Can sudden trauma bring this on??

Hello everyone, Im new to this site and if you guys wouldnt mind just please hearing my story to give me some insight I would really appreciate it.  Well, as you can see in the subject matter, im curious if a sudden traumatic event or change in ones life, even mild (i.e. no loss of life or injury) can create sudden onset panic disorder? So here is the skinny on what I have been experiencing.  Please bare with me.  My family has a history with some mental issues- my father has OCD and my grandmother (his mother) suffered from extreme anxiety and depression and unfortunately killed herself in her 60's.  Now, ever since I was a child probably around the age of 10 I would experience OCCASIONAL mini panic attacks, nothing major that my mother couldnt come in the room and talk with me about and calm me down.  Then in my twenties, in college I only VERY RARELY experienced a panic attack, and when I did it was health concern related, i.e. my heart rate would be too high in my mind.  Alright, I am 30 now, and two years ago when I was 28, i returned home from a family funeral a few states away to find that my Fiancee had left our home and taken our pets and most everything with her.  Needless to say that was a bit traumatic.  Well, I adjusted and planned on leaving that state and heading for home.  I was waiting on my month notice to be completed to make the move, when SUDDENLY and out of absolute no where I suffered a FULL BLOWN panic attack at our former apartment.  I knew exactly what it was when it happened I just couldnt understand why it was happening.  So, I pack up all my belongings and eventually move back home, then to a new city in a new state for work.  On the way, during the move, BAM another full blown panic attack as I drove down the interstate.  Its been 2 years since, and I have had more panic attacks in the last two years than the previous 20 combined!!!  As of late, its been getting extremely bad, and often I find alcohol only makes it worse.  I was semi depressed for a bit after the move and drank far too often, so I believe that coupled with the sudden onset of the stressful situation perhaps rekindled panic disorder in me? Can anyone relate? I work in the health care profession but mental health is not my strong suit.  Thank you for your time guys and gals!

Thank you scaredy Cat, really appreciate it. I have not sought medical attention for the problem yet because as a man, I kind of feel like that would be giving in and "I can fight this" machoism lol. But honestly, I dont know if I can fight it anymore. It kind of takes over and then your completely worried your going crazy or losing control, and thats the absolute worst part of it all. I will definately look over the resources, thanks!

I may not be a man, but I have been as stubborn as a mule about a lot of things in the past, and for the same reasons: I didn't want to give in, didn't want to be assigned a label, didn't want something "like this" to define me, didn't want anyone else to know, felt if I ignored it and didn't actually get treatment (ie: no therapy, no meds, ergo no dx) then it of course, simply wouldn't exist....

I've done this in other areas of my life as well, so you're not alone. Anxiety and panic are not gender bias, even if our individual spirits lean that way! ;)

The solution, if you'd like to call it that, (and I do), is not to fight it, but to give over to it,--which is nothing like giving in to it,--and be forthright. Own up to it, admit it, open up, and above all, ask for help.

You can do this all within the privacy of your physician, therapist, and if meds are an answer, your pharmacist. No one else has to know a gosh darn thing about your choices for mental health. This, like the rest of our selves, is personal. As such, we can choose what to share with others!

I say: Go for it! Talk to the doc and open up to a therapist. If meds are in order, don't be afraid,....be receptive and hopeful.

To do nothing is to actually move backwards. To at least do something, anything, is the only way to move forward.









M.