Panic attacks

***PrettyFlowers*** · 10-04-2007, 08:28 PM

I went on a date and he shared with me that recently he was put on med's because he was diagnosed with a panic distress order.

He told me that there are two different ways how people act when going through it.
1. You feel like fleeing.
2. You feel like have a physical fight.

The funny thing is, my girlfriend called me to let me know that she experienced her first panic attack and she think it had to do with stress.

Now, I can't help but think I have experienced it also or would it be called anxiety attack? I don't know the difference between the two and have very little knowledge of panic attacks.

Anyway, my girlfriend said that this date I just had, should not be on his med's for too long and have seen people from her old job who would complain other symptems and she always thought it was because they've been taking medication for over 5 years for their panic attacks.

Is it true that taking those types of med's for too long in not good? Does this mean that the med's can stop any future panic attacks? Is this considered a mental disorder?
Just in case this date and I do get involved for long term relationship, what possiblities of behaviours could I be facing?

***AngelaGM*** · 10-04-2007, 08:33 PM

I have a mental disorder for which I take meds and it is important to stay on your meds until you discuss it with your doctor.

***PrettyFlowers*** · 10-04-2007, 08:42 PM

I forgot to add that he said before the med's he had 10 attacks a day, now it is about two or three a day. If I remembered correctly what he told me.

***makeupfreak72*** · 10-04-2007, 09:05 PM

yeah panick attacks suck!! i used to get them alot and still do occasionally, the first couple of times i was on a bus and i was about to jump off it while moving!!! its a feeling i cant explain, but my anxiety was all going on in my head, it felt numb, but tingly, like i was getting an electric shock in my head, i couldnt see, my tongue was burning and, well i was going crazy!! it was a full blown panick attack, and a man on the bus wanted to give me some of his high blood pressure medicine cuz he thought i was probably gonna pass out, and you pretty much think your having a stroke or like your gonna die, yeah panick attacks are fun. especially when doctors find nothing wrong with you and people around you get frustrated.

***PrettyFlowers*** · 10-04-2007, 09:22 PM

Can you please share your treatment plan and how long you've been on med's and for how long?
Are they safe?

***BeneBaby*** · 10-04-2007, 09:36 PM

My Mother suffers from severe Panic/Anxiety Disorder. She has to take meds all the time. If she goes off of them she has extreme episodes of panic. She experiences the "need to flee" as well as the "physical fight". Hers are so bad that if untreated she becomes incoherent.

***PrettyFlowers*** · 10-04-2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeneBaby

My Mother suffers from severe Panic/Anxiety Disorder. She has to take meds all the time. If she goes off of them she has extreme episodes of panic. She experiences the "need to flee" as well as the "physical fight". Hers are so bad that if untreated she becomes incoherent.

Any side affects from these med's? I mean, any damage to the liver over time or something like that?

***BeneBaby*** · 10-04-2007, 09:47 PM

I think the adverse effects come from her NOT taking it. As far as I know she hasn't suffered any health problems related to her meds. She has been taking them for over 10 years.

***KellyB*** · 10-04-2007, 09:48 PM

I am a nurse and I had panic attacks for 4 years. I took Xanax 4 times a day then eventually weaned myself off after not having any attacks for about 2 years. The last one I had was 14 years ago. I know patients that have taken meds for panic attacks for many, many years. While it is true that you can build up a tolerance to any drug, it doesn't mean that it's not working or is bad for you. Sometimes the dosage just needs to be adjusted or a new med needs to be started. Panic attacks are very common and most people can't give you a reason why they start or end. After going through hell before I started the xanax, I would have stayed on it the rest of my life If I would have needed to. I functioned normally on meds. Worked full-time. raised a child as a single parent. I did fine on them. I never had to increase the dose I was taking. Meds should never be stopped except under a Dr's supervision. Some meds stopped abruptly can cause all kinds of nasty things from more severe attacks to seizures. I'm sorry but your friend is mis-informed on the subject. If this guy just started meds, it's likely they may get changed again.

***PrettyFlowers*** · 10-04-2007, 10:21 PM

Thank you.
I just remembered that he told me that because he is new to the med's and never took them before, his med's make him feel like he is drunk.

A few weeks ago, we spoke on the phone for the first time and he was a wonderful speaker/good speech.

On this date, his speech was slurred and he also told me that the doc said that it is normal at the beggining for the drug to make you feel tired, talk more slowly and on top of all that, he is taking med's for his caugh and paid medication because a couple of days before our date, he dislocated a rib.
Poor guy!
Anyway, you give me the feeling that I should not be concerned and there is no chance that he could take it out on me?

***SimplyElegant*** · 10-04-2007, 10:25 PM

No he won't take it out on you. Panic attacks don't make you violent. If he does hurt you, it's not because of this.

***luxotika*** · 10-04-2007, 10:29 PM

Anxiety attack and panic disorder are two different things. Anxiety attacks happen to many people; from stress, etc. Panic disorder is when the anxiety attacks effect your everyday life negatively. I have had panic disorder for almost 10 years. I have been taking medicaiton for about 8 years, and I am much better on the medication than being off it. Yes, panic disorder is a mental disorder, and it is a lot more common than you'd think.

***BeneBaby*** · 10-04-2007, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimplyElegant

No he won't take it out on you. Panic attacks don't make you violent. If he does hurt you, it's not because of this.

I think it depends on the person. My Mom has had panic attacks where she has hurt me. She gets in to this fearful state and doesn't realize what she is doing. During an epsiode of panic she pushed me down, pulled out my hair and even tried to fight with my neighbors. She felt like people were trying to hurt her.

I called an ambulance and she ran into the woods barefoot, she felt like the paramedics were after her. There was nothing that could coax her out of this state of panic. This is probably a severe case...but it can happen.

***makeupfreak72*** · 10-04-2007, 10:40 PM

what helped me was valerian root, and thats still what i take now, because it's natural and has been used for centuries for nerves and anxiety, look up valerian root and its benefits on yahoo, and it's more effective in tea form.

***SimplyElegant*** · 10-04-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeneBaby

I think it depends on the person. My Mom has had panic attacks where she has hurt me. She gets in to this fearful state and doesn't realize what she is doing. During an epsiode of panic she pushed me down, pulled out my hair and even tried to fight with my neighbors. She felt like people were trying to hurt her.

I called an ambulance and she ran into the woods barefoot, she felt like the paramedics were after her. There was nothing that could coax her out of this state of panic. This is probably a severe case...but it can happen.

Wow sorry to hear that. Yeah it can but I don't think her case is a common one though.