Trauma – PTSD

Question:

IMHO this is an much better option than taking a SSRI allways. I am on seroxat for 6 years now and it serves *me* well but if I could do without it I would The problem is that my panic attacks come while I am sleeping, so I can’t just take Xanax when I feel panic starting.  I’ve been on 10mg Paxil now for almost 4 weeks, and I think it’s helping.  My attacks are fewer and further between and milder.  I had a mild attack last night but it was weird I didn’t feel a lot of panic.  I woke up feeling ill and like I was dying, but strangely didn’t feel very much panic so it took me a while to realize I was having a panic attack.  My heart didn’t start racing till about a minute after I woke up and it calmed down pretty quickly.  It was very different from the attacks I usually have.  Usually, I wake up and start screaming hoping to get someone’s attention to come save me cause I’m dying.

Response:

~tanya blurted out cuz she’s too lazy ta read ahead: there’s like friggin’ experts here like GFX and Elliott that’ll tell ya stuff… i’m just nosey and try’n act like i know stuff… but i don’t.

mrseener !

Response:

Hi, Now tonight, for the first time, I had a panic attack while awake.

so ya had em b’fore while you were sleepin’?  (i swear to GOD that’s tha stuff my dream’d be MADE of !) I actually had my husband call 911 because I kept saying to myself "this can’t be a panic attack.  I didn’t fall asleep yet."

fa real, you had em in yer sleep?  how’s that manifest itself? Now I’m having trouble sleeping.  I do have a few Xanax left.

tanya moore 3913 SE 26th….. oh, i’m kiddin’ ! My doctor tried that before the Paxil.  Maybe I’ll try that and it will help me sleep.  I’ve read a lot of the past messages on this board about Paxil temporarily causing increases in anxiety, so I guess I’m not looking for more information, just reassurance that everything will eventually be OK.

anxiety’s one thing, panic’s quite another, although a form of anxiety, but there’s like friggin’ experts here like GFX and Elliott that’ll tell ya stuff… i’m just nosey and try’n act like i know stuff… but i don’t. I do have a question though.  I’ve been seeing a psychologist (my general practitioner prescribed the Paxil) about the nocturnal panic attacks and she keeps trying to convince me they are caused by anxiety.

panic is a form of anxiety but for her to say they’re CAUSED by anxiety would put her in’ah nice little cottage in tha south’ah france with 18 cabana boys…. cuz she done figgered out whut nobody else can ! PREPARE THY PULITZER PRIZE SPEECH !, ms. psychologist !  I keep telling her that I am not an anxious person, but she doesn’t believe me and I’m not believing her.

you can have the "panic" form of anxiety without having the "societal acceptable" form of anxiety, whatever that is. She told me to keep a "worry log,"

oh god.  no she did not.  i don’t mean ta be rude, but i think i’d take my "worry log" in to her and have it read ver batum : "I WORRY MY PSYCHOLOGIST IS IN FER’AH MAJOR ASS-WHUPPIN", but then agin, that’s just me … but that’d piss me off so bad i’d have ta do SUMthin ! (pee in her coffee cup’r sumthin’…BETTER YET …… (no, nebbermind, that’s illegal)… ::smackin’ muhself:: but it’s pretty empty, so she tells me my anxiety must be subconscious.

so it looks like she has some sorta "textbook" definition of anxiety. what is it, exactly, since there are several forms. don’t they teach that in psychology school???  do ya gotta walk around all wound up’n worried if tha dog’s gonna gett’ah flea or WHAT’S UP WITH THIS QUACK?  (tell her belle said that, yer off tha hook) What do people here think?  i think she may suffer from anxiety that don’t look like yers and she’s jealous cuz you ARE gettin’ laid.

(i did NOT say that) Is it unlikely to have panic disorder and not to be an anxious person in general.

WHAT is anxious?  panic IS a form of anxiety.  DAMMIT !  now on THIS i KNOW i’m right. why doncha ask her what the "guidelines" for anxiety that are acceptable to her highness…. on tha way out tha door to’ah GP that knows more’n she does…. i’ll just betcha.  if she thinks ya gotta be all up’n arms about everything, just shoot her. "yer honor, she just needed shootin" is a valid legal defense in some states. then tell him you were just "her definition" of anxious…. you were there ta please ! ok…  i’m a dork, but hey, even dorks have panic attacks in tha most pleasant of situations. hell, even *i* would be better for ya than her… SCARY SHIT, EH? ~tanya (wantin’ ta get’ah grip on how ta have panic attacks in her sleep)

Response:

I do have a question though.  I’ve been seeing a psychologist (my general practitioner prescribed the Paxil) about the nocturnal panic attacks and she keeps trying to convince me they are caused by anxiety.  I keep telling her that I am not an anxious person, but she doesn’t believe me and I’m not believing her.  She told me to keep a "worry log," but it’s pretty empty, so she tells me my anxiety must be subconscious.  What do people here think?  Is it unlikely to have panic disorder and not to be an anxious person in general.

Hello there, Elliot allready wrote a good mail on this issue. And I do agree. It isn’t very common but it is possible to have Panic Attacks without being an anxious person. Like Elliot said there is some writing about that and in real life i know someone who has this. In her case she has Xanax as needed. Meaning when she feels the Panic Attack emerging she will take the xanax. IMHO this is an much better option than taking a SSRI allways. I am on seroxat for 6 years now and it serves *me* well but if I could do without it I would Keep us posted and love from Anna

Response:

Hi, I just started Paxil a few weeks ago for nocturnal panic attacks.  I started at 2.5 mg and went up by 2.5mg a week and now I’ve been at 10mg for over a week.  I’m waiting to go higher because I’ve been having trouble sleeping courtesy of the Paxil.  Now tonight, for the first time, I had a panic attack while awake.  I actually had my husband call 911 because I kept saying to myself "this can’t be a panic attack.  I didn’t fall asleep yet."  Now I’m having trouble sleeping.  I do have a few Xanax left.  My doctor tried that before the Paxil.  Maybe I’ll try that and it will help me sleep.  I’ve read a lot of the past messages on this board about Paxil temporarily causing increases in anxiety, so I guess I’m not looking for more information, just reassurance that everything will eventually be OK. I do have a question though.  I’ve been seeing a psychologist (my general practitioner prescribed the Paxil) about the nocturnal panic attacks and she keeps trying to convince me they are caused by anxiety.  I keep telling her that I am not an anxious person, but she doesn’t believe me and I’m not believing her.  She told me to keep a "worry log," but it’s pretty empty, so she tells me my anxiety must be subconscious.  What do people here think?  Is it unlikely to have panic disorder and not to be an anxious person in general.

Response:

I dont know the exact prevalence, but it is certainly possible to have panic disorder and NOT be an "anxious person in general".  Of all the people here, I think Elliott could shed the most light on this question, just based on things I’ve read, which he wrote. For what it’s worth, not all anxiety sits in the forefront either. G

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I just started Paxil a few weeks ago for nocturnal panic attacks.  I started at 2.5 mg and went up by 2.5mg a week and now I’ve been at 10mg for over a week.  I’m waiting to go higher because I’ve been having trouble sleeping courtesy of the Paxil.  Now tonight, for the first time, I had a panic attack while awake.  I actually had my husband call 911 because I kept saying to myself "this can’t be a panic attack.  I didn’t fall asleep yet."  Now I’m having trouble sleeping.  I do have a few Xanax left.  My doctor tried that before the Paxil.  Maybe I’ll try that and it will help me sleep.  I’ve read a lot of the past messages on this board about Paxil temporarily causing increases in anxiety, so I guess I’m not looking for more information, just reassurance that everything will eventually be OK. I do have a question though.  I’ve been seeing a psychologist (my general practitioner prescribed the Paxil) about the nocturnal panic attacks and she keeps trying to convince me they are caused by anxiety. I keep telling her that I am not an anxious person, but she doesn’t believe me and I’m not believing her.  She told me to keep a "worry log," but it’s pretty empty, so she tells me my anxiety must be subconscious.  What do people here think?  Is it unlikely to have panic disorder and not to be an anxious person in general.

Response:

Question:

"The question is, how can I live now, and what should I do…" You should continue living, as well as possible (living well IS ultimately the best revenge…) and you should do the best you can with what you’ve got.  You probably have a lot more than may be presently apparent. G

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Doctor, what’s wrong with me?" (c) This morning I woke up with the sense of personal irrelevance to the outer world. New sense ! In the past few days, I woke up with a feeling of anxiety and depression. It is not a clinical depression now — I know, because I used to suffer from depression several years ago. The question is, how can I live now, and what should I do… D.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Another herb you might want to try is marijuana. With only a half dozen puffs, you will regain your sense of "connectednes." this is so funny,,, jill Unfortunately most of the time the opposite is true; marijuana aoften casuses derealization/depersonalization symptoms. Although it is relaxing for some marijuana can trigger panic attacks and even panic disorder in others, especially when used regularly at a high dose during a couple of years. Philip  Okay phillip I know any drug can cause problems for people who’s lives already feel like permanent acid trips.. nobody gets that more then I do.. but hey it was a joke,,  not meant to be taken seriously,,,    You got to laugh at stuff or you will lose your mind.   even when its really dark,  I  can laugh ,,, maybe I have a twisted sense of humor though.    I just thought this was funny  ,,,,,,,,,,, smile it increases your face value.

Fair enough. I didn’t want to spoil the fun. The thing is many people do use marijuana hoping that they actually *will* feel better so I just thought I’d add this. Don’t worry about it (I don’t). Philip

Response:

This is what happens when things get cross-posted "occasionally".  Someone says something in the depression group, who is very possibly well-known to the people IN that group, it gets floated over to a group where that person’s sense of humor, their name, etc.. are not known to the other group’s members, and suddenly "legitimate humor" becomes subject to all manner of misinterpretation.  I do hope that the original poster has had some relief from this sensation, as it can be very distressing. Gary

Response:

Another herb you might want to try is marijuana. With only a half dozen puffs, you will regain your sense of "connectednes."

