crook123
07-26-2005, 06:22 AM
I've got 3 things to mention, I dont know if they're all connected or not. I think 2 and 3 maybe however.
Firstly, last year I had Colitis for which I successfully recovered through medication of steroids, which later were taken over by Imuran, of which I now take 2 pills a day. I experience no more symptoms of the Colitis anymore.
Secondly, a while back in one of my school classes I first experience what I believe was some sort of panic attack. Concentrating on my breathing, feeling I'm about to lose control etc. This continued but only in these specific lessons, I usually just went through it but sometimes I told the teacher if I could leave. Then when I did my exams recently I experienced the same things, and many times I said I was too ill and was allowed to do them on my own. These symptoms then seemed to slowly creep in to other things I did, like when I had to drive long distances on trips and holidays most recently. I frequently needed to stop, because of going through these sort of panic attacks?
Symptoms I more noticed were they occured in places where escape may be hard (e.g. the motorway). I panic because my mind strays thinking about what may happen I suddenly lose control etc. I also get the feeling I will wee or something without being able to stop it.
Thirdly now, at home I keep thinking about death and worrying about my death and my mothers. How I will cope etc. I find my mind can't rationally come to terms with it, even though i know its useless to keep worrying. But as I do it makes me feel sick and my stomach churns and my thoughts turn to bad things happening to me right now. I keep feeling down now because of this, because I can't get on without keeping having these thoughts on my mind.
I need some advice, what shall I do? Do I have a mental illness or something?
Firstly, last year I had Colitis for which I successfully recovered through medication of steroids, which later were taken over by Imuran, of which I now take 2 pills a day. I experience no more symptoms of the Colitis anymore.
Secondly, a while back in one of my school classes I first experience what I believe was some sort of panic attack. Concentrating on my breathing, feeling I'm about to lose control etc. This continued but only in these specific lessons, I usually just went through it but sometimes I told the teacher if I could leave. Then when I did my exams recently I experienced the same things, and many times I said I was too ill and was allowed to do them on my own. These symptoms then seemed to slowly creep in to other things I did, like when I had to drive long distances on trips and holidays most recently. I frequently needed to stop, because of going through these sort of panic attacks?
Symptoms I more noticed were they occured in places where escape may be hard (e.g. the motorway). I panic because my mind strays thinking about what may happen I suddenly lose control etc. I also get the feeling I will wee or something without being able to stop it.
Thirdly now, at home I keep thinking about death and worrying about my death and my mothers. How I will cope etc. I find my mind can't rationally come to terms with it, even though i know its useless to keep worrying. But as I do it makes me feel sick and my stomach churns and my thoughts turn to bad things happening to me right now. I keep feeling down now because of this, because I can't get on without keeping having these thoughts on my mind.
I need some advice, what shall I do? Do I have a mental illness or something?
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GatsbyLuvr1920
07-26-2005, 08:40 AM
It sounds like panic disorder. The thoughts about death could be possible OCD. Maybe you can elaborate more on the intrusive thoughts so I can better diagnose? Good luck and God bless! :angel:
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-GatsbyLuvr1920-
crook123
07-26-2005, 09:14 AM
Well in situations where I have now identified that my problem is the uneasiness of escape. The thoughts turn to myself feeling as if i am going to faint, or my stomach is going to explode. Or I'm going to throw up or become short of breathe and suffocate. Just totally lose control or something.
On death whenever I think about it, I'm thinking how meaningless life is and just being afraid of my death and of close ones around me. Them not being their also, dieing alone.
That has been building up I think but over the past 2 days its been very disturbing.
On death whenever I think about it, I'm thinking how meaningless life is and just being afraid of my death and of close ones around me. Them not being their also, dieing alone.
That has been building up I think but over the past 2 days its been very disturbing.
GatsbyLuvr1920
07-26-2005, 09:32 AM
It definitely sounds like panic disorder- the fact that you're worrying about escape, losing control, and possibly throwing up in public are all common symptoms. I don't have panic disorder, but I do get frequent panic attacks that match your symptoms. The death thing sounds like panic disorder, too. You didn't mention being afraid that you would kill one of your loved ones by not being careful enough, or that you see images of yourself killing your loved ones, which would be OCD. Instead, it sounds more like you're afraid of dying during the panic attack and not having anyone around to help you. Is this because, when you get these symptoms, it feels as though you're having a heart attack and going to die? Very common reaction to the "fight-or-flight" response in panic disorder.
-GatsbyLuvr1920-
-GatsbyLuvr1920-
crook123
07-26-2005, 09:52 AM
Thanks for your comments.
I think I came to realise quite quickly that nothing will happen in these panic attacks, upon reflection. I know its mental but when they happen I always get the feeling of 'what if?'. I don't even know if they're that severe of a panic attack, because its after I feel like a made to big a deal of things. Yet when I'm in those situations I just have to get out.
I think I'm able to predict where I may have one now, because of the recurring situations, and I think its this thought process which just causes me to have it anyway due to the worry. It's nervousness and anxiousness and stuff.
