Trauma – PTSD

Question:

In article Hi, I was wondering if other people experienced this. Do certain things spark panic and/or a panic attack that wouldn’t normally bother someone else who doesn’t have PD?

** Noell, yep. There is no *one* thing, it seems, that is THE spark of a panic attack, but it’s how you respond to certain stimuli. If you didn’t respond  with panic, (as you said), you wouldn’t be referring to yourself as one with PD.  Those without PD may have a problem with "certain things" but they usually don’t get panic attacks, and certainly not Panic Disorder. Well, for example, in my History of Rock Music class, everytime (OK, so, almost everytime) the professor says he’s gonna play an example on the stereo I start feeling the signs of a PA. So, it’s like, everytime we listen to music, I feel like I’m having a PA. (Not the whole time, just for like less than a minute or so). Is this gonna happen throughout the whole semester? (I haven’t had to leave class yet)

** Are they teaching you about the Beatles? I’ve heard that they were a big influence on *later day* rock music:) And also, I was at a movie yesterday, and I was OK, but everytime the sound level was higher than speaking level, it would irritate me. Does anybody know what I mean? Noell <–turned 19 yesterday!

** Noell, I *really* know what you mean. I will tell you that when I was 19 (happy birthday to you) or near that age, I started to feel jumpy/dizzy at movies. I never added it up until I had my first *zinger* of a panic attack. It could be a harbinger, so rather than ignore it, get some good reading material on panic disorder or see a good therapist who deals in it. If you can get an understanding of it NOW, you stand a good chance of learning how to keep it where it belongs…..at bay. YOU’RE NOT ALONE….EJK — The food here is terrible, and the portions are so small.

Response:

Do certain things spark panic and/or a panic attack that wouldn’t normally bother someone else who doesn’t have PD?

Hi Noell – absolutely! I imagine that most of us have individual triggers and that some of those triggers are things that wouldn’t worry nine tenths of even other PD sufferers. This is a very *personal* disorder. Well, for example, in my History of Rock Music class, everytime (OK, so, almost everytime) the professor says he’s gonna play an example on the stereo I start feeling the signs of a PA. So, it’s like, everytime we listen to music, I feel like I’m having a PA. (Not the whole time, just for like less than a minute or so). Is this gonna happen throughout the whole semester? (I haven’t had to leave class yet)

Golly! You mean they are *teaching* the history of Rock Music in Universities? Argh – I feel… so… old… Anyway… noise is a very common problem, as is the sort of Pavlovian response to a particular trigger which you’re suffering. Are you getting any treatment? If you are, you might try discussing this with your therapist. If not, have you looked at any of the self-help books? These often have useful exercises for de-sensitising to specific phenomena. And also, I was at a movie yesterday, and I was OK, but everytime the sound level was higher than speaking level, it would irritate me. Does anybody know what I mean?

Again, yes – that one too. Noise sensitivity is very common indeed. In fact it seems we PD types are inclined to be hyper-sensitive to many stimuli. Noell <–turned 19 yesterday!

Happy birthday! Another Libran eh? Good luck, — Gary Cooper

Response:

Hi, I was wondering if other people experienced this. Do certain things spark panic and/or a panic attack that wouldn’t normally bother someone else who doesn’t have PD?

Yes.  The phone ringing (unexpectedly of course) almost set me off today during a nap.  I’ve also seen recent posts on this group about loud noise levels affecting panic. Well, for example, in my History of Rock Music class, everytime (OK, so, almost everytime) the professor says he’s gonna play an example on the stereo I start feeling the signs of a PA. So, it’s like, everytime we listen to music, I feel like I’m having a PA. (Not the whole time, just for like less than a minute or so). Is this gonna happen throughout the whole semester? (I haven’t had to leave class yet)

I don’t expect your reaction to the music to continue much longer.  You are already proving to yourself that you can hang in there and not lose it (don’t forget that feeling).  I imagine you will eventually desensitize yourself to the music. And also, I was at a movie yesterday, and I was OK, but everytime the sound level was higher than speaking level, it would irritate me. Does anybody know what I mean? Noell <–turned 19 yesterday!

Noell, you are just a baby.  I am a ripe old 30 myself. Good luck to you. Kate

Response:

Hi, I was wondering if other people experienced this. Do certain things spark panic and/or a panic attack that wouldn’t normally bother someone else who doesn’t have PD? Well, for example, in my History of Rock Music class, everytime (OK, so, almost everytime) the professor says he’s gonna play an example on the stereo I start feeling the signs of a PA. So, it’s like, everytime we listen to music, I feel like I’m having a PA. (Not the whole time, just for like less than a minute or so). Is this gonna happen throughout the whole semester? (I haven’t had to leave class yet) And also, I was at a movie yesterday, and I was OK, but everytime the sound level was higher than speaking level, it would irritate me. Does anybody know what I mean? Noell <–turned 19 yesterday!

Response:

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