Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...
I've been suffering from panic attacks for the past two years because of some things that happened combined with some hormonal issues that make it much worse.
I was on hormonal therapy that was supposed to help but it made it really bad so i got off it. But ever since getting off it it got worse then it has ever been,perhaps because the transition period makes everything one big mess.
I use to only have a problem in certain situations like being around people,out in public etc,very specific triggers. Now it is just coming out of nowhere. I've never felt so crazy. I'm in my room,did everything that calms me down so no reason it should happen but yet i feel like i'm losing control of my body,i can't eat or sleep,i'm vomiting non stop,i'm having very irrational fears and i''m feeling like i'm gonna die.
My extended family is visiting my parents,i live in near by and expected to attend dinner and so on but the thought of going is making me feel like i'm gonna do something crazy or something crazy is going to happen to me. On the other hand i feel that way without going as well.
Everything that usally works to calm me down isn't working. What should i do? I need to go visit them or else they will start calling or coming over.
I was on hormonal therapy that was supposed to help but it made it really bad so i got off it. But ever since getting off it it got worse then it has ever been,perhaps because the transition period makes everything one big mess.
I use to only have a problem in certain situations like being around people,out in public etc,very specific triggers. Now it is just coming out of nowhere. I've never felt so crazy. I'm in my room,did everything that calms me down so no reason it should happen but yet i feel like i'm losing control of my body,i can't eat or sleep,i'm vomiting non stop,i'm having very irrational fears and i''m feeling like i'm gonna die.
My extended family is visiting my parents,i live in near by and expected to attend dinner and so on but the thought of going is making me feel like i'm gonna do something crazy or something crazy is going to happen to me. On the other hand i feel that way without going as well.
Everything that usally works to calm me down isn't working. What should i do? I need to go visit them or else they will start calling or coming over.
As far as dealing with family and social situations when it comes to anxiety.. Things that have been helpful for me are:
1) preparing myself without OVERpreparing for an event if i decide to go, and also having reasonable expectations about what I'll do if I experience an attack and how long I'll stay. For example, I do something relaxing and distracting beforehand (i.e. tv, so I don't get worked up beforehand) and then take a long walk right before so I can try to be at my best. Also, if I feel uncomfortable I plan to arrive a few minutes late and leave by a certain time (having an "exit" or reason prepared). That way I have an option to participate as much as I want but also know my limits and know it's not the end of the world if I have to leave early.
2) Having an ally within my family who knows about my panic and can do the explaining for me if I need to step out or leave early. It makes a world of difference for me, even if I have an attack, just to know that someone else knows. This enables them to check on me, bring me a glass of water, and arrange a ride home--little things that make me dread the inevidable less in anticipating stuff like this.
It's hard to find a balance between being as social as I want to be and also taking care of myself... I hope you are able to find that in some way and build on it--and most importantly Take care of YOU and try not to be too hard on yourself whatever happens :)
I found that when I'm having social anxiety I push myself to do it and I wind up having fun because it gets me out of my head.
But take everything at your own pace, you know your body. Anxiety is so hard, it can rule your life. Hugs!!!