Response:

Another herb you might want to try is marijuana. With only a half dozen puffs, you will regain your sense of "connectednes."

 this is so funny,,, jill

Response:

Another herb you might want to try is marijuana. With only a half dozen puffs, you will regain your sense of "connectednes."  this is so funny,,, jill

Unfortunately most of the time the opposite is true; marijuana aoften casuses derealization/depersonalization symptoms. Although it is relaxing for some marijuana can trigger panic attacks and even panic disorder in others, especially when used regularly at a high dose during a couple of years. Philip

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Another herb you might want to try is marijuana. With only a half dozen puffs, you will regain your sense of "connectednes."  this is so funny,,, jill Unfortunately most of the time the opposite is true; marijuana aoften casuses derealization/depersonalization symptoms. Although it is relaxing for some marijuana can trigger panic attacks and even panic disorder in others, especially when used regularly at a high dose during a couple of years. Philip

 Okay phillip I know any drug can cause problems for people who’s lives already feel like permanent acid trips.. nobody gets that more then I do.. but hey it was a joke,,  not meant to be taken seriously,,,    You got to laugh at stuff or you will lose your mind.   even when its really dark,  I  can laugh ,,, maybe I have a twisted sense of humor though.    I just thought this was funny  ,,,,,,,,,,, smile it increases your face value.

Response:

"Doctor, what’s wrong with me?" (c) This morning I woke up with the sense of personal irrelevance to the outer world. New sense ! In the past few days, I woke up with a feeling of anxiety and depression. It is not a clinical depression now — I know, because I used to suffer from depression several years ago. The question is, how can I live now, and what should I do… D.

You might want to do some Web searching about depersonalization and derealization disorders, and see if the descriptions match what you have experienced. — Nom dePlume, Ph.D. Why, yes, in fact, I am a rocket scientist. Guide to Medications for Mental Illness: http://www.geocities.com/nomdeplume1000/ =====

Response:

"Doctor, what’s wrong with me?" (c) This morning I woke up with the sense of personal irrelevance to the outer world. New sense ! In the past few days, I woke up with a feeling of anxiety and depression. It is not a clinical depression now — I know, because I used to suffer from depression several years ago. The question is, how can I live now, and what should I do… D.

jump off a cliff?

Response:

"Doctor, what’s wrong with me?" (c) This morning I woke up with the sense of personal irrelevance to the outer world. New sense ! In the past few days, I woke up with a feeling of anxiety and depression. It is not a clinical depression now — I know, because I used to suffer from depression several years ago. The question is, how can I live now, and what should I do… D.

Response:

"Doctor, what’s wrong with me?" (c) This morning I woke up with the sense of personal irrelevance to the outer world. New sense ! In the past few days, I woke up with a feeling of anxiety and depression. It is not a clinical depression now — I know, because I used to suffer from depression several years ago. The question is, how can I live now, and what should I do… D.

Hello D. Everyone’s been through this — a feeling of "disconnect" with everything else. My belief is that we wake up feeling this way because it is the exact opposite of the truth. On my great days, I am connected to the trees and the grass in my backyard. I seriously feel like singing when the birds are singing. I’m excited about everything, and connected to it all. On those days when we wake up and don’t sense this connection, it doesn’t feel good. That’s because its unnatural. Our natural state is being connected to everything around us, and for a moment we’re like a computer that has lost its network connection. About fifty years ago, Russian scientists started giving their olympic athletes an herb on a daily basis. This herb grew in the mountains of Siberia, and they called it Arctic Root, or Golden Root. It was ostensibly to give them greater physical powers, but the athletes took it because it made them feel better about themselves. It sharpened their connection to the rest of the world. There’s been a lot of serious science in adaptogenic herbs like Arctic Root. You should find this and take some daily. There are many brands but the best one is made in Sweden, and it is called Arctic Root. Others use a less-powerful form of this herb, Rhodiola Rosea, but if you can’t find Arctic Root, go with whatever you can get. I have been taking it for several years and it is a wonderful, wonderful thing to wake up to in the morning. DGJ

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just having those moments of depression…last July I was a "normie." No anxiety, no depression, and no obsessive/racing thoughts for nine years, and no depression before ever. I’m still working as before, but the excitement I used to have isn’t there, at least not like it used to be. I also feel out of place here–bigtime. Folks talk about panic disorder and panic attacks, but everything else seems perfect in their lives. All they seem to worry about are panic attacks, and I’m thinking, "How easy they have it." They have a panic attack every month or two, that’s all. All they need is some Xanax and it’s over. Well, I don’t have Panic Disorder. There’s only one support group near where I live, and it’s a Panic Disorder group. Panic Disorder just seems so much easier to deal with or so I think. None of my employees nor my fellow business folks have a clue. Friends have no clue. Husband tries but has no clue. My family members have no clue. Mom had Agoraphobia and a phobia of choking for two years (no depression), but that was decades ago. Sorry for the rant. I don’t express myself well emotionally. Just need a little encouragement because I am one of the oddballs. I don’t want to go to the OCD boards because it reinforces the obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Well, back to work…. Once I learned how to deal with PA’s, and to just go with the flow, they were the least of my problems.  It was the constant anxiety that was getting to me, along with those spinning thoughts that wouldn’t go away. I felt like a dog chasing its tail.  Fortunately my meds have me well in control, but I know what you’re talking about.

Constant anxiety for me deepens my depression which I have had for many years. Managing anxiety for me is akin to trying to balance a bowling ball on the head of a pin even when taking medications. Then throw in the odd PA now and then…. Sounds like some of this may be hereditary, like me, too, and most is probably you.  And nobody can understand unless they’ve been there.  They can be supportive, but they just don’t have a clue, as you say.

I think that heredity can play a very big part in all of these disorders. There is a strong case to be made for it in my family. Cluelessness is very difficult to deal with. If you find a perfect way of dealing with it, I would sure like to know how. Ron P  Dep OCD GAD Pd Ag    (I thought that I could use some letters after my name;) ) — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ::I know. I can tell you, however, that before July 2005, my life was ::very extremely happy for about ten years.  No anxiety, depression, ::insomnia, or obsessive thoughts. Health was excellent. Work was ::enjoyable. Business was growing and money was coming in fast. Life was ::too good. It wasn’t a perfect life, but it was truly blissful. You ::folks have had anxiety/depression and have learned to adjust. My ::anxiety/depression is a total shock and interruption to what was in the ::recent past a quite blissful life. Many posters here would tell you that their life was good before anxiety/panic/depression blind-sided them out of no where. Not only were we dealing with the devastating effects of a nasty disorder but mourning the loss of a life that we had once known.  I understand the shock you are feeling. I know your pain. ::Gosh, I feel for you. I never knew what I have had until I lost it last ::July. I think many people would say that. All the things we took for granted. Now I appreciate those things so much more now. ::I lost a precious ten years of a very happy life. I can’t trade that ::because that is gone. ::I hope that medication and lifestyle changes will get me back to ::recovery and bring that happiness back. I hope and pray that your life ::will become better. Marie, you cannot lose years you`ve already had. Those wonderful, blissful ten years are yours forever. Nothing ever can…. or will change that. What you are experiencing now is a temporary interruption, a slump, a setback. Life will get better again. Good times don`t last forever, neither do the bad ones. Jackie ~*~Forget love, I’d rather fall in chocolate~*~

Marie, I echo what Jackie said.  I had *NO* mental illness until the age of 40, five years ago, so I too, do understand what it is like to be "normal" (ha! – whatever THAT is). It would have been nice if I hadn’t developed what I developed, but at least what I have is treatable, and not something else.  There are many people who don’t have what I have to deal with, but maybe they have something I would consider worse. It’s all relative.  I’d rather have this, than cancer or diabetes, or  ..well, you can make your own list of things that could be worse than the disorder you have. And nothing here stays the same.  You can always count on the fact that things change, and we are very adaptable.  You’ll be surprised what you can learn to live with.  I know, if I sat down and really thought about what all I have been through, I’d either start feeling very sorry for myself, or I’d start feeling very good, because I’ve been through a lot, both internally, with mental illness, and externally with great big life altering events that would have been horrible for anyone. I’ve come out a better person for having gone through bad times.  I had no idea I was so strong until I survived some stuff that I couldn’t believe I survived. You will have good times again.  You may even have better days ahead than you have behind you.  You have no idea what the future holds, so don’t be so convinced otherwise. You are still kind of new to having a diagnoses, so over time, and it may not be as long as you think — you will learn to adapt, and you won’t be constantly looking back on what was.  When you spend a lot of your time pining away for the past, you miss today, and there is an opportunity somewhere today to be happy.  I think going through really bad times gives you a true appreciation for the good times.  I bet those years that you now see as wonderful — well, you probably didn’t really appreciate them when you were living them as much as you do now.  I have lost just about all of my family, and I have such wonderful memories of them — but at the time they were living, I didn’t really appreciate what I had the way that I do now that they are gone.  That’s just how it works. Just put one foot in front of the other, and eventually things get better. Sometimes it takes work on our part, but you do it a step at a time, and not all at once. (((Marie))) It’s not a death sentence.. just a hurdle you will learn to deal with in time. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Marie, Nobody has a "perfect life". That’s impossible, on this planet.

I know. I can tell you, however, that before July 2005, my life was very extremely happy for about ten years.  No anxiety, depression, insomnia, or obsessive thoughts. Health was excellent. Work was enjoyable. Business was growing and money was coming in fast. Life was too good. It wasn’t a perfect life, but it was truly blissful. You folks have had anxiety/depression and have learned to adjust. My anxiety/depression is a total shock and interruption to what was in the recent past a quite blissful life. I sure don’t.  I have (in order of the extent to which they cripple me) GAD, PD, Depression, and at times I’m psychotic, and have to be hauled off to a mental hospital about once a year or so.

Gosh, I feel for you. I never knew what I have had until I lost it last July. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My life? Well.. right now, a close family member is dying, and I’m trying to help her and her husband, he’s not well himself, and he is trying to take care of her at home.  She is in denial that she is dying, and it is a bad situation. At the same time, my first grandchild will be here any day now, and she’ll be premature, so that is another worry.  I lost my mother last 11 days before Christmas last year.  I lived with her for most of my life, and it was a huge loss for me — biggest one of my life, so far. I also am in the process of selling my house that I have lived in about 11 years now.  It is a huge house (3,000 square feet) and I have to keep it immaculate, because sometimes I only get a moments notice that someone wants to look at it.  I also have a puppy that will eat the couch and anything else that is not nailed down if I do not keep an eye on her.  She’s sweet, but she is RESPONSIBILITY with all capital letters, a full time job.  I also am in the process of training for a job, and that takes up about 4-5 hours of my day.

I’m sorry about your losses, but I also wish you the best in your job training. Wanna trade lives?? ))

I know you meant this in jest, but to be serious for a moment: There’s nothing to trade. I lost a precious ten years of a very happy life. I can’t trade that because that is gone. I hope that medication and lifestyle changes will get me back to recovery and bring that happiness back. I hope and pray that your life will become better. …but I can tell you that this is a *G*R*E*A*T group of people, even if you don’t have panic disorder.. many of us here have multiple diagnoses.  I’m glad you are posting.  Keep coming back.  It’s nice here. Welcome to the group.

