Anxiety Disorder

[Easy Mac]

Has anyone here been diagnosed with any anxiety disorders? I ask because this morning I had a massive panic attack at the end of church. I was just standing there, and then all of a sudden my hand felt numb, I had chest pain, and I had chest pain. It progressed to where I could barely breath, I was shaking, sweating, had chills. It took about 20-25 minutes to get over it. Later after leaving the grocery store, it hit again. This time it was much worse, and I almost passed out. By far the worst feelings I've ever had in my life. It felt like what I'd imagine a heart attack would feel like, but I guess I was wrong on that. I haven't gone to the doctor yet, just because I found out last week I had some insurance problems with work, and so I can't go yet.

I believe its panic attacks (or anxiety disorders) because my mom said she used to get them, my grandma did, uncle and cousins do. She wants me to go on Paxil for it. I don't really know what to do. I don't want to be on a pill for the rest of my life.

Anyone have any experience with this? These were the first 2 I've ever had, and I really don't know how long I could put up with it if it becomes even remotely normal.

[Suicane75]

Has anyone here been diagnosed with any anxiety disorders? I ask because this morning I had a massive panic attack at the end of church. I was just standing there, and then all of a sudden my hand felt numb, I had chest pain, and I had chest pain. It progressed to where I could barely breath, I was shaking, sweating, had chills. It took about 20-25 minutes to get over it. Later after leaving the grocery store, it hit again. This time it was much worse, and I almost passed out. By far the worst feelings I've ever had in my life. It felt like what I'd imagine a heart attack would feel like, but I guess I was wrong on that. I haven't gone to the doctor yet, just because I found out last week I had some insurance problems with work, and so I can't go yet.

I believe its panic attacks (or anxiety disorders) because my mom said she used to get them, my grandma did, uncle and cousins do. She wants me to go on Paxil for it. I don't really know what to do. I don't want to be on a pill for the rest of my life.

Anyone have any experience with this? These were the first 2 I've ever had, and I really don't know how long I could put up with it if it becomes even remotely normal.
Do you know anyone who is a therapist or a psychiatrist?
I've long had anxiety disorder but not so much panic attacks because i tend to keep myself out of situations that bring them on.
I wish i could give you good advice but the only real advice i can give you is not to take any medication without at least seeing a doctor.

Also, the next time it happens, just close your eyes, sit down and breathe. Try to imagine a serene scenario and just relax.

[terpkristin]

I have what they call Generalized Anxiety Disorder. For me, it seems to be genetic and cyclic. I started first getting panic attacks when I was about 9. I kept getting them until I was 12 or so, and then they went away. Didn't have any more panic attack problems until I was 22. When I was 23 and not really doing well with "treating" it on my own, I went to my doc and am currently on Zoloft. It's done great things for me, and for my dad.

I second Suicane's advice not to take drugs until you see a doctor. And, as much as his "try to imagine a serene scenario and just relax" thing is good advice, it's easier said than done (I know). I mean, I agree, but when you're in the throngs of a panic attack, sometimes it just doesn't happen.

Though I haven't had a panic attack in over a year, I can offer only what works for me if you'd like to try it...For me, what works best is to get somebody to distract me. My parents are AWFUL at this. My sister is GREAT. Usually she'll ask me totally inane questions, such as Harry Potter trivia. It gets my brain off of how I'm "feeling" and onto something completely irrelevant yet entertaining to me. If I'm alone, though, I usually try to just focus on my breathing. Usually I count to 5 or so as I inhale, hold for 2-3, and then exhale for 7-8 seconds. The counting, I think, occupies my brain in the same way that doing Harry Potter trivia does.

Either way, you're not alone in the panic attacks and anxiety. If you can't find a way to get things under control on your own, then definitely see a doctor. Your regular physician can probably recommend someone. Your regular physician may also perscribe a low dose of Zoloft (50 mg). If that's all you need, that may just work for you.

