Too Young For Anxiety

[Patrick19]

My name is Pat and I'm a month shy of being 20. I had a panic attack one day when I was 16 and after lacrosse practice. I felt all sorts of strange body feelings and I was convinces I was going to die which lead to hyperventilation and I felt as if I was going to pass out and my hands cramped. I have had ups and downs with anxiety withing the past 3 and a half years. When I have anxiety I also become terrible depressed. My recent issues with anxiety have been going in public places where I know I cannot leave and also in the car. Although exercise is important-- I do exercise-- when I exercise I feel anxious after for about 20-30 minutes. Does anyone on else experience this? I am not incredibly disciplined with the audio cd's, but I see a therapist twice a week in addition to the tapes. I am on lexapro and occasionally take atavan, but is there anything else that anyone would recommend for a 19 year-old male to do? Despite recent disputes with my twin brother I have an amazing supportive family and a beautiful girl that cares about me. This, is sometimes why my anxiety and now agoraphobic behavior puzzles me. I just want to be able to cope with it and be excited to wake up everyone morning; I'm too young to let this take over my life

[Paisleegreen]

Hi patrick19--Is there a way that you can listen to the CDs, you said something about audio, so I'm not sure what it is you are listening to. The CDs are audio unless you are thinking of them as DVDs. This will help to know what exactly you are listening to. How is your diet? I have found that if I stay away from most pure sugary food and eat food high in protein such as chicken, beef, tuna, salmon, trout, seafood, nuts such as almonds, and walnuts, for their omega 3 content as well as eggs helps to keep me calmer. Is your exercise or activity too intense? Easy walking where you are not competing can be more relaxing. '

It is a mystery to me because I never had a true panic attack until just last year in my mid 50's. I've had a deep depression in my late 40's. Only experienced Seasonal Affective Disorder after going away to college in a state that was cold and snowy. I got better when I went back home to my activities in the sun and with my old friends. I conquered the S.A.D. at college later when I had my own car and had changed my Major to one that I felt better about. Later on when I experienced depression after I was married, I would walk for an hour or 3 miles, write in a journal and read a specific book recommended by a family Dr.

So it is a mystery what sets off these panic attacks...but my first one came after I had been on antidepressants and then Xanax. I read that coming off of benzo's can trigger a panic attack. Because the body or person isn't use to the calming affects of the benzodiazepien. That is what happened to me, weaning off the Xanax and then having a stressful situation happen later.
Paislee

[rrocco92]

I completly understand where you are coming from. I am 18 and my birthday is coming up the first week in August. I had my first panic attack at random about 6 months ago. I felt the same "I'm going to die" feeling because I thought in my head I'm to young to have a heart attack. I can not go into public anymore and I rode in the car for the first time last week. I basically stay at my apartment and my friends come and visit me when they come to my town. My psyciatrist prescrbed to Ativan and this is the first thing she gave me, but I try not to take it unless I have really really bad panic attacks. If I didn't have my fiance I don't know what I would do.
My family does support me but they all think I'm crazy and its in my head, which isn't helping anything. This program is my only hope and I say the same thing you do "I'm to young to let this take over my life." I am only in session 2 but used all the tactics on the to-go card things. Although it was very hard for me to ride in a car, especially the small sports car I was in, I just had to think to myself this anxiety attack will pass and to breathe. It was so hard to do but you have to learn to take baby steps. Unless your like me and don't want to face the fear (panic attacks) then you need to push yourself out of your "safty limits." Although the anxiety is terrible and overwelming if you dont do the things that make you most anxious then you will never face the anxiety, thats what I decided to tell myself.

[PatrickT19]

Thank you for the advice Paislee; I haven't really looked into my diet yet, but I do not eat many sweets and do not consume any caffeine -- I havent gotten that far in the program and I am just about to start writing in a journal. And @ rrocco92 its's good to know that there are young people like me-- well sort of good to know I'm sorry you also suffer from anxiety. When in a car I have pretty bad anxiety especially if I, myself, have to drive alone in the car. One thing that helps me if I talk to someone when I'm in the car it tends to regulate my breathing and as strange as it might seem chewing gum helps out a bit in the car because I get cotton mouth when I'm anxious and it also tends to regulate the way I breath. I sincerely wish you the best rrocco92 and I know you'll get better because you are on this website which means you are making an effort to get better.

[Paisleegreen]

Also, chewing gum seems to raise serotonin levels or the other good neuro transmitter. Talking is another form of raising neuro transmitters as well. That is why talk therapy helps. Paislee

[davidchatman]

I would suggest you to consult your problem with a counsellor. He will give some tips to be bold.
All the best.

[rrocco92]

Patrick19 - lol yes i know what you mean by its good to have someone our age on here but its not good. Before I knew what it was I would get anxiety attacks while I was driving and just associated it with "I'm tired, its to hot" basically anything else I could think of. About two weeks after I found out it was anxiety and panic attacks I also found out I had 2 bad stomach ulcers with put me on bed rest. After not being in a car/driving for about 3 weeks my anxiety took a turn for the worse and my body has panic attacks over everything but I'm trying to work at it. Oh my gosh yes!! Cotton mouth is the worse, especially when I'm nauseous in the car cause I feel if I drink water it will make me sick. I will try the gum thing next try I attempt to go out. I also have asthma so I try the breathing (nose-2 mouth-4) counting but sometimes it makes me light headed. Thanks for the gum tip!!!

[redsfan]

Hey guys. I had my first attack when i was 21 on vacation with friends in Myrtle Beach sc. I had no idea what was happening, went to the hospital and was diagnosed as a anxiety/panic attack. I have been on Paxil cr since then starting at 12.5 mg a day and am now at 37.5 mg aday. I am now 33 and still have anxiety from time to time. Usually low levels that dont overtake me, but recently with two vacations and a second child on the way, it has become overwhelming again. Since i have been through a portion of this program before, never finished because i thought i was cured, and have seen a counsler back in the beginning, i really never dont do something i am feeling anxious about. Even though it can be incredibly uncomfortable at times, i know that if i avoid something, it is only going to make it worse next time. We have to push through no matter what. It does get better, i can attest to that. Now i am looking to completely nip it in the bud and keep the low levels low so when stress arises i dont take steps back like i currently am now. I would advise you to keep exercising, eat right, drink very limited alcohol, and work the program. If you are not on a medication, see our doctor and discuss your options. I have had very good success with paxil cr. I am also looking to see a counsler regularly because I truly believe it can only help. good luck!