Howdy! It's totally understandable that u r a bit shaky after that big panic attack. I'm glad that u know deep down that u don't want to hurt yourself. You don't trust yourself cause your confidence has been shot to pieces by that big panic attack. Your confidence will rise again though!! WIthout knowing too much about your situation I am thinking that perhaps you've built up the whole business of hurting yourself to such a level that this is what your fear the most and therfore these are your biggest kind of panic attacks. There are lots of ups and downs invloved in recovering from panic disorder. So you've obviously had an up period for a month and now have had a downer. That's perfectly normal. Your big panic attack last night just proved that u are not yet recovered. U'll be right in the end!!!! CYA.
Agoraphobe, You won't get back to what u used to be like, you'll be better. You will be a much stronger person for going through panic disorder and agoraphobia. U will be able to deal with other situations much easier knowing that u can get through panic disorder and Agoraphobia.
Howdy Barbara! I don't have agoraphobia but I've read a bit of stuff on it. I read about one person had a dog bought for them and that made them want to take the dog for a walk. Maybe that can work for u. I've also read about someone who was basically dragged out by a friend kicking and screaming. It was obviously a bit uncomfortable but it at least made that persons brain recognise that they have left the house and that is something you can build on. And of course there is the more common was through gradual exposure. Hope these help. CYA
Hi Agoraphobe, I don't have agoraphobia and am not yet off my meds for panic disorder.
But I certainly do look at other challenges of life in a different way now. I have much more confidence dealing with them. eg: public speaking or having to make 2 free throws on the basketball court etc.. Now I'm like, these things are so easier than what I've gone through to recover from panic disorder. CYA.
Erica, everybody reacts differently to the different meds out there. I and others are recovering well with Cipramil, whilst others have bad reactions to it.
My biggest panic fear is "what if I ever get low and commit suicide". When one's anxiety is at it's worst it can be hard to convince yourself that the suicide THOUGHTS u think aren't your true FEELINGS. I used to test my self to see if I'd stab myself or pour a bottle of tablets into my mouth. I did this to prove that these suicide thoughts of mine weren't actually my feelings. Thoughts are separate to your feelings.
So if you don't want to commit suicde then the suicide thought u had was just anxiety. But if u r actually wanting to commit suicde (the thoughts seem good, and the don't distress u) then please get help.
I think the best option is to get used to not running away. If u keep running away you will only make it more worse. You need to stay where you are and see it through. The more you practice this the easier it will be. Yes it will be extremely hard at the start but the more you get in the habbit of staying and not running the easier it will become.
You aren't dealing with the problem by distracting yourself. The fear will keep coming back until you actually face it - distracting will just postpone the fear thought. So just sit there and "let go". Remember nothing that u r worrying about will EVER happen. Practice makes perfect.
AR, read up on panic attacks (if that's what your friend is having) so you gain as much knowledge yourself about them.
Reassure your friend that nothing that she fears can actually happen. It's just anxiety. Thoughts are separate to feelings.
Be supportive.
Hi English Rose, yeah people with anxiety tend to think of the most extreme things. It's common. It's because your confidence is low and you begin to believe anything can happen.
The more confidence you get back and therefore the better at dealing with your panic attacks the more you will realise that these extreme thoughts are highly unlikely to ever happen.
Howdy! Definately don't stay quiet. If u haven't already, perhaps u could do some research into the type of OCD he has so u will be better uquiped to answer. What sort of OCD has he got? WHen I was younger I the the type of OCD where I used to have to turn things of twice or keep putting my clothes on until I felt perfectly good etc... I got rid of these habbits without medications but I never developed panic attacks like your boyfriend. Has he updated his doc on the fact that he is stopping his med but is getting panic attacks. It would be a good idea to. CYA
Hi phoebe1, yes I used to have the same problem in that I'd worry about my faster heart rate when exercising. I was like "slow down heart or it will turn into a heart attack". But as time goes by u realies it won't and u forget about it. I can exercise with no probs now. In fact I'm off to play tennis in 5 minutes and I know there won't be any probs. Bye.