Good luck, I know how frustrating it can be.
/tk

[amdaily]

After a particularly stressful part of my life about 2 years ago I had a massive one about the same as you described. Then my health anxiety kicked it and it was all downhill from there.

I had attacks for about the next 12 months, lost weight, withdrew socially, stopped working out, etc, etc. I was dead set against taking any drugs from the beginning and never did. Eventually I was just able to mentally overcome them.

Now I'm going to leave this thread and not come back, as I don't want the health anxiety to return :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

For me, what works best is to get somebody to distract me.

Ditto. For me, it's my mother who can "talk me down" better than anybody. But same scenario you describe, some ppl are just more effective at it than others, not neccessarily for any obvious reason.

Easy Mac -- echoing the others, see a doctor as soon as you realistically can. Panic attacks are a miserable experience that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemies. And if {gulp} they do become an even semi-regular occurrence, go ahead & start taking notes about them. That's likely to be something that a doctor is going to want you to do, trying to see if there are particular triggers. Situations, amount of sleep, food status, you name it, anything that you might think of that might come into play.

Good luck, and please, no matter how anti-longterm-medication you might be, please don't make yourself suffer from this needlessly -- good doctors & good medications can work wonders if that is indeed what's going on.

[JPhillips]

My wife has OCD/anxiety disorder. Medication literally changed her life. Find a good therapist you can talk to and they'll help you get the medication that you may need.

[Eaglesfan27]

Well I don't think it is any secret that I'm a psychiatrist who is trained with both adults and children. Easy Mac, I'm not sure how old you are or if you have any cardiac risk factors (such as smoking, being overweight, high blood pressure, etc.) but if you are over 30 or over 20 with more than 2 risk factors I would recommend that you go to a doctor ASAP just to make sure there is nothing wrong with your heart.

However, given your family history it is highly likely that you are experiencing panic attacks which do seem to have a genetic component. I definitely recommend that you see a doctor, preferably a psychiatrist before you start any medications for anxiety disorder or panic disorder. Many general practioners don't know all of the potential side effects of Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro or a few other possible choices for the treatment of panic disorders. There are many factors to evaluate in choosing a medication that is right for you. Also, studies have shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy also known as CBT can be as effective as medication for treating anxiety disorders. However, those same studies show that CBT and medication work even better when used together.

If you don't want to be on medication for the rest of your life, I strongly recommend that you attempt to find a qualified CBT therapist in your area. You may also need to be on a medication for Anxiety/Panic Disorder until the CBT has time to work. I'm not sure how close your town is to a major medical university, but you'll frequently find cheap affordable psychiatry residents who can be quite good at medical universities. I know the psychiatry department at the University of South Carolina has a good reputation.

There are risks to medications, but there are major potential benefits as well. You really should learn all you can about both before making a decision. Good luck and feel free to ask here or in a PM if you want some more info.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

As others have alluded to in this thread, they frequently can become more frequent after you have had one or two if you don't do anything about them. Also, you can start having anticipatory anxiety where you worry about when the next panic attack is going to occur. It can really become a nasty downward spiral if not treated.

Also, CBT focuses on distraction techniques among many other things as people have mentioned in this thread.

[Fonzie]

Well I don't think it is any secret that I'm a psychiatrist who is trained with both adults and children. Easy Mac, I'm not sure how old you are or if you have any cardiac risk factors (such as smoking, being overweight, high blood pressure, etc.) but if you are over 30 or over 20 with more than 2 risk factors I would recommend that you go to a doctor ASAP just to make sure there is nothing wrong with your heart.

However, given your family history it is highly likely that you are experiencing panic attacks which do seem to have a genetic component. I definitely recommend that you see a doctor, preferably a psychiatrist before you start any medications for anxiety disorder or panic disorder. Many general practioners don't know all of the potential side effects of Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro or a few other possible choices for the treatment of panic disorders. There are many factors to evaluate in choosing a medication that is right for you. Also, studies have shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy also known as CBT can be as effective as medication for treating anxiety disorders. However, those same studies show that CBT and medication work even better when used together.

