Panic attack

[american_army_guy]

So hey everyone, I'm new here.....  I am Josh and I'm 30 years old.....

I had PTSD but went to cpt therapy....  Got things under control But a month after having completed that I had a panic attack, now at that time I didn't know what it was and I was afraid I rushed to the E.R.

They gave me the news and I was like thank goodness But now looking back at that two months later, maybe I was a little ignorant to panic......

So that first month rolls by, had that spaced out feeling for 3 weeks, the first week I slept, just drained.....  I started coming back around and thought hey that was it so I'm better now.....

2nd  attack happens going to work.....  That was 4 weeks ago today....  It wasn't as bad but still felt like crap and I still went to the E.R. like an idiot....

I quit smoking cold turkey, I have up surgar and caffeine like that.  The spaced out feeling was worse this time.....  I stayed in bed a week almost and felt like hell for about the same period...  Maybe a lil longer and I wasn't sure if it was because I quit smoking cold turkey at the second attack.....

I start CBT soon after this at the V.A. and my doctor rocks, he is a general in the army reserve and has done this since 1981.....  He has dealt with 30000 panics in his life.......  Made me realize that these things are your mind playing tricks and if you dont fear it, it can not harm you......  And will go away the more you ignore it to the point where it's gone.....

He also said and showed me in a book that panic infact does go away with age and with ignoring it.......

Was trying to see if anyone has had succes there?  He also doesn't want me on meds for it because he said CBT works better with no meds......

Just some words of encouragement......

I lost my friends in combat 7 total, lost my Dad coming home from deployment to cancer, lost two friends last summer to drug use, lost my ex and the little girl I helped raise due to PTSD and not getting help....  

Death and loss is my triggers.....

4th session of CBT yesterday.....  Encouraged but today I tanked pretty bad and felt an attack coming so I been in bed most of the day.....

[olliebear88]

Hey pal, the good news is this site really does help! There are loads of people on here who suffer very similar symptoms and sharing really does help!

CBT is great and seeing a therapist is definitely the right way to go. The experiences you have been through are hugely tough for anyone to take and I massively sympathise with you. I'm male and 28 and suffered really badly with panic attacks about 2 years ago. I saw a therapist, did CBT, and had some diazepam (purely as a safety net only too take in extreme times to sleep) and I got over it. 

Had a brief laps recently too and I am sleeping badly so run down, but, I know I can fight it and get over it and I'm sure you will too. 

Speak to people, ask advise, and believe me there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As hard as it is try not to lie in bed all day, go for a walk, call some people, drink water, eat healthy and exercise and things will only get better!

[american_army_guy in reply to olliebear88]

Thanks man, just encouraging.....  Just down because I was "normal" before February and bam this happened and I been a wreck since.....  

I'm just trying to stay positive....   Anxiety sucks....

If I get better I'll help everyone with it....  Its bad but i rather have PTSD than this as crazy as that sounds...... 

[olliebear88 in reply to american_army_guy]

It sounds like you have a superb therapist so confide in then and take their advice. It will get better trust me, it is just really hard to see that at the beginning! There are loads of us here to help, talk to, take advice from. Everyone has different symptoms, different circumstances, and different coping techniques. At the end of the day we are all suffering from the same thing, and the realisation is that anxiety is all in the head - you can get back to the same state you where before panic/anxiety, keep on with CBT and talking to your doctor and things will definitely get better! 

[american_army_guy in reply to olliebear88]

Thanks....  When I feel symptoms of panic I try and embrace them......  What didn't help was a friend telling me panic caused her to have a heart attack at 26 so I been freaking out tonight......

[Agora1]

Hi,  first of all, thank you for serving our country.  How proud we are to have young men like you.  Not only have you seen losses in your life but you also are getting a kickback from stopping smoking cold turkey, sugar and caffeine.  That alone would put someone into an anxiety state.  I'm glad that you are receiving CBT from what sounds like an amazing doctor.  I'm sure you will be taught coping skills but we here at the forum can help reinforce the techniques so don't get discouraged.  I wish you well.

[american_army_guy in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so much.....  I just want to get better is all.....  I been desperately trying to find people that have beat it..........  It encourages me to keep going.