[GJS]

Ok my name is Gabe and I am 15 and I play hockey and make music. I guess I was more or less *normal* health wise up until a few weeks ago. It started I think two weeks ago when I woke up in the middle of the night super sweaty, dizzy and feeling sick. I honestly thought I was going to die, I thought that only crazy people and older people had this happen to them and that there was no way it could be a panic attack. Ever since then it has gotten worse, Now when ever I finish working out and I am short on breath I start to have a Panic Attack or whenever I eat to much and I only feel full I start to have a panic attack and I can't deal with this my life has pretty much been put on a stop while I am trying to deal with this, I don't want to go out or go to the gym (I normally LOVE the gym) because I am afraid of having another panic attack and I almost stay up the entire night because I am afraid of waking up to a panic attack.

I just talked to my mom and she said she is going to see if she can book an appointment with my doctor and see what she has to say about it, but the problem is that it will be at least another day until I can get an appointment with her.

So what I am asking you is if I feel a panic attack coming on what should I do? Usually I try to talk myself down saying that it is ok and I won't die from it but sometimes it becomes to severe that no matter what I say makes a difference.

Also what is likely that my doctor will tell me? Will she recommend therapy or perscribe something? I really have no idea what to expect I have never experienced anything like this before and I am quite scared so any support would be very much appreciated!

Thank You

[melinda7.5]

Hi Gabe
My son was 15 when he was diagnosed with panic disorder the doctor put him on Paxil and it helped him...
Your doing the right thing just keep talking it down...
There are a lot of books out there to help you understand what is going on and they help you calm your fears and when you get a panic attack you can just say oh it's just a panic attack and move thru it. If you want to know the good books let me know...
your right they wont hurt you...It just feels like it
Talk to you later, Melinda

[GJS]

Thanks Melinda, a few nights ago I woke up and I knew it was a Panic Attack and I tried to talk myself down and it wouldn't work. It actually got so bad that I came very close to throwing up and I couldn't sleep for the rest of the night. Honestly I don't think there is a worse feeling in the world at first I thought it was because my room was too hot but when it happened on the street and again at my friends house I knew it was something worse. A question I have is did your son have any problems sleeping at night when he was having panic attacks? Also if he was did taking the Paxil help him sleep? I know the biggest problem for me is that I'm going to bed at 11pm and not actually falling asleep until around 3am every day now.

Well at least I have something to write about now

[melinda7.5]

Hi Gps
Yes he did have a problem going to sleep and he still does, he is 30 now.High anxiety runs in are family, if you dig deep I'm sure you will have other family that this has happened to.
The more you know about panic attacks the less they can scare you...
I have panic attacks also but I can just move thru it and it goes away.
The most important thing about panic attacks is to try to keep your mind in a safe place don't let it freak out just yourself OK this will pass and I'm going o be fine I don't like it but I will be fine...
It sounds to me like you are at the point where it's the fear of fear...
Try not to let them stop you do any thing if your up try to go on like nothing is wrong I know this all sounds silly,but all these things work just remember you are safe,think about the books they helped me so much till this day Casey and I give each tips on how to handle things when they come up.
Let me know if I can help
Talk to you soon, Melinda

[GJS]

Thanks, I had a panic attack last night but I managed to talk myself down before it got serious. I managed to get 8hrs last night for once so I think I am starting to handle it and control them better. I should be going to the doctor tommarow so I will post here what she says I should do about it or what I should take.