If you don't want to be on medication for the rest of your life, I strongly recommend that you attempt to find a qualified CBT therapist in your area. You may also need to be on a medication for Anxiety/Panic Disorder until the CBT has time to work. I'm not sure how close your town is to a major medical university, but you'll frequently find cheap affordable psychiatry residents who can be quite good at medical universities. I know the psychiatry department at the University of South Carolina has a good reputation.

There are risks to medications, but there are major potential benefits as well. You really should learn all you can about both before making a decision. Good luck and feel free to ask here or in a PM if you want some more info.

I'm a psychologist, and I'd second everything Eaglesfan said. It sounds like you most likely did have panic attacks - and panic attacks are treatable via medication, CBT, or (preferably) both. I know that your insurance situation prohibits you from getting in immediately, but as soon as you can get yourself into treatment go to the folks who are specifically trained in these things (psychiatrists and psychologists). I'd strongly discourage letting a GP try to handle this.

Hang in there, and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[theclassic]

I am mostly a lurker on this board, use to be active in the past. But I believe this is an important topic to post in.

I have suffered from anxiety attacks for quite a long time. My Dad has suffered with them for nearly 40 years. When I was about 13-16, is when they were the worst. I would get about 3-5 a day, and became deathly afraid of places that they happened. School, and church mostly. So I started avoiding such places as much as I could, and if I did go, I would struggle with anxiety all day, and sometimes would have to get up to just leave for a while.

When I was 17, I started to grow out of them. I told myself before I went to bed, that the next day would be a good day, and I had nothing to worry about. I told myself this over 100 times, before I would fall asleep. And before you know it, I started feeling better. Eventually I started doing things I never would have even dared to do. Go on long trips, ride my bicycle out of town, etc. By the time I was 18, I was anxiety attack free, and no longer carried the fear of getting another one. From time to time, I would get a level of high anxiety, but I quickly would brush it off, and forget about it.

However recently, (I'm 21 now) I have been experiencing problems with anxiety attacks again. With every attack I feel more and more reluctant to do the things I did carefree in the past. It's effected school, and to a smaller degree work. The past month I have had only one such attack, but I'm still scared of having another episode, and my general anxiety levels are very high.

The best short term advice I can offer, and advice I haven’t heard any therapist tell, is that you need to have a very short memory. If you start feeling anxious, take a deep breath and think of anything else but your feelings of anxiety. If it's to hard to divert your attention from the anxiety, just take a simple positive note, and repeat it over, and over until you’re so bored with that thought, that your mind wanders onto something else, and don't think back to how you were anxious. If your mind can trick you into thinking you’re anxious, you can certainly train it to trick you to not being anxious.

And if you just can't handle the situation, just get up and leave. It's easy to say, but hard to do, I understand. I never like getting up and leaving, just because I feel it draws attention onto me, and I feel like a failure just because I couldn't be present for wherever it is I planned on being. I have left situations in which I must have looked very odd. I left in the middle of a speech, I left in the middle of a game I was working at, I have left church numerous times, etc. But I'm fine, the people who mattered understood what happened, and were okay with it.

In terms of medication, I have never taken any so I can't offer you any advice on that. I can say that when I take a vitamin B supplement, the next day I feel more relaxed.

If you have any more questions, just keep posting them.

[Easy Mac]

Thank you guys for all the help. Hopefully I'll be able to do something about it shortly. The hardest thing will be not to worry about it. Its just one of those things where you never really know if or when it might strike again. So far, everytime something feels out of sort I'm just thinking "man, i hope this isn't the beginning of another one." If I haven't moved my arm or something in a while, and it will feel a bit stiff I think, uh oh. But then I just breathe and realize there's really nothing wrong, and I'm fine. The stuff I've read say its something you worry about until you're medicated or learn to deal with it and know its not a constant thing. I'm just practicing breathing as normally as possible, and just trying to stay relaxed. its obviously easier said than done, but I'm sure it is fine.

