Question:
Hello Not everyone has to have a glaring phobia or agoraphobia for PD to come into your life. I had spent many months in therapy. I was happy and led a full life before this illness came along. I was very upset about a family issue and BAM I had my first. I have since developed GAD and the Dr. says depression also. (hard to think of my personality as depressed) There is without a doubt a biochecmical basis for this illness. I found when I was in therapy I was practically trying to make stuff up about myself so I could justify having this. All I suggest to you is be kind to yourself and search gently and lovingly. You may very well find some issues but don’t beat yourself up like I did for so long. There are many more experienced people who can respond to the alcohol thing. I’ve always heard no drinking allowed. Good Luck susan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hello all – I’ve just recently encountered this group, so please bear with me if I’m asking questions that have been previously answered! I am a college student who, after a battery of medical tests, was diagnosed about one month ago with panic disorder and depression (the latter of which I believe started due to my PA’s). From what I’ve read here (albeit I’ve only been here for a day or so) most PA’s seem to be associated with a distinct fear or anxiety that a person gets. My situation seems different than that – I’ll get an attack out of the blue, usually when trying to sleep, relatively relaxed. The problem is that I’m not worried or thinking about anything frightening when they come on. I’m supposed to start cog. therapy soon; this to me seems futile though. Is it possible that my PA’s are triggered by something deeply subconscious that I could be completely unaware of? Also, I’ve been put on 10mg Paxil/day, which has seemed to help a great deal. I’ve heard conflicting reports about alcohol consumption and this drug – can anyone shed some light on this matter? Thanks so much for your attention – it feels really good to be able to discuss this problem with others! – …spanglemaker. – she tries not to shatter, kaleidoscope style personality changes behind her red smile – s&tb
Response:
hello all – I’ve just recently encountered this group, so please bear with me if I’m asking questions that have been previously answered!
Hi Spanglemaker: Welcome to asap. :) I am a college student who, after a battery of medical tests, was diagnosed about one month ago with panic disorder and depression (the latter of which I believe started due to my PA’s). From what I’ve read here (albeit I’ve only been here for a day or so) most PA’s seem to be associated with a distinct fear or anxiety that a person gets. My situation seems different than that – I’ll get an attack out of the blue, usually when trying to sleep, relatively relaxed. The problem is that I’m not worried or thinking about anything frightening when they come on. I’m supposed to start cog. therapy soon; this to me seems futile though. Is it possible that my PA’s are triggered by something deeply subconscious that I could be completely unaware of?
There are quite a few pshrinks (psychiatrists) who believe that the subconcious is responsible – childhood trauma, etc. However, there are a lot of us here who have gone through various types of therapy to "reveal" hidden trauma and it’s done nothing for most of us. The "out of the blue" PA, or "Terror Attack" as I like to call them, is your classic PD symptom. This is the variety I, and many others here get. One minute you’re happily doing something relaxing, or just doing everyday stuff with no twinges of anxiety, nothing. And then BANG, within a second or two it’s major terror time. Heck, I’ve had a major attack hit me out of the blue whilst I was happily opening Christmas presents! According to Dr. Shipko (who drops in here from time to time) this phenomena is common. He explains it on his page, for which I have again lost the URL!! (Sorry Dr. S.) Anyway, go to any search engine and type in Shipko and you should get to his site. The PAs being associated with a particular fear or place or event are the PAs that develop because of the association of having a PA whilst doing a certain activity, or being at a place or event. These then become associated with PAs and the fear, or phobia, develops about these activities, places or events. For instance, wind storms never used to bother me at all in fact I used to kind of enjoy them. Then, during a wind storm, I had an out of the blue very bad PA. Ever since wind storms immediately cause my anxiety levels to sky rocket. The same with flying, used to love flying – had a major out of the blue PA on a plane, haven’t been able to fly since. Also, I’ve been put on 10mg Paxil/day, which has seemed to help a great deal. I’ve heard conflicting reports about alcohol consumption and this drug – can anyone shed some light on this matter?
