Panic attacks

[Beckyclaire]

Hi, I had a bad panic attack recently. I suddenly felt dizzy, I was shaking, sweating, crying and felt terrified. I couldn't control my mind and felt like my body wasn't my own. I've never been more afraid in my life. I've researched panic attacks on the internet and i realise that these are all common symptoms, but ever since i feel like ive got a knot in my stomach and i just want to relax but can't. I have no serious issues in my life at the moment that should make me react like this but i don't want this to happen again. Does anyone have any advice?  I was also wondering if anxiety could be related to taking the contraceptive pill?
Thank you for any help!

[shellybelly55]

Hi, becky: good for you that you have not had another attack. Have you been going out as usual? It is ok and NORMAL to feel a bit upset about what happened. If it ok for me to say this, you may never have these feelings again, girl!
Carry on with your life and enjoy.
More often than not these feelings happen only once in a lifetime-you may just be one of the lucky ones.
enjoy!!!

[Beckyclaire]

No I haven't changed my birth control but im going to stop using it for a while and see if it makes any difference. I am still at university but i'm working abroad so i'm not actually enrolled at the university here. I'll try the elastic band thing too and try and get some tapes. I also bought some herbal tranquilizers to see if that helps.
I haven't had another one since it happened 3 days ago and i'm going to try and just forget about it although i still feel permanently on edge.

[barfer]

Have you changed your birth control prescription or is it the same one you have been taking for the past 2 years?  If it is the same, you can probably rule out a hormonal issue.  Are you studying at a university away from home or just taking time off from school?  If you are studying at a university at the present time, there is probably a mental health unit on campus where you could get some help. You certainly wouldn't be the first exchange student who could use some therapy. Even if you aren't in school right now, you can try and do some deep breathing, watch your diet, get some relaxation tapes.  Some people swear  by sea sick elastic bands that they wear on their wrists.  Snappiing them keeps them in the moment. If I were you, I'd try anything and everything (within reason) until I got home and see my own doctor.  

[amish1979]

At the very least you might try to get enough of the message across to a dr. there in order to get something that you can take on an "as needed" basis, something like Xanax.  And by "as needed" I mean if you get panic REALLY bad again, you don't want to become dependent on anything.

You are describing perfectly what the first panic attack feels like for anyone.  Now you are in fear mode, where you fear the fear.  You fear having those feelings again.  It is totally unfair that we feel this way after that one occurrence, but that's how it is.

I, too, was at a very good stage in my life, with absolutely no stressors, and it came totally out of the blue for me.

The most important thing you can do right now (besides seeing a professional) is to not let your "fear of fear" cause you to change your lifestyle.  Do not let your fear keep you from driving, hiking, going to the store, etc.  Letting your fear dictate your activities will just allow it to become rooted deeper in your brain.

[Beckyclaire]

Yes this was my first one but ive been on the pill for almost 2 years now.  I would get help straight away but i'm on my year abroad from university and don't really fancy explaining how i feel in spanish!It's hard enough in english!But i will try and see someone as soon as i get home in june.
Thank you for your advice, it really means a lot.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[shellybelly55]

So sorry this has happened to you, too. Being much older than yourself, and I have gone through what you are going through,,, My advise to you is to seek out a counsellor in your area and get some help to work through this NOW.  Nothing to think too much about just please do it.  You are so lucky to panic in this day and age to know that help is right there with a quick recovery if you take the steps.  Good luck and let us know your happy ending.

[Summer123]

From different things I've read about panic attacks, they generally start when a person is in their 20s.  However, they started earlier for me.  Was this your first one?  Did you just start on the pill?