Hopefully cutting out pepsi and exercising will help some.

Thanks for the help.

And does anyone know if St. John's Wort helps with this? I spoke with my mom, and she said that while it doesn't help her, it has helped some friends keep it under control.

[Eaglesfan27]

Thank you guys for all the help. Hopefully I'll be able to do something about it shortly. The hardest thing will be not to worry about it. Its just one of those things where you never really know if or when it might strike again. So far, everytime something feels out of sort I'm just thinking "man, i hope this isn't the beginning of another one." If I haven't moved my arm or something in a while, and it will feel a bit stiff I think, uh oh. But then I just breathe and realize there's really nothing wrong, and I'm fine. The stuff I've read say its something you worry about until you're medicated or learn to deal with it and know its not a constant thing. I'm just practicing breathing as normally as possible, and just trying to stay relaxed. its obviously easier said than done, but I'm sure it is fine.

Hopefully cutting out pepsi and exercising will help some.

Thanks for the help.

And does anyone know if St. John's Wort helps with this? I spoke with my mom, and she said that while it doesn't help her, it has helped some friends keep it under control.
St. John's Wort is believed to raise serotonin levels. Serotonin is believed to be one of the major neurotransmitters involved with both depression and anxiety (however not the only one.) By raising Serotonin levels, St. John's Wort can help both depression and anxiety. However, since it is an herbal preparation it falls out of the FDA's scope to an extent. As a result, one never knows exactly how much of an active ingredient they are getting in any bottle of St. John's Wort. Serotonin is a powerful neurotransmitter that can cause "A Withdrawl" syndrome or an intoxication type syndrome if too much is added too quickly or withdrawn too quickly. These syndromes can have some significant serious effects including physical problems (upset stomach, headache, nausea, diahhrea, etc.) and even mental problems (mood swings and even in severe cases psychosis.)

I've seen one kid become psychotic and all that he was apparently taking was St. John's Wort. Now this is the exception, and not the norm. However, there is a perception that St. John's Wort and these herbal preparations are benign with no risk of side effects because they are natural. That is simply not true.

So in summary, St. John's Wart could help you, but it could cause side effects as well.

[bbor]

I used to have panic attacks pretty bad,bad enough that for about 6 months all i did was lie in bed thinking any second i was going to expire.Going out in public was a horrible experience for fear of having an attack in a public place.

After i saw my DR. and ran a few test (heart monitor,ultra sound on my heart,blood tests...etc...etc)i was put on Zoloft and it has changed my life.It allows me to do everything i ever wanted to do and live a normal life.Having bad panic attacks can lead to agorophobia so you must be very careful how long you allow your condition to go untreated,i would suggest that going to the DR. ASAP is the most important thing you can do for yourself right now to start on the road to recovery.Zoloft is a SRI(Seritonen reuptake inhibitor) and is not to my knowledge habit forming as some of the other drugs available on the market.On the flip side it does not work immediatly,It could take up to a month for it to raise the seritonin levels in your brain to the point that you are starting to feel comfortable in your skin again.

I have taken St.Wort before i started Zoloft,and although i thought i was feeling better it was hard to tell if i was just relieved to actually be taking something for my condition or if the Wort actually worked.

Kava Kava is another herbal drug that people have said has a calming effect on the nerves,but there have also been rumours that it has a few side effects.

Remember if you are going to try the herbal route do not take them at the same time as you are taking prescribed drugs....apparently that is a big No-NO.

Good luck.......if you ever need anyone to share experiences with just drop me an e-mail... bbor AT beer.com

[Eaglesfan27]

I used to have panic attacks pretty bad,bad enough that for about 6 months all i did was lie in bed thinking any second i was going to expire.Going out in public was a horrible experience for fear of having an attack in a public place.

