The power of Genetics...Wow...

Hi all,

Just wanted to share, I talked to my little brother last night (I say little, he is 25) and poor guy, HE is having panic attacks!  I am just amazed as to how this has gone down the line in my family in almost text book fashion.

My mother ( not to re-hash) is agoraphobic, has never driven a car or held a job for very long, also occasionally depressed, she was suicidal and an alcoholic whan I was a child.  My older Brother has Major Depression and violent mood swings, I, so they say have GAD, PD AND PTSD (sigh) and now the youngest has panic!  I am just amazed...he has never been able to drive either, maybe this is why.  Good Lord I think my family should be part of a study!!!

Thanks for Listening as always, I hope you all are well and finding your own way to cope.  Its a beautiful weekend here in the Northeast US, after a very cold spring! :)

-K

Hello Badgenetics,   I too agree with you about things like this running in the family.  My father, my sister, and myself have all battled depression and suicidal thoughts for many years.  As far as I know, I am the only one of the 3 of us who suffers from panic attacks, anxiety, and agoraphobia.  It's a very hard thing to go through and Kitt isn't kidding when she says it's sad about the labels we receive because people don't understand these issues.   Please make sure to keep coming here to post as we will help each other through these issues as much as we can.  I find that it's sometimes easier to come here to vent or talk about what's going on that it is to talk to my family or friends.   Take care, Wen

I have never posted in this forum, I have fibromyalgia and at first was thought to have lupus.

I decided to check this out. I have been on numerous anti-depressants over the years, Paxil, Wellbrutrin, Lexapro and now I am on Effexor.

I just went to see my psychiatrist and she thinks I have been depressed and have had anxiety attacks for a long time, but since my older sister was schizophrenic, it was never addressed and compared to her being in and out of institutions, my issues seemed minor. Let me say this, I loved my sister and she was my everything and only sibling, she was 8 years older than me, read to me, sang to me and when she wasn’t ill, was the most loving and kind person you could ever meet. She passed away 6 years ago and I still miss her constantly.

I know my sister’s behavior effected me, as I believe I have "learned fears" from her. She was terrified of lizards and from her I learned to be terrified too, which sadly I have handed down this fear to my daughter and grand daughter.

I was terrified of dead people, you name it. Some of these phobias I still have, and I am constantly worried about things that may never happen.

I am happily married, have one daughter, two teenaged grandchildren and I work full time in a law office.

It’s nice to share and not be judged.

My father had anxiety attacks when he was in his mid 30s, which I just found out recently. He learned to handle this problem through recognizing the oncoming symptoms and practicing breathing techniques. I took him years though. I only discovered that he had this problem after my wife suffered several extreme panic episodes. I thought it was all in her mind until he told me about his battles. He is a very strong man who has always held executive level jobs. I didn't know what to think at that point. Now I am faced with my 13 year old daughter who just had her first panic attack which was so bad that she could not go to school for several days until we got her some medicine to help her cope with the feelings of impending death. I am trying to help her through this with therapists, doctors and information I can gather on line. Sometimes all I can do is BE THERE and hold her so she knows everything is alright. I feel so bad for her. She is so wonderful and I pray this does not become cripling to her future life. Genetics are a funny thing. I wish I had some amazing insight of magical breathing excercise to make the fear go away. I will keep you in mind as I go on my path of gathering knowledge and trying to help my little girl too! Feel well and know there are people that care. You will be in our prayers !