Panic disorder help?!
Question: So i have a panic disorder and there are certain rules that i have abided by for the past 7 years or so. I have overcome most of my fears, my biggest fear was public speaking, and now i'm a college instructor. I still can't ride in cars with other people and still have a problem being in elevators. Well i work two jobs, one as a college instructor and one as the store manager of a video rental chain. I just became store manager and have been very stressed out with that and the semester beginning (i'm teaching something i know nothing about). Anyway, tomorrow i have an 8 hour meeting for the store manager job. And a 8hour meeting is where i would panic the most, because i do not have the capability of walking out when i need to. Being in control of my situations is the problem. How do i get through it, without completly od'ing on my medicine (because it will make me so tired after 2 (should only take one). Any suggestions? I can't even sleep i'm so freaked out.
Answers: So i have a panic disorder and there are certain rules that i have abided by for the past 7 years or so. I have overcome most of my fears, my biggest fear was public speaking, and now i'm a college instructor. I still can't ride in cars with other people and still have a problem being in elevators. Well i work two jobs, one as a college instructor and one as the store manager of a video rental chain. I just became store manager and have been very stressed out with that and the semester beginning (i'm teaching something i know nothing about). Anyway, tomorrow i have an 8 hour meeting for the store manager job. And a 8hour meeting is where i would panic the most, because i do not have the capability of walking out when i need to. Being in control of my situations is the problem. How do i get through it, without completly od'ing on my medicine (because it will make me so tired after 2 (should only take one). Any suggestions? I can't even sleep i'm so freaked out.
Do some yoga breathing and exercises. That helps me with my panic disorder. I take Klonopin .5mg 3 x daily and 90 mg Cymbalta (taken at night) for my depression and panic disorder and it helps tremendously. Sometimes you need an extra dosage, but not always. Try to breath deeply and calmly. It will help. Be careful with your meds, if you are on these are any other kind.
Since your prob. is so severe, remember that there are many diff. anxiety meds out there and some have less side effects. Talking to your doc about changing your meds might help, in the mean time, use your coping skills the best you can and remember- you will get through this and there will be a bright and sunny tomorrow.
View the techniques for control of panic attacks, in section 8, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris* Begin by holding your breath for 5, or 10 seconds: this will give you the confidence to realise that YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR BREATHING, but not pass out, or die (your autonomic nervous system resumes breathing, if unconscious). Understand panic attacks, and what triggers them, in your life (if it is unresolved anxiety, see section 6). The paper bag method works for most people: try it. If you are fairly suggestible, the following are reliable: http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/
Your last alternative is psychotherapy, to address its fundamental cause: read section 1, and examine the http://www.1-800-therapist.org/ website, and use the locators, and phone book. I used to suffer from panic attacks, until I questioned what had changed recently in my life, to trigger them? I suggest that you learn, then practise the controlled breathing technique, until competent, then employ it, at the very first sign of a panic attack. Elevators: claustrophobia, probably. See section 27. You can try using the breathing techniques for panic attacks, and close your eyes, visualising, as vividly as possible, that you are in a large space. No-one should be able to tell, (if you don't use the paper bag method) and just claim to be resting your tired eyes, while you don't need them, if asked. Section* 9 deals with public speaking.
First i want to say congratulations on having a job with this disorder. And for graduating college. I had to step out of college becuase of panic attaks at school. hated it. and now have to work from home because of it. Your ahead of the game by far. YOu should be proud of yourself. One medication i highly recommend for those extra stressful panic causing times is klonopin. its great for situational anxiety and takes away those panicky feelings in those situations. its the only med that has ever worked for me. God Bless you. lets chat sometime if you want.