Question:
Hi, I’m new to the group, though I’m an old hand at PD. I’ve been through three bouts of PD in the last 20 years, with many non-feared PA’s between the bouts.
I can relate to "bouts" of PD (before I knew that I had PD), but once I knew, I’d love the have, what you call, non-feared PA’s. If I didn’t fear them, I’d be anxious instead of agoraphobic. I wish you could explain this further. I’m hoping that someone can help me. Most of the times when I have panic attacks, they don’t scare me. My job requires that I speak publicly for many hours at a time. When I panic, I simply tell myself it will pass quickly, and it does. ( I hope this will provide comfort to people who are new to the problem — students never even suspect anything is wrong.) But during the times I go into PD, I perceive the same type of attacks as a terrible sign. After that, the PA’s increase in frequency.
The methods you use to cope with the panic during public speaking are right on the money, and I do get comfort from that, but I’m still confused here, as you refer to "times I go into PD." Are you saying that you’re "sometimes recovered" rather than recovering? Again, I know what it’s like, over an 18 yr span, to have times where I could do most anything, and times when I feared going out (I’d call those bouts, as you did), but as the bouts got worse, I learned avoidance (agoraphobia) from the "fear of the fear" of PA’s. Once that really set in, there was no such thing as PA’s that are non-feared. Clarify, as I’d love to hear your slant on this. By this point I’ve realized that the PA’s are no major problem, since they are only occasional and easily handled. But I also realize that there is something that comes up periodically that makes me perceive the PA’s as threatening. Can anyone point me in a direction to deal with underlying issues? I’ve tried to pinpoint triggers, but no luck.
In my opinion, if you’ve tried, and can’t pinpoint the trigger, it’s panic disorder, where PA’s can hit you out of nowhere, and for no particular reason. That’s why many of us are where we are. (snip…no electric feelings to respond to) YOU’RE NOT ALONE……BUT I’M CONFUSED……EJK
Response:
Hi, I’m new to the group, though I’m an old hand at PD. I’ve been through three bouts of PD in the last 20 years, with many non-feared PA’s between the bouts. I’m hoping that someone can help me. Most of the times when I have panic attacks, they don’t scare me. My job requires that I speak publicly for many hours at a time. When I panic, I simply tell myself it will pass quickly, and it does. ( I hope this will provide comfort to people who are new to the problem — students never even suspect anything is wrong.) But during the times I go into PD, I perceive the same type of attacks as a terrible sign. After that, the PA’s increase in frequency. By this point I’ve realized that the PA’s are no major problem, since they are only occasional and easily handled. But I also realize that there is something that comes up periodically that makes me perceive the PA’s as threatening. Can anyone point me in a direction to deal with underlying issues? I’ve tried to pinpoint triggers, but no luck. There is also another thing I would like to ask people that I’ve not seen addressed in the literature. Sometimes at night, I get feelings that are jolts of electricity. At first they passed in my chest and I thought I was having a heart attack. Now they go from my spine to my head. There is no pain and no fear, only the feeling of electricity. I’ve wondered if this was a PD thing. I’ve not read about it anywhere, and have worried that I would seem nuts when I considered asking my doctor.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m new to the group, though I’m an old hand at PD. I’ve been through three bouts of PD in the last 20 years, with many non-feared PA’s between the bouts. I’m hoping that someone can help me. Most of the times when I have panic attacks, they don’t scare me. My job requires that I speak publicly for many hours at a time. When I panic, I simply tell myself it will pass quickly, and it does. ( I hope this will provide comfort to people who are new to the problem — students never even suspect anything is wrong.) But during the times I go into PD, I perceive the same type of attacks as a terrible sign. After that, the PA’s increase in frequency. By this point I’ve realized that the PA’s are no major problem, since they are only occasional and easily handled. But I also realize that there is something that comes up periodically that makes me perceive the PA’s as threatening. Can anyone point me in a direction to deal with underlying issues? I’ve tried to pinpoint triggers, but no luck. There is also another thing I would like to ask people that I’ve not seen addressed in the literature. Sometimes at night, I get feelings that are jolts of electricity. At first they passed in my chest and I thought I was having a heart attack. Now they go from my spine to my head. There is no pain and no fear, only the feeling of electricity. I’ve wondered if this was a PD thing. I’ve not read about it anywhere, and have worried that I would seem nuts when I considered asking my doctor.
I’ve seen reports of this on the Net, usually in the context of coming off of SSRI inhibitors (Paxil etc). But I have also experienced a similar "jolt" in my head (brain?) just before going to sleep which my doc (and internet groups) maintain are common and harmless. origen.