Thank you. Sally

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just having those moments of depression…last July I was a "normie." No anxiety, no depression, and no obsessive/racing thoughts for nine years, and no depression before ever. I’m still working as before, but the excitement I used to have isn’t there, at least not like it used to be. I also feel out of place here–bigtime. Folks talk about panic disorder and panic attacks, but everything else seems perfect in their lives. All they seem to worry about are panic attacks, and I’m thinking, "How easy they have it." They have a panic attack every month or two, that’s all. All they need is some Xanax and it’s over. Well, I don’t have Panic Disorder. There’s only one support group near where I live, and it’s a Panic Disorder group. Panic Disorder just seems so much easier to deal with or so I think. None of my employees nor my fellow business folks have a clue. Friends have no clue. Husband tries but has no clue. My family members have no clue. Mom had Agoraphobia and a phobia of choking for two years (no depression), but that was decades ago. Sorry for the rant. I don’t express myself well emotionally. Just need a little encouragement because I am one of the oddballs. I don’t want to go to the OCD boards because it reinforces the obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Well, back to work….

Marie, Nobody has a "perfect life". That’s impossible, on this planet.  I sure don’t.  I have (in order of the extent to which they cripple me) GAD, PD, Depression, and at times I’m psychotic, and have to be hauled off to a mental hospital about once a year or so. My life? Well.. right now, a close family member is dying, and I’m trying to help her and her husband, he’s not well himself, and he is trying to take care of her at home.  She is in denial that she is dying, and it is a bad situation. At the same time, my first grandchild will be here any day now, and she’ll be premature, so that is another worry.  I lost my mother last 11 days before Christmas last year.  I lived with her for most of my life, and it was a huge loss for me — biggest one of my life, so far. I also am in the process of selling my house that I have lived in about 11 years now.  It is a huge house (3,000 square feet) and I have to keep it immaculate, because sometimes I only get a moments notice that someone wants to look at it.  I also have a puppy that will eat the couch and anything else that is not nailed down if I do not keep an eye on her.  She’s sweet, but she is RESPONSIBILITY with all capital letters, a full time job.  I also am in the process of training for a job, and that takes up about 4-5 hours of my day. Wanna trade lives?? ))  I do not know whether I am coming or going.. but I can tell you that this is a *G*R*E*A*T group of people, even if you don’t have panic disorder.. many of us here have multiple diagnoses.  I’m glad you are posting.  Keep coming back.  It’s nice here. Welcome to the group. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Just having those moments of depression…last July I was a "normie." No anxiety, no depression, and no obsessive/racing thoughts for nine years, and no depression before ever. I’m still working as before, but the excitement I used to have isn’t there, at least not like it used to be. I also feel out of place here–bigtime. Folks talk about panic disorder and panic attacks, but everything else seems perfect in their lives. All they seem to worry about are panic attacks, and I’m thinking, "How easy they have it." They have a panic attack every month or two, that’s all. All they need is some Xanax and it’s over. Well, I don’t have Panic Disorder. There’s only one support group near where I live, and it’s a Panic Disorder group. Panic Disorder just seems so much easier to deal with or so I think. None of my employees nor my fellow business folks have a clue. Friends have no clue. Husband tries but has no clue. My family members have no clue. Mom had Agoraphobia and a phobia of choking for two years (no depression), but that was decades ago. Sorry for the rant. I don’t express myself well emotionally. Just need a little encouragement because I am one of the oddballs. I don’t want to go to the OCD boards because it reinforces the obsessive thoughts and compulsions.   Well, back to work…. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

From a somewhat fused medical and philosophic point of view, pain is

singular.  The pain of a failed relationship, that of a panic attack, a pet killed, a hammer accidentally hitting a finger very hard, stubbing the toe, breaking the leg – the list is probably almost infinite.  The person experiencing any one of those things is in a unique pain, perceived uniquely by them at that time.  None can really be compared with any real accuracy to any of the others.  Some psychological pain is worse than the worst kind of physical pain. Thankfully, pleasure shares the same singular character, in many ways. Gary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …I have a terrible fear that I may be one who makes you think that panic disorder is easier to cope with than other disorders. I have a fear that folks here think I am trying to get people here to tell me how bad their lives are. Not so!  I just asked for some encouragement. I do post a lot about exciting things I am doing, but my life is not all sunshine and flowers.  I choose to force myself beyond my boundaries, because it is how I deal with things. Daily, I deal with a LOT of generalized, obsessive anxiety.  I also have periodic bouts of moderate to severe depression and panic.  Most of the time I choose not to talk about those things because that’s how I work.  Example: when my grandfather (my dad’s father) died, I called my mother (parents are divorced) and her mother to see if THEY were okay. They are not even blood related to my grandfather and had not seen him in years!  I am just like that–I deny my own pain to the point of absurdity. Okay…see how we can often have a distorted view of others peoples’ lives? You are undoubtedly very caring for having called your mother and grandmother after your  paternal grandfather passed away. That’s caring. I hope that you will stick around here, because many of us are dealing with depression and I know there are some OCD people here as well. Often these disorders go hand in hand.  I would be very sad to see you leave, and I really hope I am not part of the cause. Absolutely not. Actually, it has nothing to do with folks here as much as the folks who were in my PDoc’s office. They all looked so blissful. Thought distortion, you know. Thanks for sharing. I’m just so new to this and I don’t want it! (Major temper tantrum here.) — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just having those moments of depression…last July I was a "normie." No anxiety, no depression, and no obsessive/racing thoughts for nine years, and no depression before ever. I’m still working as before, but the excitement I used to have isn’t there, at least not like it used to be. I also feel out of place here–bigtime. Folks talk about panic disorder and panic attacks, but everything else seems perfect in their lives. All they seem to worry about are panic attacks, and I’m thinking, "How easy they have it." They have a panic attack every month or two, that’s all. All they need is some Xanax and it’s over. Well, I don’t have Panic Disorder. There’s only one support group near where I live, and it’s a Panic Disorder group. Panic Disorder just seems so much easier to deal with or so I think. None of my employees nor my fellow business folks have a clue. Friends have no clue. Husband tries but has no clue. My family members have no clue. Mom had Agoraphobia and a phobia of choking for two years (no depression), but that was decades ago. Sorry for the rant. I don’t express myself well emotionally. Just need a little encouragement because I am one of the oddballs. I don’t want to go to the OCD boards because it reinforces the obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Well, back to work….

Once I learned how to deal with PA’s, and to just go with the flow, they were the least of my problems.  It was the constant anxiety that was getting to me, along with those spinning thoughts that wouldn’t go away.  I felt like a dog chasing its tail.  Fortunately my meds have me well in control, but I know what you’re talking about. Sounds like some of this may be hereditary, like me, too, and most is probably you.  And nobody can understand unless they’ve been there.  They can be supportive, but they just don’t have a clue, as you say. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

…I have a terrible fear that I may be one who makes you think that panic disorder is easier to cope with than other disorders.

I have a fear that folks here think I am trying to get people here to tell me how bad their lives are. Not so!  I just asked for some encouragement. I do post a lot about exciting things I am doing, but my life is not all sunshine and flowers.  I choose to force myself beyond my boundaries, because it is how I deal with things. Daily, I deal with a LOT of generalized, obsessive anxiety.  I also have periodic bouts of moderate to severe depression and panic.  Most of the time I choose not to talk about those things because that’s how I work.  Example: when my grandfather (my dad’s father) died, I called my mother (parents are divorced) and her mother to see if THEY were okay. They are not even blood related to my grandfather and had not seen him in years!  I am just like that–I deny my own pain to the point of absurdity.

Okay…see how we can often have a distorted view of others peoples’ lives? You are undoubtedly very caring for having called your mother and grandmother after your  paternal grandfather passed away. That’s caring. I hope that you will stick around here, because many of us are dealing with depression and I know there are some OCD people here as well. Often these disorders go hand in hand.  I would be very sad to see you leave, and I really hope I am not part of the cause.

Absolutely not. Actually, it has nothing to do with folks here as much as the folks who were in my PDoc’s office. They all looked so blissful.  Thought distortion, you know. Thanks for sharing. I’m just so new to this and I don’t want it! (Major temper tantrum here.) — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just having those moments of depression…last July I was a "normie." No anxiety, no depression, and no obsessive/racing thoughts for nine years, and no depression before ever. I’m still working as before, but the excitement I used to have isn’t there, at least not like it used to be. I also feel out of place here–bigtime. Folks talk about panic disorder and panic attacks, but everything else seems perfect in their lives. All they seem to worry about are panic attacks, and I’m thinking, "How easy they have it." They have a panic attack every month or two, that’s all. All they need is some Xanax and it’s over. Well, I don’t have Panic Disorder. There’s only one support group near where I live, and it’s a Panic Disorder group. Panic Disorder just seems so much easier to deal with or so I think. None of my employees nor my fellow business folks have a clue. Friends have no clue. Husband tries but has no clue. My family members have no clue. Mom had Agoraphobia and a phobia of choking for two years (no depression), but that was decades ago. Sorry for the rant. I don’t express myself well emotionally. Just need a little encouragement because I am one of the oddballs. I don’t want to go to the OCD boards because it reinforces the obsessive thoughts and compulsions.

I have panic disorder and OCD (or at least alot of symptoms of it). ABout 25% of people with panic disorder have OCD. Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just having those moments of depression…last July I was a "normie." No anxiety, no depression, and no obsessive/racing thoughts for nine years, and no depression before ever. I’m still working as before, but the excitement I used to have isn’t there, at least not like it used to be. I also feel out of place here–bigtime. Folks talk about panic disorder and panic attacks, but everything else seems perfect in their lives. All they seem to worry about are panic attacks, and I’m thinking, "How easy they have it." They have a panic attack every month or two, that’s all. All they need is some Xanax and it’s over. Well, I don’t have Panic Disorder. There’s only one support group near where I live, and it’s a Panic Disorder group. Panic Disorder just seems so much easier to deal with or so I think. None of my employees nor my fellow business folks have a clue. Friends have no clue. Husband tries but has no clue. My family members have no clue. Mom had Agoraphobia and a phobia of choking for two years (no depression), but that was decades ago. Sorry for the rant. I don’t express myself well emotionally. Just need a little encouragement because I am one of the oddballs. I don’t want to go to the OCD boards because it reinforces the obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Well, back to work….

