A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:Hey everyone, thx for reading. Basically ive been having panic attacks on the tube n buses n car (newhere travelling) for 2 and a half years and i was able to control it better, until a week ago i had the worse ones ever and was stuck in between my journey and felt i could never go home. I eventually did but it has been hard since, i am staying away for a while. I have seen therapist and have tried many things, and i am going to try CBT soon and currently trying homeopathy, but the problem is its affecting my life in every respect. I practically live with my boyfriend but we dnt do much together and when he wants to do sumthin i cnt and i feel guilty - he wants to see his family n i rarely go n i have to explain to them n they dnt understand, and i feel like its ruining our relationship. He is tryin to be nice bt he doesnt understand even after 2 and a half years, what im going thru. I cnt see my friends much, and they have things going on neway, such as boyfriend problems and i feel like theyr too involved in their problems to really care about mine. I have my mum whos the most supportive person in my life bt we live 1 hour away because i am at university and so i cnt see her much either (as cnt take much tube). i am only 23 and i cannot believe my life has become this way, i am praying and trying but i am miserable and noone can relate. I have no hope and feel this is my life forever now, i cnt enjoy being young, i cnt enjoy being in a relationship and i cnt enjoy being with friends. I want my life back but im trying and nothing! I am basically asking if any1 has gone through this or has an idea as to what i can do before i have a breakdown. Thank you!
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reader, anonymous, writes (7 July 2008): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThank you all for your answers :) i really appreciate it. To answer a few questions, i am planning to do CBT so i hope this helps me like it helps others and will be patient doing it. I have taken medication at first, amytriptaline, which are anti-depressants for the nerves but they ddnt work after a year or so so i stopped as i ddnt wana get addicted. I have mentioned therapy to my bf but he doesnt like the idea, i have tried therapy myself but back then it ddnt help as i wasnt as bad as now. Thanks for all ur suggestions xxx
A
female
reader, stuckinthemiddle81  +, writes (7 July 2008):
 Hello,
I'm 26 years old and I have had panic attacks for five years now. My first attack was in an overcrowded train and I thought I was having a heart attack. My chest tightened, it was very difficult to breathe, I began good sweats and my vision became blurred. My second and third attacks were also in the train but more severe to where my eyes felt like a black blanket was covering them and I nearly walked off the platform and into the train tracks below! Needless to say, I went to the emergency room and they gave me an EKG and diagnosed me with having an irregular heart beat and panic attacks.
I went back to work at the preschool but with a mini, wireless heart monitor. And anytime I had a panic attack, I would press the monitor to my bare chest and record the beats-which made a LOUD noise on the train and/or buses that sounded like I was connecting to the internet or a fax machine! My doctor also prescribed to me psychotic meds for my episodes to be taken daily. After much research and personal stories from others taking the meds, I decided on NOT taking the prescribed because I did not want those side effects and figured that I would eventually come to terms with my own fears of another attack and my stress.
It is five years later and I have managed to stav off the worse panic attacks by deep breathing with my diaphram and facing my fears and stresses instead of staying away from them. I wasn't going to live my life in my house (lord knows I spend enough time there). But as of late, my attacks are coming back in increments only because my mother has not been doing well and needs life threatening surgery and our finanical problems are mounting but I can not let that beat me to living in a hole forever.
I keep a journel, I deep breathe and I take a chance.
You're very lucky to have a wonderful boyfriend and I think you should let him take you to therapy like the others suggested before me. It will be a good way to learn together how to beat this issue. =-)
I hope this helps. Good luck, sweetie. If you need someone to talk to, email me here. =-)
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A
female
reader, MissRosie +, writes (7 July 2008):
 Hi,
I'm only 20 and Iv'e been having cognative behavioral therapy since I was 13! like you I used to have severe panic attacks when I was younger from the pressure of social situations, I still get them occasionaly so I really understand how hard it is.
I would advise you to continue with CBT as it has really helped me, it does take time though because it really is like re-wiring entrenched behavioral mechanisms in your brain. I'm obviously no expert but have you considered any kind of medication? People undergoing CBT (including myself) often have combined psychiatric (medicine) and pschological (therapy) treatment to help get the most effective result.
I am sure you know to do breathing exercises to calm down when having a panic attack. I know when I was at my worst I would nearly pass out from hyperventalation, so -and I know it sounds stupid but- carry a paper bag to breath into if you think it will help.
If you want to ask me anything feel free to message me.
I hope this helped a bit. x
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (7 July 2008): Why don't you ask your boyfriend to go to consuelling sessions with you, firstly to make him realize what affect it is doing to you and secondly so you can do something that might make your relationship stronger.
Particularly since if the consuelling does work then you can see his family and stuff.
When I say consuelling, I mean like you are already doing; as in doing a range of options for you. Perhaps talking to a doctor first to ask him which option would be best for you.
Unfortunatley, I haven't been through this and can't really relate to it. But at the same time, the advice above I would do if I were to be going through it.
Just keep aiming for the normality of life and you'll eventually get there.
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