Response:
Re: Another newbie You say you are having panic attacks.. now this is a warning, I am NOT a doctor, so anything I say, cannot be taken as professional advice. However. My Dad (rather Step dad) is Manic Depressive or Bi Polar. Paranoia is quite common, at least for my dad it was/is. THere were times he COULD not leave the house. I dont know for sure but it has always been MY impression that this is common for someone who is bi polar. My father is on Amitrpline and oh what the hell is it.. I cant think.. It is on the tip of my brain. (When I think Of It I’ll get back to you 
This is not unsual. at least from what I have experienced being around a LOT of bi-polar folks. My dad has 2 aunts and 2 uncles that are all bi-polar. (makes for a hell of a family reunion :) and then they toss me in there and I am just the garden variety of Panic Attack disorder, who can be compulsive at times! :) I will say I love my dad and wouldnt trade him for the world. Not even for my so called real father. the man raised me from the age of 12 and about the same time his bi-polar tendancies kicked in. He had a hard time, I had a hard time, we have both been thru hell and back, but he has always stuck by me, and It does me proud to have my daughter say "that is my grandpa!" Oh yes I just rememberd he is also on lithum. :) Deb
Response:
I’m a bipolar 1 who also has panic attacks. These attacks make me affraid to leave my home. I have told my pdoc about them, she has perscribed Klonapin but it doesn’t work for me. I’m also getting a bit paranoid. Am I unusual? Does anyone else feel this way? What meds work the best for these panic attacks? — ~Robbi~ "o o" http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/7160 "Madness need not be all breakdown. It may also be breakthrough. It is potential liberation and renewal as well as enslavement and existential death." R. D. Laing.
Response:
Hi Robbi, Understand your problem, since I have a few friends who are bipolar. So much depends on what drugs you are already taken. One of my friends takes Ativan for PA’s. She is taking anti-seizure medications other than lithium, however. I don’t know if Ativan would be good with lithium. Ask your doctor. As an afterthought — one of the worst problems I’ve noted with bipolar complicated with anxiety is that doctors often overmedicate. Two of my friends ended up having more problems with overmedication than they had with the bipolar alone. Work with your doctor to find the least number of meds that make life enjoyable for you. Much luck to you. Please keep us posted on how treatment is going. Anita
Response:
Hi all, I just recently found this group and I have to say that it is wonderful to see that humanity hasn’t turned its back on those of us with "problems". I guess the hardest part of my illness (for 8 years) has been the isolation I felt. I commend all of you for being there for those who needed support. I’ll be here to offer any that I can provide. I hope that through the online education of both ourselves and the public that we can one day move out of the shadows, and live again. Lee — Lee Osbourne Coporate Computer & Video Guru Beginner’s Guide To Being Mentally Ill Kid’s Like Me How To Survive Your Network Upgrade
Response:
I just recently found this group and I have to say that it is wonderful to see that humanity hasn’t turned its back on those of us with "problems". I guess the hardest part of my illness (for 8 years) has been the isolation I felt. I commend all of you for being there for those who needed support. I’ll be here to offer any that I can provide. I hope that through the online education of both ourselves and the public that we can one day move out of the shadows, and live again.
Hi Lee – welcome to ASAP — Gary Cooper
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I just recently found this group and I have to say that it is wonderful to see that humanity hasn’t turned its back on those of us with "problems". I guess the hardest part of my illness (for 8 years) has been the isolation I felt. I commend all of you for being there for those who needed support. I’ll be here to offer any that I can provide. I hope that through the online education of both ourselves and the public that we can one day move out of the shadows, and live again. Lee — Lee Osbourne Coporate Computer & Video Guru Beginner’s Guide To Being Mentally Ill Kid’s Like Me How To Survive Your Network Upgrade
Hi Lee– Welcome to ASAP. I’ve found it invaluable and the people here are great. Look forward to your input. Judy
Response:
Hi everyone. I’m new to this NG and I have some questions. My doctor recently prescribed Amitriptyline because of my chronic insomia and night terrors. Now I sleep like a rock through the period that night terrors strike, but I’ve encountered a new problem. Today my heart began to race, I was having trouble breathing, and I felt really hot. This lasted for several minutes and kept intensifying. I finally took Xanax and it quickly took care of the problem. Is this a panic attack? My doctor is reluctant to refill my Xanax because she doesn’t want to encourage "bad habits." I would appreciate any info. Thanks! -Cat
Response:
Hi everyone. I’m new to this NG and I have some questions. My doctor recently prescribed Amitriptyline because of my chronic insomia and night terrors. Now I sleep like a rock through the period that night terrors strike, but I’ve encountered a new problem. Today my heart began to race, I was having trouble breathing, and I felt really hot. This lasted for several minutes and kept intensifying. I finally took Xanax and it quickly took care of the problem. Is this a panic attack? My doctor is reluctant to refill my Xanax because she doesn’t want to encourage "bad habits." I would appreciate any info. Thanks!
Hi, Cat – It does sound like it *could* have been a panic attack; especially as Xanax knocked it on the head. Your doctor’s reluctance is perhaps understandable, but may be misapplied. IME, it is better to avoid having any panic attacks – and for more than the obvious reason. There seems to be a sense in which if they are allowed to become regular they are harder to control (contrary to what some behaviourists assert). In as much as one can get into the habit of taking Xanax, I suspect that one can get into a ‘habit’ of having panic attacks. It could be that your ‘attack’ was a response to Amitriptyline – have you discussed this with your doctor? Might it be an idea to find a specialist in anxiety problems? To help, I’m e-mailing you the FAQ as well Welcome to ASAP! — Gary Cooper
Response:
Gary Cooper wrote….
<<It could be that your ‘attack’ was a response to Amitriptyline - have you discussed this with your doctor? Might it be an idea to find a specialist in anxiety problems? Hi Gary, I spoke to my doctor yesterday and she said it was a panic attack, and not a side effect of the Amitriptyline. She told me to take Xanax as needed. I feel much better knowing that I can combat this thing with Xanax. )))) Cat
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