panic attacks.. pls help... not sure if it will but *trigger* just incase
 

basically. i keep getting panic attacks before i go to work.
i get shakey, go cold, and i go to be sick, but im never actually sick.
its horrible and its making me so scared to leave the house and plus, im home alone. i really dont want to go to work but i have to because im already on a warning.. and i cant afford to lose my job. i really dont know what to do. im struggling alot right now and im kind of.. stuck. and i dont know how to get out. i dont know where to put this but i really need advice before 3 oclock as thats when im meant to start work. how can i prevent or manage these and stop the sicky feeling if there is such a way? please help ... x

What's scaring you? Understanding and articulating that can really help.

Take some deep breaths, focusing on the out breath. Feel your feet firmly on the floor, and wiggle your fingers and toes. Keep breathing.

now im ctryin.g..
i dont know what scaring me. i think my agoraphobia is back. i dont want to be around all thosepeople. i dont want to leave the house because everyones going to be laughing and pointing and talking about me..
i dont know what to do.. i cant do this anymore. not on my own. not when im like this.

Its ok to cry. That can help ease the frozenness.

Have people laughed and talked about you before?

I understand that fear, I get it too.

If you're not well, maybe you do need to call in sick. Have you see a dr about your agoraphobia and panic attacks? Are you getting any support? What have they suggested?

Keep focusing on the breathing.

icant call in sick im on a warning already and if i call in ill get another and theyve threatened that i can lose my job.
my dad knows about the attacks but he says he cant do anything about it so he doesnt really know how to help me and stuff. .
i havent been to the drs. i have rang a ocuple of times but they are always full. i dont think id be able to get myself there anyway, not feeling like this. i just dont know what to do anymore.

I think it is important that you do speak with a dr. They can formally recognise your illness, and protect you if they want to sack you. You can make an emergency appointment. Get your dad to come along with you, maybe.

my dad finishes at 3 today.. just when im starting work. i can try again tomorrow but that doesnt take away that ihave to go in today. they always put me on till and it makes me dizzy and its horrible.. so i ask to be put on the end two tills so its not a main one and so i dont have to stay there but work never listen. they just tell me im not in the right job for me and thats that. im just stuck right now and im not sure what to do anymore.

..which is precisely why a diagnosis from a dr could help. if your illness is long term, especially if it's depression, companies of a certain size legally have to make reasonable adjustments.

i agree. you should deffinatly try and get a diagnosis.. that could really help you. and then they might be able to put you on meds to keep it more under control.

um if they happen at work, just remember to try and stay calm. (or anywhere really). if it gets to the point where you feel like you cannot breathe, then get someone to help you right away. cause if you continue to feel like that, after a while you can pass out. so make sure and get someone's attention.

im sorry i wasnt much of a help. and remember to keep breathing and try and focus on simple things around you. like find it and focus on it, (ie, if theres a tree, say or think "i see the tree" and then maybe "i see the bed") does that make since?

pm me if you need anything. okay?

much love,
Kelly. ♥

the thing with panic attacks is, the more you have them, the more they trigger more panic attacks. I suffer from panic attacks, and I went to the Doctor and she prescribed with Propanolol. Basically what it does is it rediuces the physical effects of panicing (like, the feeling sick and the symptoms you mentioned) and so, if you are not physically panicing. You start to calm down and bit more and manage to think more rationally. When you feel panic attacks coming on, take deep breaths, breath in for three and breathe out for 6. If that makes sence. And keep taking deep, slow breaths. It will help. You should go to a doctor.

It can be quite natural to get panic attacks before work. I often get them at school and when I'm stressed out.

xx

How did your afternoon go?

Edit - I've been on propranolol too, and it really did help.

Yeah Propanolol is actually pretty good. My doctor also told me to keep a diary about whenever I had my panic attacks and write down exactly what happened leading to the panic attack. Like, what happened, my thoughts, crapola like that. I never did it though, which is probably why I still suffer haha.

But yeah, a diray thing might be a good idea. 'Cause it seems pretty obvious that it's from work, but it could help identify exactly what about work.

Unless you'rejust not a people person??

xx

hi
ermm my afternoon started off bad and i got upset because i had a panic attack.. ermm... but then after a while the managers swapped and a nicer person came on, she made me laugh alot so that seemed to help.
i will be trying to get to the doctors soon because i cant keep going through this. its mentally and physically wearing me out.
does depression itself set off panic attacks? like, if you have depression, can it lead you to have panic attacks? i dont think that makes all that much sense. merr.
but thanks for the replies and ive taken on board all of them.
im doing a i breathe in and out 7 times through my nose
then 11 times out of my mouth.. it seems to calm me down.
and also, if i feel panicy or as a result of starting to panic, feeling sick, then i chew on a mint or something cause it kinda distracts me.. if that makes sense.
again, thanks.
Xxx

hi. I'm glad things calmed some, and that you've got some ways of easing the panic now. That's great. I'm glad your other manager helped.

Its a really good idea to see a dr. You are right, living with panic and anxiety is tiring, and you deserve some relief from this.

Depression and anxiety/panic often co-exist. For example my medical diagnosis is depression, but I also have panic attacks and anxiety. There's lots written about depression and anxiety connection, kind of complex. But, basically, if you're feeling really down and low, you're usually vulnerable and ultra-sensitive anyway. Also past traumas/abuse can cause both panic and depression. Also, when you're depressed you can get quite withdrawn and avoid social situations, because you might feel unworthy, or scared they won't like you, or just because its too much effort... and so when you attempt to go out, that can give rise to panic, because you're facing that which you fear, or you're afraid you're not going to be able to handle it.. and so forth.

i wonder if thats whats been happening with me recently.
i have so many things going on right now its not in the slightest bit funny and as a result of them, i hate hate hate work and dont want to go there, so i think maybe because of my problems and the forever rising depression (which, i realise i need to get properly diagnosed for etc to start making a change to how things are) contributes to these panic attacks. i duno. its just weird. ive had a couple of panic attacks in my past, but theyve never been quite as bad as these.
thanks for replying, i will be trying my doctor, i got up late today though as i was up late last night
xxx