Can’t help you here as I don’t know too much about Paxil and I don’t drink. Yup! Had a major PA at a party one night….no more alcohol ever since. <sigh However, I’m sure someone here who knows about Paxil will be able to help out on this question. Thanks so much for your attention – it feels really good to be able to discuss this problem with others!
Glad you found us. Keep posting and reading. A great group of friendly, helpful folks here. Mally 
Response:
Hi spanglemaker,
IMHO alcohol and coffee are two irritants to avoid when anxiety comes a knockin. Vassar? hmmm I know other options though; without being co-dependent. Here are some conjecture: You can drink; 1 shot of hardstuff a day, or 1 glass of wine, or beer. alt.alternatives. look in misc. health.alternatives You can drink Teas like Pau de Arco, (good for the heart) Ginseng, (Use American Ginseng.) Yorba Mate or Royal YM. These are good wake ups and keep awake all day. The Ginseng is good for depression too. Valeriun root alcohol extract for sleep 1-2 tsp. at bedtime. or too relax. Chamomile, is fine too. St Johns Wort is very popular too. These help me live when alcohol is gone from my life. SO Do be careful There are those who would want your whole body on Herbs aND VITAMINS. Your shrink should know ahead of time if you plan to do this, otherwise don’t let him find out; there is a battle aragin.
Response:
~snip~ I am a college student who, after a battery of medical tests, was diagnosed about one month ago with panic disorder and depression (the latter of which I believe started due to my PA’s). From what I’ve read here (albeit I’ve only been here for a day or so) most PA’s seem to be associated with a distinct fear or anxiety that a person gets.
** Hi;-) Ha, a day or so is a very short time to draw conclusions. I’ll tell you that I have panic disorder (no depression, but it can definitely co-exist with panic disorder for different reasons). From what you say, it would appear that yes, your panic attacks could very well be the reason for depression, if not just for the reason that panic attacks are confusing, frightening, and frankly, just scare the hell out of you. It’s no wonder that "more" people don’t get depressed as a result. My situation seems different than that – I’ll get an attack out of the blue, usually when trying to sleep, relatively relaxed. The problem is that I’m not worried or thinking about anything frightening when they come on.
** No, your situation isn’t different, at least not from mine. All of my initial panic attacks were out of the blue, and had nothing to do with where I was or what I was doing at the time. It’s been suggested by ASAP’s resident psychiatrist Dr.Shipko, that the "relaxed" stage is when one may be most likely to experience a panic attack. Without going into detail, it’s not unusual. ** What happens, IMO, is that the "initial" and some subsequent PA’s are still "out of the blue" but after a time, the "fear" of having them comes into play, and thus anticipatory anxiety can lead you right into a PA. I think that’s more of what you may be referring to, in what you see others describing. One begins to fear the situation where they’ve had panic attacks, or just fear having them outside of what is considered a "safe zone" where either help is readily available, or you’re able to get to what you "consider" safety quickly. I’m supposed to start cog. therapy soon; this to me seems futile though. Is it possible that my PA’s are triggered by something deeply subconscious that I could be completely unaware of?
** Anything’s possible, but IMO, if you have panic disorder, therapy for cognitive and behavioral approaches to dealing with panic attacks is quite important, if not essential. Cognitive may prove futile for you, as you say, as others (including myself) did not find formal therapy very effective. OTOH, that, combined with reading and all that I’ve learned, has been the foundation for my own "self-taught" methods. ** I wasted years with a shrink looking into may past, and all I did was, well, waste time and money that could have been used towards "real-time" therapy. While I think we all (and I include those who are uninitiated to anxiety disorders or PAs) have past environmental issues to deal with, it’s usually not something that requires digging to find. As one with panic disorder, my past really had/has nothing to do with my condition, other than the family genetics. IMNSHO, I’d seek out a good therapist who deals in CBT and work on the present, and not the past. Also, I’ve been put on 10mg Paxil/day, which has seemed to help a great deal. I’ve heard conflicting reports about alcohol consumption and this drug – can anyone shed some light on this matter?
** I’ve never heard or read "anything" about it being a "good" idea to mix medication and alcohol. It does make me curious as to why you’d ask. Do you drink a lot? I gave up alcohol right after I began medication for PD. — Used wisely, your 2
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