Panic attack today...feeling depressed, hopeless, defeated...

Almost immedietely after waking up today I drove for 30 minutes in rush hour traffic towards an area I do not know well with a friend who doesn't know about my panic disorder sitting next to me in the front passenger seat.

Since I've been doing slightly better with my anxiety I didn't want to engage in avoidance behaviors for such "small" outings such as this. Of course I ended up getting severely punished for daring to leave my house by suffering through a terrible panic attack from the moment I was on the road until we finally got back home. Even now, hours after the panic attack, my stomach aches, I'm depressed, I'm tired, and I feel on edge still.

During he attack my chest felt tight, my breathing felt difficult and shallow, my throat felt as though it would close, I felt dizzy, weak, and tired, my palms were sweaty, and my stomach hurt.

Taking the situation into account as well as the symptoms, this definitely sounds like a panic attack triggered by driving in rush hour traffic while not fully awake to a place I wasn't familiar with with a friend who I was trying to hide anxiety symptoms from, does it not?

I feel like such a wuss, everyone says the key to beating or stopping anxiety is to stop the fear of the aymptoms that feed it. Why am I so scared of dying from these symptoms? I cannot seem to do what will help; I cannot seem to be able to just "accept" and float with these horrendous feelings. Right when I think I'm mostly anxiety-free I get this **** panic attack?!?!

I know how that is. I hate poping out of bed and going anywhere. It doesn't matter where it is I get those exact feelings minus the sweaty hands. I get sweaty feet. When it happens to me, and it happens a lot if I have to travel to another side if town. I turn my AC up as high as I can, get at least one vent to blow in my face and take deep breaths. If I don't do that I need to park. If I don't calm down I take back roads home and I don't care how far out if the way it is.

I hope you've calmed down from it all. I know how scary it is. I don't fear the death part and I don't feel like I'm gonna die. I fear I'm gonna get sick which to me is worse than death

Like SC said at least you made it through it.

Yes, I used to get into sort of a panic cycle. I would have an initial attack, then have after-shocks...and feel just generally unwell for anywhere from hours to days afterward.

The classic '10 minute' panic attack from start to peak to finish is a myth!

Rest up, take good care of yourself as far as much needed sleep and good nutrition...do your coping skills, and you will get back on track soon.:)

S.C.

Please try not to worry about the aftermath as everything you describe is perfectly normal for PAD.

I read your post and thought you'd conquered one well- you didn't demand for the car to be stopped so you could crumble onto the pavement quietly, or begin to scream and shout and cry!
So, well done for facing the monster head on and tomorrow is another day...

LP