Question:
Big G- The same thing happened to me while I was driving. All of the sudden, I did not know where or who I was. I’ve also had blackouts and can not recall what happened during those times. My psychologist told me that the incident while I was driving was depersonalization, feeling out of your body, disconnected. He read the DSM(or whatever that diagnostic book is) to me, and under anxiety/panic disorders, depersonalization is very common during a panic attack. I hope this info is helpful to you. Alb1161 Alb1161
Response:
Thank you to all who responded to my question. Your help and support is greatly appreciated by me. I am quite new to the net and I really wish I had been on it and met folks like you years ago. You really are wonderful. Big G — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:
Response:
: Hello. This is the first time I’ve posted to this group but I think : it’s what I’ve been looking for. Welcome to ASAP Big G! 
: I wonder if anyone can help. I have been diagnosed as suffering : from depression and anxiety and am taking Prozac and Propranolol : (Inderal). Last week I was in a large supermarket type shop with my : wife and we were just browsing round. Suddenly I just didn’t know where : I was. Um… not knowing where you were is not very common in panic attacks. The fear you felt may have been a panic attack resulting from your confusion, but the confusion itself may just have been normal disorientation. Generally, not having an easy escape route tends to provoke anxiety in many of us; that trapped feeling. : I had to get out the shop but I couldn’t work out which way was : out. It was a really wierd feeling. I wanted to run but didn’t know : where. The only thing I could do was stay where I was until this : feeling went away. It only lasted about a minute but it was really : scarey! Yeah, a minute can be a long time in situations like this. : Now I’m worried about going out in case it happens again. This part of your experience sounds like agoraphobia. Try not to give in to it if possible, but don’t stress yourself out fighting it either. Use your better days or better moments to get out and about. Each little success helps. And if you at least try, you haven’t failed. : What : I want to know is, does this sound like a panic attack of some sort? A mild panic attack perhaps. You might want to talk with your psychiatrist about adjusting your medications. Best Wishes, Arthur
Response:
Hello. This is the first time I’ve posted to this group but I think it’s what I’ve been looking for. I wonder if anyone can help. I have been diagnosed as suffering from depression and anxiety and am taking Prozac and Propranolol (Inderal). Last week I was in a large supermarket type shop with my wife and we were just browsing round. Suddenly I just didn’t know where I was. I had to get out the shop but I couldn’t work out which way was out. It was a really wierd feeling. I wanted to run but didn’t know where. The only thing I could do was stay where I was until this feeling went away. It only lasted about a minute but it was really scarey! Now I’m worried about going out in case it happens again. What I want to know is, does this sound like a panic attack of some sort?
Hi, Big G, welcome to ASAP. I’m always worried when people ask questions like this as, really, it’s for a doctor to say, but in your case it *certainly* sounds like one 
How long have you been taking Prozac? Prozac, and other antidepressants in its class, has the tendency to *increase* anxiety when first started, so if you are new to it, that could have been a contributory factor. I’d *strongly* recommend you get back to whoever is prescribing for you and ask for help. There are lots of possible courses of action open to themand you and quick treatemnt is *always* better. Good luck! — Gary Cooper
Response:
It certainly sounds like a panic attack. What you experienced was most likely some sort of depersonalization, combined with all that physical stuff that anyone with panic disorder can describe so nicely. Your body just flew into a fight or flight response. What may be the most important thing to do is to try to remember what you were thinking about at the time. It can be difficult, but it could also be very helpful if you have a therapist to discuss your thoughts with. If you don’t, try to understand that the store did not bring your panic attack on – you have to believe this because what you experienced could turn into agoraphobia, which is really disabling. But don’t worry. What you had was very normal, and if you can just accept what happened and continue moving about and living normally, your panic attacks should lessen in intensity. I hope things work out well.
Response:
Hello. This is the first time I’ve posted to this group but I think it’s what I’ve been looking for. I wonder if anyone can help. I have been diagnosed as suffering from depression and anxiety and am taking Prozac and Propranolol (Inderal). Last week I was in a large supermarket type shop with my wife and we were just browsing round. Suddenly I just didn’t know where I was. I had to get out the shop but I couldn’t work out which way was out. It was a really wierd feeling. I wanted to run but didn’t know where. The only thing I could do was stay where I was until this feeling went away. It only lasted about a minute but it was really scarey! Now I’m worried about going out in case it happens again. What I want to know is, does this sound like a panic attack of some sort? Thank you in anticipation – Big G Using Virtual Access — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:
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