![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by zarathustra on April 25, 2006, at 13:37:17
I dont know what is going on. I believe I have always suffered from deppression, and have had varying responses from medication, however something is new and is becoming progressively worse.
About a year ago I developed this fear of elevators after being stuck in a very small one for some time. The fear grew worse and I no longer can get into an elevator, I ALWAYS take the stairs.
Now, I am starting to have problems taking the subway (I live in Toronto) I start to feel sort of "trapped", like the tunnell is going to cave in...a few times i have started to almost hyperventilate and freak out, but managed to hold it together until i could get off at the next stop.
Yesterday, I think I had a panick attack when out walking on the street. It kind of came out of nowhere, very hard to describe...kind of like an overwhelming fear of.....everything. Like I was going to die or stop breathing or....its so hard to explain. I justwanted to run and escape but couldnt. It was absolutely terrifying, and now, everytime I think about it, it kind of triggers it a little bit. I am worried I am going crazy, or developing agoraphobia or something worse.
I dont want to seek help because I am afraid they will lock me up and that will trigger a claustrophobia attack. I dont know what to do, and I am very scared. Will this just go away? Will it get worse? Is it related to years and years of depression and overworking myself? I am almost contemplating suicide as a way to stop the lingering fear.PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME
Posted by tallwaters1962 on April 25, 2006, at 15:20:55
In reply to I think I am having panick-attacks...HELP!, posted by zarathustra on April 25, 2006, at 13:37:17
Hi there, Been there done that have the tee shirt too prove it..lol Honestly not poking fun I know your pain... YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Very classic Panic symptoms. Email me Rainee@Cableone.net and I will give you loads of information.
hang in there,
Rain
Posted by bassman on April 25, 2006, at 15:46:46
In reply to Re: I think I am having panick-attacks...HELP!, posted by tallwaters1962 on April 25, 2006, at 15:20:55
Sure sounds like panic to me, from someone who has panic disorder. I agree with tallwaters 1962; very classic panic symptoms. Time to go see a doc and get some meds to feel a bit more comfortable, etc. It is very scary, I know, but things can be made to be lots better. Best of luck.
bassman
Posted by blueberry on April 25, 2006, at 18:14:17
In reply to I think I am having panick-attacks...HELP!, posted by zarathustra on April 25, 2006, at 13:37:17
Panic attacks, phobias, raging anxiety...these are all viscious and scary and straight from hell as far as I'm concerned. Been there. Actually still am. Except for the panic attacks.
What to do? Psychotherapy can help and sometimes get rid of it completely. They can help you get over the initial trauma of the elevator that might have sparked the whole situation.
More than likely though, since depression is involved, there probably is some biological component. Or as they say, chemical imbalance.
For panic disorders and phobias, doctors usually start off with ssri or snri antidepressants. They can certainly work, though there are two downfalls. Side effects, some won't bother you but some might. The other thing is, they take several weeks to begin working, and in the meantime they usually increase the anxiety. So having a temporary benzodiazepine at the start of treatment is very helpful to stay the course.
For some people, the antidepressants don't do the job. Other options include the benzodiazepines, such as xanax, klonopin, or valium.
For some people, antipsychotics work best. It's really hard to draw the line sometimes between depression, anxiety, panic, phobias, schizophrenic-like disorders.
Mood stabilizers like depakote or lamictal can work too.
The problem with any of these options is that any of them could potentially worsen the anxiety and worsen the depression. It's tricky. Trial and error is unfortunately the only way.
To nail the panic dead in its tracks though, xanax or klonopin will do that in 20 minutes to 2 hours.
Posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2006, at 20:42:01
In reply to Re: I think I am having panick-attacks...HELP!, posted by blueberry on April 25, 2006, at 18:14:17
Been there done that too. First you will not die although it feels like it. Xanax will nip it in the bud and maybe exposure therapy I wish had been available when this first happened to me cause then maybe I wouldn't still need a benzo which by the way no longer work well. I am always afraid. Just started CBT along with meds. Good luck I know how scarey it is. I'm a veteran of panic attacks. Love Phillipa
Posted by sleepygirl on April 25, 2006, at 21:29:10
In reply to I think I am having panick-attacks...HELP!, posted by zarathustra on April 25, 2006, at 13:37:17
sounds like a panic attack to me...wickedly scary I know
medication and therapy CAN help, don't give up
Posted by med_empowered on April 26, 2006, at 3:53:32
In reply to Re: I think I am having panick-attacks...HELP! » zarathustra, posted by sleepygirl on April 25, 2006, at 21:29:10
Yup..panic attacks. Therapy, possibly meds. Personally ((and this is JUST ME, by the way)) I think antidepressants kind of get in the way of recovery from anxiety/panic--docs hand them out like they're candy (b/c they arent addicting in the usual sense), but I really think for a lot of people the best course is: as-needed benzos (hopefully short-term but..not always) and therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and exposure therapy. Self-help can do wonders for you, too.
If you have depression as well, the antidepressants are definitely an option but..keep in mind that sometimes anxiety symptoms will get WORSE before they get better, so that can be a problem. The SSRIs are preferred for anxiety, but the tricyclics (TCAs) and MAOIs are an option, too. Sometimes an AD plus a BZD, possibly plus other drugs (such as BuSpar or a mood stabilizer) is what's needed to do the job.
Personally, I'd say try to keep the meds minimal and the therapy at a max but--everyone's different.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.