Panic Attack

Hi...I have just signed up as a member today with hopes of getting some feedback from other members who suffer panic/anxiety attacks.   I have been suffering from panic/anxiety attacks for the past 12 years and have not taken any medication for treatment up to this time.  I have tried talking myself out of panic situations as best I can, or try to avoid situations that trigger panic.  Well....I feel I have reached the limit of self help and now have to find other means of helping my situation.   My attacks are at the point now where I will avoid going places or doing things knowing the attack is going to happen.  I've become a home body!!  My boyfriend has planned a trip for us to fly to Montreal in 2 weeks.  I haven't slept good the past few nights knowing I have to FLY!!!! I'm petrified.  I avoid certain city roads knowing its too busy and I panic with too many vehicles.   I avoid standing in long line ups at stores.  I have to sit near an exit door at a restaurant, knowing I can leave quick if I have too.  I really truly believe I need drug treatment and possibly counselling.  Any information from members here would be greatfully appreciated.  I look forward to meeting and conversing with all of you.  Thank you...and take care. 

hey there and welcome.

Sorry to hear that your panic and anxiety has brought you to this point, but I think there will be a positive in all of this. I think with the right treatment you will be able to do all those things you slowly lost the ability to do. Sometimes it takes us to get to a breaking point before we start to really fix ourselves (not to say you haven been doing a great job so far!). I agree with Kitt. If you can see someone before your trip, that maybe really helpful for you. Losing sleep weeks ahead, and fearing the unknown seems almost like a set up for an uncomfortable time.

I wish you the best. Hang in there! and keep us posted.
dan

HI! I had tons of anxiety for an upcoming flight and found that this website helped a lot www.fearofflyinghelp.com. There is also a message board like this on there. The course is free, you do it on your computer, and offers great tips for dealing with anxiety in flight. I took .25 of Xanax and it helped but I had to be ready and use other techniques to stay calm. I am so glad I did it though. After your flight you will feel so accomplished. I like to over prepare. Bring some food. Protein bars travel great. Buy water after you get through security. Have meditation music on MP3 with you. I brought a sleep mask so that I wouldn't have to see all the people on the plane. I closed my eyes and pretended I was there all alone. Having all that stuff w/ me (and a travel pillow and blanket) made me feel totally in control. I was self sufficient. I refused drink service from the flight attendants and enjoyed not having to worry about a beverage on my tray table spilling. I had my own water bottle. Let me know if the course helps you or if you have more questions.

Just wanted to say well done for not taking any medication for the first 12 years of your anxiety / panic!  That in itself is quite something as most people are only too quick to go down the medication route, myself included lol! 

Think what others have said is really good advice about the flying issue.  See if your doc will give you a one off dose of something to help settle you on the aeroplane.  I also find that bringing your own headphones with music you find relaxing to be a big help and sitting in an aisle seat may help you to feel less panicky.

Im confident that you will find excellent support on this site and everyone is always happy to chat, listen and give great advice.

Take Care

L x

Hi Destiny, firstly welcome and secondly you have overcome a huge obstacle by coming on here in the first place and talking, something I never bothered with for 7 years but I am glad I did and of course you did too. Talking is excellent therapy. A lot of your symptoms are so similar to mine ie,sitting near an exit, avoiding long queues etc etc. The next thing I did was go to see my GP, and was prescribed 20mg citalopram which has worked wonders for me but isn't the drug for everyone as you probably know already. After I had been on citalopram for 6 weeks or so, I then had an appointment with a CBT therapist. This guy is GOD disguised I am sure. He has been brilliant and if you read through my CBT thread, amazing. I would whole heartedly recommend CBT, again doesn't work for everyone but worth a go surely? He has changed the way I look at things and analyse my own thoughts etc. I am 30, and I haven't had a panic attack for 2 months and today gave blood for the 1st time. Best of luck and please do keep everyone posted on your successes, no matter how small they are; they are still achievements of which you should be proud of!