Marie, I read your post and all the replies, and I have a terrible fear that I may be one who makes you think that panic disorder is easier to cope with than other disorders.  I do post a lot about exciting things I am doing, but my life is not all sunshine and flowers.  I choose to force myself beyond my boundaries, because it is how I deal with things. Daily, I deal with a LOT of generalized, obsessive anxiety.  I also have periodic bouts of moderate to severe depression and panic.  Most of the time I choose not to talk about those things because that’s how I work.  Example: when my grandfather (my dad’s father) died, I called my mother (parents are divorced) and her mother to see if THEY were okay. They are not even blood related to my grandfather and had not seen him in years!  I am just like that–I deny my own pain to the point of absurdity. I just wanted to explain where I am coming from.  I understand OCD and depression are horrible.  Depression I know about first hand, as I’ve had it most of my life.  OCD, I can only imagine.  I have bouts of obsessive behavior (mostly related to cleanliness) and they just about drive me over the edge, so I can understand how full-blown OCD would be just awful. I hope that you will stick around here, because many of us are dealing with depression and I know there are some OCD people here as well. Often these disorders go hand in hand.  I would be very sad to see you leave, and I really hope I am not part of the cause. (((((((((((((Marie))))))))))))) Love, Dawn — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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Just having those moments of depression…last July I was a "normie." No anxiety, no depression, and no obsessive/racing thoughts for nine years, and no depression before ever.

<snipped It looks like everyone said just about everything, I hope tomorrow is better.  I’m just taking this chance to say hello and welcome to asapm. Tono — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I also feel out of place here–bigtime. Folks talk about panic disorder and panic attacks, but everything else seems perfect in their lives. All they seem to worry about are panic attacks, and I’m thinking, "How easy they have it." They have a panic attack every month or two, that’s all. All they need is some Xanax and it’s over.

Please don’t feel out of place here.  We all have a similar illness, though it can show its ugly head in different ways.  You might not have text book "Panic Disorder", but your symptoms sound familiar to me.  I have had to deal with those racing thoughts of worry which causes anxiety and for me can lead to a panic attack.  Dealing with those symptoms even for a few days is enough to make anyone depressed. Well, I don’t have Panic Disorder. There’s only one support group near where I live, and it’s a Panic Disorder group. Panic Disorder just seems so much easier to deal with or so I think.

This is a good support group : ) None of my employees nor my fellow business folks have a clue. Friends have no clue. Husband tries but has no clue. My family members have no clue. Mom had Agoraphobia and a phobia of choking for two years (no depression), but that was decades ago.

I can relate.  My wife is lucky and doesn’t understand what it is like to have panic/anxiety/depression junk.  However I do have my father who has suffered similar symptoms since he was only 15. Sorry for the rant. I don’t express myself well emotionally. Just need a little encouragement because I am one of the oddballs. I don’t want to go to the OCD boards because it reinforces the obsessive thoughts and compulsions.

So then stay here  We don’t all have to be exactly the same to understand what each other deals with.  I am sure most people here can relate to obsessing over something to where is causes anxiety/panic. Well, back to work….

Best, Jim — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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A lot of posters here (unintentionally) give me the impression that life is hunky-dory with Panic Disorder. Hence the "grass is greener" mode. Sorry.  : (

No need to be sorry Don’t take it as an impression that life is hunky-dory from the posters here.  Think of it as: this is *OUR* place to *BE NORMAL*.  I can post here about sports (like I know anything about sports), how my day was, advice on dealing with my condition, maybe post something silly my daughter did, etc. I love when people post there "happy" posts about, well about anything.  I think it is important for all of us to share, share the good stuff and the bad.  When you have a good day, or even a good minute, post about it.  When you have a bad day, post about it. We need to be here to help one another or else there is no point in ASAPM. I will do what I can to help others here and I hope others will do the same for me : ) Best, Jim — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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I’m so sorry you feel out of place here, Marie.  I hope we didn’t give you that impression.

No, not at all! I have OCD too, but other disorders also.  :-)  I hope you at least feel safe with us.  We’re here any time you need to talk or vent.  Can I ask what other disorders you have?  I’m hoping I can help even if it’s in a small way.  {{{{{Marie}}}}}

Thank you for your encouragement, Diane. I have obsessions centered around themes of losing control, and compulsions with symmetry/placement and checking to gain a symbolic sense of control. When your mind spins on its own and you cannot control the thoughts (also known as "snapping out of it") you can get quite depressed. *Officially* OCD/Depression Glad to know that others like you understand the ritualistic and ruminative way that we think and live. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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I can tell you that the grass is NOT greener on the other side You are more than welcome to come stay with me for a few days to see how imperfect I am. Yesterday was a very good day for me, today I was climbing the walls with anxiety because of scary physical symptoms. I could not believe the freak out mode I was in for a few hours. I had lots of shopping and errands to do but didn`t feel like it because of the anxiety and physical symptoms. I made myself go and had no problems. I have good days, not-so-good days…. and those nightmarish days. Paxil and CBT have given me my life back. However, I still have lots to work on. As of now, I cannot travel, the thought of sleeping away from home is terrifying. Driving far by myself has improved tremendously. My safe zone is expanding by the week, but I still have lots of room for improvement.

Thank you for your honesty and sharing. The "grass is greener" thinking is something that maybe we all go through at times. I`ve been dealing with panic disorder & agoraphobia since 1981. I`ve lost much because of it, a career, friends, my self-esteem, etc. I`ve missed much because of it, weddings, birthdays, parties, get-togethers, holidays, doctor battled suicidal ideation for years and dealt with panic everyday, often times having numerous panic attacks a day. I couldn`t even escape by sleeping because often times an hour or two after dozing off, I would be assaulted by a nocturnal panic attack. At my worst, I couldn`t have people over, I couldn`t talk on the phone. At times, panic disorder and agoraphobia is a living hell….

I knew a young lady with it who traveled with her "safe person." I perfectly understand, at least visually, the experience. other times, like now, it is annoying, inconvenient and unpredictable. I do empathize with everything you are going through right now. I even sent you an e-mail last week. I don`t know if you ever received it? If you didn`t, I could resend it.  If there is anything we can do to help you, just ask and we`ll do our best. (((((Marie)))))

Thanks Jackie, for sharing. I did get the email and thank you for it, but cannot reply for some strange reason, probably the server name or code or whatever for outging email is set up wrong. A lot of posters here (unintentionally) give me the impression that life is hunky-dory with Panic Disorder. Hence the "grass is greener" mode. Sorry.  : ( — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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I’m so sorry you feel out of place here, Marie.  I hope we didn’t give you that impression.  I also don’t know exactly what you have except OCD from reading your post.  I have OCD too, but other disorders also.  :-)  I hope you at least feel safe with us.  We’re here any time you need to talk or vent.  Can I ask what other disorders you have?  I’m hoping I can help even if it’s in a small way.  {{{{{Marie}}}}} Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just having those moments of depression…last July I was a "normie." No anxiety, no depression, and no obsessive/racing thoughts for nine years, and no depression before ever. I’m still working as before, but the excitement I used to have isn’t there, at least not like it used to be. I also feel out of place here–bigtime. Folks talk about panic disorder and panic attacks, but everything else seems perfect in their lives. All they seem to worry about are panic attacks, and I’m thinking, "How easy they have it." They have a panic attack every month or two, that’s all. All they need is some Xanax and it’s over. Well, I don’t have Panic Disorder. There’s only one support group near where I live, and it’s a Panic Disorder group. Panic Disorder just seems so much easier to deal with or so I think. None of my employees nor my fellow business folks have a clue. Friends have no clue. Husband tries but has no clue. My family members have no clue. Mom had Agoraphobia and a phobia of choking for two years (no depression), but that was decades ago. Sorry for the rant. I don’t express myself well emotionally. Just need a little encouragement because I am one of the oddballs. I don’t want to go to the OCD boards because it reinforces the obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Well, back to work….

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m sure, if you were to talk to all on here, that you would soon learn that it isn’t a case of just having a panic attack every month or two. Some of us know what it’s like to have terrifying, numbing panic for hours on end, over and over again throughout the day and night, feeling that you are about to die or go completely insane. And when someone suffers that kind of panic, a Xanax or two doesn’t always help. Or it may help for a while, but then you’re always waiting in dread for the next panic attack to come. No, Panic Disorder isn’t easy.

I know it must not be. It was just a moment of stinking thinking that took over. Thanks for sharing. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hello Marie and welcome. Just having those moments of depression…last July I was a "normie." No anxiety, no depression, and no obsessive/racing thoughts for nine years, and no depression before ever. I’m still working as before, but the excitement I used to have isn’t there, at least not like it used to be. I also feel out of place here–bigtime. Folks talk about panic disorder and panic attacks, but everything else seems perfect in their lives. All they seem to worry about are panic attacks, and I’m thinking, "How easy they have it." They have a panic attack every month or two, that’s all. All they need is some Xanax and it’s over.

I think you’ll find that people here suffer from all different kinds of ailments, including depression. I also think that you’re right to say that "everything else seems perfect in their lives", but that may just be an impression given by the posts that appear. Some of us have had these conditions a very long time and we’ve learned to adapt, accept and cope to some degree with them. Don’t think for one moment that living with Panic Disorder is easy. It can be a daily struggle, but if we just dwelt on the condition life would be pretty miserable. So here you have the lot. A place to share triumphs and disasters with people who understand and care. A place to share thoughts and experiences of all kinds, not just related to illnesses. Sometimes it’s good just to chat about gardening or the weather or particle physics – whatever takes people’s interest. It’s called distraction and is one of many tools used to help people who have terrible problems think about something else for a while, to interact with other human beings and, in some cases, escape the four walls that have become their prison. I’m sure, if you were to talk to all on here, that you would soon learn that it isn’t a case of just having a panic attack every month or two. Some of us know what it’s like to have terrifying, numbing panic for hours on end, over and over again throughout the day and night, feeling that you are about to die or go completely insane. And when someone suffers that kind of panic, a Xanax or two doesn’t always help. Or it may help for a while, but then you’re always waiting in dread for the next panic attack to come. No, Panic Disorder isn’t easy. And neither is depression. It’s a condition that appears to be outside your control. It appears to possess you. I’ve had bouts of depression in the past and have always found it to respond well to medication (Dothiepin in my case). But, like Panic Disorder, depression comes in several types and intensities and what works for one doesn’t for someone else. I can’t talk with any authority on Depression, but I’m sure there are others here who can and will be willing to share their thoughts on it. Well, I don’t have Panic Disorder. There’s only one support group near where I live, and it’s a Panic Disorder group. Panic Disorder just seems so much easier to deal with or so I think. None of my employees nor my fellow business folks have a clue. Friends have no clue. Husband tries but has no clue. My family members have no clue. Mom had Agoraphobia and a phobia of choking for two years (no depression), but that was decades ago.

