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...
Hello!
I'm 21 and all of my life I've dealt with new medical diagnosis every couple years. But since starting college (I'm in my 4th yr), I've been getting more and more medical issues and I have developed a fear(?) of getting new diagnosis. This past week I went in to my therapist to finally get a formal diagnosis for anxiety so I can get accomodations at school, as I've been having more issues with my anxiety during classes and presentations. And while I was there he also diagnosed me with panic disorder. It's been clear since I was 13 that I have anxiety, I just needed that diagnosis on paper, I wasn't expecting the panic disorder diagnosis as well. I was mentally prepared for the anxiety diagnosis but I wasn't for the panic disorder. I had a panic attack after getting home from my appointment that day and went into a bit of a depression and had to miss a class and turn in another class's assignment late. Thankfully all of my professors have been made aware of my difficult mental health this semester and they've been very respectful and accommodating.
Does anyone have any tips on how to cope with new medical diagnosis?
Any advice for how to deal with worsening panic attacks?
Advice for presentations when you have social anxiety?
My panic attacks recently have been caused mostly by the pressure to present my projects in front of the class and professionals in my field of study. I also have developed an issue with talking on the phone, which is something I haven't experienced since I was 16.
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I'm horrified! I knew my insurance would go up due to getting a new car but I didn't expect it to go up over $2,000. I did have an accident with the snow/ice in the winter. I was just telling my brother that I have had my car since March 2, 2026 and have only spent $75 on an oil change. Now this! I called another insurance company and their quote was over $4,000. I guess I have to pay...
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This board isn't as active as the other board on here called "Anxiety", but there are a few people on this one.
I have been living with anxiety and panic disorder for 25 years. I guess for me, I thought panic attacks go hand in hand with having anxiety. So for me, I never thought of panic attacks as a separate diagnosis. I think of it all as one big Anxiety!
I am wondering if it being your last year of college that is causing some added stress. Because I would think that is pretty normal to feel some anxiety about what you'll be doing next in life, etc. I don't like change... but change is inevitable. I try to look for some positives in the changing things in my life. Something good that I can take away from an upcoming change.
Writing in a journal helps. It gets the anxious thoughts out. Write write write. Anything and everything. Something about writing helps calm the mind.
You are not alone. You are going to be okay! Take some "me" time to do things you like to do, that are relaxing and fun. Maybe you are putting too much pressure on yourself?
I'm in a 5 year program and this is my first year as a graduate student. So I have one more left. I'm nervous about the future, but I'm weirdly confident that after college things will work out. I tend to be optimistic about things until they get closer to being a reality and then it's just anxiety.
I already know I put a lot of pressure on myself and I've been working really hard on taking breaks and taking care of myself this semester. I haven't really done that the past couple of years.
I haven't written in a journal since I was in high school. I'll have to try that out again. It won't hurt anything at least :) Honestly just writing out my problems for this post helped me more than I thought.
Thank you for replying and for the advice!