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social anxiety changes to panic attacks

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Posted 8/8/2010 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
I've suffered from social anxiety for a while now. Recently I decided to overcome my fear of people and places, agoraphobic, and go on a 3 week camp trip with people I knew and some I didn't at a huge event with 10,000 people.

I had a tent, in an encampment I could go and hide, medication galore, and a positive attitude. I did well for about a week and a half, working at a coffee house, hanging out with friends, taking my meds on schedule, and feeling wonderful.

Then out of the blue I had a full blown panic attack in front of my friends, who thankfully helped me through it, but I still was so scared I packed my truck the next morning and drove home 6 hours.

I got home, everyone was at work, but still I was home with my semi-trained service dog, my other dog, and all my stuff. I had another full blown panic attack.

Mind you I haven;t had an attack like this since I was a child. My head is reeling now, my doctor seems unconcerned about the sudden development of this new symptom, and I'm completely freaked out. I have to unload my car, and I can barely bear to even step outside the house long enough to even do that.

I'm so confused right now. scared, crying about everything and feeling like my life has been turned upside down.

I take 1mg ativan 2xdaily, the doctor has upped it to 3xdaily PRN and I have an appointment coming up next week.
Posted 8/9/2010 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Kiraz,

That sounds like a bit of an ordeal. To understate it! Congrats on taking on the challenge of a 3 week camping trip. You are far braver then me. I think you are amazing for how far you have come. The gdansk part of anxiety is that it loves to get you when you are vulnerable. Or just out of the blue. I find that if I have one attack then another one may follow..Maybe the adrenaline in our systems? Who knows?

Kiraz, let it out! Cry, and ask your family for help. It always passes and you are amazing for working this hard at your anxiety.

Oh - and get a new doctor. There are ones out there who can empathise and actually help.

You are fantastic - keep fighting.
Posted 8/9/2010 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Meg! Going on a 3 week camping trip with 10,000 people would be an ordeal for anyone! Good for you for sticking it out for as long as you did. I think the panic attacks you are having is due to the unique situaiton you were in.  It  had to be stressful, even if it was the fun kind of stressful! You will not normally be in living like this. Take some time to relax and have some quiet time to yourself.
Posted 8/12/2010 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
I've stopped taking my ativan, and no more attacks to report. Without the ativan I can think and actually get stuff done.

I ventured outside today to rescue a tub of clothing from the car where it has been sitting in the heat, knowing that there was damp clothing in there was enough to finally overcome my fear, but being outside for even the few minutes it took to get the tub wrestled from the car into the house was more then enough.

I'm clinging so closely to my house, my dogs, my life that I feel so weak right now. The thought of going on simple errands is to much to bear and it scares me that I might have unraveled so much hard work with attempting to much.
Posted 8/16/2010 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
wow, I have to agree with the others. I am so impressed that you took on the 3 week trip, thats just fantastic. I am glad to read you are feeling better without the ativan. For me that stuff can be a God send, but it just knocks me on my butt, lol. Please hang in there because you will build yourself back up to doing more each day. Take care
Posted 8/16/2010 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
You did good! Be proud that you faced this head on. Not sure why the panic happened but it probably was more than you could handle and when you reached your limit that was it. Talk to your doctor about it. Maybe you can try things like this for shorter time limits at first.
I don't know how panic works but I do know that I have weathered some really scary time periods in my life like it was nothing only to have it end and have peace in my life and that's when the panic attack hits. Crazy.
All the best to you
Posted 8/17/2010 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
well, you did go outside for a little while. That's a start. Don't let the panic control you. I have been there. When I first started having panic attacks it got so bad I was afraid to leave the house. Start slow. Try to do one errand a day. It always helps me to use self talk. What's the worst thing that can happen if you have a panic attack? You won't die. People around you probably won't even notice.  If you are driving stay on side roads so you can just pull over. Keep doing breathing excercises and work through it. See if you can get out with a close friend, someone you can talk to. I hope you start to feel better soon.
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