No, you have to be a sufferer to understand it, which is why I don’t feel qualified to give you advice other than to seek medical help from your doctor. Sorry for the rant. I don’t express myself well emotionally. Just need a little encouragement because I am one of the oddballs. I don’t want to go to the OCD boards because it reinforces the obsessive thoughts and compulsions.

You’re doing fine. I am sorry you’re suffering with this and truly hope that you get some helpful advice from this group. I’m sure you will. Just remember that however dark it appears at the moment, there is always hope, and these things don’t usually last forever. Well, back to work….

Take care and come and ask about whatever you want anytime. Or just chat. We’re a friendly bunch. Steve. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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Question:

Just to chime in, I took for days of Lexapro last month for panic, and I wound up in the emergengy room unable to urinate and with entense fear of anything and everything.  It was the worst pit of hell I’d ever esperienced, and it took DAYS to come down from the effects of that miserable drug.  I nearly killled myself during the worst of the symptoms, whereby it increased my anxiety 100 fold….

Gosh, sorry about what you experienced. Sounds like you had a nasty adverse reaction. Why do folks with PD take SSRIs anyway, unless the benzo causes/aggravates depression?  Aren’t benzos the safest treatment of choice in such a case?

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Howdy cowpokes, I was on Celexa, 60 mg. I believe?….for a long long time. What happens with me to prompt my doctor (and myself) to want to try another SSRI seems to be that my panic attacks eventually return. That did happen with Celexa, and my doc switched me to Lexapro 20 mg. After a period of adjustment (I was switched directly over) I started to notice less panic, and I was feeling that it might even be improving my mood until about a week ago, when personal issues got to me enough to bring on a major freakin depression, I’ve been hiding in bed and all. Yesterday I dragged my butt out to go and do some errands, it was really hard, like I was moving in slow-motion, but I did what I set out to do, and I’m still noticing a decrease in the panic as regards my ability to get out and drive etc. So, in short, if Celexa worked for you for panic disorder, I would think Lexapro would too, as others have already said. Take care, Sharon

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I have been taking 20mg of Celexa for a while now. It worked great, but I gained a ton of weight. I just started taking 10mg of Lexapro. 1. Is it ok to start one SSRI and stop another? 2. Is the dosage the same between Lexapro and Celexa? 3. Does Lexapro work for panic disorder?

Just to chime in, I took for days of Lexapro last month for panic, and I wound up in the emergengy room unable to urinate and with entense fear of anything and everything.  It was the worst pit of hell I’d ever esperienced, and it took DAYS to come down from the effects of that miserable drug.  I nearly killled myself during the worst of the symptoms, whereby it increased my anxiety 100 fold, (even the softest sounds terrrified me) and the added spacy-ness and massive confusion was all I needed to have me just about off myself…never mind the physical pain I was alyready in. If I ever meet the maker of Lexipro, I will surely KILL him….hmmm…perhaps a side-effect of having taken the stuff???? Leo

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I have been taking 20mg of Celexa for a while now. It worked great, but I gained a ton of weight. I just started taking 10mg of Lexapro. 1. Is it ok to start one SSRI and stop another? 2. Is the dosage the same between Lexapro and Celexa? 3. Does Lexapro work for panic disorder?

Response:

1. Is it ok to start one SSRI and stop another?

Yes, happens all the time. I’ve never had a problem with it.  Celexa and Lexapro are very similar. 2. Is the dosage the same between Lexapro and Celexa?

Dunno. Ask your doc? 3. Does Lexapro work for panic disorder?

Very well.  In my case, it took some time for this to happen. Now I’ve been on it for about 18-19 months, and I am panic-free most of the time. I’ve resumed driving on highways with some degree of calm and can travel out of my "safe zone" more and more.  It has been a very successful med for me.  I did have some CBT last year as well. Good luck! xo Anne

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While they are VERY similar compounds (Lexapro basically is celexa with the "inactive half" of the Celexa stereo-isomer removed) they seem to show different results clinically for actual, real people.  I can even personally attest to this, having taken Celexa for a "long" time, and then trying Lexapro at the "equivalent dose", having monstrous side-effects, extreme fatigue and ultimately I did not choose to stay on it. I do not want to imply that one is better than the other – they have both shown EXCELLENT results in clinical settings, but some people seem to do better with one than the other.  They are clearly not the same compound by any means, from a "how does it feel" point of view…. The manufacturer, Forest Labs recommends starting everyone on 10 mgs of Lexapro, and everyone on 20 mgs of Celexa.  For anxiety patients, I think the start doses should be given based on the credo of the gerontologist – "start low, go slow". It is "ok" to start one SSRI and stop another, but it’s preferable to cross-taper them, so as not to "annoy your neurons" too much, from the abrupt change-over. The dosage is not the same – see above (although for a "few people" it "ends up" being the same, but only by coincidence.  In the vast majority of cases it is not the same from one drug to the other. Re. Panic D/O –  Elliott already covered that. I hope you’re feeling better soon, Gary P.S. – You really do have to go with how it is for YOU.  Study after study can be read, but they are only applicable to a certain extent in predicting anything.  E.G. The manufacturer of Celexa says that there is really no discernable difference between 20 and 40 mgs.  Anyone who has taken this drug will tell you that there is a HUGE difference between 20 and 40. Thusly, 10 mgs of Lexapro being "the dose" for everyone – come on – what kind of BS is that?  Remember that any adequate trial of an SSRI is a minimum of 30 days, unless you just CANNOT tolerate the side-effects that long. G

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have been taking 20mg of Celexa for a while now. It worked great, but I gained a ton of weight. I just started taking 10mg of Lexapro. 1. Is it ok to start one SSRI and stop another? 2. Is the dosage the same between Lexapro and Celexa? 3. Does Lexapro work for panic disorder?

Response:

Question:

I came across this NG when searching for something else and wondered whether any subscribers could help me answer a question that’s been bothering me for years. My father suffered from agoraphobia for most of his life. It seems to have started in his teens and got worse so by his 40’s he was only able to go out of the house for short, well-known journeys (and even then occasionally getting panic attacks). We didn’t talk much about it and just got on with our (not quite ‘normal’) lives, so I never knew the cause (and if he or my mother did they never mentioned it). He died about 20 years ago. At his funeral an uncle told me that my father had been stabbed in a motiveless attack by another boy when he was about 16 years old and that he believed that this had triggered the agoraphobia, as he was never the same afterwards. I remembered my father had mentioned this incident years before but not in any connection to the agoraphobia. I’m afraid I’ve never really taken time out to investigate whether such a cause is possible or what other possible causes there might be. The subject was just too painful to go into. Question:  Can agoraphobia result from a traumatic incident like a stabbing, and what other causes are there? Many thanks,   Reg

Response:

Thanks for the good answers. I knew it wouldn’t be simple but you’ve provided some clarity.  Shame the Internet wasn’t around when my dad was alive. He would have found newsgroups like this very helpful. Reg

Response:

method of communication, so pecked out: Question:  Can agoraphobia result from a traumatic incident like a stabbing The simple answer would be yes.  The avoidance behavior can be for many reasons, but if this is a PTS situation, avoidance and a total change in the person isn’t an unreasonable expectation if left untreated. Note below in the diagnostic criteria where it states:

Elliott, I went to my PDoc appt. today and was told to get the DSM-IV out of my mind once and for all. You are TEMPTING me young man! ; )

Response:

Can agoraphobia result from a traumatic incident like a stabbing, and what other causes are there?

Yes, one can develop Agoraphobia without Panic Disorder. My mother had Agoraphobia because she was afraid that a medical emergency she once had would occur again and no one would be able to help her. (These were the days before cell phones.) You dad may have developed Agoraphobia to avoid getting into the traumatic situation again. It may have been the fear of it happening again. Agoraphobia can indeed exist apart from Panic Disorder.

Response:

I can only speak from personal experience.  My agoraphobia was caused by panic attacks, which i didn’t know at the time.  I got so scared of the panic and feeling so badly all the time that i quickly became afraid of leaving the house.  I am biological predispositioned for anxiety, but never had a major problem with it until a tramatic event, which i believe i made the panic worse by not knowing the cause or what was going on at the time.  From what little i have learned, panic attacks can be by biological in nature and/or from a traumatic event. That’s just my opinion, though.  The human brain is an amazing and powerful thing! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I came across this NG when searching for something else and wondered whether any subscribers could help me answer a question that’s been bothering me for years. My father suffered from agoraphobia for most of his life. It seems to have started in his teens and got worse so by his 40’s he was only able to go out of the house for short, well-known journeys (and even then occasionally getting panic attacks). We didn’t talk much about it and just got on with our (not quite ‘normal’) lives, so I never knew the cause (and if he or my mother did they never mentioned it). He died about 20 years ago. At his funeral an uncle told me that my father had been stabbed in a motiveless attack by another boy when he was about 16 years old and that he believed that this had triggered the agoraphobia, as he was never the same afterwards. I remembered my father had mentioned this incident years before but not in any connection to the agoraphobia. I’m afraid I’ve never really taken time out to investigate whether such a cause is possible or what other possible causes there might be. The subject was just too painful to go into. Question:  Can agoraphobia result from a traumatic incident like a stabbing, and what other causes are there? Hi Reg, and welcome. Agoraphobia most often accompanies a panic disorder or another phobia of sorts.  If your father suffered emotional trauma from the stabbing incident and never received proper mental help, then it could indeed be the reason for the agoraphobia, or a number of other mental health problems. People who develop agoraphobia from a certain traumatic situation have been conditioned to fear.  The very thought of having a panic attack while being out somewhere can leave a person wanting to isolate themselves…  keeping themselves "safe" so to speak. So yes, in a nutshell, (no pun intended), the stabbing could be the reason for your father’s agoraphobia. —

Question:

hi,   sure becky, id be willing to help you with some personal info. what do you want to know? russ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi All, I would like to start my introducing myself. My name is Becky I am 25 and I am currently on a college course which will enable me to embark on my degree in mental health nursing next year. As part of my access course I am required to do a "research project" in which I have chosen panic attacks, panic disorder and the treatments. I to am a long term sufferer of this terrifying sometimes disabling condition and I was wondering if anybody would be willing to inform me of their personal experiences on the subject i.e. treatments & personal opinons. I would be ever so grateful for any info you feel relevant! Many Thanks Becky — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Question:

Hey All, Just wondering if Graff or Jackie are still around?  I got card from Jackie, but Graff had disappeared.  The joy of disappearing is that I presume, like myself, this illness also goes away with time, or at least diminishes. Thanks, David

