Panic and anxiety since I was 16 years old

Hi, everyone. I am a 32 year old female who has suffered from Panic Disorder & Anxiety since I was sixteen years young. My first panic attack occurred the day before Thanksgiving in 1994. My family and I were on vacation in Florida and while at dinner I suddenly got a overwhelming fear that I was going to die. I wasn't sick, heck I was only sixteen.....but I was positive I was going to have a heart attack. I was rushed to the local hospital where I explained my symptoms and was informed I was perfectly fine. No one (doctors included) suggested it was anxiety related. My parents thought I was nuts after getting home from vacation and continually having these random spurts of needing to hide under covers or take a bath. Nothing really helped me calm down except for talking on the phone to my friends.

After a month or two of torture and having dropped out of school, I was taken to a Psychologist. Get this....not even she said, "Oh, maybe it's panic attacks?!" While watching the Susan Powder show I saw someone explaining their issues and described it as a panic attack. This person (the name escapes me) had just released a book on living with panic. I was ecstatic to learn I wasn't dying! Nor was I crazy! I went back to my Psychologist and said, "I think I have panic attacks" to which she replied, "Oh yeah, yeah....that's what I thought" Uh huh. Suuuuuuuuuuure you did.

I was put on Paxil and I've been on that for sixteen years. The last two weeks have been awful and I can barely leave the house. So much more to explain but it's late and my body & mind need a rest! More to come later, friends.

Urban Mesh
Welcome to HealingWell. I look forward to getting to know you better.

A thought crossed my mind re your medication ~ perhaps the Paxil has stopped working for you after 16 years ? In some people, a particular antidepressant may simply stop working over time. Doctors don't fully understand what causes the so-called "poop-out" effect, or why it occurs in some people and not in others. Perhaps a trip to the Doctors is in your near future.

Thank you for the intro and know we are here for you.

Kindly,

Kitt

Hi Urban Mesh and welcome. I'm sorry to hear what you're going through. I know it's tough when you're experiencing these really real feelings, fears, and physical sensations but everyone (professionals included) tell you that there's nothing wrong. What are you left to think? When I had my first panic attack I was told by the ER staff simply that "you're fine - you can go home now". They never suggested anxiety or panic. That (like yourself) was something I had to figure out on my own. And it's not until you get the proper diagnosis that you can get the proper treatment started. Sadly we're not alone. Anxiety and panic disorders are all too frequently misdiagnosed or undiagnosed often times for years and years, and in the meantime the person with it suffers away. I'm glad though that at least you found out the truth (even if it was later than sooner).

Hi Urban Mesh
I understand what you are saying as switching or weaning off meds can be horrendous. Some of them are worse then others to wean off. I would like to be off my AD but when I try to cut down I get like you, sick and then I think it is the Anxiety and Depression kicking in ~ what a three ring circus it gets to be.

I am sorry to read you have no current Doctor or medical insurance. That does make it hard and you are right, establishing yourself with a new Dr. is not always easy.

Thinking of you with gentle thoughts,

Kitt