Panic Attack!
Labor day weekend in our small town had been uneventful and relaxing, so it came as a shock when I suddenly experienced heart palpitations and lightheadedness. A panicked call to my physician determined that exposure to paint fumes from painting inside our home over the weekend was probably the cause. After getting some fresh air, I did feel better.
But the symptoms returned two days later while I was waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store. Somehow, I managed to load my groceries in the car, then I drove home quickly, gripping the steering wheel with sweating hands, praying I wouldn't pass out.
The symptoms continued over the next few days with even more severity, causing constriction in my chest and throat and trouble breathing. Finally, I called my husband, Brad, at work and asked him to take me to the local emergency room. While I waited for him, I found myself crying uncontrollably. It was unlike me to be so out of control emotionally—and that frightened me as much as my physical symptoms. I'd hit a wall and didn't know why.
The emergency room physician ruled out life-threatening causes of my symptoms such as asthma or heart problems, then ordered an electrocardiogram (EKG). He finally reentered the curtained-off "room," said, "You're having a classic panic attack," then wrote out a prescription for a tranquilizer. So that's all it is, I thought, relieved it wasn't a heart attack, thinking once these symptoms settled down that would be the end of it.
Instead, that was only the beginning of a bewildering, frustrating journey as the attacks continued. One would come while I was at a movie theater or out to dinner, leaving me desperately wanting to return home. I'd awaken in the middle of the night with my heart pounding, and end up in the living room, crying out of fear and discouragement that this wasn't going away. Often disturbing symptoms such as a choking sensation or chest discomfort would occur as I did normal chores around the house. This began the most difficult year of my life.
I had joined 23 million people who suffer from some form of anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorder has many faces. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), panic disorder is one of several anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobias such as social phobia and agoraphobia. Panic disorder typically affects women and young adults with workaholic, "type a" personalities, but it also can be found in children, or can begin later in life, as in my case.
Stress is a key indicator, but grief, depression, and physical trauma also can contribute to its onset. Physical problems such as hypoglycemia, diabetes, mitral valve prolapse of the heart, hormone changes, and thyroid conditions can mimic the symptoms of a panic attack.
Originally published in: Today's Christian Woman, 2001, September/October, Vol. 23, Issue 5, Page 82
Related Topics:
Anxiety, Counseling, Health, Panic attacks, stress
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Ashley
Heather, I'm 22 & in Bible College now and would love to get in contact to encourage one another. No pressure but if your up for it, let me know!
Denise
I am a 37 year old mother of two insulin Dependent Diabectics children. I started suffering with these panic attacts about 6 mos. when I read this article there was so much relief i didn't know what to do. I've found myself in the emergency room a couple of times just to have them send me away with traquillizers to ease my symtoms. They couldn't tell me why I was having them, thats all i wanted to know. Now that I've read your article i know there is hope for me. Thank you very much. I am still alittle scared, but feel i can just take one day at a time and most of all relieve alot of the stress in my life.
Panic Attack Survivor
Good article. I'm one of the lucky ones who suffered for years with panic, anxiety, and agoraphobia before they finally stopped. -Bill http://www.panicyl.com
Heather
I'm 23. I just got married, and I'm a childrens pastor. It's nice to know that there are other Christians who deal with anxiety. I don't feel so alone. I've delt with panic attacks since I was little, but within the last four years, it's gotten really bad. It's just nice to know that I'm not the only Christian out there who experiences this stuff. I thought I was alone, that "real" Christians wouldn't have panick attacks. Thank you for writting this. I can't tell you how thankful I am. Perhaps this is God's way of telling me I'm doing way too much. Thank you for everything!
Ann Browning
I have suffered from panic attacks since I was 10 years old. I'm turning 50 in Sept.! I want to encourage anyone that has them - that they ARE treatable - you learn how to manage them - you learn how to get through them - and that takes the intensity and fear away. Memorizing scripture verses was a huge help along with deep breathing to get my body to relax. At one time I thought it was worse than anything in the world - now I know they can be dealt with! Hang in there!
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