Want to understand why

I am 51 and had my first attack in October it scared me so much I made a Dr appt and was told it was a panic attack. Since then I live in fear everyday of having them which I have almost weekly especially at night. I am not depressed and pretty much happy. I have a lot going on with work and my mother who is recovering from surgery but nothing new so why am I having these?! Especially at night!? I do have really bad ringing in my ears was wondering if that could cause my panic attacks. I am very thankful to this forum! I realize Iam not alone.

I am willing to try anything because it is causing me more stress waiting for it to happen and wondering why. I go from thinking its stomach related to a brain tumor to heart issues. I have been working on my breathing and recognizing that I am not dying and to talk myself down from an attack but it's very exhausting. Where are the resource links?

Denault,

Your self help techniques sound great so good job on that:) have you ever tried giving into your body and riding the wave of a panic attack? Just recognizing its a bodily reaction and going through the motions until its over? Kind of like when you have a stomach bug.. The less you fight throwing up the less it hurts. Sounds super uncomfortable and undesirable but since it's already present maybe give it a thought the next time you feel one coming on.

I have terrible ringing in my ears when I'm super anxious. As a matter of fact, all of the things you are experiencing are things that those of us with anxiety and panic experience all the time. I know you are fine physically....believe me, I've been through it thousands of times and it always comes back to our anxiety. I have to go to an eye doctor appt. later today for possible cataracts and you'd think I was going in for brain surgery....I'm so scared of doc, tests, diagnosis, etc. I feel like such a baby but it's really paralyzing...I'm already thinking of ways to get out of it cuz I know I'll be in this dark, small room with an unfamiliar doctor and all those thoughts send me over the edge of anxiety. I'll try to work through it tho, just like you have to try and do...it's soooo hard for us anxiety sufferers, isn't it? Doesn't seem fair that we have to suffer like this so much of the time...we all just want to feel "normal" again and not have all these fears. Keep working on it tho....it does get better eventually...it's just the waiting it out that's so hard.

Actually as a female in your stage of life, it is not unusual to have hormone induced anxiety for the first time.

Checking out the above links until you can talk to your doctor and decide on therapy options should help.

Keep posting here with us as well...we will walk beside you as you figure your plan of recovery out. :)

S.C.

Hi:)

Sorry for the late reply...crazy day! ;p

CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  The premise being that through changing our thoughts patterns, we can better manage our anxiety and moods.

It does include talk therapy, but goes beyond that to include worksheets, journaling, and other exercises.

It is pro-active and effective for reducing negaitve thoughts that feed our anxiety/panic.

Here are some therapy worksheets that are an example of what you may find yourself doing as CBT homework.:)

Therapy Work Sheets:

http://www.get.gg/freedownloads2.htm

Keep posting!!  It really is a healing step!

S.C.