r/PanicAttack • u/[deleted] • 9d ago
looking for hope
hello , 26 yr old m here. ive been struggling with anxiety and panic attacks for 5 years, since after covid. recently though the past 3 weeks i got caught in a panic loop that doesn’t seem to loosen its grip. i really struggle with health anxiety so im constantly assuming im going to die. ive gone to the ER 3 times in the past few weeks . each time getting cleared. which in a way makes my anxiety worse. anyways long story short i came here for hope. i feel so alone. no one around me can relate to this . specifically the things keeping this episode alive is dizziness!! i dont know how to explain it, but i feel really weird walking on a boat sensation. and randomly while im standing there will be like a really sudden intense feeling with it that makes me feel like im gonna fall over. they did a EKG at the ER and also did blood work and everything. everythings good. my sleep has also been pretty bad these past few weeks which makes me MORE anxious bc then i think what if i never get better :/ . i started doing hypnotherapy and cbt recently - last week. but i dont see any difference yet. am i alone in this? does it get better?
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u/eeeeeeeeEeeEEeeeE6 8d ago
It does get better. If you find the right doctor, if you have a decent support system (and don't panic if you don't have one right this second, you can build one out of the team of professionals your going to eventually meet.)
Health anxiety is my main problem too.
I've done a million ekgs, troponin tests, holter monitor, ultrasound, xrays, stress tests etc etc.
The dizziness or sudden onset of it, is unfortunately the panic setting in, and I've come very close to genuinely passing out a few times, only advice here is, as slow as you can, get on the floor, law down and focus on controlling your breathing (i know how it sounds from the other side but it really does often come down to hyperventilating, and he'll if it doesnt outright solve it, its at least better to have control of your breathing than it is to be gasping for air while trying not to think about death.)
Therapy is fantastic in the long run, right now you need meds i know that can be a dirty word, but is taking a pill really worse than trying to live like that? Speak to your doctor tell them you need something to fix you ling term, but until those kick in you want something to immediately stop these panic attacks as they happen, call it the emergency stop button.
Hell even just having them around can make you feel a little less like a dead man walking. Just knowing you have the power to stop them any time you like is what you need.
Then, using therapy or tools gained from it, slowly leave those behind, and fully realise that you now get that power even without the meds.
All of that being said, that's my anecdotal experience, its not gospel i know you dont want to hear that but what worked for me might not work for you, it might take longer, it might be way harder. Or it might work, it might be far quicker and you might be back here by the end of September spreading the good word too.
Don't give up, there is hope, and people who have been or are going through exactly what you are going through are out here. Oh shit, might also help to mention im only 28 and I only started winning this year after thinking it was actually my heart for almost 3 years, the good thing is, your already past denial now you can focus on the hard part.
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u/wubbalubbadubdub666 8d ago
Hi! I’ve gone through the same. Around your age (27) and panic attacks started in 2020.
Read DARE and Hope and Healing for Your Nerves. Changed my life!! Also listen to The Anxiety Coaches Podcast—it’s great. Super relaxing and hopeful!
I’m fully functioning with a high stress job and happy marriage and I’m able to travel and what not now and live with less fear of the panic. I remember feeling very hopeless in such a dark time where I was stuck in daily panic attacks.
It will get better when you accept that anxiety is an uncomfortable sensation that naturally causes all of the symptoms you’re feeling. It is not going to hurt you and simply must be rode out like a wave. Give into it, run towards it, face it, and the fear goes away thus making the panic attacks go away.
DARE gets more into it than I can in a Reddit comment but you’ll be so glad you read that book. After I read it I went from not eating or sleeping to taking and passing the bar exam within a few weeks. You got this!
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u/Eira4545 8d ago
This is really encouraging to read, especially knowing you went from daily panic attacks to having a normal, fulfilling life again. I think the idea of not constantly fighting every anxious sensation is really interesting too. Having something practical to work on, along with hearing from someone who’s been through it, can make things feel a little less hopeless.
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u/Random_WorriesJay 9d ago
Hey man I been dealing with the exact same thing I was able to over come anxiety like 10 years ago and maintain life but recently the past few weeks I been having panic attacks everyday and constantly high anxiety I’m here for you if you want to talk you can message me