Sounds great Tom. Please let us know if you need any help navigating through the site. Also, feel free to post questions and comments at any time. We are always here to help and support you in whatever you need.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing, and let us know how those relaxation techniques worked for you

 

I dont know how i posted that twice two different times.

 

I havent started it, i just joined yesterday and i am still trying to figure it out. I will have to try those relaxation techniques.

I have been to the doctor before and i was given a chest x-ray but that was it. They said my chest looked fine. Other then that i was told its just a panic attack. There hasnt been a change in my surroundings but there has been several stress causers such as 20 credit hours a quarter, 32+ hours a week of work, finals coming up, problems with the girlfriend, a vacation coming up (stressful because ill be far away from my house and ill have to ride in a car for 3 or 4 hours each way).

 

I'm not sure what i did the months where my panic was not as severe. Id still have panic but i was able to ignore it better. It seemed to go away alot faster. The attacks that i did have were the normal 10 to 20 minute panic attacks and not the hour or two long beasts they are now.

 

I will be going to the doctors on tuesday. Hopefully he will come up with something helpful.

Congratulations on driving down town!  That is a huge accomplishment.  You should feel very proud of yourself!

 

It is clear that you have a lot on your plate right now.  This could be a reason why the panic has worsened.  Right now you really have to focus on managing your stress.   Eat healthy, exercise and try to sleep well. Having a healthy body is essential to having a healthy mind. Also, since you are going through a particularly stressful time try to do relaxation techniques in the mornings, before bed and whenever you feel particularly stressed.  Please read through the relaxation page in your auxiliary sessions. 

 

How far are you along in the program? Are you finding it helpful?

 

Let us know how your doctors appointment goes. 

 

Keep staying strong.  We are all here for you whenever you need us.

 

 

I have been to the doctor before and i was given a chest x-ray but that was it. They said my chest looked fine. Other then that i was told its just a panic attack. There hasnt been a change in my surroundings but there has been several stress causers such as 20 credit hours a quarter, 32+ hours a week of work, finals coming up, problems with the girlfriend, a vacation coming up (stressful because ill be far away from my house and ill have to ride in a car for 3 or 4 hours each way).

 

I'm not sure what i did the months where my panic was not as severe. Id still have panic but i was able to ignore it better. It seemed to go away alot faster. The attacks that i did have were the normal 10 to 20 minute panic attacks and not the hour or two long beasts they are now.

 

I will be going to the doctors on tuesday. Hopefully he will come up with something helpful.

Tom,

 

Welcome to the site and thank you for sharing your experience today.

 

In terms of the dizziness you are experiencing, have you spoken to your family doctor lately about this symptom? Although dizziness is a listed symptom associated with panic disorder, you should be evaluated further to rule out other potential causes.

In the meantime, try taking 30 seconds between each shift in position.

For ex: Going from lying to sitting, take a 30 second pause before getting up to a standing position.

 

You also mentioned in your post that in the last 3 weeks, your panic attacks have increased. Have you experienced any changes in your daily routine that could be a potential onset to this increase? Has your environment changed at all? Are there any other issues that could be impacting your panic attacks and dizzy spells? Perhaps take some time to reflect on these last few weeks and what things have been like for you. Don't forget to take some time for yourself between school and work! Also try thinking about the months when you were free of panic attacks. Were you doing anything differently during this time? Were there any strategies that you would find helpful?

 

Continue to post and let us know how these next few days go for you. We are here for you whenever you need us!

 

 

hey yall. My name is Tom, i am a full-time college student and a part-time worker with full-time hours. I live in metro Atlanta, Georgia. I have been suffering from what i think is severe panic disorder for 2 years. I have not received any help from professionals and have been able to tough it out from time to time. It started when i was a junior in high school, i took diet pills and energy drinks regularly. This caused me to have mild anxiety. I had always suffered from anxiety-like disorders, including fear of becoming sick when i was younger and severe IBS from high school on ward. Like i said, i used diet pills and energy drink for a while and while a senior in high school i got my first job. The day before i went to work i had my first panic attack. I was at a religious convention when i all of a sudden had shortness of breath and felt like i couldnt breath. Two days later i got hired at my first job....Starbucks. With a very mild case of panic attacks developing i started my job at the caffiene capital. I was required to try every drink i made that way i could tell customers about it. All the caffiene from the two weeks after caused me to have a nervous breakdown. I couldn't go anywhere, do anything, or ride in cars because i would collapse. Finally i went to the doctor and he told me it was a panic attack. He didnt really run any other tests to make sure it wasn't something else, which has bothered me for the longest time. So i was able to tough it out and the symptoms got to be a little better but i still lived with shortness of breath. My panic attacks are not like most others, they last for an hour or two before subsiding a little. Even after they subside i still struggle for breath and get dizzy the ENTIRE day. I am able to tough it out sometimes. Ill be fine for a couple months and then ill have 3 or so weeks of straight hell. I just recently went 4 months without having a hard time. I would get a panic attack every day or so but that is nothing and i can handle that. But i had some things happen and the past 3 weeks i have had non stop panic attacks. Everyday i have atleast 5 or 6 and throughout the entire day i feel like breathing is labored, i get dizzy, and scared of what it can be. I gotta admit, im having a hard time toughing this one out.

 

Btw, when i was typing this earlier i could barely sit up my attack was so bad. I tried to sit up in bed and i fell right back down. I was able to ignore it after a while and go to work and now since im back from work i finished it up.