So I've basically cut down things I do, I'm on holiday now, but I began missing the classes they were occuring in, and I now will not go on any long journeys anywhere, especially not involving motorways, with or without people.
Do I need to see a doctor, are their things I can do?
I think I came to realise quite quickly that nothing will happen in these panic attacks, upon reflection. I know its mental but when they happen I always get the feeling of 'what if?'. I don't even know if they're that severe of a panic attack, because its after I feel like a made to big a deal of things. Yet when I'm in those situations I just have to get out.
I think I'm able to predict where I may have one now, because of the recurring situations, and I think its this thought process which just causes me to have it anyway due to the worry. It's nervousness and anxiousness and stuff.
So I've basically cut down things I do, I'm on holiday now, but I began missing the classes they were occuring in, and I now will not go on any long journeys anywhere, especially not involving motorways, with or without people.
Do I need to see a doctor, are their things I can do?
crook123
07-26-2005, 10:04 AM
I just read this:
For people who are prone to anxiety and panic attacks, their parasympathetic nervous system, or their ability to restore their body back to normal after experiencing a stressor, does not seem to function properly. Hence, people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks have a faulty parasympathetic nervous system, which for some unknown reason mal-functions in its ability to restore the body back to a normal state. The sufferer then remains keyed up simply because there are high levels of free-floating adrenaline in the body that have not burned off yet. For some it lasts for hours, for others it can last for days
Source: http://www.panicla.com/pages/wi_anx.html
Which may be significant given that 2 days ago I came back for a holiday. A 3 hour journey to get home, in which I experienced the symptoms I described for a pro-longed period, becoming very stressed. Had to stop off many times.
Perhaps this could be the reason for my feeling anxious and obsessive over death at this moment in time.
For people who are prone to anxiety and panic attacks, their parasympathetic nervous system, or their ability to restore their body back to normal after experiencing a stressor, does not seem to function properly. Hence, people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks have a faulty parasympathetic nervous system, which for some unknown reason mal-functions in its ability to restore the body back to a normal state. The sufferer then remains keyed up simply because there are high levels of free-floating adrenaline in the body that have not burned off yet. For some it lasts for hours, for others it can last for days
Source: http://www.panicla.com/pages/wi_anx.html
Which may be significant given that 2 days ago I came back for a holiday. A 3 hour journey to get home, in which I experienced the symptoms I described for a pro-longed period, becoming very stressed. Had to stop off many times.
Perhaps this could be the reason for my feeling anxious and obsessive over death at this moment in time.
GatsbyLuvr1920
07-26-2005, 10:15 AM
My parasympathetic nervous system is pretty much non-existent! LOL! ;) Anyway, panic disorder is like the rest of the anxiety disorders to treat- it usually requires both medication and Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy (CBT). A group of anti-anxiety medications called benzodiazepines ("benzos" for short), which include such names as Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin, are far superior for panic attacks than the SSRI's (Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, etc.) I take Zoloft for my OCD, and it definitely helps for that, but it does absolutely nothing for my panic attacks. If I want to quell a panic attack, I have to take an Ativan (another benzo). CBT is a type of therapy that helps reshape the way that you think so that you won't overreact to your symptoms. I'm in CBT currently for my OCD, and I'm being taught how to overcome my obsessions and how to resist doing compulsions. For panic disorder, you'll be taught certain breathing techniques to minimize the panic as well as be told to monitor the thoughts and symptoms you experience during an attack, and what triggered the panic in the first place. I would definitely go to the doctor and start treatment because nobody should have to live with this kind of fear. Good luck and God bless! :angel:
-GatsbyLuvr1920-
-GatsbyLuvr1920-
crook123
07-26-2005, 10:29 AM
Thanks a lot for your advice! very much appreciated.
GatsbyLuvr1920
07-26-2005, 10:36 AM
No problem! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! Hope you feel better soon! :angel:
-GatsbyLuvr1920-
-GatsbyLuvr1920-
crook123
07-27-2005, 08:17 AM
Went to the doctor he gave me a booklet on panic, on which to answer questions and it gives you advice and tells you how they are not harmful etc. Some techniques in there. Told me to come back in a week. :confused:
Amberay
07-27-2005, 10:51 AM
You do need to get in and see a doctor. I don't think you have a mental illness, it's anxiety and panic attacks. I can assume you also suffer from depression? There are all sorts of medications that will help you. It may take a few tries, but your doctor will help you find the one that's best for you. Remember that you are not crazy. Take care!
GatsbyLuvr1920
07-27-2005, 03:19 PM
Amberay- As much as I hate to admit it, the anxiety disorders are considered "mental illnesses." :rolleyes: Even though most people think of "mental illness" as the more severe type such as schizophrenia and bipolar mania, all of the "psychiatric conditions" (euphemism for "mental illness") are listed in the DSM-IV as some form of mental illness. Sadly, there's still so much stigma in the world about mental illness- I hope someday, that we'll all be accepted... :angel: Hope you're doing well! Talk to you soon!
-GatsbyLuvr1920-
-GatsbyLuvr1920-