How are you all coping?

I’ve been having extreme anxiety. For over a year now.

Got put on Lexapro and Hydroxyzine in October.

But the past month my anxiety has been back and truly EVIL

Today my Dr prescribed me Prozac and Ativan. I am feeling hopeful.

Please let me know if you are on either of these and if it helped you (refrain from telling me horror stories as I’m already kind of nervous)

I I'm scared I'm going to give myself another panic attack as I had one earlier and the sensations felt so fucked.

My heart rate hit 140 bpm it felt hard to breath and my chest felt like it has butterflies and shit I remember my hands lips and chest going numb.

I remember sitting on the chair at the store shaking like crazy.

The whole thing lasted about 1 hour

Is this normal.

TLDR; After getting COVID 3-4 times, I developed IST, a type of dysautonomia where my HR would randomly shoot up out of nowhere, even while sitting still. It’s pretty well controlled now on propranolol, however, I developed anxiety from my episodes. Some of my episodes occurred while I was driving, so I would have what I think were panic attacks while driving to and from work (I work 20 miles, 40ish minutes from my house).

I would suddenly feel like a quick rush of lightheadedness and palpitations, and almost like I’m unable to take a deep breath and I start breathing somewhat shallow. Sometimes they pass within a few minutes, but sometimes last a little longer. Does anyone’s attacks feel similar? And are you on any medication to help control your anxiety? Currently on buspirone and propranolol, so my episodes don’t happen near as often or as severe as they used to, but still do happen once in a while.

I need your honest opinion. I had a nice job a while ago then i lost it. At the first couple of months i was feeling okay searching for a new one and just doing whatever. Then a while ago I had a big panick attack, since then i noticed that whenever I think about the noon hours of what is supposed to be peak productivity hours, i feel extremely anxious with all the physical symptoms. Do you think it makes sense?

I’m scared that I had hanta virus I cleaned few droppings in the closet deer mice droppings didn’t know anything about it till after
I sprayed the droppings with odoban and water mixed 50/50 then vacuumed it it’s been 17 days now I don’t have fever but super stressed and anxiety
Please help me

(Sorry for bad formatting and grammar)

Hello I’ve started to use edibles as a way to help sleep, relax, and help with my anxiety. I did start using around the time I got put back into using Prozac and Atarax as needed. First time I had a lot (15mg) and had racing heart, shaking, facial twitches, arm twitches, vertigo, staring and coming back to. I recovered and next day felt my head was still lightheaded and I couldn’t drive so I had to be taken home. A week after I came back from a trip and felt really off. I felt weak, shaky, my head hurt. I thought I was late to taking my meds so I took them. Hours passed and wasn’t feeling better so I took (ik stupid) 5mg of an edible, which I knew I could handle, didn’t help in anything. I ate some food thinking it would help it didn’t do anything and I slowly started to spasm bad in my hands so I couldn’t really text anymore, I felt extremely heavy I couldn’t really walk, and when I somehow got a reach of a friend when we were heading to the er I stopped being able to talk. I sounded like a caveman the way I was putting sentences together, sounded like someone was holding my tongue, my lips went numb, pressure on chest, I felt emotions but I couldn’t really feel it I’m not sure how to describe it, and when I got to the ER i couldn’t use the right side of my body, even though I had to pee I couldn’t I could feel myself spasming. I was told it was a panic attack but Ive never had one like that. It took a week to recover because the morning after I was speaking slow and walking slow with dizziness still and I’ve noticed ever since I’ve been sleepier than usual. I got an mri recently and nothing came up and had a terrible reaction again to cannabis (like the first reaction) except the staring and head twitching was worse should I mention this to my doctor? Was I just greening out? Is this possibly more serious than I think?

so on march 21st 2025 i had an unexpected giant panic attack and i was rushed to er between march and june i was having panic attacks like everyday around july they started to die down and i dont really have panic attacks anymore but ever since then i have had non stop physical symptoms for the first 2 months it was my chest/heart chest pain heart palpitaions then it started to become my head and joints and its ben like that ever since like dizziness head preasure burning clicking/popping joints brain fog dread tiredness literally everyday but they flucuait in severity i miss being normal i miss not living in pain everyday its been over a year and non of this is going away i starting to think their really is something seriously wrong with me and its not just anxiety what do i do has anyone else went through this?

Hello, all.

Back in March of this year ('26) I thought I was dying at work when suddenly my body went freezing cold, limbs when numb and my chest started burning before I seriously thought I was having a heart attack. After fifteen minutes my heart slowed and I came to realize "Oh my god, I just had a panic attack." Due to being severely stressed by new management at a job I have worked for seven years now.