Hi David, Graff still lurks in a few groups. I’m not sure if this is still one of them but I have seen recent posts in alt.support.anxiety-panic.moderated and alt.support.agoraphobia. He has improved so much that he now goes on motorbike rides rather than walks. If you place his name in the subject header you may even get a response from the lovely man himself. As others have said Jackie posts in the moderated group now. Vanessa

Response:

here’s tha post… now… it’s up ta YOU ta see’f ya wanna see it as hurtful or possibly look into tha latter posts of mine and find the apology… me?  i ain’t holdin’ muh breath for tha latter. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To: this newsgroup has been special to me, i have made friends, friends that motivated me to post my final thoughts in lieu of my bitchy (subjective) attitude.  so i will. YES !  i find strength in humor… humor creates laughter, laughter creates more laughter, and then more, then it’s contagious..   and it is a vicious circle, isn’t it? and to whoever posted that i respond to most posts?  i forgot, you weren’t important, but yes i do. in my own handy dandy aol dictionary.com, support means several things.. these i will post: To keep from weakening or failing; strengthen. Maintenance, as of a family, with the necessities of life.To be capable of bearing; withstand, To keep from weakening or failing; strengthen, To provide for or maintain, by supplying with money or necessities, To endure; tolerate, To endure; tolerate. and then there is whining: To utter a plaintive cry, as some animals; to moan with a childish noise; to complain, or to tell of sorrow, distress, or the like, in a plaintive, nasal tone; hence, to complain or to beg in a mean, unmanly way; to moan basely. Dost thou come here to whine? –Shak so ask yourselves is this a "support" group… or a "whine" group. why did i get so beligerent?  i’ll answer that !  (believe it or not)…   this thing is called "life"… so we have panic and anxiety.  so fuckin WHAT !  wah fuckin WAH !  guess what …. we have a little pill for that and THAT ain’t even good enuff, y’all gotta figger out what little pill in what mg goes with another lil pill in another mg. combined with other pills produces results.. at least you gotta pill. go to the projects.  see the rats crawlin outta baby’s diapers… watch a crack addict spend his money on the mortgage in 15 minutes flat, watch my best friend writhe on the floor from MS and her vision waning, go visit the elderly with no one to look into their lonesome eyes…  to say "hello in there"…  and yes… i DO look at myself.. everyday… in the mirror.. (as was also noted in that forgotten poster)… and i see my brother with my gun to his head pullin’ the trigger, i see my lover shoot himself in my car, i see my best friend hanging from a tree outside his own Mother’s house, i see me losing 3 businesses due to anxiety, (wait..four)… i see the turmoil in my head that i blame no one for, but myself for allowing it to infiltrate my being…. my mirror is NOT streak-free.  i see my childhood..i know my pain… i accept it without blame.   i’m no better or no worse than you or anyone else in this fucking thing called "life". Graf? you walk.  you share your walks.. who the fuck really cares?  at least you can walk.. do we care that you determine what "squishes" are or are not? maybe y’all do, i think it’s ridiculous. who in their right mind gives a SHIT that you walked out of your house… at least you have the physical ability.  i don’t care what gal had a blue skirt on and what dog was pissin on a fire hydrant !  do you think i do?  if you do, then you do not know how full my life actually is.  Gary?  so yer girlfriend left ya and yer hopeless.. well i don’t give a good goddam, i get left and forgotten on a regular basis… i allow it.  so do you. MOVE THE FUCK ON AND QUIT COMPLAININ !  other fish in the sea? cliche’? wonder why… cuz it could be true? and sumbody’s mother died of cancer.   well too bad, so sad… it’s a thing called a beginning and an end.  BE REALISTIC !  yes, i’m sorry for your loss, we all are, i’m sure.. but the huggie wuggie boogie woogie crap is totally uncalled for in my book.  group hugs suck ass, as we all are human beings and know our mortality, and SURELY hope life takes it’s course and your parents end their path before us. am i harsh?  you bet yer fuckin ass. why?  because i am.   pretention, conceit, ostentation and idiocy abhors me. WHO are you guys to come into this newsgroup, not even lay your cards on the table, withhold the real problem, as you know it, you know you do… just for a few people to say "oh, i would recommend these designer drugs" because obviously SOME of you have spent WAY too much time on the international superhighway studying these drugs than you could have kissing your lover. YES !… i have panic attacks/disorder, YES !… i have anxiety.. YES… i have watched the pain and agony these surreal disorders as they manifest themselves into alienation of friends, family, and rummage though to guilt.  i’m not an idiot ! my prognosis is:  yer lucky fuckin people.  so am i. my diagnosis is:  get real.. learn the true meaning of support.  become the back-bone of people you care for and give your last ounce of STRENGTH, BACKBONE, your last fucking dime….. to help.  otherwise.. SHUT THE MOTHERFUCK UP ! so yer on disability.  FOR ANXIETY !  FOR PANIC DISORDER !… have you ever seen a kid’s arm chopped off by a wood-chipper?  or a family so stressed that abuse occurs?  a car towed in the middle of the night for non-payment? a homeless person with no address to get employment?  i beg of you all…. COUNT YOUR FUCKING BLESSINGS ! and if y’all don’t like it:  jump up my ass and EAT DINNER ! ~~~~~the *IT* girl, sharin the title with muh Bri, she has real problems. (i hate that Big Bopper died in that plane crash, don’t y’all?) boo bappa loopa ba loo bam boom… boogie woogie ! and Patsy Cline?   RIP.. (i fall ta pieces)

Response:

I think the last time Graff wrote was before Belle tore into him.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey All, Just wondering if Graff or Jackie are still around?  I got card from Jackie, but Graff had disappeared.  The joy of disappearing is that I presume, like myself, this illness also goes away with time, or at least diminishes. Thanks, David

Response:

I think the last time Graff wrote was before Belle tore into him.

…and belle apologized. ya fergot ta include THAT post, of course.. ya see what ya wanna see, steve. you’d make’ah shitty lawyer. ~tanya

Response:

I love thinking about Graffnoir riding around on his bike enjoying life.  I  do miss his walks tho’.

Yup, much as I enjoy the thought of Graff whizzing around I do miss the stories of his walks… they really were quite inspirational. And hello to Ms. Jackie!!  That woman can make an  envelope into a work of art with her stickers!!  I’m a sticker person  myself, but not as talented as she is.  I even kept the envelope she sent  the card in!!  ;o)

<g My 9yo collects stamps but somehow some stickers have worked their way into his album. Vashti

Response:

Hi David, Jackie is at ASAP-M. Graff posts very occasionally but spends lots of time riding his motorbike. Meryl

I love thinking about Graffnoir riding around on his bike enjoying life.  I do miss his walks tho’.  And hello to Ms. Jackie!!  That woman can make an envelope into a work of art with her stickers!!  I’m a sticker person myself, but not as talented as she is.  I even kept the envelope she sent the card in!!  ;o) —

Question:

Yes Carl you should be fine. I have been taking Prilosec for about 2 years and I take Xanax for panic attacks and anxiety and also Zoloft and Depakote. My doc knows about all of the meds so I don’t see why you would have a problem. Maybe you can ask a pharmacist, but I’ve taken it with no problems. Hope this helps.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I take Klonopin for a panic disorder. I have been taking Klonopin for nearly 1 decade now. Before that, I was on Xnax for almost a decade. Here is my question. I also take prilosec for chronic acid reflux. Has anyone else taken this medication longterm and is it safe? TIA for any replies. Carl

Response:

Appreciate the reply Jamie… Carl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have taken prolosec / aciphex on and off for about a year now.  They are pretty safe, and there are not really any long term side effects that I have ever become aware of.  They are much better than tagement which does cause problems with metobolism of certin things… jamie I take Klonopin for a panic disorder. I have been taking Klonopin for nearly 1 decade now. Before that, I was on Xnax for almost a decade. Here is my question. I also take prilosec for chronic acid reflux. Has anyone else taken this medication longterm and is it safe? TIA for any replies. Carl

Response:

I take Klonopin for a panic disorder. I have been taking Klonopin for nearly 1 decade now. Before that, I was on Xnax for almost a decade. Here is my question. I also take prilosec for chronic acid reflux. Has anyone else taken this medication longterm and is it safe? TIA for any replies. Carl

What’s afe? Taking a med is taking a risk. But as meds for GERD go proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec are still the first choice. My wife has been taking it for years now (GERD <—- hiatal hernia)with good result and no side effects. Philip

Response:

Thanks Phillip… Carl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take Klonopin for a panic disorder. I have been taking Klonopin for nearly 1 decade now. Before that, I was on Xnax for almost a decade. Here is my question. I also take prilosec for chronic acid reflux. Has anyone else taken this medication longterm and is it safe? TIA for any replies. Carl What’s afe? Taking a med is taking a risk. But as meds for GERD go proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec are still the first choice. My wife has been taking it for years now (GERD <—- hiatal hernia)with good result and no side effects. Philip

Response:

I take Klonopin for a panic disorder. I have been taking Klonopin for nearly 1 decade now. Before that, I was on Xnax for almost a decade. Here is my question. I also take prilosec for chronic acid reflux. Has anyone else taken this medication longterm and is it safe? TIA for any replies. Carl

Response:

I have taken prolosec / aciphex on and off for about a year now.  They are pretty safe, and there are not really any long term side effects that I have ever become aware of.  They are much better than tagement which does cause problems with metobolism of certin things… jamie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take Klonopin for a panic disorder. I have been taking Klonopin for nearly 1 decade now. Before that, I was on Xnax for almost a decade. Here is my question. I also take prilosec for chronic acid reflux. Has anyone else taken this medication longterm and is it safe? TIA for any replies. Carl

Response:

Question:

This is interesting since every professional has told me that these disorders are not curable, but treatable. this leaves a few conclusions: 1. They are wrong. 2. She wasn’t PD. 3. You’re holding out on a cure and she was PD. 4. The scientific/medical community has a vested in treatments and not cures. Add your own….

Response:

Not sure if you are writing to me but if you are: One of the problems with panic is the secondary symptoms.  It is what you tell yourself about the panic that makes it worse.  Panic is time-limited and will not kill you.

Yep.  Try an experiment. At the onset of the panic, try doing jumping jacks for a few minutes. You might think that would affect you heart rate negatively, but on the contrary it will actually slow you down.

It would throw my back out. I am not allowed to jump.  You see, its the panic about the panic that makes it worse.  

Fear of panic. I know that fear. You might try saying things like, "Oh my God, here it comes again, that awful panic – I am sure my heartrate is going to go over the top.  Maybe I am having a heart attack?", etc.  Try rationally responding to your symptoms.  Say something like, "allright, here are those symptoms of panic again- if I just take those deep breaths and not focus on my symptoms this will soon pass."

