panic attacks

[jcacbc]

I am 39 and have bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder. I was diagnosed in 04 but recently my panic attacks have been becoming more frequent and severe. Is this normal? why are they increasing

[ParamedFlorena]

It is totally normal that panic attacks try to do comebacks. Life continues in whatever way and we live like anyone else. It goes in periods, the panic.
It isn't as difficult to break it this time though as it was the first time. You know your panic works.

See... If I sit in my office at work and focus on billing or whatever it is, I get absorbed in it. I only see the computer screen, the things that I have to write down on the bill and I sense very little of the room around me.
You can say that my focus is on the bill alone. Entirely.

It is much the same about the panic. When you have a panic attack, you focus on the fears alone. You want to break the fears and your panic but you're so focused on that it happens again that you are totally disarmed. Don't forget who you are and that you have fought this before.


Here at MH there is a health page that gives:


"Ten things to do when panic hits"

1. Remember that although your feelings of stress and symptoms are very frightening, they are not dangerous or harmful.

2. Understand that what you are experiencing is just an exaggeration of your normal bodily reactions to stress.

3. Do not fight your feelings or try to wish them away. The more you are willing to face them, the less intense they will become.

4. Do not add to your panic by thinking about what "might" happen. If you find yourself asking "What if?" tell yourself "So what!"

5. Stay in the present. Notice what is really happening to you as opposed to what you think might happen.

6. Label your stress level from zero to ten and watch it go up and down. Notice that it does not stay at a very high level for more than a few seconds.

7. When you find yourself thinking about the fear, change your "what if" thinking. Focus on and carry out a simple and manageable task such as counting backwards from 100 by 3's or snapping a rubber band on your wrist.

8. Notice that when you stop adding frightening thoughts to your fear, it begins to fade.

9. When the fear comes, expect and accept it. Wait and give it time to pass without running away from it.

10. Be proud of yourself for your progress thus far, and think about how good you will feel when you succeed this time.


I hope that this is helpful,
Good luck!

~Florena

[Hensley258]

I'm 38 now. I was diagnoised way back in 1992 not 2004.

I was diagnosed by a Board Certified Psychiatrist and my Therapist. Pretty much had to take meds of some kind since that time.

[AnnaE]

Are you seeing a mental health care professional? Are you on meds? Who diagnosed you in 04?

Hope you get some answers and feel better.

[AnnaE]

Are you seeing a mental health care professional? Are you on meds? Who diagnosed you in 04?

Hope you get some answers and feel better.

[Hensley258]

I was 15 when I had my first Panic Attack. I must say it is a bit unusual for someone to start getting panic attacks at such a mature age.

Generally they start much younger. I'm sure it is possible, just un-common.

[Summer123]

Hi.  How long have you been experiencing panic attacks?  When did you experience your first panic attack?  If you had your first panic attack at age 35, I would say that you should check into more things.  I think, with panic disorder, that the age of onset is usually in the early 20s or earlier.  Anything that manifests itself later than the early 20s may have a physical component to it.  Are you on any meds?