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 have ptsd resulting from my 30 year abusive marriage. Panic attacks are just one of my symptoms but i dont think drs. Are taking attacks seriously. I just destroyed my entire life because i had a panic attack while driving. I had been to the dr. And he sent me home. It was dark, i am afraid of driving, i had a panic attack and went straight across a freeway, all 6 lanes, and climbed a cliff. I dont remember anything. A motorcycle tboned my car and i never saw it. A man lost his life because of me. I had a nervous breakdown and minor injuries. But my life is over. I have been put on 72 hr holds in psych wards 5 times this year. I cant live with myself. Panic attacks are real and the symptoms they cause can end up destroying your life and someone elses. Please dont drive if you are in fear of having an attack.
Are you seeing a therapist or psych doc? You can ask for a psych doc if your seeing just a therapist. You can ask for anxiety meds which can help with panic attacks. Your life isn’t over. Have you tried journaling? Sometimes it helps you get your emotions out. Have you been back to the accident site? Sometimes you need to go through exposure therapy to be able to face your fears and anxiety. Maybe send an apology to the family of the motorcycle driver will help since you are bothered still by what happened, It also takes forgiving yourself for what happened.
Try relaxation techniques and grounding to help your panic attacks. Meditation, exercise, or whatever you find relaxing. When you feel an attack coming try to use grounding techniques to help calm yourself and to stay present. Look around you and start describing the landscape, buildings, colors, textures, read signs or building names backwards. Deep breathing from the lower belly can also help. Here is an article that might help:
https://veryhealthy.life/10-proven-strategies-to-deal-with-panic-attack/
I hope that you can find serenity and peace. Best wishes.