another day, another panic attack

Dear @heavenatinee, all the time. I too have panic syndrome for 10 years. Very stressful life events in the past triggered it, and after my first severe panic attack (I didn’t know what was happening; I really thought I was going to, yk, from suffocation; my arms and legs felt numb... my face, I couldn’t swallow... it is the worst feeling ever; mom had to call an ambulance and everything), I’m still not cured. Panic attacks are bad and the worst part is that they leave you traumatized: you develop a phobia of having another one and so on. I’ve been on meds (Prozac and Xanax). The first, being an antidepressant with a longer life helps block this stressful response from the body to the stimuli, being it thoughts, a state you feel of extreme alert to the body functions, and, therefore, the emergence of an extreme fear response. Xanax, being an anxiolytic, helps you relax in Acute situations, which can occur often. I have successful withdrawal from meds 2 times. I was better. But then, some bad thing would happen and ruined all my effort. Last December, for the first time since the first episode, I felt I was really cured. Stopped my meds gradually. But... I have most unfortunately relapsed. It was my fault. I felt way to much confidence and I can say that now I’m worse than before. That’s why I came here, to 7 Cups, so I can connect with other people who can understand what I’m feeling. Everyday, I wake up in the edge... I feel like losing control over time. Going to support groups here manage to help me calm down. I’m only seeing my doctor by the end of the month so we can define strategies. That being said, you’re not alone. Panic syndrome is a natural response of the body to very stressful events, even if they are in the past and you have made peace with them, like myself. My life is good and I feel happy most of the time. I’m a naturally optimistic person, talkative, a friend to my friends, calm... but I’m guess I’m addicted to meds or, as my psychiatrist said, perhaps it was too soon to withdraw. Talk to your doctor, be frank with them, perhaps your medication must be adjusted. Mine has been, many times. Hope you feel better soon. You’re definitely not alone. Tight hug 🤗