My panic attacks are manageable. Much of what I wrote referred to around he time of my initial diagnosis. CT has helped me a lot.  Schedule a panic time.  Go into a quiet place and try to bring your panic on.

This I would never do. Fear of panic.   You will find that you can’t do it.

Oh yes, I could.   That is because you are not fighting with your symptoms.  Embrace your symptoms of panic and they will subside.  Best wishes.  James P. Krehbiel, krehbielcounseling.com

Some interesting thoughts but as always no one way works for all. Meryl

Response:

Embrace your symptoms of panic and they will subside.  Best wishes.  James P. Krehbiel, krehbielcounseling.com

I never understood panic disorder as I don’t have it. However, I have had a few panic attacks in my life (about six) and they were most distressing. The only tactic I have ever used is to tell myself that I will not fight them and if I have one, so be it. I cannot tolerate Xanax so I will have to face them should I ever have one. Maybe the difference is in how one interprets the attack experience. To me, they were uncomfortable, but not frightening. Hence my developing other versions of anxiety–GAD especially, and situational phobia. We are all so different. PD folks internalize their anxiety experience–the attack itself becomes their focal point. GAD and Phobia is different–it concentrates on a *source* that breeds anxiety, and not the anxiety *experience* itself. My mom had Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia but through sheer luck got rid of it in a single day without even trying.

Response:

I’ve had all the tests.. They’ve even been inside my heart (cardiac catherazation). Even with all the tests, I feel alone… I feel like the only person with such a rapid pulse.

Response:

Not sure if you are writing to me but if you are: One of the problems with panic is the secondary symptoms.  It is what you tell yourself about the panic that makes it worse.  Panic is time-limited and will not kill you. Yep.

Anybody who ever had a real severe PA would just as like be killed by it – you only want it to *stop*. The idea that PA’s won’t kill you have never been a reassurance to me. PA doesn’t equal fear of death IMO & IME.  You see, its the panic about the panic that makes it worse.   Fear of panic. I know that fear.

As a matter of fact that is what it makes it Panic *Disorder*. Otherwise one might have unrelated PA’s occasionally and it might not be a nice experience. But the fact that PA’s are assiocated with one another causes *anticipatory anxiety* = *learned behavour* and a self-fulfilling prophecy which will in itself set you up for more PA’s. Thjis is what CBT teaches us to *unlearn* (easy to say hard to do but quite true).  Schedule a panic time.  Go into a quiet place and try to bring your panic on. This I would never do. Fear of panic.

It’s not good advice, especially not when you’re in a quiety place on your own – you risk teaching yourself that this quiet place may trigger PA’s.   You will find that you can’t do it. Oh yes, I could.

Of course you could. As a matter of fact some CB-therapists use so-called *interoceptive* techniques: evoking a PA (by consciously hyperventilaing for 5 minutes or spinning around on an office chair) in the relative safety of the therapist’s office may prove once more that you won’t die and you can then use the techniques you learnt in therapy to deal with the PA: distractn, diaphragmatic breathing, "positive"self-talk of the kind quoted above etc.) This is a much debated issue in CBT-circles and many therapists feel that the drawbacks outlive the advantages. In the OP’s example this is even worse because the environment isn’t controlled but many CB-therapists maintain that doing it in a controlled setting like their office doesn’t achieve anything except making that setting an unsafe one. Others argue differently and that is defendable too but I happen to agree with the former notion. I can easily bring about a APA anywhere anytime and I wonder of the OP has any idea that we all can. (I know that you know, Meryl, I’m really addressing the OP here). Philip

Response:

The idea that PA’s won’t kill you have never been a reassurance to me. PA doesn’t equal fear of death IMO & IME.

The idea that insomnia will never kill me is also not a reassurance to me either. No, it probably won’t kill me, but it makes my GAD and obsessive thoughts worse. Yet so many on this board try to rationalize to me what is in essence a conditioned fear response that is quite irrational but at least understandable.

Response:

How fast have others with panic and anxiety been able to make their hearts beat? Is it normal to have a high resting heart rate with anxiety, without the panic? Am I alone…?

I spoke to a doc where I work about escalating pulses (mine has escalated recently), and he said that poor sleep quality could be responsible. Sure enough, my sleep quality has declined in the last two weeks. Are you sleeping well? Do you wake up refreshed? Just a possibility.

Response:

hmm, If you’ve had all the tests done then I wouldnt worry about it in the "short-term" but in the long term mind it. No matter the cause of your tachycardia pulse rate, it will inevitably increase your risk for complications   You probably have a problem with your endocrine system meaning that adreneline is being pushed through your body as a resultent of phyisological stresses i.e. an all to common anxiety based fight or flight response. Only in your case your producing an unbalnced amount i.e. problem with endocrine system  I would recommend you avoid caffeine and refrain from other stimulants which increase your  bmp like lowering your blood pressure, try to work with your doctor to develop a system to lower your bmp which will in turn take the strain off your heart and help you out in long term (5-20 years down the road)  your goal should be below the 100 bmp mark (where it will no longer be consider bmp.)

Response:

You probably have a problem with your endocrine system meaning that adreneline is being pushed through your body as a resultent of phyisological stresses i.e. an all to common anxiety based fight or flight response. Only in your case your producing an unbalnced amount i.e. problem with endocrine system

I suspected that too–dysautonomia/HPA axis overactivity, common with chronic anxiety and depression. The sympathetic system is on overdrive and not balanced with the parasympathetic system. Very common with those who have panic, depression, fibro, CFS, etc. Excessive sympathetic activity can present as hypertension or a rapid pulse rate. Just a guess, but I also believe that there is an endocrine problem, especially with the adrenals/hypothalamus.

Response:

Anybody who ever had a real severe PA would just as like be killed by it – you only want it to *stop*.

That’s the whole point. It’s the DISTRESS that we want to avoid, whether the distress of panic symptoms (PD), or the distress of having a mind running wild with "What ifs?" (GAD), or the distress of obsessive thoughts and compulsions that are repulsive/frightening (OCD), etc. "Embracing" the panic to me is counter to human nature. Humans aren’t too keen on embracing what is painful to them, but do everything possible to avoid that distress. I used to have situational phobias years ago but got rid of them in three months naturally not by "embracing" the distress, but rather by stabilizing my nervous system physically so that my body would not overreact to frightening stimuli and disturbing thoughts. Eventually the stimulus/response connections were extinguished and the phobias disappeared and my mind stabilized. That lasted nine years, but then I stopped taking care of my body and let my nervous system rum amok and got hit again with anxiety disorders with depression added. Seems like I’ll have to go back to what really worked the last time.

Response:

There is, an association of fast heart rate — palpatations with panic disorder, but … for me it was never the extent to which you describe. I dont know… For me my heart rate even during a panic attack does not exceed 100 bpm then again im still pretty young so that might make the difference.  But you describe that your heart rate is over 100 bpm even when your at rest. Im not sure but have you had any diagnostic machines i.e. echo cardiogram ect. ect.  Some people have tachycardia heart rythms all their life and have no problem with it.. however some people have tachycardia which produces cardiac arrest. This generally occurs in the upper-end scale of the tachycardia population (people with heart rates that exceed your own.)  All in all I would wish that you not rest and blame solely the condition on panic– as I have panic disorder as well and my heart rate at max never comes close to your minimum. So I would definatly push this issue further and make sure everything is A o k at the doctors office.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not sure if you are writing to me but if you are: One of the problems with panic is the secondary symptoms.  It is what you tell yourself about the panic that makes it worse.  Panic is time-limited and will not kill you. Yep. Anybody who ever had a real severe PA would just as like be killed by it – you only want it to *stop*. The idea that PA’s won’t kill you have never been a reassurance to me. PA doesn’t equal fear of death IMO & IME.  You see, its the panic about the panic that makes it worse.   Fear of panic. I know that fear. As a matter of fact that is what it makes it Panic *Disorder*. Otherwise one might have unrelated PA’s occasionally and it might not be a nice experience. But the fact that PA’s are assiocated with one another causes *anticipatory anxiety* = *learned behavour* and a self-fulfilling prophecy which will in itself set you up for more PA’s. Thjis is what CBT teaches us to *unlearn* (easy to say hard to do but quite true).  Schedule a panic time.  Go into a quiet place and try to bring your panic on. This I would never do. Fear of panic. It’s not good advice, especially not when you’re in a quiety place on your own – you risk teaching yourself that this quiet place may trigger PA’s.   You will find that you can’t do it. Oh yes, I could. Of course you could. As a matter of fact some CB-therapists use so-called *interoceptive* techniques: evoking a PA (by consciously hyperventilaing for 5 minutes or spinning around on an office chair) in the relative safety of the therapist’s office may prove once more that you won’t die and you can then use the techniques you learnt in therapy to deal with the PA: distractn, diaphragmatic breathing, "positive"self-talk of the kind quoted above etc.) This is a much debated issue in CBT-circles and many therapists feel that the drawbacks outlive the advantages. In the OP’s example this is even worse because the environment isn’t controlled but many CB-therapists maintain that doing it in a controlled setting like their office doesn’t achieve anything except making that setting an unsafe one. Others argue differently and that is defendable too but I happen to agree with the former notion. I can easily bring about a APA anywhere anytime and I wonder of the OP has any idea that we all can. (I know that you know,

 Meryl, I’m really addressing the OP here). I figured that out. Think we are on the same wavelength here. Meryl

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am new to this group and I apologize for all the questions. I posted my story earlier today about my history of chest pain and tachycardia. I’ve been told many things by many different doctors, but the general concession is panic disorder. About a month before seeking help for my fast pulse, it would be in the area of 100-130 resting, and 170 when exerting myself. When I started to have panic attacks, it would go up to 200 and then rest around 140. After many tests, I was put on Atenolol, Klonopin, and Zoloft. After the medication, my pulse slowed a little but even just being a little nervous or worried can cause it to go insane. My currents medications are: Xanax 1mg 3x daily Atenolol 50mg daily Celexa 20mg daily My question: How fast have others with panic and anxiety been able to make their hearts beat? Is it normal to have a high resting heart rate with anxiety, without the panic? Am I alone…?

