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...

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What to do if your family doesn't understand

Baelon
Baelon
My family is very religious and not very educated. They really don't keep up with things. So they think I'm insane because of my panic attacks. They think I'm dangerous and mentally unstable. I've tried to explain to them that panic attacks are a real medical condition and that I'm not dangerous or schizophrenic. I show them medical journals and articles showing so, but they dismiss it as nonsense. I tell them that I would really like their support while I try to better myself so these attacks will stop, and that their actions are really not helping me at all.
This, combined with the fact that I suffer from night terrors almost nightly, has made them really avoid me at all costs. They think anyone who has night terrors is also a psychopath. We all just stay in our own little sections of the house.
My question is: Is it possible to get them to change their opinions about me and my illnesses? What should I do? Or should I forget them and leave them in their ignorance?
harry3333
harry3333
sadly your problems are common, panic attacks are an anxiety disorder and not serious, they don't lead to anything else
its possible that you inherited the panic attacks but due to fears of mental illness, the details about family members who had them are being hidden
it helped me a lot to relax and to breathe deep a nd slow
a dog sleeping in your room may help with the night terrors
antidepressants can cause strong vivid dreams which may add to the terrors
tinderhart
tinderhart
I hear you. Sad that they are like this. But not a lot of people without it understand. Please don't think it's you. It's them. I'd give them a wide berth. Good Luck!!
Angela-Boyle
Angela-Boyle
So sorry about your family. No one will understand what you are feeling except you. It's good you joined this group, it makes you feel like you're not alone out there. I hope your family will turn around and show compassion. But just focus on you and your health for now and don't try to make them see it because they are being closed minded right now and if you try to explain it to them it will just make things worse. I just got in a huge fight with my dad about my anxiety tonight. So I feel some of your frustration. Hope it's gets betting and the come around. Sometimes your family aren't the ones that can be there for you in your biggest time of need so if you have a close friend you can confide in I would turn to them :-)