ccrfc2012
05-09-2012, 04:09 PM
Hello to everyone on this forum!
I would just like to say that I have only experienced anxiety to the point of medical help for the past 4 days, but for the those who have had it for many years, my sincere genuiness and understanding goes out to you. I feel a complete mess since my first episode 4 days ago, but I take great comfort and aspiration from those who have suffered with it for many years but have lived a successful life.
I'm a 21 year old lad who has a lot going for him, and has a great network of support in which to rely on, but has recently had some significant life events happen. My first panic attack happened 4 days ago, and it occured at night time when everyone was asleep. I felt this pressure and 'fuzzyness' build up in my head, followed by a pressure on my chest and the instant reflex to gasp for air. I know quite a lot about anxiety and I was able to identify I might be having one, in which case i was kind of prepared and knew of the techniques to ride it out. But boy was I wrong! This feeling was overwhelming that I had to stand up, and walk downstairs to get some water and occupy my mind. As I walked up the stairs it hit me so hard, and I started to hyperventilate. I managed to control my breathing, but I had this instant urge to go into my parents room to ask them to call an ambulance. I maanaged to avoid this and went into my bedroom, where I just laid on my bed and tried to control my breathing as well stroking my head for re-assurance; weird I know. I managed to eventually drop off, but when I woke the next day I knew I had experienced something that I have never had before, but something that was affecting my mental health in a detrimental way. My dreams were out of this world in terms of violence and aggression, and I woke up in the middle of the night sweating buckets! As I got ready for work I felt this feeling build up inside me, and my panic attack was constantly on my mind thus making me nervous and anxious; I had this horrible sensation around my heart, kinda like a squeezing/unsettling sensation. I was driving to work when all of a sudden the traffic came to a stand-still, which, isn't a problem for me and never has been. But this time it was different, and I could feel this sensation come over me and I thought it was the onset of a panic attack. I managed to bring myself around, but as I got to work and sit-down I just felt a wreck and I had to leave. For that entire day I felt awful and nevous, and my head felt like it was wired with caffeine, yet my body was slow and lethargic. My mind had gone into over-drive, and my heart felt so horrible that I just wanted to rip it out!
I though enough is enough and I went to the gp, and described what had happened to me and the levels of anxiety I was experiencing. He has eventually prescribed me Sertraline 25mg/1 week, 50mg/2 week, and Diazepam 2mg as and when required. After I got the medication and had attended therapy, I felt re-assured and as if something positive was happening; I hadn't even took any medication at this point, yet I felt re-assured by this news. The strange thing was that I though I was on the up, but later that day I went into a shop and I got that same feeling of nervousness and as if something was going to happen. I managed to challenge my thought process, and was able to hold it together externally, but internally I was a mess and fearful.
I am starting Sertraline tomorrow, and I really hope it'll help with my anxiety, and what I think to be the potential onset of social anxiety; I hope not but I have my reservations.
Sorry for the long read, it's just that I feel forums like this really help as everyone's advice is based on experience.
Thank you
I would just like to say that I have only experienced anxiety to the point of medical help for the past 4 days, but for the those who have had it for many years, my sincere genuiness and understanding goes out to you. I feel a complete mess since my first episode 4 days ago, but I take great comfort and aspiration from those who have suffered with it for many years but have lived a successful life.
I'm a 21 year old lad who has a lot going for him, and has a great network of support in which to rely on, but has recently had some significant life events happen. My first panic attack happened 4 days ago, and it occured at night time when everyone was asleep. I felt this pressure and 'fuzzyness' build up in my head, followed by a pressure on my chest and the instant reflex to gasp for air. I know quite a lot about anxiety and I was able to identify I might be having one, in which case i was kind of prepared and knew of the techniques to ride it out. But boy was I wrong! This feeling was overwhelming that I had to stand up, and walk downstairs to get some water and occupy my mind. As I walked up the stairs it hit me so hard, and I started to hyperventilate. I managed to control my breathing, but I had this instant urge to go into my parents room to ask them to call an ambulance. I maanaged to avoid this and went into my bedroom, where I just laid on my bed and tried to control my breathing as well stroking my head for re-assurance; weird I know. I managed to eventually drop off, but when I woke the next day I knew I had experienced something that I have never had before, but something that was affecting my mental health in a detrimental way. My dreams were out of this world in terms of violence and aggression, and I woke up in the middle of the night sweating buckets! As I got ready for work I felt this feeling build up inside me, and my panic attack was constantly on my mind thus making me nervous and anxious; I had this horrible sensation around my heart, kinda like a squeezing/unsettling sensation. I was driving to work when all of a sudden the traffic came to a stand-still, which, isn't a problem for me and never has been. But this time it was different, and I could feel this sensation come over me and I thought it was the onset of a panic attack. I managed to bring myself around, but as I got to work and sit-down I just felt a wreck and I had to leave. For that entire day I felt awful and nevous, and my head felt like it was wired with caffeine, yet my body was slow and lethargic. My mind had gone into over-drive, and my heart felt so horrible that I just wanted to rip it out!
I though enough is enough and I went to the gp, and described what had happened to me and the levels of anxiety I was experiencing. He has eventually prescribed me Sertraline 25mg/1 week, 50mg/2 week, and Diazepam 2mg as and when required. After I got the medication and had attended therapy, I felt re-assured and as if something positive was happening; I hadn't even took any medication at this point, yet I felt re-assured by this news. The strange thing was that I though I was on the up, but later that day I went into a shop and I got that same feeling of nervousness and as if something was going to happen. I managed to challenge my thought process, and was able to hold it together externally, but internally I was a mess and fearful.
I am starting Sertraline tomorrow, and I really hope it'll help with my anxiety, and what I think to be the potential onset of social anxiety; I hope not but I have my reservations.
Sorry for the long read, it's just that I feel forums like this really help as everyone's advice is based on experience.
Thank you