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...
Hi there, I am a highschool senior whom unfortunately is suffering from a panic disorder. I was significantly better over the summer, but coming back to school has been steadily getting worse. Yesterday, I had a panic attack over leaving school and had to get a friend to walk me out because I couldn't stop shaking and hyperventilating. It's been a huge blow to my confidence since I was doing so well before. I'm scared. I feel like I can't leave the house. I so badly miss the times when I was fearless. My friends are supportive but I feel like I'm dissapointing them by not being able to do the things I used to. They don't understand how hard it is for me to even get out of the car and walk into school. To make matters worse, my mom, who is also my safe person, is eleven thousand miles away for the next week. Usually I always knew that if I had a problem I could get her to pick me up or talk me through it. I don't feel safe. I can't just continue to stay home from school but the idea of going back after that is terrifying. Any tips to help me through the rest of the week?
I understand how difficult it is to live with this condition every day of your life. I know you posted this 6 days ago, and your mom may be home by now, but I just wanted to share with you some tips from someone who has dealt with this problem since I was a child.
A lot of what goes through my mind when I feel the panic coming on is to run and hide in my safe place, which is home for me. All of the panic in that moment goes away, but then I start to feel extreme anxiety, because I know that running from it only makes it worse and reinforces the need I feel to escape.
As hard as it is, the absolute best thing for me to do is to push through the panic and do whatever it is I need to do - whether that be school, work, or simply grocery shopping. If you allow your panic to take control and keep you at home, it will. Try to take little steps to push through it. When you're panicked, recognize that it's only a panic attack. They usually don't last long. You are still in complete control of yourself. In order to not have a complete meltdown in public, I will usually excuse myself to go somewhere quiet (the restroom, for example) and do some deep breathing exercises. You will find that taking a few breaths in, and holding each one for 5 seconds before letting it out will help the panic to subside. You might still feel a little shaky and anxious, but that's ok.
Just try to take that step and go to school. You may have an episode while you're there. That's ok. Work through it and get back to your day. In my opinion, leaving school for a panic attack just reinforces the panic, and your brain will learn to panic in any uncomfortable or stressful situation, because you've trained yourself to escape from it, rather than deal with it. You will be ok. Over time, the attacks will become less frequent, and you'll learn to manage them head on.
If your panic continues to get worse, and you're not able to work through it on your own, there is nothing wrong with going to a doctor for some help. Talk to your mom about it. No one should have to feel the way you are feeling. There are many people out there going through the same thing, and there are many doctors who treat it. Don't feel ashamed or like you've let anyone down. Keep fighting!