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just had a major panic attack

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Posted 6/9/2009 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
don't know what really to say, don't know what triggered it, but it was very scary.. everything was normal until suddenly my heart was beating a million miles an hr and i felt numb and couldn't breath, i started to freak out, so i stepped outside and tried to walk it off but it wasn't working, the heart was racing like crazy, until my brother came outside and tried to calm me down, which did help. 30 minutes later i attempted to come back inside and i took a Valium 10mg to calm me down, know i'm half way sleepy and my heart has slowed down to almost nothing. now i'm kinda scared that i might not wake up if i go to sleep, all of this is due to health anxiety, everyday i feel something is wrong with me, even though the doctors had cleared me from most symptoms i'm having....i think i might need some professional help, its been a month of stress/depression and anxiety and it all came out tonight.. i need meds i believe.. my question is, what do you usually do when you have a panic attack, does anyone actually go to the ER or do you walk it off?
Posted 6/9/2009 9:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there... sorry to hear about your bad experience... I myself have had a very extreme anxiety/panic attack that scared the hell out of me..

Anyway, to answer your questions...

First of all, going to the ER room is probably not very necessary... by the time you get there, and get to actually see someone, chances are the panic attack would have worn off by that time, or the nurse will ask you questions, and you'll talk for about an hour, and then they'll just say that it probably isn't necessary for you to be there or for you to spend the night in hospital.. that being said, 9/10 times you should just find another way to overcome your attack.......

one way I find helpful.... :)

As soon as I recognize negative thoughts or feel like my heart rate is increasing or anything else that tells me that I'm about to have a anxiety/panic attack, I distract myself immediately! Distraction is a valid way of helping people overcome anxiety and panic disorder... I either go on the net to browse facebook or something, or read a book..... anything that doesn't involve negative thoughts and distracts me from anxiety/panic... put your mind onto something else in other words! something that isn't negative, of course. Stay away from depressing movies too if you can help it...... and ease off on the valium, it is very addictive! try taking 5mg or even 2.5mg.... It is enough to help you calm down! :)

Hope you benefit from this, good luck.
Posted 6/9/2009 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
I agree I do not think the ER is the place to go. You stated you have had various tests with your doctor and they have come back normal. If the heartrate continues to upset you, I would recommend you go to a Urgent care clinic instead. Save the ER for real medical emergencies. Good luck!
Posted 6/9/2009 3:41 PM (GMT 0)

Hello and I hope you do seek help through a therapist or your PCP.  You may very well need medication.

Also look into the different therapies available.

Going to the ER when you know you are having a panic attack IMHO should be a last resort unless you have another medical condition.  You may sit there waiting for hours to be seen as you will be triaged according to your sx and severity of your emergency.

Take care and keep on posting.

Kitt

Posted 6/10/2009 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
I go to the ER when my panic is triggered by illness like last time I was throwing up and diarrhea so that was my main reason for going but I needed help getting the panic down. I like to carry around klonapin in case i cant get it down on my own bc the ER for me makes my panic worse you have to wait forever. People here say itll go away on its own; its never been that way for me. Itll keep going and going until I get meds in some cases so I like to have a just in case med. Otherwise I do breathing and focus on something positive. Understanding that you're not ill and it cant hurt you can help. The breathing I was taught is in through mouth 3 seconds, hold it 3 seconds then out for 6 seconds. If you practice that when youre not having an attack hopefully youll be able to do it when you have one. Hope this helps
Posted 6/10/2009 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Distraction is definately a good technique. Dwelling on the feelings of panic and anxiety will keep it going. Try to do some type of physical activity, maybe go for a jog, play a sport, Wii maybe? Anything to get your focus off your feelings for a while. For me, reading doesn't usually work because during those moments of extreme anxiety/panic I find it hard to sit still. So I say keep moving. Don't try to fight it off. Recognize what it is, allow yourself to experience it (as uncomfortable as it is) and and then shrug it off by moving on to something else that requires your attention. It takes practice, but eventually you'll no longer feel the fear of that oncoming panic, and that kinda takes the wind out of its sails.
Posted 6/10/2009 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Bella, panic/anxiety attacks will go away on their own. The body will only release adrenalin for so long. Adrenalin is needed for an attack to happen. If you're relaxed, you're not going to have anxiety or panic attacks.

Begin changing what you tell yourself during an attack. I imagine you're adding fear which prolongs the episode. Use positive self talk during the attack. Try to distract yourself or lie on the couch as relaxed as possible. Sometimes I'll lay there like a rag doll.

Do you have any idea what is causing your panic attacks?

James, you did great by going outside and trying to walk it off. It probably would have worked if you kept at it and stayed positive. Thank goodness you have a brother to help you with these terrible feelings. I used to go to the ER when I was first having the attacks. After awhile, you recognize what's happening and learn that you're not going to die.

Find a great psychologist and try an anti-depressant. Life will get better
Posted 6/11/2009 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi james,
Very sorry to hear that experience you had, i recommend you to go see a therapist in addition to that kindly to involve yourself with regular exercise such as walking or jogging early morning,try to have a healthy physical routine so that you can muster control over your anxiety levels.Alternative therapies, like yoga others such as natural anxiety cures can be very helpful to you.

Edit:  Please remove the link from you signature as it leads directly to a web site that sells product.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 6/11/2009 7:37:24 AM (GMT-6)

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