Why is this anxiety attack lasting so long?

06-28-2012, 01:09 AM

Hi everyone,
I'm 17 and have had anxiety attacks for about a year. I've currently been having one on and off for about 2 days. I'm a newly recovering bulimic and anxious in general. I'm currently not taking any medication. I have convinced myself that I'm having a heart attack, going into respiratory arrest, and that if I go to sleep I will never wake up. Now it's 4 am and I'm still awake scared to death. I have feelings of being outside of my body, feeling like I can't get a full breath without yawning, chest and back pain, and tingling in my wrists and hands. I'm "sorta" coming out of it a little bit, but I'm still refusing to sleep. I know this was made worse by taking Adderall 3 days in a row. I used it to help me recover from my eating disorder, but it definitely increases my anxiety greatly. Now I'm stuck in this anxiety attack. Can anyone please help me? Even though I'm pretty sure this is just another panic attack I'm really really afraid.

06-28-2012, 07:06 AM

I'm sorry no one answered you yet. Are you feeling better yet? Just remember that you have probably felt this way before and you are still alive to tell about it. Anxiety is powerful stuff. Just breathe and you will be all right.

06-28-2012, 07:48 AM

With this level of anxiety, you might want to see your Dr. or a psychiatrist plus a therapist. Since this has been going on so long, I would suggest a thyroid blood test just to make sure your thyroid isn't overactive, which causes anxiety, and can be treated. There is also a medicine called Busbar, which can be used to chronic anxiety, and is safer to take on a long term basis than the "tranquilizers" which are addicitve. Busbar has to be taken every day as a maintenance therapy, not just when needed.

06-28-2012, 12:21 PM

I feel a little bit better, but not a ton. I'm just extremely tired today. Thank you for answering

07-05-2012, 09:22 PM

Ive been there too! Ive just been diagnosed and for me nite time is the worst! I drive myself crazy trying to sleep. I found that xanax doesnt do anything for my problem either. If i feel an attack coming on I try counting down slowly from 100. Taking care to see the numbers form in my mind. Each one bold...anything to think about sumthing other than my pounding heart and hot flashes. i hope it works for you too!!

Why is this anxiety attack lasting so long?

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