I saw my therapist on Wednesday and after sitting down on her couch I immediately started feeling better. We talked for 25 minutes longer than we were supposed to and I left feeling really confident. But as soon as I got outside I smoked a cigarette, which increased my heart rate and induced a panic attack. I lost all that confidence and I've felt like crap on and off since then.
Panic attacks are becoming sparse, but I'm constantly uncomfortable. Today I didn't have any panic attacks until it got dark out. Nighttime always makes it worse. I've slept on my couch for the past two weeks because I'm scared of being alone in my room. I can't read or focus on the tv anymore because I'm too busy focusing on the nervous feeling in my stomach. No one seems to care about what's happening to me. They think I'm overreacting and I need to just "get over it". Well, I wish I could, guys!Two more weeks is all I'm giving it. If it's still there after that...
Panic attacks are becoming sparse, but I'm constantly uncomfortable. Today I didn't have any panic attacks until it got dark out. Nighttime always makes it worse. I've slept on my couch for the past two weeks because I'm scared of being alone in my room. I can't read or focus on the tv anymore because I'm too busy focusing on the nervous feeling in my stomach. No one seems to care about what's happening to me. They think I'm overreacting and I need to just "get over it". Well, I wish I could, guys!Two more weeks is all I'm giving it. If it's still there after that...
Replies
Dear Volatile,
Thanks for your insightful entry. The same thing happened to me last year while I was at work. I chain-smoked three cigarettes and induced a panic attack . I went straight to the ER and they didn\'t do anything for me accept schedule me a quicker appointment with my psychiatrist. If I were you I would quit smoking like I did.. As soon as I quit, I noticed a big difference. I started having less and less panic attacks and my energy level went up to boot. I\'m glad you brought this up.. Thanks again!!!
I\'ve been considering quitting, in fact I was planning on it right before these panic attacks started. But I read on a bunch of websites that nicotine withdrawal symptoms are very similar to panic attacks and that quitting can cause panic attacks. I want to quit, because I think it will help, but at the same time I\'m horrified it\'s going to make my anxiety worse.
To be truthful I\'ve had a couple of panic attacks since I\'ve quit. I can understand why you\'re scared. But these attacks weren\'t nearly as bad. My guess would be to experiment and see what happens. Remember nicotine is a stimulant...and your body was feeling better before you smoked the cigarette!.I hope I\'ve been helpful and please let me know what happens.Peace out.
You\'ve definitely been helpful, thank you. I\'ll give it a try and see what happens.
Please let me know what happens. Maybe you can use some nicotine substitutes to get you by. I think that in the long run, if you quit, the panic attacks will stop. They are doing so for me. Don\'t be a stranger! Remember to drop me a line. Take care!