You are not alone. I do not know how high my pulse rate would reach. I stopped taking it as it heightened my anxiety. This was also at rest. I know I was also hyperventilating at times.  The same with my blood pressure that escalated when taken. In my case, I had lots of cardio tests, which was very stressful for me. The diagnosis was Panic Disorder. I am treated for Panic Disorder. Xanax  helps address the palpitations. Meryl

Response:

One of the problems with panic is the secondary symptoms.  It is what you tell yourself about the panic that makes it worse.  Panic is time-limited and will not kill you.  Try an experiment. At the onset of the panic, try doing jumping jacks for a few minutes. You might think that would affect you heart rate negatively, but on the contrary it will actually slow you down.  You see, its the panic about the panic that makes it worse.  You might try saying things like, "Oh my God, here it comes again, that awful panic – I am sure my heartrate is going to go over the top.  Maybe I am having a heart attack?", etc.  Try rationally responding to your symptoms.  Say something like, "allright, here are those symptoms of panic again- if I just take those deep breaths and not focus on my symptoms this will soon pass."  Schedule a panic time.  Go into a quiet place and try to bring your panic on.  You will find that you can’t do it.  That is because you are not fighting with your symptoms.  Embrace your symptoms of panic and they will subside.  Best wishes.  James P. Krehbiel, krehbielcounseling.com

Response:

I am new to this group and I apologize for all the questions. I posted my story earlier today about my history of chest pain and tachycardia. I’ve been told many things by many different doctors, but the general concession is panic disorder. About a month before seeking help for my fast pulse, it would be in the area of 100-130 resting, and 170 when exerting myself. When I started to have panic attacks, it would go up to 200 and then rest around 140. After many tests, I was put on Atenolol, Klonopin, and Zoloft. After the medication, my pulse slowed a little but even just being a little nervous or worried can cause it to go insane. My currents medications are: Xanax 1mg 3x daily Atenolol 50mg daily Celexa 20mg daily My question: How fast have others with panic and anxiety been able to make their hearts beat? Is it normal to have a high resting heart rate with anxiety, without the panic? Am I alone…? Thanks, Q-Wave

Response:

Question:

Sexual disfunction… your right!! I hate that problem…

It’s one of the great drawbacvks of many ADs for many (not for everyone though). A *drug holiday* may work – don’t take the AD for one day. Hopefully you won’t experience withdrawal symptoms and be able to have sex (consult the doc first!) Apart from Buspar low dose Wellbutrin might help too. Or *Gingko Biloba*. Ask the doctor. Don’t try *Yohimbine*. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is there any harm in adding buspar to cymbalta or effexor? I am going to talk with my doc about this on tuesday.  I know there has been extensive testing on adding buspar to ssri’s, but I am just not sure if there are any potential issues with adding it to cymbalta or effexor that I am unaware of. Thanks so much. Jamie Why would you want to add Buspar? (The only reason I can think of is that once in every blue moon you hear it may alleviate AD-induced sexual dysfunction.) AFAIK there’s no problem in taking these together but that’s what you have your pdoc for (and if you want to be 200% sure ytou can ask your pharmacist). Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

And i ask, what is wrong with Yohimbine, I heard a lot of people talk about it being a good thing? jamie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sexual disfunction… your right!! I hate that problem… It’s one of the great drawbacvks of many ADs for many (not for everyone though). A *drug holiday* may work – don’t take the AD for one day. Hopefully you won’t experience withdrawal symptoms and be able to have sex (consult the doc first!) Apart from Buspar low dose Wellbutrin might help too. Or *Gingko Biloba*. Ask the doctor. Don’t try *Yohimbine*. Philip Is there any harm in adding buspar to cymbalta or effexor? I am going to talk with my doc about this on tuesday.  I know there has been extensive testing on adding buspar to ssri’s, but I am just not sure if there are any potential issues with adding it to cymbalta or effexor that I am unaware of. Thanks so much. Jamie Why would you want to add Buspar? (The only reason I can think of is that once in every blue moon you hear it may alleviate AD-induced sexual dysfunction.) AFAIK there’s no problem in taking these together but that’s what you have your pdoc for (and if you want to be 200% sure ytou can ask your pharmacist). Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

And i ask, what is wrong with Yohimbine, I heard a lot of people talk about it being a good thing? jamie

It may cause high blood pressure and heart problems, it is contraindicated with depression and interacts with a number of meds (although OTC meds). I would ever use it without consulting a pdoc wirth his salt. But people *do* take it and is can be rather effective or so I’ve heard. Taking a med = taking a risk. Everybody must decide that for himself (*with* a doctor). Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sexual disfunction… your right!! I hate that problem… It’s one of the great drawbacvks of many ADs for many (not for everyone though). A *drug holiday* may work – don’t take the AD for one day. Hopefully you won’t experience withdrawal symptoms and be able to have sex (consult the doc first!) Apart from Buspar low dose Wellbutrin might help too. Or *Gingko Biloba*. Ask the doctor. Don’t try *Yohimbine*. Philip Is there any harm in adding buspar to cymbalta or effexor? I am going to talk with my doc about this on tuesday.  I know there has been extensive testing on adding buspar to ssri’s, but I am just not sure if there are any potential issues with adding it to cymbalta or effexor that I am unaware of. Thanks so much. Jamie Why would you want to add Buspar? (The only reason I can think of is that once in every blue moon you hear it may alleviate AD-induced sexual dysfunction.) AFAIK there’s no problem in taking these together but that’s what you have your pdoc for (and if you want to be 200% sure ytou can ask your pharmacist). Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I guess the real question is, does it really help that much that it is worth any risk at all? It may cause high blood pressure and heart problems, it is contraindicated with depression and interacts with a number of meds (although OTC meds). I would ever use it without consulting a pdoc wirth his salt. But people *do* take it and is can be rather effective or so I’ve heard. Taking a med = taking a risk. Everybody must decide that for himself (*with* a doctor).

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::Sexual disfunction… :: ::your right!! :: ::I hate that problem… Lots of info on med induced sexual dysfunction. http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/medsdysfunction/ Jackie ~*~When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it~*~           ~~ Bernard Bailey — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

It may cause high blood pressure and heart problems, it is contraindicated with depression and interacts with a number of meds (although OTC meds). I would ever use it without consulting a pdoc wirth his salt. But people *do* take it and is can be rather effective or so I’ve heard. Taking a med = taking a risk. Everybody must decide that for himself (*with* a doctor).

Encephale. 1996 Dec;22 Spec No 5:35-41. From *inducers of panic attack* to neurobiology of panic disorder

Bourin M.    Groupe de Recherche Neurobiologie de l’anxiete, Universite de Nantes. Various provocative agents, including sodium lactate, carbon dioxide (CO2), caffeine, *yohimbine* and cholecystokinin (CCK), have been utilized as *panicogenics* in studies on healthy volunteers as well as in panic disorder patients. Most provocative agents are lacking in specificity, limiting their use in identifying neurotransmitter systems involved in panic attacks. CCK appears to offer several advantages over other challenge strategies since it is a putative neurotransmitter in the CNS, with its own neuronal pathways and receptors, and reliably provokes panic attacks in a dose-dependent manner. It is important to clarify the relationships between CCK and other neurotransmitter systems in order to further understand the neurobiology of panic disorder. The possible roles of some of these neurotransmitters in panic disorder are discussed in this review. PMID: 9138945 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I guess the real question is, does it really help that much that it is worth any risk at all?

I don’t know the answer to that. AFAIK it works for some and not for others, like everything… P. It may cause high blood pressure and heart problems, it is contraindicated with depression and interacts with a number of meds (although OTC meds). I would ever use it without consulting a pdoc wirth his salt. But people *do* take it and is can be rather effective or so I’ve heard. Taking a med = taking a risk. Everybody must decide that for himself (*with* a doctor).

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Is there any harm in adding buspar to cymbalta or effexor? I am going to talk with my doc about this on tuesday.  I know there has been extensive testing on adding buspar to ssri’s, but I am just not sure if there are any potential issues with adding it to cymbalta or effexor that I am unaware of. Thanks so much. Jamie — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::Is there any harm in adding buspar to cymbalta or effexor? :: ::I am going to talk with my doc about this on tuesday.  I know there has been ::extensive testing on adding buspar to ssri’s, but I am just not sure if ::there are any potential issues with adding it to cymbalta or effexor that I ::am unaware of. :: ::Thanks so much. Dear Jamie, Of course only your doctor can tell you whether buspar would be good for you or not, but as far as I know, buspar is not contraindicated with either med. Why do you want to add buspar? In my opinion, a better way to handle your increased anxiety is to work on your thoughts and personal issues, such as your relationship with Amy. Sometimes we expect meds to do too much for us. Jackie ~*~I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass~*~    ~~ Maya Angelou — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Honestly, I am getting sick of some of the side effects of the anti-depressants, and I read some studies that showed that buspur not only helped somewith anxeity, but it also reduced the side effects of anti-depressants, and it enhanced the effectivness of anti-depressants. Yes, I am deffinatly going to keep working though these issues.  I do have the problem of limited availability of healt care professionals at this point however, but I am still working on it.  Getting everything out, and wrtten down was a good first step for me, it got all that crap out of my head. jamie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ::Is there any harm in adding buspar to cymbalta or effexor? :: ::I am going to talk with my doc about this on tuesday.  I know there has been ::extensive testing on adding buspar to ssri’s, but I am just not sure if ::there are any potential issues with adding it to cymbalta or effexor that I ::am unaware of. :: ::Thanks so much. Dear Jamie, Of course only your doctor can tell you whether buspar would be good for you or not, but as far as I know, buspar is not contraindicated with either med. Why do you want to add buspar? In my opinion, a better way to handle your increased anxiety is to work on your thoughts and personal issues, such as your relationship with Amy. Sometimes we expect meds to do too much for us. Jackie ~*~I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass~*~    ~~ Maya Angelou — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Is there any harm in adding buspar to cymbalta or effexor? I am going to talk with my doc about this on tuesday.  I know there has been extensive testing on adding buspar to ssri’s, but I am just not sure if there are any potential issues with adding it to cymbalta or effexor that I am unaware of. Thanks so much. Jamie

Why would you want to add Buspar? (The only reason I can think of is that once in every blue moon you hear it may alleviate AD-induced sexual dysfunction.) AFAIK there’s no problem in taking these together but that’s what you have your pdoc for (and if you want to be 200% sure ytou can ask your pharmacist). Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Sexual disfunction… your right!! I hate that problem…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is there any harm in adding buspar to cymbalta or effexor? I am going to talk with my doc about this on tuesday.  I know there has been extensive testing on adding buspar to ssri’s, but I am just not sure if there are any potential issues with adding it to cymbalta or effexor that I am unaware of. Thanks so much. Jamie Why would you want to add Buspar? (The only reason I can think of is that once in every blue moon you hear it may alleviate AD-induced sexual dysfunction.) AFAIK there’s no problem in taking these together but that’s what you have your pdoc for (and if you want to be 200% sure ytou can ask your pharmacist). Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response: