Absolutely terrified

Just had a massive panic attack... i couldnt breathe, my toungue felt swollen my throat felt like it was shuttinhg and i could not swallow.. my mum just got in the door and i was screaming and swallowing water from the tap. still shaking. i felt my legs giving way was awful.. i dont know what to do to calm down. feel better ever so slightly writing this. im seeing doctor at half 9 in the morning. i AM SWALLOWING I AM BREATHING. i know this i just get this overwhwelming panic and its so scary. this was the worst for a week. am so alone. my family are getting fed up with me but I CANT HELP IT. want to call an ambulance or run in the street. feel so alone, trapped in this godforsaken nightmare. i want to be me again i cant stand it anymore. still shaking and feel sick to my stomach. please help me

[mammo]

Try to remember that when you're having a panic attack it is a "normal" response of the body coming at the wrong time.  Nobody has ever died from one, it just feels that way.  This is the "fight or flight" mode we get and need when in a bad situation, so our mind floods our bodies with the adrenaline needed to fight or run whatever the situation.  When it comes at the wrong time, all this adrenaline has nothing to work on because you're not in a situation where it's needed, so it results in an increased heart rate, dizziness.....a panic attack.  Breathing deeply and slowly thru your nose and slowly out of your mouth can help as well as doing something physical.  Physical activity gives the adrenaline something to work on, even pacing helps.  So never just sit and try to get through it,  try to talk yourself down in knowing it's a normal response of your body just coming at the wrong time. The adrenaline needs something to work on so you need to burn it off, get down and do push ups if need be.  Do something to distract your mind, and the more vigorous the exercise the better.  Exercise is always best for anxiety whether you're having a panic attack or not.  If you haven't seen a professional about this you need to so that you can get into therapy and you may even need medication.  See a psychiatrist and the two of you decide what route is best at this time for you.  There are so many people who suffer from panic attacks and medication is often needed to control them, so know you're not alone.  But therapy can determine if there is a root cause for your anxiety, address it, and teach you coping skills and relaxation techniques.  You're okay and always will be no matter how many panic attacks you have.  By realizing what they are and why they happen should help you to know better how to handle them.  If you were walking down the street and a dog jumped out at you and you needed to run away from it, you would get the "fight or flight" adrenaline rush, but it just helps you to do this, so it's truly needed at the right time.  It gives us the power and energy to protect ourselves.  If it comes when it's not needed the body doesn't know what to do with all that adrenaline, and the impact it has on us creates a panic attack. So physical activity will burn off the adrenaline quicker.  The only harm a panic attacks does is to scare the daylights out of us.  You're okay and always tell yourself this, because if you get really scared it makes it worse.  Incorporate physical activity into your daily life anyway, it will pay off for you with the anxiety and in the long run.  Relax you are fine and always will be.  Stay with us for support with this, we're always here.  Take care!

[joapepe]

Thanks mammo, i have read your post perhaps 50 times in the last few hours... really helping me. I tried exercising this afternoon/eveing and the push ups were a good distarction. Still feeling rotten but getting through until i see the doctor in 11 and 3/4 hours. I have a  friend with bipolar and the doctors have said to him also that exercise is very important for the release os seratonin especially. i just need someone to say in black and white that im okay.you will not stop swallowing etc.. posted a question on the stress forum and feel like a freak now...... hoping tommorow will be the release i need.
Thanks so much for your valued help once again.. its so scary all this. like a nightmare.

jo

[mammo]

Never feel like a freak or allow anyone to make you feel this way!  You're doing great, and lessening your fear which is what feeds your anxiety = no anxiety! Let us know what the doc says!