
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 to both. I recently did an out patient program that I really liked. Although at times, I just wanted to run for the door. I did eventually get used to it, but like anything the unknown, is simply that.. "unknown."
I give you a big WTG! For taking such a big step. Let us know how it goes for ya.
As for the meds, I already gave you advice on those.
Again, IMHO I don't feel with your level of anxiety/agrophobia these meds are *all* you need. I suppose what I am most cioncerned with is the SSRI giving you the *pre* anxiety jitters, as you said you just started it. Buspar is... well yanno how I feel about that. I really encourage you to see a Doctor as soon as poosible. Hopefully tomorrow during your intake, they will discuss your options.
Usually on an out patient basis, you will be assigned a Doctor (other than your normal p-doc) while you are there.
All my best to you!
Ireland
I was in therepy and my therepist told me i should go this treatment for panic/anxiety disorders. Im sure that it was a good program but i didnt speak any dutch and nobody there spoke english. I was given paper work and schedules in dutch too. The room where i was supossed to sleep was smaller than a prison cell with cement walls. I had to share a bathroom/shower with other patients. (including men!) My husband was not allowed to stay with me to help me get oriented. The first session that i went to on the first morning was a group. It was hours long and i understood nothing. A young girl totally freaked out and started screaming at everyone. (Of course i didnt understand what she was saying!)That totally freaked me out!!!After the group session i was scheduled for a battery of blood tests and other tests. I have a huge phobia of needles and ran outa the lab. I left all my papers there and got lost in the facility trying to find my room. I had a total breakdown panic attack anc fled to some sort of empty waiting room. After hours there and trying to figure out how i was gonna get out there i asked a young girl in the hall that was a custodian if she spoke english and she gave me directions on how to get to the main hall to use the phone. (a phone in dutch is a hairdryer...i was wondering why i was getting wierd looks from ppl.)
She went with me and told them that i wanted to leave. They INSISTED that i stay but i freaked until someone would let me use the phone. finally i got to call my husband and he drove the 4 hours to pick me up at midnight. It was a day of HELL and i still feel panic just talking about it. I would only recommend that someone leave home and go to a facility if it is a place they trust, they are somewhat stable, and they can leave if they feel scared or freaked out. If all of the above are ok then it will probably be a good or even great experience.