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...
The last time I went on a trip to FL with my family I had a full blown attack on the plane, which continued on the trip.
I don't have a fear of planes, but lack of sleep is one of my triggers, and I think that added to it. I think between that and the fact of leaving my "safe place" at home, triggered the attack.
I got there and my sister immediately noticed something was wrong. Long story short, my full blown attack lasted, as it usually does, all day.
After calling my doc in RI he was able to up my meds and we went to get it at a local pharmacy.
I was finally able to sleep after hours of pacing and crying. I even changed my flight to go back home the next day it was so bad.
The next day came, and as usual, the attack went away, I re-booked my flight to last the rest of the vacation. Meanwhile, I know my family was upset with me. They know my problem, but were exasperated with my actions.
They have gone on a few short trips without me since, and never told me till the last minute, because they didn't want me ruining their trip. They learned from the last time, and didn't want it to happen again. I felt so hurt. I understood, but their approach was wrong. I wish they could have just shared their feelings. I probably wouldn't have gone, because of my recent bad experience, but they could have at least asked.
After I expressed these feelings to my mother- that I felt hurt, they have invited me to go see family from NY whom I haven't seen in 30 years. My cousins will be there from Australia and It will most likely be a once in a lifetime thing.
The bottom line- I want to go very badly, but what if I "mess up"?? I am so afraid of having another attack and ruining the trip again. But I don't want to miss out on this one time event.
My thought was to "test" the waters and go on short trips to get myself used to it, but I don't have time to do this before the "big trip". I can only thing of trying to get adequate sleep and everything I can to prevent an attack.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS ISSUE with traveling, and being away from their "safe place"? I mean if I get nervous leaving home to go to a friends, how will I handle a trip?
I don't have a fear of planes, but lack of sleep is one of my triggers, and I think that added to it. I think between that and the fact of leaving my "safe place" at home, triggered the attack.
I got there and my sister immediately noticed something was wrong. Long story short, my full blown attack lasted, as it usually does, all day.
After calling my doc in RI he was able to up my meds and we went to get it at a local pharmacy.
I was finally able to sleep after hours of pacing and crying. I even changed my flight to go back home the next day it was so bad.
The next day came, and as usual, the attack went away, I re-booked my flight to last the rest of the vacation. Meanwhile, I know my family was upset with me. They know my problem, but were exasperated with my actions.
They have gone on a few short trips without me since, and never told me till the last minute, because they didn't want me ruining their trip. They learned from the last time, and didn't want it to happen again. I felt so hurt. I understood, but their approach was wrong. I wish they could have just shared their feelings. I probably wouldn't have gone, because of my recent bad experience, but they could have at least asked.
After I expressed these feelings to my mother- that I felt hurt, they have invited me to go see family from NY whom I haven't seen in 30 years. My cousins will be there from Australia and It will most likely be a once in a lifetime thing.
The bottom line- I want to go very badly, but what if I "mess up"?? I am so afraid of having another attack and ruining the trip again. But I don't want to miss out on this one time event.
My thought was to "test" the waters and go on short trips to get myself used to it, but I don't have time to do this before the "big trip". I can only thing of trying to get adequate sleep and everything I can to prevent an attack.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS ISSUE with traveling, and being away from their "safe place"? I mean if I get nervous leaving home to go to a friends, how will I handle a trip?
I have horrible travel anxiety and anxiety attacks. I actually start with the whole anxiety about the trips about 2 weeks before leaving even if its a weekend trip. It has gotten worse through out the years. I have no idea why I get the anxiety because I am truly excited to go on the trip/vacation. I think it is just the stress of getting there and getting ready for the trip. Plus the whole idea of being away from home (my security blanket) and or being in a plane or car for long periods of time makes me feel trapped.
Anyways, I am on medicine daily , but my true friend when vacations and trips come around is Klonapin. It helps relax me and keep me sane. Plus I bring plenty of activities to do. Like reading, movies, listening to music etc. If I could go without the Klonapin I would, but it makes my time more enjoyable... and probably for the others around me.
I am so sorry that your family has purposely left you out of vacations in fear you may "ruin" it. That just sucks. They clearly have no idea what it is like or are even trying to understand. Attacks can be completely uncontrollable. It's not like you are having fun.
My thoughts are with you and hopefully I gave you some useful tips/advice.