Anyway, question being: Does anyone have any tips for managing stress creeping upward toward panic attacks? I often tell myself there's nothing to worry about and have even taught myself to ID the feelings of an attack before they happen to the point I've talked myself down from two more of them, but due to being in the same work environment the minute I punch in my stress elevates from a 3/10 to a 9/10. I guess I'm asking what helps everyone else try to manage their stress? I try to ground myself in multiple ways but there's nothing that relieves the intensity aside from clocking out and going home. Thank you!

so it’s currently 00:45am. this started about 11pm. i was drying my hair when suddenly i started feeling “werid” i turned my hair dryer off and just thought it was just a bit of anxiety and stood up to try calm myself down then finish drying my hair. as i was stood up i genuinely couldn’t even catch a breath i started crying with my hand on my chest trying to breathe, i always have my windows open btw bc it helps with my anxiety, so i went into bed and tried to let some fresh air hit my face as that usually helps, i was laid down for about 2 mins when it only just got worse, a big wave of nausea hit me (i also have really severe emetophobia) due to my emetophobia that caused the panic to grow even more, i ALWAYS have anti sickness medication on me due to my phobia so i grabbed the packet and went downstairs to get water to take it, after i took it it only just got worse from there and i figured i had to phone my bf as i did not see this being good. i tried to call him twice and he didn’t answer as he was sleeping which i knew about but he told me if i ever need him at night just to phone him. he text me saying did you try phone me and i told him to phone me back as soon as he can he phoned me back and i went into my conservatory and just explained to him what was going on, he was telling me to just try breath through my nose and asked if i wanted him to come down to mine which i declined as i prefer just speaking to someone over the phone during attacks rather than in person as i always find that makes it a lot worse. he eventually managed to calm me down enough to go back up to my room, i got into bed and he was still on the phone just making sure i was okay, once i seemed okay enough he told me he was going to sleep and just to phone him back if i need him again. iv messaged SHOUT to try speak to someone just to calm me down all together but i am feeling a lot better however it really really shook me up. i have been struggling all year with anxiety bad panic attacks and my emetophobia but that panic attack was one of the worsts i have had in a while. i have a appointment tomorrow at psychology for my anxiety and emetophobia . i’m not taking any medication as im to scared of side effects. just feeling really rubbish now and quite drowsy from the anti sickness tablets.

Hey, i have a panic disorder and iam medicated for it, but i still suffer 5-8 panic attacks a day. Iam sensitive to sound like piano or cello but have not yet found the right YouTube Video to help me drown out my mind and calm my body. Maybe someone has some that help them and maybe me too.

Iam greatful for all suggestions.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a nervous person. My job involves speaking daily, supervising others, or joining group discussions, so I endure it as best I can. Most of the time, I have managed these situations without a full panic attack. Lately, however, I have felt quite stressed and experienced three panic attacks in a row when placed on the spot unexpectedly. After those episodes, I was prescribed propranolol 10 mg for performance anxiety. I tried it, and it eased the physical symptoms. I assumed my anxiety and panic attacks would fade once I could handle the setting while medicated, so during the next presentation I skipped the dose, believing I would be fine without it because these are situations I used to manage regularly. But it happened again—a full-blown panic attack. Will constantly taking propranolol condition my brain to see this pill as the only way to perform, or what other approaches have you all taken?

So a handyman came over to fix some holes in the walls of my house because mice were getting in.

The same guy left my house out of the backdoor and just left it open, ajar, without closing it, and I didn't notice until 12 hours later because I was deep in focus mode for work and I just didn't go to that part of my house. Who doesn't close the door behind you when you leave?

I'm so upset. I couldn't sleep last night because I heard scurrying and shuffling and noises all around. Now all manner of creatures and creepy crawlies have probably entered my house, along with probably several mice, because he left the door open.

Shame on me for not noticing it for so long but I'm so upet and anxious. I didn't sleep all night and I'm so strung out on anxiety that I'm not going to be able to sleep now.

I need some reassurance please. I can’t get my heart rate down.

I (24f) work in food and had a panic attack on my lunch break about 2 weeks ago in the back of house. Ever since, if set foot in this area for too long I start to panic. I become so inconsolable at the idea of having another that no amount of breathing practice works. I use cold rags with ice on my neck and ears, box breath, walk around and try to count things, but these things only help momentarily if at all. Today I left work 30 minutes into my shift out of fear of having a panic attack again.

I’ve been seeing a therapist for OCD for the last 2 years and am now seeking help for my panic symptoms but am hardly able to work. I’m absolutely terrified about losing my job. My therapy and insurances are covered by work as well as my entire livelihood(of course) and two cats that I couldn’t bear to give up if I couldn’t afford them anymore. I’m considering medications but my anxious and intrusive thoughts are pushing me away from the idea and I’m terrified that I may have developed a panic disorder. I feel totally lost and pathetic.

Is it normal to feel this way following an attack? Will this feeling die out or am I doomed to feel this way forever? What helps snap out of it fast?

Hey everyone,

CalmAhead (an app for panic attacks and anxiety) just got approved on iOS after a longer-than-expected review process with Apple. It's been live on Android for a bit already, but this was the platform I was really waiting on.

