether it's a random though that you may not think would bother you, a smell, the way you feel, do you feel dizzy? A bit nauseated? A small headache, those are enough to trigger symptoms for people...

You'll learn quite a bit as to the Why if you something like that, then it's easier to conquer.

Hey thanks for the feedback guys. I tell you what since I quit weed a couple days ago I'm feeling so incredibly good most the time. More energy, less depressive thoughts, less anxiety. It's great!

I didn't really want to see a doctor because I thought I might as well try quitting weed first and see if things improve. I faced the thing that triggered my panic attack again today, I was pretty close to losing it again but I kept it together. Okay I'll tell you what it is, it's rather embarrassing though lol.

I'm 22, I have bdd, so I get really obsessed about my looks, and if I don't look good well I don't handle it too well, hence the panic attack and anxiety. I've recently gotten a hair replacement system, which is a fancy way of saying toupe, because I was balding pretty bad and couldn't deal with it. The hair system looks sooooo good and so real though. But because I just started wearing and I'm on a budget, I do everything myself with it. But it's a sharp learning curve and I've been making mistakes. The other day I stuffed up something and heaps of hair got pulled out and I just freaked out thinking the whole thing was ruined and I didn't have a replacement yet and I was going to have to walk around with a big bald spot on top of my head and everyone would see and....yeah those sorts of thoughts and I just had a full on panic attack.

But I've learned from my mistakes, but dealing with the hair, like cleaning etc... still makes me really anxious. But I'm ordering a replacement and a heap of stuff I need to maintain it which I didn't have before (hence my dramas). So in about a month I'll have everything sorted and the trigger for my anxiety will be gone.

See told you it was embarrassing haha.

But anyway I'm a 2nd yeah psychology student, and I'm gradually learning more and more about mental disorders so I figure why go to a psychologist when I can work things out for myself. Also just think how much better of a psychologist I'll be one day having dealt with problems like this myself and being able to understand my patients better.

Okay that's enough from me now =)

Psychology? - Isn't that a dangerous area to be in, given your circumstances!? That was a joke, by the way. I can very much relate to BDD though, because I've had bulimia for 5 years now. If I'm not happy about my body, then I'm not happy about anything. I HAVE TO feel attractive in order to function.

Yeah chucky that's exactly how I am with my bdd. It's not fun.

Nice post!!!!! Very well said, thanks for sharing.Since this is the first time you've told anyone about this, and we're very honored that you have chosen to speak about this, I'd like you to do yourself a favor, and print out what you've written here, and give it to the counselor. Most times people have a hard time articulating what is going on with them internally when having a face-to-face conversation with someone, so you'll be able to show the counselor an insight into what is going on with you in a few short minutes rather than days, and weeks.With regards to your feelings about your own mortality...you are not alone, and everyone has them. I should also point out that you are not alone, and as can be seen by all the responses that you've had here that people do care about you.