panic attacks

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aibarra
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 2:42 pm

Post by aibarra » Wed May 14, 2008 5:32 am

I have been on Lexapro for the last 4 months and at first it was helping me with my panic attacks but now im having one once a week and its usaully while im driving to work. my doctor also prescribed clorazapam for emergency use only-well i had a panic attacks this morning while driving to work and i took the clorazapam and felt better but than after a while i got more paniky and felt like i had to pull over..and even feel like i was going to use the bathroom on my self. I hate these feelings. Can any one offer me advise? I have been trying to focus on technics from Stress but nothig is working at this time.

Inside Man
Posts: 35
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:01 pm

Post by Inside Man » Fri May 16, 2008 1:28 pm

Hello aibarra,
Are you on the program? If so, use your skills, the 2-4 breathing, and positive dialogue. If you pulled over you could have used them to feel better. You say you hate these feelings but that's all they are, is feelings. Just accept the feelings, float with them, and do your 2-4 breathing and positive dialogue. I do this alot. For the most part it works but every now and then it feels like it doesn't but I do it anyway then switch my attention to something else. If you still feel like nothing's working, take a short break from trying the techniques, give yourself a short spell to do nothing then try again.

All my best,
Inside Man :cool:

Holly J
Posts: 367
Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:22 pm

Post by Holly J » Fri May 16, 2008 2:39 pm

Hi Aibarra.

I too get panic attacks. Sometimes everyday. I have even feared going outside and driving is something i am so scared of and i get panic attacks from it. i never used to until recently. just now i went out for the first time ina week without someone to a local store. i have to say i have been on the freeway thinking i was going to pass out/die and nothing has ever happened. thay are just feeling but your body will know how to handle it. my head may be in panic but i always make it home. we make it out to seem worse that it is. its terrible. i get very bad derealization when i drive and thats the thing that causes me to panic. like everyone has told me on this forum is they are just feelings and just know that they are caused by anxiety and know you'll be ok. if you have topull over than do so. no big deal. I have just realized since getting this fear of driving that many people have it. my sister told me that when a couple years ago she used to be so scared and panicy while she drove and would keep a cup in her car just in case she threw up. it feels better to know you are not alone. when i get panicy while driving i call up someone and tell talk to them and that always make me feel better. im dont have an air conditioner but if i did i think putting that on full blast would help too. please let me know how you are doing with it because i too am in the same boat but it gets better.
"Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)"

Barbara U. Cherish
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:16 pm

Post by Barbara U. Cherish » Fri May 16, 2008 4:24 pm

Hi Holly,

Did you get the program? About your fear of driving...at least you are doing it. I almost made it to the highway yesterday but opted not to. I haven't driven on a highway for so many years but want to do this...I have to do this! I want someone to drive ahead of me the first time I do it. I will drive the couple miles to the first off-ramp. It's about 50 miles to the nearest town from this remote area. The only thing left for me is to go and do it. I'm not afraid of the anxiety/panic anymore just the fear of driving on the highway/freeway.

I wish you the best on the program Holly...where do you live?

Hugs

Barbara

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