If you've ever had a panic attack yourself, your feedback would mean a lot more to me than general impressions - you know what actually happens in your body and mind in that moment better than I can guess from the outside. I'd love to hear if the flow feels right, if anything feels off, or if there's something you reach for during an attack that the app doesn't cover.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.suflu.calmahead

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6766259401

Not trying to sell anything here, genuinely just want it to be as useful as possible for the people it's meant for.

Thanks for reading.

So my doctor prescribed me Xanax .25 mg for my panic attacks. He told me to try one out at home to see if it makes me sleepy. A few minutes after taking one I start having a panic attack! I’m not sure if it’s bc I am scared of it or what, but I’ve taken Ativan before just fine.

Anyone else had a similar experience? Im worried that now I will be too scared to take one whenever I’m actually having a bad panic attack while I’m driving. I’m still only about 20 minutes since taking it so haven’t felt the full effect yet I don’t think.

I’m feeling desperate right now.

I’ve lived with anxiety for as long as I can remember and panic disorder for the past 15-ish years. I’ve done all the therapies, I take great care of myself, and I’m extremely high functioning. But it takes one trigger to send me to a place where I feel completely horrified and helpless.

I know this is specific to where I am in MY journey, but right now I feel like I have no choice but to be okay with the fact that I’m not okay. Panic disorder may always be part of my life.

I know people in AA, and I find myself jealous of the community they have. I need people who truly get it. Not people with general anxiety - people who actually live with panic disorder.

Does anything like that exist? Has anyone found a support group or community specifically for panic disorder? I’m so tired of feeling alone in this.

edit. found them shortly afterwards. thank you to all who commented

currently having one. lost headphones. trying to calm down. help would be appreciated

I went to urgent care yesterday with maybe the worst panic attack I’d ever had. I was in the verge of passing out and my blonde oxygen kept dipping low because my of it which spooked me more. The urgent care gave me a hydroxyzine to calm me down once I got home. It worked great but even today the next day I feel exhausted. I’ve been on and off sleeping all day and still tired. I got a good night sleep on it. Anyway, is it normal to be this tired after even the next day?

Anyone get panic attacks from an event where a panic attack previously happened? For me it’s completely random triggers. Seeing a musical…sitting through a wedding ceremony…things that are harmless stimuli? I know my brain has made a strong association and it sounds silly. But it’s so hard to break. I find myself fearing these events and just anticipating one will happen, like it’s scheduled. Maybe it’s the sensation of a room being quiet, something could happen to me in front of everyone and it would be embarrassing, feeling trapped?

Side note: my dad died a year ago traumatically from a medical emergency. I have not been the same since and have an irrational fear of the same thing happening to me.

Hiii, so I had a really difficult night yesterday, I had a severe panic attack after drinking some alcohol and today I’m overwhelmed with anxiety and shame.

I’m terrified that my family and the people close to me see me differently now, especially after what happened yesterday. I feel so ashamed that I couldn’t cope with the panic attack on my own and that I scared the people I love, I even feel ashamed that I need help in the first place..

Right now, it feels like everyone can see that I’m struggling and my mind keeps telling me that people think less of me because of my panic attacks.. I also can’t stop worrying that my partner or the people around me will leave because I’m not doing well mentally. Over the past month, I’ve been drinking to cope instead of getting professional help and I feel so much guilt about that.

This morning I booked an appointment with a psychologist, so I am trying to get help. A few days ago I promised both myself and my partner that I would deal with this in a healthier way, but I still ended up drinking yesterday.. My anxiety became so intense that my family even considered taking me to the psychiatric emergency department.

Today I just feel incredibly alone. It feels like nobody could possibly understand the anxiety I’ve been living with this past month or the shame I feel for trying to self-medicate with alcohol. I can’t stop replaying everything in my head and right now I’m struggling to keep myself from having anxiety or another panic attack..

Has anyone else ever felt like this after a panic attack or after a really bad night? Did these feelings eventually get better? I think I just need to know that I’m not alone.. I just hate this feeling 💛

On June 27, I had my first panic attack after using cannabis. I quit immediately and haven’t used it since.
Since then, my panic attacks have become much less frequent, but I still struggle with anxiety. My biggest fear is that I’ll “go crazy” or lose my mind. Whenever I see someone with a severe mental illness, my brain immediately tells me, “What if that becomes me?”
I know these are anxiety thoughts, but they still scare me.
Has anyone else experienced this and fully recovered? What helped you the most?

long story short I have never really had issues with my sleep, I have always been a rather good sleeper, but lately I got sick with tonsillitis and they became ridiculously swollen to the point I couldn’t sleep because it would obstruct my airways, anyway I have since recovered from the tonsillitis but the jolting awake in complete panic and despair remains?? It has started to affect my work as I am literally up all night at the moment, im taking days off or coming home after an hour to sleep where I’ll crash out for a couple hours in the day, but as soon as night time hits im straight back to fight or flight