Question:
Exactly, Jackie. If you hadn’t said that, I would have. When I am having a PA all my senses are heightened. Even though one part of my brain is totally freaking out, another part of my brain is detailing every little thing I need to do to survive. It surprises me how clear I can think while having a PA. I told my mother recently it’s like I have to keep a clear head otherwise I WILL die!!!!!! LOL Karen Karen, I can always think clearly enough to "escape" when I have a panic attack. And sometimes the escapes are pretty complex movements, such as negotiating fast traffic on a busy freeway and gradually working my way over to the slow lanes. And off the freeway, sometimes. This supports the hypothesis of Donald Klein MD that the panic attack is a "false suffocation alarm", or a protective reflex gone awry. If you must escape from a life threatening situation, part of your mind HAS to be thinking clearly enough to get you out of that life threatening situation. I think my over-riding thought(s) during a panic attack is "I must escape" or "I must get way from here" or "I must get to a safe place". Chip 
) p.s. I like Donald Klein. He is one of my heroes. He’s been working on treatments for PD since the early 1960’s. He is the fellow that noticed in the early 1960’s that depressed people he gave antidepressants to also stopped having panic attacks!! He still does research on panic attacks and other anxiety disorders. He published his "false suffocation alarm" theory as the source of PAs in the early 1990’s.
Response:
Exactly, Jackie. If you hadn’t said that, I would have. When I am having a PA all my senses are heightened. Even though one part of my brain is totally freaking out, another part of my brain is detailing every little thing I need to do to survive. It surprises me how clear I can think while having a PA. I told my mother recently it’s like I have to keep a clear head otherwise I WILL die!!!!!! LOL Karen Karen, I can always think clearly enough to "escape" when I have a panic attack. And sometimes the escapes are pretty complex movements, such as negotiating fast traffic on a busy freeway and gradually working my way over to the slow lanes. And off the freeway, sometimes. This supports the hypothesis of Donald Klein MD that the panic attack is a "false suffocation alarm", or a protective reflex gone awry. If you must escape from a life threatening situation, part of your mind HAS to be thinking clearly enough to get you out of that life threatening situation. I think my over-riding thought(s) during a panic attack is "I must escape" or "I must get way from here" or "I must get to a safe place". Chip ) p.s. I like Donald Klein. He is one of my heroes. He’s been working on treatments for PD since the early 1960’s. He is the fellow that noticed in the early 1960’s that depressed people he gave antidepressants to also stopped having panic attacks!! He still does research on panic attacks and other anxiety disorders. He published his "false suffocation alarm" theory as the source of PAs in the early 1990’s. Oh yes, Chip. I agree totally. At the first sign of a PA, I immediately start to scope out the situation looking for various escape routes. I’m one of the safest drivers I know because I am so totally aware of everything around me. And I always remain coherant during a PA so I can clearly and concisely get across what my immediate needs are. When I injured myself badly at home once and was bleeding all over the carpet, I just told myself that this is bad. You need to do something about this NOW. Panic about it later. LOL And my mother in her unflappable concern for me remarked that it was a good thing we were getting the carpet steam cleaned the next day. :/ I have found that this way of thinking has greatly benefited me in business, too. When I managed the store I cashier in now, I can’t tell you how many times there were 5 different things going on at once that all needed my immediate attention. Even now at the store, the bosses wife will turn to me for help when things get a bit overwhelming for her. I’m the one they leave alone at the register because they know I can handle almost any situation that arises. (Even the drunks that insist that they’re not.) And in the mid 70’s I was given Tofranil for my depression. My PA’s stopped. I’m absolutely convinced there is a connection between PA’s and depression. But that’s IMO and YMMV. (LOL) Enough. My hand is going numb from all this unprecedented typing I’m doing here. Karen
Response:
Why are you at this newgroup telling people they might not have panic disorder? Are you a doctor?
