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I need help fast before I lose my mind!

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Posted 9/26/2014 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, well I'll start here... I am a teenager and I thought i wanted to be a little experimental so i decided to. A month ago tomorrow will be the exact day that I made the mistake by trying *illegal substance*. it was kind-of a peer pressure thing but i also wanted to know the feeling. So, i tried it and i got the worst possible outcome ever! Immediately after i smoked it, i felt like i was dying, like i was coming in and out of consciousness. That finally stopped but ever since that day i have felt so weird! For example, the day after smoking i went to a concert and on the way there I had this weird feeling over-come me. I felt as if i was unreal and then i started freaking out and feeling smothered. Anyways, still to this day I feel so weird like I'm living in a dream.. I wake up in the middle of a deep sleep practically every night and start hyperventilating and sweating horrifically. No exaggeration, it is definitely the worst feeling I've ever experienced. During the day at school I'll just be sitting in my desk then all the sudden BAM! it hits me. i start freaking out and losing control. I'm so scared! Am i going to be okay? Will this ever end? Will my life ever be normal again? I think I'm too young to die and i have a bright future planned ahead! Will someone please tell me whats going on with me and tell me that i will be okay so I can calm down?!?! Thanks!

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 9/26/2014 8:03:40 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/26/2014 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there!

I'm not a doctor but it sounds to me like your having panic/anxiety. I know quite a bit about pot, and smoking it will not kill you. You did it one time and it made you feel weird, which is totally normal. It's not for everyone that is for sure! It always made me feel anxious and paranoid so I didn't like to do it.

It wouldn't hurt to be evaluated by your doctor just to be sure your healthy, but to me it sounds like you tried something new, didn't like the way you felt, and now you have anxiety from the experience and the worry that it did some kind of damage to you.

You are young, and I truly believe that you are okay! Good luck :)

Post Edited (Cianna) : 9/25/2014 9:33:31 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/26/2014 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
In my younger years I tried some too. I hated it because it made me feel so panicky and paranoid. Like Cianna said You might just be worried that it did something to your body, but you also could be experiencing some anxiety. I would just try to relax and not worry about it. If it keeps up, I would see your primary doctor. No worries though. Stay calm and I think you'll be alright!
Posted 9/26/2014 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Kelsealynn, ask yourself about the reason you tried it, i know you have already thought of the answer, it was not good enough reason and you are
lucky, the worst influence there is, is a recreational drug user that never
has a problem, they lead many people into trouble.
Yes i tried it at about your age, "I had such a bad reaction i ended up in
jail, it made me mean, very mean and dangerous".
Some of us are just not geared up to take things that alter our conscious
state. "you will eventually be ok, dont play with your mind or future". Peace
Larry ***
Posted 9/26/2014 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi KL and welcome.

I am sorry that you are currently not feeling well.:( You are far from the first person to post with this same story...so know that this is a fairly common occurance with this substance.

Even caffeine and nicotine can be a trigger for panic and anxiety.

Visit our Resources (main page, 1st post) and try the suggested anxiety mangement exercises there. They will help. (if you can't find them, post back and I'll provide direct links for you)

If you can't find relief with the self-help in our Resources...you may want to consider talking with your doctor for advice. There are ways to treat anxiety that you can discuss at your appointment.

Wishing you the best...post with us anytime. We understand and care.;)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/26/2014 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all! Makes me feel a little better but i forgot to add a very important part. Lately I've been feeling really weird, like I'm not real. It feels like im not inside my body and i have to hold onto something to regain my feeling. It's pretty scary. Does anyone know what this might be? i know im definitely paranoid about everything because I spend hours every day on the internet reading and researching my symptoms... can't wait to actually feel normal again!
Posted 9/26/2014 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
KL,

This is from those Resources I mentioned above. Read it and see if you relate/if it helps...

Depersonalization-derealization symptoms:

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/depersonalization-derealization-disorder-symptoms/



...there are so many more helpful things to be found there as well...please check out the whole thread!  Instead of researching your symptoms...spend your time more wisely and constructively learning the coping skills offered here!

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

S.C.

Posted 9/27/2014 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
K

There is a definition for what you are experiencing. It is called depersonalization and derealization? Look them up. You have all the classic symptoms. (Please keep in mind that I am not a doctor and my aim is not to diagnose you).

Depersonalization can be brought on by using illegal drugs. And, unfortunately, I know from experience that "using" can cause panic attacks and lead to extreme anxiety. Please find comfort in the fact that you can not die from depersonalization, anxiety, or panic attacks. This is a mental health condition. If it persists please see a pysch doctor. He will look at your case to see if you could benefit from medication. Be honest with him and tell him of your one time drug use as this is pertinent information when he decides if and what kind of meds to prescribe.

