Panic/anxiety attacks

duloch

Is there a difference between panic and anxiety attacks? I have suffered from a few panic attacks in the past where I have had trouble breathing and my hands and fingers have gone into spasm and I had to breathe into a bag to calm myself down but the other day I felt an attack coming on however my hands didnt go into spasm but instead of going into a full on attack I started to cry instead. I dont know whats worse as now a few days later I still feel tearful and my chest and muscles ache from sobbing and breathing hard. I am not asking for medical advice as I am going to make a doctors appointment but I was just wondering if there is a difference and if anyone has any coping tips. Thanks

belfastgirl23

I would personally guess that anxiety just sounds a bit more 'medical' than panic but they're both the same thing.

I don't know what advice to offer exactly except to say that when you 'come out' as having had them, it's amazing how many people say 'yes me too' so don't feel alone about it. I had them for a long period of time and i don't know what changed but just somehow I mostly stopped having them again. I did have hypnotherapy for my worst situation for them (flying) and it helped quite a bit too.

Sorry if not much help, i just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

edited to say I also found rescue remedy really helpful too

duloch

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

I would personally guess that anxiety just sounds a bit more 'medical' than panic but they're both the same thing.

I don't know what advice to offer exactly except to say that when you 'come out' as having had them, it's amazing how many people say 'yes me too' so don't feel alone about it. I had them for a long period of time and i don't know what changed but just somehow I mostly stopped having them again. I did have hypnotherapy for my worst situation for them (flying) and it helped quite a bit too.

Sorry if not much help, i just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

edited to say I also found rescue remedy really helpful too

Thanks, I have heard a few people mention rescue remedy and think I am going to go get some from the chemist tomorrow. A few days on and I am still feeling quite teary and have a sore chest. Its pretty hard to get a doctors appointment here but I dont think there is anything medically wrong anyway. My fear is hospitals and visiting people sounds silly and it makes me feel stupid but I cant help it. I suppose everyone is scared of something different. Thanks again.

clairibel

I used to have regular panic attacks and wouldn't leave the house, i had hypnotherapy for them and now when i get them on the rare occasion i know how to stop them.

Anxiety for me is a lot worse as this is harder for me to control and i get the aches and pains and just feel very tense with a range of emotions depending on the situ, my anxiety is everyday but some days much less and i know the situ's that cause it for me but lots of times i have it for no apparent reason.

I have much success with eft and do this when stressed, tense, anxious, can't sleep and it does seem to work for me, but not everything works for everyone

I also feel yoga works for me because its all about breathing control and i do feel very calm when i've done it, i just need to motivate myself more i suppose

Hope you feel better soon x

belfastgirl23

duloch wrote: »

Thanks, I have heard a few people mention rescue remedy and think I am going to go get some from the chemist tomorrow. A few days on and I am still feeling quite teary and have a sore chest. Its pretty hard to get a doctors appointment here but I dont think there is anything medically wrong anyway. My fear is hospitals and visiting people sounds silly and it makes me feel stupid but I cant help it. I suppose everyone is scared of something different. Thanks again.

The feeling stupid part of it is nearly the worst thing actually. Mine was largely being on public transport - buses, planes and to a lesser extent trains. As for the underground...phew. I've walked most of London because of it although now that I've discovered buses I feel better. The thought of a rush hour tube makes me actually queasy. And nothing whatsoever to do with london bombs etc. So I know all about stupid fears

The other thing I'd say though is that I didn't do anything about it at all for years because I felt so stupid and embarassed (this was early 90s before such things were really talked about). I missed out on so many things because I was too scared to participate. Looking back it was such a waste. Don't let it happen you!

Good luck with sorting them out!

londoner1998

I have suffered from them too and I actually think the tight chest and especially tears are a positive sign- at least now you are letting go of some of that anxiety and are not keeping it in. Yoga is fantastic for it, I have managed to stop pretty nasty ones with a bit of experience (there is a direct link between the breath and the brain). I wouldn't worry too much, just let yourself go if you feel like crying- sometimes we don't know what we are holding inside...

Ruthie5

I suffered with panic attacks for many years, and was diagnosed as having general anxiety disorder. For me the main things that helped were reading books about panic, and also realising that it is okay to say if you are feeling uncomfortable.

I'm still a little prone towards them, but can't remember the last time I had a full blown panic attack. At one time I really felt I couldn't control them and that was frightening, but now I feel much more in control. Again, it is surprising how many people have had panic attacks, and what a positive response you can get if you let people know. I was ashamed for quite a long time, before I realised it's okay to have a panic attack - so what. Once I realised this, it all became much less scary.

Hope this helps! Ruthie

msmaz_2

Hi Dulloch, I had to leave my job recently due to anxiety/panic attacks and it is horrible feeling this way i have recently purchased 'The Linden Method' online as it claims to be really successful at curing this.Maybe you could google it and see what you think about it?Ive just started with it but it is really helpful so far.Charles Linden suffered form panic attacks,ocd and agorphobia and he figured out this method which he said cured him completely!

recovering_spendaholic

I have suffered with panic and anxiety for years and found that a book called "Self Help for your Nerves" really helped me. You can get from Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Help-Your-Nerves-overcoming/dp/0722531559/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281600091&sr=8-1

I found that it was written in such clear non-patronising terms and it explained things in such a way that when I had read it I wasn't so terrified of having another attack, and although I still suffer with anxiety, I am much better than I was.

I have missed out on doing so much stuff over the years and even now there are things which I won't do, but in general I am better than I was.

I never found rescue remedy to do much although Calms do help I think. My GP prescribed SSRI anti-depressants and they made the anxiety a million times worse!

grey_lady

You might find the Panic Attacks Workbook by Dr David Carbonell helpful it's based on CBT and the idea that the panic is a trick, your mind and then your body overreacting to a percieved danger. I found it helpful for lifts and bridges and i've not even got to the practical exercises yet, I'm hoping the exercises will help me tackle tubes and planes.

Amazon have a free preview of a couple of chapters.

duloch

Thanks guys, I def think its anxiety this time as its lasting for days. Everything hurts and I feel like I have been in a boxing match and someone is sitting on my chest. I am def going to look into starting some yoga or something but maybe not a class, might get a dvd or the wii yoga. Looking forward to starting back work next week (only work term-time) so will get make to some routine again. Just need to get this crying business over with although not cried since saturday but its still there if you know what I mean. Polo mints are helping alot lol when I feel a bit jittery I suck on 1 and it seems to calm me down. AAAGGGGHHH I hate feeling likes this and others seeing me. Thanks again.