Hi. I would really appreciate any advice from fellow sufferers as I am new to this! Two weeks ago I was on a plane on the way back from our holiday when I had what I now realise was a panic attack lasting 3/4 hours. As soon as I got on the plane I felt like I was going to faint and spent the whole flight trying not to pass out. I have flown many times and am not scared. A couple of days later I went into a shop and nearly passed out, I wasn't anxious beforehand at all. Over the next 2 weeks every time I go into a building such as a shop or dentist etc I panic and feel the need to get out. I'm so scared of this feeling, I've never had it before although I have always struggled with depression. I took prednisolone whilst away for a skin condition and wondered if this may have contributed? How can I suddenly become like this or is it the same for most people, fine one minute, then it just happens
Hi
I would suggest a visit to your GP and maybe start a diary of these events just in case there is another cause. I would also start relaxation exercises
I suffer from anxiety in a different way to you, mine comes on at any time and seems to be without a trigger, even at times that I should be most relaxed. Yours sounds like you are able to pinpoint certain triggers and that being in slightly confined spaces is not easy for you at the moment?
All I can say is to get help straight away before it continues, at only 2 weeks, it hasn't turned into a dissorder and you are likely to be able to get rid of this quite easily - don't do what I did and leave it for over a year to find help please!!
I was same on flite 3 days ago panic just comes out of nowhere secret is to rationalize the thought immediate!y
Hi Jodie. Thanks for replying. That must be horrible for you, is it anxiety or a full on Panic attack that you get? What help did you get? It has only been 2 wks but the effect has been awful, darent go out alone, panic in shops etc and have to go outside. Determined to get it sorted before it takes hold like you say. How are you now?
Has it happened to you before or was that the first time? I didn't realise what it was till a few days later, just thought I must have picked something up! But then it kept happening and I clicked what it was. Worst place ever on a plane as you can't really get off!!
Thanks for your reply, much appreciated. I have been to gp and she gave me propranolol. I was checked over quite thoroughly and all good! Don't want to take propranolol really but tried it today to see and don't feel great on it! Relaxation classes sound good
That's how it happens. Fine one minute then poof everything changes, but it does get better
I went to my GP about 8 times over a period of months, plus about 4 visits to a&e and others to specialist doctors before I was actually offered help for the anxiety - I was so sure it was too physical to be anxiety but it took a very long time for them to finally refer me for CBT counselling and I am now taking 100mg of sertraline per day also. According to my GP, mine has developed into an anxiety disorder - I think that is what they term anyone with who has been suffering for a long period of time and mine was panic attacks that could happen so many times per day so I thought it felt almost 24/7. I wouldn't be able to pin point a time it first got worse, for a long time I believed it was something to do with alcohol, even if I had one glass of wine, they next day would be far worse so I stopped drinking at all but the problem was still there and that's when I first tried to get help.
Visit your GP there could be a medical reason, are you double jointed?
I feel your pain, I had my first Panic attack on a plane also and have had them on and off ever since. You need to get to your doctor and hopefully you will get rid of it before it becomes consistent in your life
It definitely can be fine one minute and not the next. Anxious thoughts can be sneaky. I discovered that I could begin to feel anxious without thinking about it, really. Sort of like my body just took over. But not to worry, you can still work with it. It's the secondary thoughts that we have about the anxious feelings that keep fear alive. This is how to deal with panic attacks: Try to move toward the feeling, instead of recoiling from it. Let the adrenaline rush go through you again and again until you realize it just doesn't matter. You're still standing, still in one piece, still sane (even if you don't feel like you are!) Anxiety is a big, toothless lion. Give it a pat on the head, scratch it behind the ears and walk around it. Much harder to do than to say, I know. But you sound like an intelligent woman, I'm confident you'll find your way. I recommend Claire Week's book, "Hope and Help for Your Nerves", she deals with exactly this kind of thing. Best wishes!
Thank you for your reply. It makes sense, it's definitely the fear of anxiety that causes more anxiety, I will try moving towards it like you say instead of dreading the feeling, it's all quite new to me at the moment so any tips are more than welcome! I'll try the book too.
Do you manage to lead a 'normal' life with this? I'm desperate to get back to work but tried two wks after it happened and passed out!! Made it worse but needed to try.
Thanks again for replying, sorry only just seen message
Best wishes
Hi There
I just wanted to let you know a similar thing happened to me. Ive had anxiet for about 3 years but totally got it under control lately. So we booked a lovely family holiday to spain and for some reason i totally freaked out at the airport!!! No reason at all, full on anxiety etc. BUt the problem was once we got there, the anxiety didnt leave me at all, i had it day and night, even sitting by the pool relaxing i just couldnt - i ended up in the room crying my eyes out cos i felt such a freak on holiday and not enjoying the lovely pool and sunshine!! IN the end we had to fly home after 3 days, it got so bad, and my anxiety at the airport on the way home was horrendous. When we got home, i felt so releived and fine! But every now and then i do get 'pangs' of sudden dread and anxiety out of nowhere, it feels like that whole experiance has opened an old wound?!