Panic Attacks

[Shari 6]

Thanks for writing Michelle. I know that I am not dying, but that panic feeling is making me avoid things/places. Right this minute my co-workers are in a small conference room giving a baby shower. Four of us walked in together; it was already full; I stood near the door for a minute knowing I was feeling anxious. I got a drink and backed out without anyone really paying attention, but I know they will realize I'm not in there and then I will have to explain. My co-workers and I are close, but still it's embarrasing.

Yesterday I got in line with my husband at Taco Bell. The line was full. I started getting that feeling. I told my husband. He asked if I wanted to sit down and he would order, but I didn't want to give into it. I told him I would be okay and started inconspicuously taking my slow, deep breaths in and blowing them out. By the time we got to the register I was okay, but if he wouldn't have been there, I would have been out the door the second that feeling hit.

It just seems like this cycle is worse than before as I am avoiding situations I don't want to have to avoid. Again, I just started Lexapro yesterday, and I do have an appointment Monday with a counselor, so I hope I can survive the weekend without that horrible feeling rearing its ugly head.

[KiKi 0]

Shari.....

I have had panic attacks since I was 16 years old and from the age of 19 to about 22 I was completely agorophobic and housebound.

I know it's hard but try not to avoid the situations that make oyu anxious or they get worse and worse..... that is how agorophobia creeps in, slowly but surely your world starts to shrink, until almost everything gives you panic attacks.

There was a point where I was so bad I couldn't hardly take a shower, I had to keep half my body out of the shower in case I needed to jump out.

I did a special therapy caleed TERRAP (territorial apprehension) which is based on slowly desensitizing. I would walk two steps out my door on Monday and three on tues etc....

Avoiding the anxiety provoking situation is the really dangerous thing, keep doing them in small steps.

They used to say in TERRAP to tell yourself, "I will not Fall, Faint or Freak out......" the 3 F's

breathe deeply...... use self talk like "I'm okay....calm down.....breathe"

I SO understand about traffic etc.

To this day, 18 years later I STILL can not drive ont he highway AT ALL.

The thought that I will have a panic atttacka dn wredk or coause a wreck is so strong that I HAVE a panic attack.

A great book is "Hope and Help for your Nerves" By Claire Weeks.

Good luck...try to keep doing the things that make you anxious and breathe in and tell yourself I will be oaky...etc.

I Know how much it sucks. I take Attivan and it helps alot, but of course, is addictive. Don't really care though......I NEED it!

Good Luck!

[Peggy 1]

I just started taking Lexapro.

This is my third month on it now. I only take 10 mg a day.

Every thing was bothering me to the point I got depressed for about 8 months and would take aniexty attacks which scared the ####### out of me. They seem to be working for me. Stuff that bothered me before doesnt bother me as much anymore.

I did have some side effects from them but I dont anymore.

I did lose 10 pounds on them the first month thou. Which was a bonus.

I always hated taking any type of pills for even a headache, but I am glad I went to the doctor and got something to make me feel better.