I know this is the wrong forum, but I feel like I'm trapped or going crazy and I'm looking for helpful responses ASAP... and the Headshrinkers forum isn't the most popular... please excuse this for at least a couple of hours, mods/jackketch.

A few days ago I had my second ever panic attack. The first time it happened a few months ago, I didn't know what the hell it was or how to classify it. I thought I was having a heart attack, and the panic attack PEAKED while I was driving myself to the hospital. Not very fun. An hour later, when I felt normal and I was hooked up to all the monitors and shit, I just felt stupid. I felt like I overreacted and (no pun intended) panicked, and that it was probably a one time thing.

Apparently no such luck. This past Friday I had my second one, and I thought that someone had drugged my food with some sort of hallucinogen or something. Seriously. I am normally a sane, rational person, but I couldn't help feeling that some horrible impending doom was on the verge of taking place, that the drugs were about to hit me and I would lose all sanity or my own life.

Since Friday, all I can think about is if/when it's going to happen again. It's always lingering in the back of my mind, and it's fucking crippling. I'm not the same person... sometimes I lose touch with who I am, where I am, who I'm talking to, what I'm saying. It's like I have to fight to feel normal, and it's fucking scary.

Obviously I've been going through a lot of stress in the past few years, and I guess it's all just finally catching up with me.

Right now I'm in Atlanta, in the process of moving from Tennessee to Florida, so I really won't have any way to see a psychiatrist for the next few days, but I plan on doing so ASAP; at times, I wonder if I should just check myself into a mental hospital.

Here is my question: Is there anything I can do to make the next few days bearable? I'm really at a loss... nothing seems to work. I try to focus on the 'here and now' and not worry about 'What if...' but I just can't fucking help it. I'm praying that one of you has experienced these things before and might be able to help me.

This is the scariest thing to ever happen to me... I mean, what would you think is worse, losing your life or losing your mind?

Man up and go through the next few days as best you can. There is nothing wrong with being crazy for a few days.

After that, it's good that you will be seeing a psychiatrist. Remember, there is probably an underlying cause of this that you need to isolate. Don't try to jump on medication immediately until you have had some time living in a less stressed atmosphere. Chances are, you just need to lighten up. Chew some Valerian root and get more exercise.

dude panic attacks and anxiety suck fucking shit. im living with the same thing where it just seems like something baddd is going to happen for no god damned reason. when i start to feel it coming on i stop and (as stupid as it sounds) take a breath and count 1, take a breath and count two etc until 10 breaths. after this you are so concentrated on your breath count that you are calm and most of all relaxed. maybe try some hypnosis videos online, they may help you calm down and give you an easier day if you do it in the morning.

Same shit happened to me last year.

It all happened when I was in class joking around with the person sitting behind me. Same feelings, emotions, all of what you described.

It sucked.

Also I should mention, during that time I was going through benzo withdrawal, an 8 month benzo addiction.
I guess time is the only cure.

Since then I graduated HS, joined the USAF, moved to Japan, and now I think it is finally over..I hope.

Thanks for the replies and advice, and please keep them coming. It's just good to know other people go through the same shit... I mean I know anxiety problems and panic attacks are fairly common, and it's selfish to think I'm the only one getting them, but it's like I don't really have anyone to talk to them about... so sometimes I just feel isolated, you know?

Does anyone have any idea as to how long it might take to completely get rid of these problems, without medication? I mean, how many months/years of therapy will it take to be "cured" so to speak. I know it's going to be different for everyone, but a relative idea would be nice...

Wow, I'm anxious to know how long it will take to get rid of my anxiety... fuuuck

I wouldn't know about getting rid of it...

I deal with it though. I generally get most anxious about going out, or going to a crowded place etc. So if i'm feeling really shit, or it's ridiculously sunny, I just stay in. It helps if I can have someone with me.

If I have to go out, or i'm already out and I start getting anxious, I do a couple things. This is kind of lame, but I carry this orange polished stone, so I rub it and pretend it gives me like power and i'm not afraid. Also I have some lucky dice which I roll or just play with.
The other thing I do is like walk really fast and look sort of angry. I'm kind of a big guy, so people usually get out the way. That's again pretending i'm not scared I guess.

Also I go in a bookshop or something and read for a bit, that usually calms me down some.

As for longer term, a counsellor or friend you can talk to about the deepest stuff is pretty helpful. Also Benzos if your doc isn't stingy like mine. :P

Stationed at Kadena, by chance?

I used to get these when I smoked up (weed).
I just stopped.
The first time I smoked up it happened and it would happen on and off everytime i smoked up.

Maybe theres a problem in your life. Just stop it.
And man ill tell you the truth if you think about it...it will happen. Not to get you scared. BUT DONT THINK ABOUT HAVING IT!
Listen to some fun chill music (grateful dead?) Get lost in doing something. Distract yourself COMPLETELY.
get into something like a game maybe.
sing play guitar something.

And idk who said it but i have researched it and a lot of people said that breathing helps.

Heres a technique some guy suggested on a forum (i forget where) but it seemed like a great idea:
Picture a color for all good things...a happy color that you think of.
than think of a dark color a scary one.
when you blow out picture allllll of that bad color going out.
when you breath in picture alllllllllll of the good color coming into you.
and your body fills up with that good color.

good luck man,
- hotfoot982

I got my first panic attacks about a week or two into my last relationship. I went back to college and the distance grew heavy on my heart. One night we had a bit of a serious talk, and all was good. The next morning I wake up and I feel absolutely terrible. I was scared as all hell because I've never felt anything like it.

My advice to you is this, keep busy. It doesn't matter what is causing the attacks (I didn't know until a few days in) just don't dwell on it. It was different because I was in school and had projects to do and stuff, but make yourself something to do and do it.

I use to suffer from constant anxiety attacks. I tried many things, but in the end, it was being optimistic, staying away from drugs and analyzing myself that got me over it.

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