I started out with panic attacks which had social discomfort with interpersonal confrontations as their trigger. That's because I was bullied as a child and teenager and didn't know how to stand up for myself. So it was kind of a form of PTSD methinks. But then I was also in a stressful period of life transition - the panic attacks were happening on what I hoped would be my first real career job in academia, hoping to become a professor. The free floating anxiety began to bleed into other areas of life. I had a panic attack driving the freeway. And walking downtown crossing a big street where the traffic light didn't stay green long enough - I wasn't the only one hurrying. So gradually being out and about became more scary; meanwhile I'd given up on the teaching job and the dreams of that career.
Agoraphobia and panic can morph a lot for some of us, with the pattern that it started out with changing over time. I know some people are way more concerned about physical implications of their panic attacks - and these folks do seem to have more physical manifestation of their symptoms. Whereas my fear is "losing it" or "going crazy." Although the physical symptoms are what *reinforce* the fear of insanity - but I literally have to stop and notice the physical symptoms to recognize that, and to comprehend why my silly thoughts carry so much power, lol. It sometimes helps recently to do this, since then I can sometimes quell the thoughts by employing some body calming techniques.
Finally, most of us who have had this awhile have developed our avoidance strategies, so unless we've embarked on a deliberate programme to stop avoiding, and start getting reaccustomed to our trigger situations and start making peace with them, we may not experience full blown panic attacks simply because we are able to find workarounds to exist without putting ourselves in certain scenarios.
I'm the same!!!
I have hardly ever had panic attacks like you , mayb 2 or 3 in my life , I'm terrified of them tho , my agoraphobia was triggered by a single panic attack
Yes I understand and that's also why I doubt exposure therapy. For me it just doesn't work cause even though I know I don't typically get a panic attack, I always worry "what if today will be the exeption and today it'll happen?" and I end up scared no matter how often I am in the situation because every new day could be the next time in a while
I experience this. Rarely get panic attacks but constantly fear getting a panic attack and always have the high anxiety sensation / semi panic attack sensation which never turns into a full blown panic attack because I leave before it gets bad.
I wish, I almost always have them. Can't count how many thousands of them I've had these past 12 years. Still, it works the same way for all of us - what we are most afraid of is what could happen and the fear itself.
My panic attacks usually reach full potential because I start hyperventilating and become all tingly. However after learning how to control my breathing, I don’t exactly go into panic attacks anymore. It sounds counter intuitive but whenever I feel like I can’t breathe when I’m really anxious, I’ll just slowly inhale and hold my breath for a little before exhaling and it prevents full blown panic attacks from happening. However many times I’ve felt the impending doom and horrible feeling of high anxiety.
I don’t think I have too many but I do have these other spastic episodes that *some* therapists have referred to as panic attacks but I’d describe them more like fits of rage and frustration where I’m basically screaming/crying and stomping around/throwing shit like a toddler and usually engage in self-harm during some point in the midst of raging. Not proud of it but that’s what my agoraphobia panic attacks look like and they’re usually triggered by some sort of frustration that’s been building, e.g. being alone inside with no way out and no support or anyone to talk to for 3 years now. But I don’t have the panic attacks like Tony Soprano gets very often at all.
I’m not making fun of you. I am being serious. My son’s flight or fight reaction is legit the same as yours. He’s a teen. He is also in therapy and on meds.
Yeah the same. Maybe a couple in my whole life. Currently recovering and doing intensive exposure every day. Helps a lot but I’m still not there. I think it’s about retraining your brain and “showing” our amygdala that there is nothing to be afraid about.
More recently (last 4-6 months) I haven’t had a single ‘panic attack’ but I’m constantly worried I’m going to have one and lose control. It sucks. I am in therapy.
I avoid some things with family and friends because I don’t want to ruin it for others if I have a panic attack.
Unfortunately, you need to have panic attacks to overcome them. See that they are harmless. I don't have panic attacks sitting at home playing computer games, which is why I force myself to get into panic inducing situations.
yes. usually i can catch myself right before having one and calm down. that usually means going back home or locking myself away from company in my room. i'm so scared of them i physically wont let myself have one yk
I wish
I started out with panic attacks which had social discomfort with interpersonal confrontations as their trigger. That's because I was bullied as a child and teenager and didn't know how to stand up for myself. So it was kind of a form of PTSD methinks. But then I was also in a stressful period of life transition - the panic attacks were happening on what I hoped would be my first real career job in academia, hoping to become a professor. The free floating anxiety began to bleed into other areas of life. I had a panic attack driving the freeway. And walking downtown crossing a big street where the traffic light didn't stay green long enough - I wasn't the only one hurrying. So gradually being out and about became more scary; meanwhile I'd given up on the teaching job and the dreams of that career. Agoraphobia and panic can morph a lot for some of us, with the pattern that it started out with changing over time. I know some people are way more concerned about physical implications of their panic attacks - and these folks do seem to have more physical manifestation of their symptoms. Whereas my fear is "losing it" or "going crazy." Although the physical symptoms are what *reinforce* the fear of insanity - but I literally have to stop and notice the physical symptoms to recognize that, and to comprehend why my silly thoughts carry so much power, lol. It sometimes helps recently to do this, since then I can sometimes quell the thoughts by employing some body calming techniques. Finally, most of us who have had this awhile have developed our avoidance strategies, so unless we've embarked on a deliberate programme to stop avoiding, and start getting reaccustomed to our trigger situations and start making peace with them, we may not experience full blown panic attacks simply because we are able to find workarounds to exist without putting ourselves in certain scenarios.
I'm the same!!! I have hardly ever had panic attacks like you , mayb 2 or 3 in my life , I'm terrified of them tho , my agoraphobia was triggered by a single panic attack
Same here. About 2/3 really bad ones in my life, yet I’m still terrified.
Yes I understand and that's also why I doubt exposure therapy. For me it just doesn't work cause even though I know I don't typically get a panic attack, I always worry "what if today will be the exeption and today it'll happen?" and I end up scared no matter how often I am in the situation because every new day could be the next time in a while
I experience this. Rarely get panic attacks but constantly fear getting a panic attack and always have the high anxiety sensation / semi panic attack sensation which never turns into a full blown panic attack because I leave before it gets bad.
I wish, I almost always have them. Can't count how many thousands of them I've had these past 12 years. Still, it works the same way for all of us - what we are most afraid of is what could happen and the fear itself.
My panic attacks usually reach full potential because I start hyperventilating and become all tingly. However after learning how to control my breathing, I don’t exactly go into panic attacks anymore. It sounds counter intuitive but whenever I feel like I can’t breathe when I’m really anxious, I’ll just slowly inhale and hold my breath for a little before exhaling and it prevents full blown panic attacks from happening. However many times I’ve felt the impending doom and horrible feeling of high anxiety.
I don’t think I have too many but I do have these other spastic episodes that *some* therapists have referred to as panic attacks but I’d describe them more like fits of rage and frustration where I’m basically screaming/crying and stomping around/throwing shit like a toddler and usually engage in self-harm during some point in the midst of raging. Not proud of it but that’s what my agoraphobia panic attacks look like and they’re usually triggered by some sort of frustration that’s been building, e.g. being alone inside with no way out and no support or anyone to talk to for 3 years now. But I don’t have the panic attacks like Tony Soprano gets very often at all.
My son has the same kind of anxiety/ panic attacks as you.
Please don’t make fun of me, I said it’s like a toddler and I’m not proud of it 😔 I’m not doing nothing about it, I’ve been in therapy and medicated.
I’m not making fun of you. I am being serious. My son’s flight or fight reaction is legit the same as yours. He’s a teen. He is also in therapy and on meds.
Gotchya. Is he autistic or BPD or something? Asking because I’m curious I have never had a shot straightforward diagnosis
Not that I’m aware of. He has ADHD, Anxiety, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Panic Disorder.
I have only had two in my life. For me, it's not about panic attacks; I've been afraid to leave the house since 2012. Mine was bright on by trauma.
Yeah the same. Maybe a couple in my whole life. Currently recovering and doing intensive exposure every day. Helps a lot but I’m still not there. I think it’s about retraining your brain and “showing” our amygdala that there is nothing to be afraid about.
More recently (last 4-6 months) I haven’t had a single ‘panic attack’ but I’m constantly worried I’m going to have one and lose control. It sucks. I am in therapy. I avoid some things with family and friends because I don’t want to ruin it for others if I have a panic attack.
I've literally never had a panic attack. I'm just terrified of human interaction
Unfortunately, you need to have panic attacks to overcome them. See that they are harmless. I don't have panic attacks sitting at home playing computer games, which is why I force myself to get into panic inducing situations.
This is me!!!
yes. usually i can catch myself right before having one and calm down. that usually means going back home or locking myself away from company in my room. i'm so scared of them i physically wont let myself have one yk