General Chat

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I suffer from depression but luckily not panic attacks. Only had 1 once and that was awful, I really feel for you xCazxxxxxxx

Hi Butterfly, My ex and his sister used to have them, not very nice are they? More recently, my eldest son is just coming through them. He has put up with it for the past two years..........they were very distressing for him and us, having to watch and go through it with him. It stopped him driving for a while, as he was fearful of going out of his safety zone..........but thankfully, he seems to be coming out the other end now..........and this has made him so much happier in himself. There are varying degrees/legnths of time, that people can suffer the attacks, I think in my sons case, because his father and aunt used to suffer, it's probably something in the genes. Having said that, I have also suffered the very ocassional one now and again over the years but, they were probably more due to stress and having a lot on your mind at the time. It's all due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, certainly not related to any mental health problem. And, according to the doctors, everyone is different as we all know, and it will sort itself out in due course depending on the individual. My son at one point, thought they would never go, and he might not get better, we had to keep on reasurring him. Are you having them Butterfly, or is it someone you know.....if it's not too personal a question? Jen

Yes had quite a few You feel like your going to die horrible feeling. Paramedics told me to breathe deeply in a brown paper bag over your nose and mouth so u breathe your own air back in It really works Maureen

Thanks for the replies everyone....Yes I do have panic attacks but not as bad as they use to be. I have learnt how to deal with them without medication . It seems like alot of people suffer from them....I think that looking back I had them as a young child but did not really surface until I hit rock bottom a few years ago.. I was treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder....OCD....everything........lol....now.. Janet

Yes, a few years ago, I had one in the middle of a large shopping mall! It was horrible - I was really stressed at the time and felt I was a 'failure', and then felt guilty for spending money in the mall, it all got on top of me. I had to phone husband and he drove to meet me, although I was OK by then but I was worried about driving back. Not had once since thank goodness.

I must add though I am sailing through quite nicely now....You do get through....But then everyone is different maybe I am a lucky one...

Hi Flutters. Yes, I'm a Panic Attack Victim. My mother was manic depressive (bi-polar is what they call it now) and very often children of MD parents suffer from this. It is because there is a chemical imbalance in the brain. After a long process of exercise, natural remedies, etc., my GP (who is also a very good friend) prescribed an anti-depressant, Aropax, to restore the imbalance. I have been on it for 5 years and it is brilliant! I started out on 20 mg, but have now reduced it to 10 mg. I have tried to come off it, on the advice of another dr, but had no success. As my GP says, if such a small dose helps you, just take what you need. Lewella xxx

Yes Butterfly. There was a fire in the hospital while I was in for a week with an infection in 1978. I won't bore everyone with all the horrid details of events since then, just to say if you can get through without tranquillisers, antidepressants, etc. etc. please try. Had horrendous probs trying to come off them - still not off latest one. If I'd known I'd never have started taking them even when at worst. Easy to be wise after event though. Just wanted to tell you about very good organisation called 'No Panic'. Website address: www*nopanic*org*uk. E-mail:ceo@nopanic*org*uk. (Dots where stars are - don't think message appears otherwise). Their postal address is: 93 Brands Farm Way, Telford, TF3 2JQ. Freephone helpline 0808 808m 0545. Fax: 01952 270962. There is a bi-monthly booklet you'd find very helpful. £10/year. Good luck Butterfly. Janet x

Hiya Lewella... Yes I know Aropax well that is what I was on for a couple of years...I weaned myself off them though...Have been fine....I am alot more realxed though now... Janet

hi butterfly,i have two sisters who have them.sadly one of my sisters died. i must add [not threw having a panic attack] my sister had lots of other problems. dont want to go in to many detailes,but she had a nervous breakdown when she was 29 years old,it left her with severe panic attackes she use to have about 10 a day. sometimes more, by the age of 31 she commited suicide. she felt very alone. not from family,but lack of support out there.there's a lack of understanding mental illness not just from poeple who profess to understand.but from the public also.it was a great loss,as she also had three young children,it took me a long time to come to terms with it,it's nearly 8 years ago now and i don't mind talking about it.infact if i thought this message may help someone out there.then please contact the correct support centers' there's plenty of them out there.as my sisters tragic death was a cry for help thet went terribly wrong.......to all who read gwyneth

Yes like Maureen said, convinced I was going to die. I started having them in my 30's after three children. If I was in a traffic jam had to turn round and rush home, once left shopping in supermarket had to run out thought the ceiling was coming down on me. Doctor never gave it a name at the time, just put me on Valium, the minute I took it felt better, realised that it could not work that quick so stopped taking them, just having them in my bag was enough to help. I find if I get them in the night I get up and do housework, (yes I know a bad word on here) uses up adrenalin, works for me. You can overcome it it's all in the mind. Regards Carol

if you, or someone you know suffers from panic attacks, please have a look at this website, run by nicola pinney, a friend of mine.nicola has been on channel4 documentaries, giving advice on all forms of mental health. www(.)nomorepanic(.)co(.)uk....just click on the link ' panic attacks ' the hint given above about using brown paper bags to breath in is excellent, worth carrying one in your bag. also try ' bach rescue ' completely harmless, but very effective. bryan.