Telling Doctor about Panic Attacks interfering with daily life

[Groove36]

How do I explain to my Dr on next visit that I need to be on medication for panic attacks? Otherwise, it interferes with my life. Don't leave house cuz have fear of having another attack in public which embarrasses me since I go crazy and think I am having an heart attack. Also, I won't drive once it is dark outside cuz have phobia of deer. My mind races and fear that a deer will run out on front of car and I will die or cause someone else to die.

[Meredyn]

Hello! The best thing to do is to lay it put to your doctor exactly as you have here. Don't be afraid - they are definitely there to help, and this will be the first step in getting you help so that you can live a happier, hopefully panic free life. Good luck - keep us posted on how it goes! ❤❤❤

[Groove36 in reply to Meredyn]

Thank you Meredyn. You’re right on that I just need to speak up and explain how panic attacks are isolating me from life.

[JAYnLA in reply to Groove36]

Groove - they see people with anxiety all the time. It's very very common. Don't worry about telling them the truth about how it's damaging your life.

[Hidden]

I agree with Meredyn, it’s weird how we sometimes feel guilty of telling a doctor and yes most of the time they try to steer you away from meds- I know.

I would just lay it all out and if they don’t want to help then move on. Remember, they work for you!

Bryan

[Groove36 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the feedback. You are right about telling the Dr everything about my attacks and if he doesn't prescribe anti-anxiety medication for my disorder then I can go to another Dr. who will help

[Hidden in reply to Groove36]

You’re welcome!! For the deer, here in South Texas, most people who drive at night have brush guards on their trucks to remove any fears of hitting deer. Not sure if that helps any

[Want2BHappy3]

It has too be to a psychiatrist, their the ones that prescribe Medication. Regular doctor will not do it. Medications can be hit n miss. You might have to change several times. That happened to me.

[fib4 in reply to Want2BHappy3]

i know what you mean it's hard for me to leave the house i leave only to go to work i hate driving i always think the worst is gonna happen i live in pa. and we have deer all over. they just stand in the road. my panic attacks usually happen at night but sometimes in the day time. i don't believe meds are the answer maybe for some people but not for me i do yoga and meditate and talk myself down from the attack. but that's just me

[Groove36 in reply to fib4]

I’m also from PA. That is great that you don't have to take medication. I tried breathing exercises and self-talk but it only made it worse for me. I’ve read that it's not good for the heart. I’d had panic attacks last over an hour. My heart literally felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. I go crazy! I didn't have panic attacks until after my anoxic brain injury. A guy who I had thought was a friend had taken me out to a club and the last thing I remember is waking up in a hospital bed. He had drugged me and had taken me to a hotel room, however, my heart stopped & went into cardiac arrest. He called the ambulance then left. I was in a coma for a month. Then not long after is when I experienced a panic attack. I thought I was having a heart attack. I went to the ER and told nurse that I need to see a Dr or I am going to die....then I was told that it was just a panic attack! I felt so embarrassed after I had made a scene.

[Meredyn in reply to Groove36]

Groove, i'm so, so sorry to hear about your horrific experience! Have you had a full evaluation for PTSD? I am pretty sure that this would be an appropriate diagnosis, and of course the reason for your panic attacks. Also, have you had a full neuro. follow up to make sure there isn't something organic going on? Sending you much love and hugs!❤❤❤❤

[Kkimm]

Hi Groove

So sorry to hear what you are going through.

Panic attacks are so horrible. I am sure your GP will be very understanding about them.

Coming from England I had not realised how much of a danger deers crossing roads at night can be. I think in some country areas we get them but in my experience we would never see them standing about in the road.

What are brush guards?

Kim

[Groove36 in reply to Kkimm]

Thanks, Kim. Panic attacks are terrifying! I had a good many of deer that had ran out in front of my vehicle. Brush guards can prevent major damage to your vehicle. That is, depending on the speed traveled and the size of an animal

[fib4]

brush guards go around the front bumper you hit the deer with no damage to the vehicle

[Essentiallyfree]

I would just be honest with your doctor about what's going on.. share with him exactly as you've done here. I understand the struggle sister and I'm sorry you're experiencing this. It may be more beneficial to seek out help from a therapist who is trained in helping those who suffer from such debilitating anxiety.. I think meds are also a great addition. My therapist last week said to me something that shifted my perspective a bit on how I have been handling situations.. my anxiety would typically say, "what if a, b, c happens?" and for me.. a, b, c is all fear.. not to say it couldn't somehow happen, but they are my excuses to let fear rule. So my exercise this past week has been saying to myself in situations when anxiety rears its head.. "what if a, b, c didn't happen?" Take care friend.

[arnieatmo]

I tried all sorts for extreme anxiety, clonazepam has saved my life, its fantastic where none of the other benzos worked, for long.