re: Panic Attacks

When I was 24, I was diagnosed with Panic disorder. I had never had one before, so I assumed that I was dying. I have been on Paxil ever since, and it helps. I am now 45 and have only had a hand full since I was 24. It was very scary. I always prayed myself out of them. Exercise and diet help immensely. I sure hope you know, you can beat these. Try to manage your stress and anxiety.

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Can somebody tell me the difference between stress, high anxiety, and a panic attack?

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For me, stress is a feeling of immense irritability. When I'm stressed, I usually feel overwhelmed, am quick-tempered, and just want to be left alone.

High anxiety is a constant feeling of dread, like something really bad is about to happen within the next few minutes or seconds. Your heart starts beating faster, your adrenaline is pumping a little harder, and you feel like you could lose control at any moment.

A panic attack occurs when you lose control. You start hyperventilating and experience chest pain that makes you think you're having a heart attack or that you're in the very process of dying. These can be scary, especially when you wake up with one in the middle of the night.

I've been dealing with generalized anxiety disorder since 2012 and have learned how to stave off panic attacks and fight through anxiety, but severe stress makes doing the former things much more difficult.

I’ve only had one panic attack in my life. I had left my 8 month pregnant wife at home sleeping to run to the store. For some reason I got super paranoid something bad was going to happen to her. I left the store to rush home and started hyperventilating and getting tunnel vision. I didn’t even realize that it was happening until a minute or two into it. Thankfully I caught myself. I was able to calm my own self down with controlled breathing and coming to my senses about the situation. I never told her.

Vistaril

Non-narcotic

There was a time in my life when reading this thread would bring on a panic attack. No doubt, without question.

The only time I get them is in a crowded and cramped place that is hot and/or loud. I've had it happen at an assembly in a high school gym and in a crowded restaurant. I'm generally okay if I'm not surrounded on all sides or backed into a corner. It has never happened regularly enough that I need medication, but I actively try to avoid situations that can trigger an attack.
It is the type thing that is nearly impossible to describe to someone. My mom had them pretty bad when I was younger, I later came to understand her issues.

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They are very difficult to describe to someone who’s never had one. I could give you a list of symptoms, but that means nothing without the experience.

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This is the truth right here. I had never had one throughout my entire 32 years of life until a couple weeks ago, now I understand completely.

I'm used to high stress, high anxiety situations as a Marshal and this didn't compare. I saw my whole world coming crashing down in my head and couldn't breathe, speak clearly, think, or move really. It was paralyzing.

I can now see why someone who has them regularly would require xanax. What was happening to me was a potentially massive life-changing deal, I can't imagine being someone that gets them easier than that.