Wow what a day!!!

[detour13]

Does it get any easier?? Damn.. 38 years with panic attacks and it still hits me hard!! You think one would get used to it after all these years and say" not to worry its only a panic attack" but not we still suffer like it's the 1st one we ever had.. And everytime I have a pain in the chest" OMG I'm dying of a heart attack,,, why why why .. Make is stop!!

[glenninindy]

It's like living in Jurassic Park and being chased by a dinosaur when you least expect it. That is why you should always be prepared by having your panic chat buddies on call, bug out bag when you need it to feel secure, your face mask or paper bag to breathe into to calm you down (because it really does help you to feel better after a few minutes), and your paraphernalia to instantly prove that the dinosaurs really aren't hurting you such as, oximeter, blood pressure and pulse monitors, smart watch with ekg, which will tell you that your vitals are really golden even when you feel like you're dying. You will become stronger than most in times of real trouble, because you survived fighting panic monsters many times over. Oh yeah, don't forget to take a good panic med like Prozac everyday.

[detour13 in reply to glenninindy]

Thanks for the lifting words.. I was on lorazepam for many years .. Gave it up a couple years back..

[designguy]

When I read that panic attacks/anxiety is a paradox, the more we struggle, fight or try to deny them the more they persist and if we surrender to the feelings/adrenalin it will pass through us it became easier to get over my panic attacks. What helped me was reading the DARE Anxiety book and watching their youtube videos, I even subscribed to their phone app for a while. The DARE approach is simple and proactive and put me in control of my panic attacks. Meds can also help at least temporarily. Knowing and understanding what is really going on helps diminish the fear about them.

[detour13 in reply to designguy]

Well I'm looking forward to looking into DARE approach!!

But freak let me tell you when I get a panic attack after having them for 37 years it still feels like the 1st one,, my 1st thought is I want to run home.. It still hits me really hard!! So sad!!

I hope your feeling good today!!

[designguy in reply to detour13]

I'm sure that it still feels like the first one and probably will until you learn how to think differently about them and how to deal with them.

[detour13 in reply to designguy]

Honestly!! I sort of givin up .. I tried everything .. Like I said I'm 57 and had them since I was 18!! I just try to cope with them as best I can.. But it's mentally exhausting!!!

[designguy in reply to detour13]

Quit trying and instead try accepting, what is the worst that can happen.