Please help to identify this psycological disorder - Panic Disorders Message Board

ikorzha · 06-13-2003, 08:39 AM

Hi to all, I'm new to this board and would like to share my personal problem that has just occured in my marriage.
I'm 27 years old, my wife is the same age we have been married for over 7 years and a have great 3 year old son.
Over years we had some fights but nothing had prepared me what I have exprienced in a last week.
I think my wife has just suffered a nervous breakdown this monday and every day since than has been terrible for both myself and her.
Basicly my wife is a full time law student + full time employment, she recently finished spring semester and now taking summer semester, she is currently in a process of changing jobs from Customer rep to Paralegal.
The whole problem according to her started on monday when we spend 1.5hr in stand still traffic (I have to add that we work in the same company). Also according to her the weather in the north east had a great effect on her. (It is been cold winter and very wet spring here) and it contributed to her mood swings.
So basicly by monday by midday she announced to me that she can no longer carry out relationship and wants out. All she wants is to stay far from me and she doesn't want me to touch her or comfort her, it makes her angry. I try now to stay abit away and do some extra things around the house that I would normally do unfilingly or with some hesitation, so just to stress positives of our life together, I think it does have a positive effect on her, she no longer wants out, but simply wants me to to sway a bit away from her so she has some time to think and get back to herself again. Also I have to add that my wife is prone to negative thinking she very much afraid to fly, and when she has to starts to worry a month in advance. According to her with this new problem that she has, the worst time of the day for her is between 8am-11am and from 9pm to 11pm. She says that during that time she wants to scream at the top of her lungs.

If you might imagine, I very much want to save my married life, I want to help my wife to recover as soon as it is possible can anyone make a miningfull suggestion what I can do in this situation? How can I help her out?
I really hope to hear some responses, it has been the worst week of my entire married life.
Sincerely,
Igor.

Graciecat · 06-13-2003, 09:29 AM

I've been through this twice in my life, and both times I had feelings very much like what your Wife is going through now.
I just wanted to be left alone, I wanted someone else with me in the house, but as far away as possible.
I guess I just wanted to know they were there if I needed them.
The first time I went through it I was only 16 so my Mom and Sister did as I asked and this time around Hubby did the same thing.
It always seemed to make it worse if someone was always asking "Are you okay?".
I just wanted to scream when I heard that.

So just do what she asked, be there is she needs or wants to talk about it, but don't cling to close...I know that drove me crazy.
And when she's having a calmer moment, tell her that you think she needs to see a Doctor.
A good one will run all kinds of tests to rule out everything else..before they say it's a panic disorder.
If your Doctor only talks to Her for a few minutes and says it's panic, my advice would be to find another Doctor.

ikorzha · 06-13-2003, 09:35 AM

Thanks for your reply, I don't know if I'm at the point when I'm ready to see a doctor with her, I'm afraid it would plant idea in her head that I think she is crazy and needs medical attention.
So just one question to you. How did you recover from it? On your own or with medical help? How long did it last?
Thanks in advance, for your reply.

Graciecat · 06-13-2003, 09:52 AM

I understand your fear of suggesting the Doctor, but I wouldn't bring up a Mental Health Doctor right off the bat, your family Doctor can run the tests, that's who did mine.
Something like low blood sugar or an over or under active thyroid could be the reason for what she's feeling.
The first time I went through this I waited 6 months and then just went to my family Doctor when I couldn't stand it anymore.
You name a test and he ran it, when everything came back normal he told me what I had was a panic disorder...it just came out of the blue.
I went on medication for them and was doing very well, then one day I woke up...about 6/7 years later and they were gone...again out of the blue.
Then about 6 years later I was sitting outside one night and they just came back.
I went back on the medication again.
So I can't say that I've "recovered" but the full blown attacks are few and far between now.

I'm not a Doctor, this is just my experiance.
Hope it helped you in some way.
Take care.

hry33 · 06-14-2003, 04:31 PM

tp Ikorzha,
I suggest you both see a n ordinary GP doctor together, it does sound like some type of nervous breakdown and meds should help her, ask the doc to prescribe, rather than sending you both to a psychiatrist

if she exercises more, this may calm and relax her