After i saw my DR. and ran a few test (heart monitor,ultra sound on my heart,blood tests...etc...etc)i was put on Zoloft and it has changed my life.It allows me to do everything i ever wanted to do and live a normal life.Having bad panic attacks can lead to agorophobia so you must be very careful how long you allow your condition to go untreated,i would suggest that going to the DR. ASAP is the most important thing you can do for yourself right now to start on the road to recovery.Zoloft is a SRI(Seritonen reuptake inhibitor) and is not to my knowledge habit forming as some of the other drugs available on the market.On the flip side it does not work immediatly,It could take up to a month for it to raise the seritonin levels in your brain to the point that you are starting to feel comfortable in your skin again.

I have taken St.Wort before i started Zoloft,and although i thought i was feeling better it was hard to tell if i was just relieved to actually be taking something for my condition or if the Wort actually worked.

Kava Kava is another herbal drug that people have said has a calming effect on the nerves,but there have also been rumours that it has a few side effects.

Remember if you are going to try the herbal route do not take them at the same time as you are taking prescribed drugs....apparently that is a big No-NO.

Good luck.......if you ever need anyone to share experiences with just drop me an e-mail... bbor AT beer.com

There are quite a few cases of Kava Kava having VERY severe side effects. I'd recommend a high level of caution to someone considering using that.

Also, you are correct. It is important not to take the herbal supplements and prescription drugs together because they can work synergistically and raise serotonin levels too much and cause Serotonin syndrome which can make you sick. Any good doctor should carefully ask you about any herbal supplements before prescribing any of the SSRI's (or any medication for that matter.)

[Franklinnoble]

Sounds like you need a drink.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sounds like you need a drink.
I know you are probably joking, but multiples studies have shown that alcohol usage significantly worsens anxiety disorders. In the short term, alcohol is a systemic "downer" that relaxes your system, but there is sort of a rebound state where anxiety can be worse a day or two after drinking. For anyone with an anxiety disorder, most doctors will recommend limiting drinking or abstaining completely.

[Easy Mac]

Just thought I'd update, as I was finally able to get some medication for them last week (don't ask, thats a stressful enough situation as is). But anyway, I did fairly well from about April until the present. I'd occasionally have an attack, maybe 1 every 4 or 5 weeks. Then in the beginning of August I had a horrible one. I was at work at night and had to get the EMS to take me to the hospital because I thought I was having a heart attack. My chest hurt, my arm felt numb and pain in my jaw... all warning signs. My heart was pounding. The EKG they took while it was still happening didn't show anything wrong with my heart, so it seems it couldn't have been a heart attack. Obciously I've been on edge since then, but they subsided some and just went to the normal hyperventilating, random aches/pains, lightheadedness. I was having about 1-2 a week

Then Thursday I had another one similar to the one that sent me to the hospital that day. It wasn't as bad, it was mainly just my heart was pounding like mad, I could hear it and feel it. My body got hot and I was sweating everywhere. Nothing else hurt though. It pretty much drained me the rest of the day, but luckily I had an appointment with my shrink. She ended up putting me on 10 mg of Prozac (20 mg starting this Friday). I was doing good the first day. Then Saturday night I was driving home and I had a horrible attack. Same chest pounding. Couldn't breathe. Body got tingling. It was horrible, because I had to pull off the road... and I was on a bridge. I eventually got home and got to bed, but at 5:30 on Sunday I woke up and my heart was pounding again and going fast, about 150-160 bpm. Seeing what was going on with David Toms, it obviously freaked my out. It quit after 10 minutes of pounding and went back to normal, but it was scary. On Monday the shrink put me on Klonopin until the Prozac can kick in fully.

