I'm a 27 year old female I get horrible panic attacks a week before my period And while I'm on my period. it affects my life my family my job I'm I mess!! . My heart races my face goes numb I get racing thoughts, I hate it. I dread leaving the house I hate this time of month. I also get a lot of anxiety right before my period. I am on a very low dose of lexapro. I feel like I'm crazy! Am I the only women who gets this??
Amber,
I think that can trigger panic (you can google it,) makes sense, they're both hormonal, adrenaline is a hormone that triggers panic, periods can cause PMS.
Don't draw conclusions from panicky feelings, you're not crazy nor a mess, you feel that way but you're not. Panic makes you feel terrible but you're not. If you feel panic when you leave the house you might be scared to later which could trigger panic again. CBT tries to stop that "stinking thinking" and reassure you to go out, nothing bad will happen, breathe deeply, don't get "conditioned" to stay in.
Sertraline stopped my panic attacks but oddly makes me more anxious, I'm starting to stop it (very very slowly to avoid withdrawal effects.) . Will try again to practice what I preached, not let panic bother me.)
Patrick
Hi amber, I started having panic attacks right before my period about ten years ago, (16) at that time I thought it was "PMS" until I was having a glass of wine one night with my parents and completely lost it. Thought I was posioned, dying, falling, tripping, totally just a mess. Then it went away. Then it came back. Then it was every day. I don't want to scare you more, if anything the only thing you should bescared of is Letting it go to far. Forums can help but you do need to see a doctor.
If the panic a Attacks are happening around your period, take an iron supplement a few days before and during. Drink 2x more water than you think you need. My doctor, one of final ones I saw, asked if I ever had a heart murmur. This of course sent me into a full tailspin panic "I'm dying!" Mode, but she explained there is a connection between harmless murmurs that acts up when pressure drops ( your period) and during dehydration. To the body a slightly different heartbeat, can read to the rain "we're dying let's freak out!" One because your brain doesn't know the difference and two the body knows it's pressure is low and only knows one was to get is up. ,y answer: 1. See doctor. 2. Salt, water iron, b12
Sorry about the misspellings I'm typing on my phone on The train ! Just breathe. Breathe and water.