HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Help me please

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/29/2013 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
Im a 21 year old male serving in the United States Air Force. I don't want to get too well into my backstory. I've read so many forums on here and they've all been extremely helpful. My father dying at 9 years old, my wife and I marrying and divorcing because of her adultery, my grandpa passing away at the early age of 58 and spending 3 years on the island of Guam have all contributed to my anxiety problems. I haven't been diagnosed with anything in particular. Could you help me? The first two months were two panic attacks. One a month and only lasted 20 minutes. Some deep breathing and exercise really helped. 3 months later and I now have constant feelings of losing my mind, shortness of breath, sweaty palms, rapid heart beat. Is this an onset of panic disorder or could it be a very rough phase of anxiety? I started 50mg of Zoloft 3 days ago and I'm prepared to experience the bad side effects like increased anxiety. I have some Ativan for that. Can someone please give me their best guess? What path do I need to take now?
Posted 6/29/2013 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hey man. Give the meds time to kick in they will assist you in getting back on your feet and being able to think clearly. Sounds like classic panic disorder or anxiety w/e you want to call it. You're not going crazy realize that .... and you're not losing your mind. The initial effects of the zoloft will go away. Youre ok!



Loganstorey said...
Im a 21 year old male serving in the United States Air Force. I don't want to get too well into my backstory. I've read so many forums on here and they've all been extremely helpful. My father dying at 9 years old, my wife and I marrying and divorcing because of her adultery, my grandpa passing away at the early age of 58 and spending 3 years on the island of Guam have all contributed to my anxiety problems. I haven't been diagnosed with anything in particular. Could you help me? The first two months were two panic attacks. One a month and only lasted 20 minutes. Some deep breathing and exercise really helped. 3 months later and I now have constant feelings of losing my mind, shortness of breath, sweaty palms, rapid heart beat. Is this an onset of panic disorder or could it be a very rough phase of anxiety? I started 50mg of Zoloft 3 days ago and I'm prepared to experience the bad side effects like increased anxiety. I have some Ativan for that. Can someone please give me their best guess? What path do I need to take now?

Posted 6/29/2013 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi LS and welcome,

I am sorry to hear of your recent anxiety troubles.

I agree with RJ...give the meds some time. It is good that you are knowledgeable about the possible rough start up and se's...but at the same time, try to only anticipate good things. This will set you up for a positive experience hopefully.

Have you also considered therapy as a long term treatment option? If it is a possibility, I highly recommend it. I went through CBT and because of it, was able to beat my daily panic episodes.

We also have a great Resource Guide here on our main page (1st post) that is full of really helpful ideas for working on coping skills and getting tools to manage the anxiety on your own. There are links to breathing and relaxation exercises, therapy sites, book recommendations and more.

Keep posting here as well if you find it helpful. It is healing in itself, just talking with others who understand and support you.;)

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 6/29/2013 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the swift reply. Needed some reassurance in these crazy times.
Posted 6/29/2013 7:54 AM (GMT 0)
Logan, you are one in a cast of thousands, take the time to read the other posters and you will fine that
now days what we feel is almost the norm. You will be ok. Do you have any Gooney Birds?

Larry ***
Posted 6/29/2013 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
First of all thank you for your service to this country.

The path you need to take, as hard as it is, is most likely that of patience, waiting, and observing. It can take several weeks for you to feel the effects of your SSRI. I would also recommend looking into self-help books based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy so that you can learn to identify what makes your anxiety worse and how you can make small but powerful changes to fix it. The way we think plays an astronomical role in how we feel. Anxiety plays a trick on us into thinking that something terrible is going to happen but it's all a trick. The trick FEEDS on our fear and our fear empowers it and continues the cycle. I've read from many reputable sources that one powerful technique for panic attacks, as crazy as it sounds, is to not fight it but let it happen. Not only let it happen but encourage it, challenge it, taunt it to "bring it on." Show your panic that you aren't scared of it and that you KNOW it cannot hurt you. This, like all things in life, takes practice, patience, and courage.
Posted 6/29/2013 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for serving our country, first and foremost.

Give the meds time to take hold. Try deep breathing exercises, they really do help. It may take some time for them to help you but keep trying them. Long deep breathes, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Make sure they are long and deep.

You can also do guided imagery, picture yourself somewhere else. Make it as real as you can, somewhere calming. feel the sun, the breeze on your skin, totally relax your body. It is hard to do it the first time but it can be done with practice. Please keep trying it.
Posted 6/29/2013 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Loganstorey

Welcome to HealingWell. First of all know that you have many new friends here in the forum who care about you and understand what you are going through.

A key characteristic of Panic Disorder, is that it usually comes without warning and without any apparent cause. The unpredictable nature of panic attacks adds to the distress of having to deal with this disorder. You have had many stressors in your life and I know how awful you must be feeling.   

I so dreads a repeat of this very unpleasant experience, that I have developed  a fear of having another attack in addition to the initial disorder. It is like a crazy "merry-go-round" lives inside my head.

Take the medication and be sure to stay in close touch with your Dr.  Do you have access to a therapist/minister at your base?

The other members have shared great ideas to try and we have more so keep on talking with us.  Ask for what you need; I know first hand how sick you can feel from panic attacks.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 6/29/2013 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry to hear about the many stressors in your life. Thank you for your service - you're obviously a brave young man, who is more than capable of getting this under control (in time). You're not losing your mind and you're not alone. I've read that around 20% of current US military have panic attacks.

It does sound like how my panic attacks started. That said, though I'm not a doctor, I think it's possible that this could just be a period of really intense anxiety because of what you're going through. Hopefully, in the better days that are ahead, you'll find that you are no longer plagued by these problems.

Whether true panic attacks or just a temporary effect of your situation, you'll find your way through. Everything is going to be okay. We're here for you!
Posted 6/29/2013 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I meant to say true panic disorder - obviously, they're true panic attacks. haha
Posted 7/4/2013 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for your kind words. This is one of the greatest support systems I have. Week and a half now on zoloft and I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you again.
Posted 7/4/2013 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah!! Great news.:) I hope that you continue to feel better and better.

Keep us updated, okay?

Happy Fourth of July, and thanks again for your service!! :)

S.C.
Posted 7/4/2013 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
I was prescribed Zoloft today but am scared to start it. I was really stupid and googled it. I think web md needs to be deleted.

Are you having any side effects ??
Posted 7/4/2013 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Web MD is a huge mistake to look at. Anything remotely wrong will kill you according to them. The side effects I experienced and are still working through are insomnia, sweaty hands, increased anxiety, mood swings, restlessness, irritability, dizziness, nausea, loss of libido, and dry mouth. Do not let me scare you. Everyone is different and I am now at a week and a half on it and can already see an improvement. Most of these listed side effects I had are now minor or completely gone (I'm sleeping pretty well now) just hang in there and let the meds run their course. It'll get better. I promise.

Happy 4th everyone. God bless the U.S.
Posted 7/4/2013 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Logan there isn't much I can contribute that would help much, these people here are on top of any call for
help, best bunch ever, no axes to grind just plain desire to help, stay with us and they will talk you through
the worst days. "If I tell you to saddle up its going to be a long march you would know exactly what to do".
Some day you will be in the position to reach out to a Brother/Sister at arms and lift them up. Peace
Larry Mandrell USA/USN (Always take the high ground)

Larry Mandrell ***
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply