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Few Questions.

Can a Panic Attack lead to an Anxiety Disorder?
If you go on my other post through my Profile then you can read my story and what's happened.
I've just developed new symptoms too. I cant really say that its shortness of breath, because my breathing pattern is fine. The annoying thing is, I have to take a deep breath, or Yawn, like all the time. When I do it, its a great feeling. Then a minute later I have to do it again. Maybe its just developed into an habit. But its not tiredness....well maybe it is. But sometimes I just cant take a deep breath or yawn. Its just impossible sometimes, so I wait a bit.

I get some palpitations too. It feels like my heart is racing, and beating too hard at times. I measured my heart rate when this occurs, and its like around 80-90. Its just frightening. Sometimes I think my heart will just give in and stop. So sometimes I'll have these strong heart beats, and they disappear. And I'm just like "S**t!!" Then I calm my self down. At other times I think I have heart failure due to these new "symptoms".

Last night when I went to bed, I started to fall asleep. Then around 2 minutes I wake up, with this overwhelming feeling..is it fear? I don't know, but I need to take a deep breath in. And I'm fine after. But this happened a few time in a space of around 2-3 minutes of each other. Which bothered me a bit.
Its hard to distinguish what it is, anxiety or am I right, is there something wrong with me?
Which I doubt tbh. I get most anxiety symptoms, and usually my mind is racing with anxious thoughts like "what if this happens" etc. Maybe I just want reassurance to make me feel better.
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Avatar universal
Very helpful Nursegirl! Thanks, you were very informative.

Well when I first had the Panic attack, I went to the doctors the day after. To get an explanation. Although I didnt know it would turn into anxiety. So I read up alot on Anxiety disorder, symptoms and treatments. Although I have Mild depression, I never let this get me down. Yes, some days I get so frustrated by it, and it puts me down. But I still go out, I still work, I still try to do the things I enjoy, to boost me up a bit. And it does help me alot. The only thing I haven't done really is talked to someone about it. I've had conversations over the internet, which can be helpful. But not as helpful as 1 to 1.

I told my parents straight away. They ask me if Im ok etc. But the problem is, not alot of people understand anxiety, and that it can be a disorder.
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480448 tn?1426948538
I apologize, I didn't read your posts close enough.  You obvously have already seen your doc, great job.  You took an all important 1st step!

I think giving some talk therapy a shot before trying meds is a good plan.  Don't forget to pursue the appt with the therapist.  I think it will help you a lot.  If you don't feel the therapist is "enough", you can always revisit your treatment options down the road (including meds if you decide).

Also, just FYI...a concurrent Dx of depression is pretty common among anxiety sufferers.  It's not too shocking, considering how much anxiety affects us.  It can be life changing, and not in a good way.

Good news is...there will be better days ahead.  You seem like you have a good head on your shoulders and are willing to face thw anxiety head on, which is a HUGE battle for a lot of people.  You already have that one beat.

:0)
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480448 tn?1426948538
Welcome!  I'm sorry you're having a rough time.  I concur that it really sounds like anxiety, and panic disorder IS an actual anxiety disorder.  It's actually pretty rare to hear of someone who had a severe panic attack being able to just "shrug it off" and forget it.  A large majority of people end up with chronic anxiety as a result that ends up requiring some sort of anxiety treatment.

You have several options available as far as anxiety treatment goes.  Contrary to popular be;ief, you'd be surprised at how many people don't "jump" on meds right away.  In fact, many people put off treatment for too long, either chasing what they're convinced is a medical Dx, or not wanting to accept that anxiety could be the cause.  A lot of others try treatment with non medication approaches.  Just remember that NO approach is WRONG.  There is a treatment modality out there for everyone...and there are a lot of choices.

The best course of action is to have a thorough medical work-up if you haven't already, just to rule out any medical issue that could be causing your symptoms.  Once you get the "A-OK" from your doc, ask for a referral to a psychiatrist.  He/she will be able to properly evaluate you and give you an accurate Dx.  There are many different anxiety disorders, and it helps to pinpoint exactly what a person has going on.  Then, you can discuss with the doc your treatment options...which may or may not include medications if you choose.  The decision to medicate is an individual one.  Certainly therapy is important, whether you would decide to try a med or not.  Therapists can help you explore your feelings, find out if perhaps there is some kind of trigger that brought this on, and how to learn to cope with anxiety.

It sounds like your anxiety hasn't gotten to the point where it is totally disrupting your life, which is great.  That means now is the perfect time to start addressing it...the sooner the better.  Anxiety disorders are common.  We just don't realize HOW common b/c so many of us decide to "suffer in silence"...not telling anyone and not seeking treatment.  We've all been in the place where we hope and pray it goes away as fast as it came.  Sadly, for most of us, that doesn't happen and we end up needing help to navigate through the world of anxiety.

Please keep us updated, I wish you well...hang in there.  You're amongst friends.  Anxious friends, but friends nonetheless.  :0)
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Avatar universal
Thanks MeganPixel.

You definitely reassured me a bit! But yeah, my anxiety comes and goes. Usually I'm fine through the day, with a bit of mild anxiety. And it just gets worst towards the evening. Yeah I'm thinking Counselling is the best thing really. As I said, I dont want to be dependant on drugs. Because, from what I've read, people usually jump on them really. But I don't see any improvement really. And I think counselling is best for long term anyway.
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Avatar universal
Its just frightening that's all. I think the thing that caused my panic attack was my heart. I was getting palps. Just a strong awareness of the heart beat, and suddenly it stopped (or disappeared really. Obviously thought of the worst and panicked. At the moment though, every sensation in my body scares me. I get anxious, and very nervous. And the worst thing at the moment is that I have to get a deep breath all the time and yawn. But I think my breathing is fine. Maybe its because that feeling when you get a deep breath, feels good. So it reassures me for a bit.

But I'm still not that convinced its anxiety. I'm not taking the anti-depressants at the moment. I'm still thinking about my options on what to do.
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Avatar universal
Hi and sorry its taken so long for anybody to answer... I wanted to let you know that yes, it is possible to develop anxiety because of a panic attack / related to a panic attack - mostly this revolves around not wanting to get another panic attack!

What you describe here in this thread sounds very similar to what I experience. Ever since I had my first panic attack I have become hyper aware of all sorts of bodily sensations whether normal or not, and some even manifest as pain, tingling, disturbed sight/can't see right, no concentration, want to sleep but can't, etc.  For me this comes and goes, and is not a tightly defined 'attack.'  Everyone experiences anxiety differently but I can certainly relate to what you're going through.

If you've been to the doctor and talked about your symptoms, and the doctor has done an examination / testing and told you that you're okay, and it sounds like intellectually anyway you believe yourself to be okay, then counseling is probably a good step to take.  Medications may make you feel better in the short term, but just talking to someone about what you're feeling (physical and emotional) can help you untangle what an 'anxious feeling' is vs. a 'real problem,' and can put you on the road to better stress & anxiety management overall.  Other things that have helped me are to exercise more, prioritize things, and eat better (ex. cut out caffeine and loads of sugar, both of which hype me up!).

I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck. I hope you get to feeling better soon.
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Avatar universal
Panic attacks can most certainly lead to anxiety disorders.  My general anxiety started with a series of panic attacks.  Your body becomes anxious about when and if the next panic attack will happen.  You start to wonder what really caused it in the first place and so on.  If you are getting an anti-depressant it should help after a couple of weeks.
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Avatar universal
Anyone? *bump*
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Avatar universal
Also with anxiety, do people feel like they loose concentration easily? Like watching TV, and then you'll just drift out?
Also I get the feeling like Im not really here. It's very strange.
I've been to the doctors about this again. She didnt take my blood pressure , but the doctor before did, twice. I thought that was strange. Told her about all the symptoms. Then she did a little test, that said I had Mild depression. Which I agreed with, because I have been feeling down because of the anxiety. And she gave me a perscription for anti depressants. Dont know which ones. Im not taking them as of yet. Im still thinking about it, because I know some people get very dependant on the drugs. So I thought Id stick to counselling first, which I havent started yet. Im home for easter from Uni, and she gave me the number for the University's  counselling service.
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