Panic attacks

[Kira]

I would steer clear of medications. I was on one and from time to time I have brain zaps. I hate putting it out there cause it makes me feel like i made it up. But I surely didn't. Google it. They are real, and while they are supposedly harmless, they are con comforting at all. When I kept experiencing them, I didn't want to hear people say "you will be ok" I know it seems like the right thing to say, but don't. Its hard to understand, but its not a helpful phrase. Just listen to your friend if they want to talk. I encourage talking to a psychologist. I have for 3yrs now and am panic free for the most part. Getting a hobby/interest or exercising helps as well. Most of the time I would get SUPER tired after an attack, but its an adrenaline rush and it zaps the heck out of you.
The mind is such a powerful thing. I could make myself have a headache or hurt in a particular place if I truely put it in my mind. I also could put myself outside my body and just feel like I am staring at myself lol. I know sounds weird, but it can be an out of body experience for sure

[Kira]

Originally Posted by mockingbird

this happens to me. I feel like me insides are freaking out, shoulders arms, legs...like I have to stretch but stretching isn't what I need, it's like my muscles are made of elastic but its not a comfortable feeling. I get shaky but not visibly shaking on the outside...almost everything is internal, nothing is really visable from the outside except I will sweat, get flushed or very pale...my entire torso feels super hot. My back, my neck, my stomach, my face all get super hot within 5 minutes my midsection is soaked, but I don't drip sweat off of my head...The heat is mostly contained to my torso. I always feel like I am going to throw up, but usually I don't because most attacks are in the early morning and it would just be dry heaving so I try to just deal.

I close my eyes, breathe, and count. If counting doesn't work I repeat, "you're ok everything is fine, nothing is happening" over and over.

Mine used to ALWAYS involved several hot flashes. I hated it cause my skin would get all tacky and uncomfortable

[canis]

Originally Posted by Kira

I would steer clear of medications. I was on one and from time to time I have brain zaps. I hate putting it out there cause it makes me feel like i made it up. But I surely didn't. Google it. They are real, and while they are supposedly harmless, they are con comforting at all. When I kept experiencing them, I didn't want to hear people say "you will be ok" I know it seems like the right thing to say, but don't. Its hard to understand, but its not a helpful phrase. Just listen to your friend if they want to talk. I encourage talking to a psychologist. I have for 3yrs now and am panic free for the most part. Getting a hobby/interest or exercising helps as well. Most of the time I would get SUPER tired after an attack, but its an adrenaline rush and it zaps the heck out of you.
The mind is such a powerful thing. I could make myself have a headache or hurt in a particular place if I truely put it in my mind. I also could put myself outside my body and just feel like I am staring at myself lol. I know sounds weird, but it can be an out of body experience for sure

I'm glad you mentioned that because that is the only real way to get at the underlying problem(s) that is responsible.

[Kira]

Exactly. And it might take awhile to find a doctor. I went to one doctor who told me I should goto the ER and demand anti anxiety pills. Honestly I was an even bigger mess when I left there than before I walked in. I love my doc. Some people think its just talking, but it is, just....the doctor is a neutral. And the psychologist won't cure the problem in a couple days, weeks, or months. Might take a year or 2. Which is discouraging, but the end result is great. Going out without a feeling of dread or insecurity is nice