I've now had 3 EKGs, and while its not the most comprehensive test, I can't afford anything more. They've all been totally normal, even the ones when the attacks were occurring, so I know the chances of there being an unseen heat problem isn't right. But as it is, I still can't shake it. I'm generally nervous and anxious all day. I do my work, and I do it well, but I also know I could do it better. I can't afford the good tests to confirm that my heart is fine. I know its fine. I've read on the internet about countless others who have had everything that is happening to me that has happened to them. I know I'm not alone, but its impossible to shake that feeling that I'm somehow different, that I'm the exception.... especially when it feels like I'm going to die. Even now typing, I'm having random sharp pains. I know its because I'm sitting so that my back is at a 45 degree angle and I'm putting a lot of pressure on my chest. I know my arm sometimes feels numb because of the panic attacks. I know the flashes of cold/heat I get are nothing more than my body's reaction to some fear I haven't recognized. But when they all happen together, it just spirals. I gotten to the point where I can feel the bad ones coming, but maybe its just I feel something and expect them to come.

Anyway, I've rambled enough. But hopefully this will help others who may be too ashamed/afraid to get help. Believe me, whatever help you can get is better than none. I felt pretty good today with the Prozac/Klonopin. I still was on edge, but I definitely had more time where I could forget about it. I was tired and groggy, but so goes the side effects of drugs.

Hopefully the Prozac will be the thing I need to take control of whatever things are bringing me down, and it will help me get through this rough period to build for the future. And believe me, this doesn't just affect yourself. I can see and hear the pain it brings my fiancee. She's at her wits end, but she's hanging in there, and has definitely worked harder of late to help me with it. Its hard to explain to people, especially during an attack. But the important thing is to have help.

Thanks for the advise in the thread as well. I've definitely gotten better at beating the small attacks. Now its just getting the big ones to turn into small ones so I can deal with those.

[Fonzie]

Glad to hear it Easy Mac.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm sure you're going to get tired of hearing this (if you haven't already) but I'll pile on too -- to the extent that you can without creating additional stress for yourself, try to increase your consciousness about your state of mind, without dwelling on it (and making yourself even more anxious).

It's kind of tricky to explain, much less to do, but I've found it can be very helpful to be almost hyper-aware of your moods in order to try to head situations off at the pass before they become worse. In doing so over time, you'll develop better insight about what situations/conditions are acting as triggers for the attacks as well as what works / doesn't work in controlling them.

I wish you the best with this. Get yourself well first ... and THEN I'll worry about turning you into a good arch-conservative ;)

[maximus]

I have anxiety. I've had it since my brother was crushed by a 22 1/2 ton machine over a year ago. My doctor has perscribed me Xanax. Tonight I could have downed a whole bottle because my wife was getting head pains with stiffness in the jaw but instead I prayed to God and it worked out even better.

[Mountain]

I am 38 years old and have periodically suffered from panic disorder since I was 20 years old. Paxil has been an absolute lifesaver for me. I have been taking it for about the past three years. In the past three years I have had one panic attack. Prior to taking the paxil I was having them daily for about 8 to 9 months.

One of the components of my panic disorder is fear of medications. Thank God I overcame this and gave the paxil a chance. Nobody was more resistant to medication than me but I have realzied there is no stigma attached to taking these medications. If you need them you need them.

I am not a doctor but I have become a very experienced and educated patient. CBT is effective and beneficial but it is not going to be enough at first if you are still expericing panic attacks. You need to use medication to break the panic cycle and give your brain and body a chance to stabilize before you can get to the serious work you're going to need to do with CBT.

Another thing that I foudn extermely helpful to me is the Lucinda Barrett course on anxiety and stress. I know she advertises it through an infomercial but the materials are very valuable and provide CBT you can do yourself at home when you're not in your appoinments with your therapist. Plus this course answers a lot of questions you have about the disorder. Just the material discussing internal dialogue alone is worth the price of the course.

Sorry about the long post but this is something very close to my heart and if Ican help anyone in anyway let me know.

[Abe Sargent]

I'm a disorder?



-Anxiety

[Tom E]

Last January, at my Grandma's 80th birthday party. My Uncle ate a "special" cookie and 2 hours later he thought he was going to die. TOTAL PANIC ATTACK...He was tingly and light headed...lol...We called 911 and he was wisked to the hospital. He was afraid to tell the EMS guys for fear of going to jail...he's a 60 year old man. We call him the cookie monster now...