Maybe he is a doctor <G. One of the benzo-phobe doctors, or maybe one of those that thinks "it’s all in your head." He might even be working with the "low blood sugar" guy undercover. Maria
Response:
Yeah, ya know… I have different kinds of panic attacks all the time. Those tiny ones you can deal with, and the ones where I can’t walk speak or even get to the bathroom without help. Everyone is different. The chemicals that are released during a PA are released in different amounts, different people have different reactions to them… and just the degrees of panic.. It’s just like everything else. One night I can drink a beer and feel drunk. One night I drink 6 and feel sober. One thing I’ve learned about he human body is it is anything BUT predictable. — Roo.com http://www.roo.com A man who lives in a glass house should change in the basement.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Your lucky you can even type. I couldnt even dial the phone or speak when i had a full blown panic attack. Maybe what your feeling is something else than PANIC?? Go outside and take a few deep breaths. call a friend, or email back to me anytime. Jkn Why are you at this newgroup telling people they might not have panic disorder? Are you a doctor? You would be amazed at what people can do during a full blown panic attack. You must remember that every single person experiences panic differently. And just because we don`t panic the way you do doesn`t mean we don`t have a anxiety/panic disorder. You are getting off on the wrong foot tonight, I really suggest that you read posts for a few days to see how this newsgroup runs. jackie
Response:
Sorry, me again…I know my post isn’t that coherent, but I can’t get out of panic & crying. I realize a lot of you have read my "panic posts" about my apartment before…thing is, this time it wasn’t meant to be a panic situation. And I feel totally alone and TERRIFIED. I’ve been doing so well; is anybody out there to tell me it’s just a bad night~~or something? I can’t STAND this feeling of impending doom! Char*)
How are you feeling today Char? Are you OK? I’m sorry I haven’t gotten to this post sooner, but I’ve been busying lately. I was nervous during the it was taking the WHOLE day I started to panic a little bit too. I think it was a natural reaction to a natural disaster. I mean everyone without PA was probably worrying about power outtages and floods and/or being homeless, so it really wasn’t so abnormal. Don’t worry about this setback, because in my mind it wasn’t a setback. ANDI Andrea’s Pop and Contemporary Art Extravaganza http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/6104/PopArt.html Andrea’s Lawrence Brothers Website http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/6104/joeylawrence.html Andrea’s Monkee Website http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/6104/index.html
Response:
Your lucky you can even type. I couldnt even dial the phone or speak when i had a full blown panic attack. Maybe what your feeling is something else than PANIC?? Go outside and take a few deep breaths. call a friend, or email back to me anytime. Jkn
Why are you at this newgroup telling people they might not have panic disorder? Are you a doctor? You would be amazed at what people can do during a full blown panic attack. You must remember that every single person experiences panic differently. And just because we don`t panic the way you do doesn`t mean we don`t have a anxiety/panic disorder. You are getting off on the wrong foot tonight, I really suggest that you read posts for a few days to see how this newsgroup runs. jackie
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Your lucky you can even type. I couldnt even dial the phone or speak when i had a full blown panic attack. Maybe what your feeling is something else than PANIC?? Go outside and take a few deep breaths. call a friend, or email back to me anytime. Jkn Why are you at this newgroup telling people they might not have panic disorder? Are you a doctor? You would be amazed at what people can do during a full blown panic attack. You must remember that every single person experiences panic differently. And just because we don`t panic the way you do doesn`t mean we don`t have a anxiety/panic disorder. You are getting off on the wrong foot tonight, I really suggest that you read posts for a few days to see how this newsgroup runs. jackie
Exactly, Jackie. If you hadn’t said that, I would have. When I am having a PA all my senses are heightened. Even though one part of my brain is totally freaking out, another part of my brain is detailing every little thing I need to do to survive. It surprises me how clear I can think while having a PA. I told my mother recently it’s like I have to keep a clear head otherwise I WILL die!!!!!! LOL Karen
Response:
Char, You will get through this, I promise. Nothing is EVER as bad as it seems. I am so sorry you are having a bad time, but under the circumstances you are handling it fine! Sit down and list your options, then jot down 2 or 3 pluses and minuses of each one. Then get on the phone and make some arrangements. If worse came to worse could you check into some cheap motel for a few hours? When things get hard they can be so damn overwhelming, anyone would panic, especially people sensitive like us. But take some deep breaths, take a bath, lay on the floor and stretch. Wake up early tomorrow and make your list and get to work. You will work this out. You are in my thoughts….I think your kitties are so lucky to have you. You have got to be the best ‘mom’ ever. Email me if you want to talk. Love, Karen 
Response:
Sorry, me again…I know my post isn’t that coherent, but I can’t get out of panic & crying. I realize a lot of you have read my "panic posts" about my apartment before…thing is, this time it wasn’t meant to be a panic situation. And I feel totally alone and TERRIFIED. I’ve been doing so well; is anybody out there to tell me it’s just a bad night~~or something? I can’t STAND this feeling of impending doom! Char*)
Response:
Hi Char, I am new here, but I want to tell you that I am sorry that you are feeling so bad and if you feel like talking, I am here. Hang in there, Rune
Response:
Hi Char, I’m not familiar with your "panic posts" about your apartment but I feel so awful that you feel so awful. I don’t know where you are located but I hope you’re not being traumatized by the storm in the east. I wish I could sit and talk with you, let you know that things are going to be fine!!! I haven’t seen much from you over the last several days, and I was hoping to hear from you today, so we didn’t have to put out one of those "has anyone heard from….?" posts. Please email me tonight if you want to talk. I am up pretty late (west coast) and I will check often to see if you have tried to contact me. Remember, we are all here. We all care. You will get through this. ((((((((Char))))))) little bear – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sorry, me again…I know my post isn’t that coherent, but I can’t get out of panic & crying. I realize a lot of you have read my "panic posts" about my apartment before…thing is, this time it wasn’t meant to be a panic situation. And I feel totally alone and TERRIFIED. I’ve been doing so well; is anybody out there to tell me it’s just a bad night~~or something? I can’t STAND this feeling of impending doom! Char*)
Response:
it’ll be alright.. it’ll all be over in the morning.. not to worry.. i too feel impending doom all of the time, but so far i’m still here… thanks to klonopin and zoloft Ann
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sorry, me again…I know my post isn’t that coherent, but I can’t get out of panic & crying. I realize a lot of you have read my "panic posts" about my apartment before…thing is, this time it wasn’t meant to be a panic situation. And I feel totally alone and TERRIFIED. I’ve been doing so well; is anybody out there to tell me it’s just a bad night~~or something? I can’t STAND this feeling of impending doom! Char*)
Response:
Just a quick but heartfelt thanks to all of you who responded when I so badly needed support…I was able to get Cat to pick me up when she got off work, and we talked this out some (she also has pd, so she understands). I am going to take my Melatonin & (hopefully) get some sleep, then call Gillian & my T, Cheryl, when I get up…I’ll let you all know what I come up with. I can’t tell you how much it means to not feel so alone… Thanks again, and I’ll keep you posted. Truly, Char*) P.S. I may take you up on offers to e-mail & talk if I can’t sleep, or if I’m still having panic in the next few days…Thanks for being so supportive!
Response:
hey char:) i know its hard! when you feel like that, just try to focus on your babies (your kitty cats) when i still had my precious frenchi, she was always a big comfort to me. i miss her so much!! just remember that your not alone! you have the unconditional love of you babies! i dont know if that helps any at all, but the love of my pet was always enough to get me threw the night! take it easy gurl
Response:
Sorry, me again…I know my post isn’t that coherent, but I can’t get out of panic & crying. I realize a lot of you have read my "panic posts" about my apartment before…thing is, this time it wasn’t meant to be a panic situation. And I feel totally alone and TERRIFIED. I’ve been doing so well; is anybody out there to tell me it’s just a bad night~~or something? I can’t STAND this feeling of impending doom! Char*)
Dear Char, ((((((((((((Char)))))))))) That impending doom feeling is the pits!!!! Your just having a bad night, and your plans have been screwed up. I know you, you are going to get through this in the usual Char fashion. And one bad night doesn`t mean you can`t continue to do well. Hang in there, your going to be fine. Jackie ~~It can’t rain all the time, the sky won’t fall forever, and though the night seems long, your tears won’t fall forever~~
Response:
Your lucky you can even type. I couldnt even dial the phone or speak when i had a full blown panic attack. Maybe what your feeling is something else than PANIC?? Go outside and take a few deep breaths. call a friend, or email back to me anytime. Jkn
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