In the meantime, take ScaredyCats advice and check out the coping techniques on our resource page and apply them.

These panic attacks will eventually subside. Our bodies all react differently to substances (especially illegal ones) and your reaction obviously wasn't favorable. Keep this in mind when you are offered it again. Just say NO! (as Nancy Reagan would say)

You are so young and have your whole life ahead of you. I have seen what drugs do to people's lives and its devastating. My mom always told me "you are the company you keep" and "birds of a feather flock together" and I have found this to be so true. What this means is that we should choose our friends wisely. If you choose to be friends with people who use illegal drugs then you are asking for trouble. I'm sure you have a lot of people in your life that love you and would be devastated to hear of this. I have three daughters and this is definitely a fear of mine as they get older.

Let this be an important lesson to you. Are you involved in church? I'm sorry for "preaching" to you, I think it's just the father in me coming out. ; ) Be a leader and don't give in to peer pressure. Have a backbone and stand up for your morals and principles. I have failed to do this myself in the past. Any time you need to talk please come on here. You will never be judged and will find nothing but support and encouragement. How cool is that?!?

Post Edited (Cornell) : 9/26/2014 10:03:17 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/27/2014 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
Wow... thank you so much for your concern. Your words really mean a lot and that really helps to know that it is normal and that I'm not the only one experiencing this horrible feeling. In fact, I'm having one of these attacks right now. I've had a normal day, no commotion of any sort, then all of the sudden I started feeling bad. I was laying in my bed and started breathing weird and freaking out. Then, I started feeling this drunk feeling like I couldn't stand up properly. I feel very weak like i don't have the strength to move. I cant hold my eyes open!? this really needs to end. I feel like my life is ruined. you can definitely say I learn from my mistakes. I will NEVER touch any kind of drugs of any sort again. Big mistake! I just hope this isn't permanent...
Posted 9/27/2014 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
Depersonalization, ahh yes, I'm too familiar with it. Feels like you're in a dream. First time I felt it, I was maybe in the first grade, or even younger. I still get it.

It seems to be a pretty common symptom share amongst those of us with AP. Do a forum search on it, and I'll bet you feel realizing how many others get the same thing!





M.
Posted 9/27/2014 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
KL,

Do check out the link I provided (it's red and blue) three posts back.

It explains DP/DR (depersonalization and realization) and gives advice on how to deal with these anxiety symptoms.

S.C.
Posted 9/30/2014 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
the thought "It feels like im not inside my body and i have to hold onto something to regain my feeling. It's pretty scary." i have felt that same way too. like i used to grab a thing just to make sure i wont panic..
Posted 10/5/2014 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Alright... so here I am, back at it again.. There for a few days I was doing okay, and I actually thought i was getting over my constant panic attack episodes. Well, i was definitely wrong... starting last night, i was out with friends at a football game and I starting getting that feeling- you know, the freaky anxiety feeling. I started breathing weird and almost every time I breathed i would do this little belch. Is that normal? i read online that it is. My body starting shaking and I couldn't keep myself still! Everybody was asking if I was okay. Anyways, so when I got home I did my normal routine and when it came time to go to bed I did so. Well, as soon as I did that here came the anxiety again.. i started gasping for air and running around like a crazy person. But, when i had the attack, I start feeling really dizzy and lightheaded. Also, i have this confused feeling and my vision isn't right.. Words cant describe how scared I am... What should I do? I'm beyond tired of this. I constantly feel exhausted and i feel like a zombie walking around. I feel like I am missing out on a huge part of life and I am almost positive that my life is going to end soon- well at least that's how it feels. Someone please help me... I shouldn't have to go through this! i want to live my life like a regular teen.
Posted 10/6/2014 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
K

Sorry to hear you are still having panic attacks. Unfortunately, this may be something you have to fight for awhile. Some people fight this disorder their whole lives and some it comes and goes in phases. But the good news is that, despite having PA or GAD, you can still lead a productive, healthy, and happy life!

Have you seen a pyschiatrist yet? If you haven't please have your parents make you an appointment. This is so important and the necessary first step on your journey to treatment. The doctor will talk to you and teach you coping skills/ techniques (don't forget to check the coping skills out on here; 1st page, 1st post). And then he will see if you can benefit from medication. This too, will prove to be vital when managing your anxiety and PA.

Your story really touches my heart (probably because I have three daughters). Do NOT let this bring you down. Always remember that you cannot die from a panic attack. I know it's tough but remember that The Lord will not put more on you than you can handle.

Here's to your teen years being filled with nothing but happiness, safety, and good memories! ;)

God bless!

Cornell

Post Edited (Cornell) : 10/5/2014 7:44:19 PM (GMT-6)

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