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...

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feeshee 09/06/2011

Hello everyone....
I had to quit my job two years ago because I was having panic attacks at work. It got to where I could not concentrate on my work so I decided to take early retirement. I think an unstable and hostile work environment led to the panic and I couldn't work like that any more. . Many of my co-workers have quit since I left.
Anyway, I have tried to work part-time in the last year and started having panic attacks again....breaking out in sweats, jelly legs, tunnel vision and a strong fear that my supervisors did not approve of my work performance, even though my co-workers said I was doing a great job.
I was so afraid that the same scenario was playing out again because of my panic attacks. I tried not to let my panic show but others did notice. I left that job as well. I'm afraid I'll never be able to work again because of these fears. I'm on meds and see a psychiatrist. Have any of you had panic attacks at work? If so, how were you able to work through them?
Thoughts of going to work again make me really anxious. Sad, because I enjoyed working all my life until the abuse started.
Thanks for any advice you can share.

SCTFP 09/06/2011

You are not alone just had one today and I own my own business. My only suggestion is Klonopin as needed and concentrate on "busy"
tasks that take up your complete attention. This will keep your mind off your current attack. Think postive breathe properly and remember its only in your mind and you are strong an healthy. I have been taking B-12 along with my regular meds. Seems to have worked until today but overall I'm having more good days then bad and thats the positive I keep telling myself. Good Luck we feel your pain

deleted_user 09/07/2011

Hi, I work in a prison in Michigan for the last 25 years and have had several attacks at work.Matter of fact just yesterday.Sometimes just out of the blue.I have had panioc attacks since i was a kid, now 45.Dad has too. Hes 75 now and talked to mom yesterday and he never has them now.He always is busy, maybe thats the key. I always feel better with less attacks when i exercise.Dad takes Tenormin ,I Take tenormin and Paxil.Back to getting through them at work,sometimes i can get thraough them, sometimes i just have to get out of there like yesterday. If i get up and walk around outside sometimes that helps.I also take ativan when needed that helps.After that im fine.I wish i didnt have to take them but they help. I dont take them every day .Also try talking to someone sometimes that helps me calm down. Well hope this may help a little.I know how u feel

feeshee 09/07/2011

Thanks SCTFP and browndog for your advice. It really helps to know that I'm not alone.

Feeshee

harry3333 09/15/2011

for panic at work, disolve a largish dose of any valium type pill under tongue, breathe deep and slow and tell them you are having a migrane, keep working slowly if you can
do not tense up or fight back against the panic.

a migrane is better than admitting to a panic attack

feeshee 09/15/2011

Thanks Harry. Unfortunately my p-doc doesn't prescribe benzos, but breathing exercises would help I'm sure.

deleted_user 09/15/2011

I have had panic attacks at work, and it sucks =(. This last job I had I ended up freaking out and it was so embarrassing. I hadn't been there very long, thankfully everyone was awesome and helped me work through it, more or less I just said that I must of been so stressed out which wasn't a complete lie... but one time I bout fainted and it was so embarrassing. Thankfully it was one of my last days of working there. I dont know why I was so worked up. I guess part of it is I always want to do whats right and work hard that I stress so bad I freak out =(. Hmph. I haven't figured out any way to help it. So if you do let me know. I love to work and I love to be around people and I have a lot to offer, it's devastating and depressing when I have them.

feeshee 09/15/2011

It is absolutely terrifying trying to hide a panic attack at work. I'm afraid to apply for another job because I may have them again. Co-workers may not understand and judge me so I did not share that I was experiencing panic on the job. K...you were lucky to have coworkers to help you through it. I'm thinking about going through vocational rehabilitation for help in finding a job I can perform with this disability.
Has anyone worked with vocational rehab. for job placement with disabilities? Do you think this is a good option?

Zen1 09/17/2011

feeshee I have an appointment with Voc rehab on the 26. I think it is a great idea. My friend told me to go there. She is bipolar and that s word (i can't spell it) and she has started working. I am terrified of driving and working. But I have four kids and something gotta give. I think there they can help us find the right place and we know they will understand what is going on. I can't wait to go!

feeshee 09/18/2011

Wow Zen, thanks for encouraging me to check out Voc. Rehab. You helped me feel much more confident in making an appointment with them. Sure would like to hear how it goes with you. Glad your friend had a positive experience and I hope you do too. The very best of luck to you!

Feeshee

Zen1 09/18/2011

I will keep you posted soon as I my appointment is over with! :-)

deleted_user 10/20/2011

I see this was posted a little over a month ago but I'm having the problems w/ panic attacks at work. I was wondering if you came up with anything. I need this job and I don't want to get fired. any advice would be great :)

feeshee 10/20/2011

Darth, I have an appointment with vocational Rehabilitation next Thursday. Panic got so bad at my last part-time job I had to quit. I've worked all my life, did well and enjoyed it. I'm hoping VR can place me in a working environment that will not provoke panic attacks. The only thing that helped in my last job was taking xanax when the panic started. Unfortunately my current Pdoc will not prescribe benzos. Sorry I haven't been much help in answering your question.
Good luck to you.

deleted_user 10/20/2011

Harry I don't understand the sense of your advice at all, yeah fair play, diazapam if it helps, but to describe your panic attack as a migraine and its better to say that then tell them your having a panic attack? Why? its stupid, the more you feel you have to hide that your struggling the worse it will be, just be open with it, they can't sack you for it

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