My first panic attack: a memorable experience!
When I had my first panic attack I literally thought I was going crazy. I was 17 and I was a passenger in a car when suddenly I felt my heart beating. I was terrified, but I do not really know why. I just have very strong feelings of anxiety and fear.
Almost immediately, I felt the need to escape from where I was. The problem is that I was in the car with my current boyfriend and we were en route to meet his extended family who came to live in the mountainous region of eastern Kentucky. There was really no place where to go we were on a narrow winding road leading up the mountain. It was very dark and raining lightly.
I began to feel as though I could not breathe. I did my best to hide my anxiety from my boyfriend, I do not want him to think I was crazy. I told myself that everything was fine, I saw no real signs of impending danger. I told myself to play the song on the radio, but I could not force me to really listen.
Although my symptoms are symptoms of basic textbook panic attack, when this was happening I did not know not what Panic Attacks were. I was not really interested in such information and I'm not sure if I had ever known someone who has suffered such problems.
I asked my friend if we could stop the car for a minute, but sure he wanted to know why and he explained that it was not really anywhere to stop. I was really trapped in the vehicle.
There was no way I can explain how I felt, not only did he sound crazy, but for now I do not even try to explain. The feelings were so intense and so terrible that I did not take the time to explain. I remember bursts open the door my car and jump.
I was glad it was dark because I was sure that my fear was clearly showing on my face. My hands were shaking and I felt dizzy. I was not thinking straight, I just knew I needed to leave the situation as quickly as possible.
God thank you intense feelings of panic attack began to fade almost as quickly as they began. After about 10 or 15 minutes I was almost back to normal. However, I continued to feel nervous for some time.
I could not get the case of my mind. I was afraid there was something medically wrong with me, that was the beginning of a mental illness. I feared that this will and again it would not be dark and I'd be in a group of people.
For days I felt anxious about the event. Then about a week by feelings of fear and anxiety returned. This time, the episode seemed to last a little longer. I talked to my boyfriend about the situation, I even told him how I felt the night we were driving to meet his family.
To my dismay, he told me it was in my head. He said I was just stressed about meeting his family for the first time. But I was really looking forward to this trip. I do not think that was the problem, but my boyfriend seemed to think I was stupid or weak.
After my third attack panic, I realized that I had to ask for help. After all, I needed to know if I had a terrible disease or if I lost my mind. Fortunately my doctor was able to correctly diagnose the problem and I was placed on an effective drug. I took anti-anxiety daily and I had to take medication during an actual panic attack. This scheme enabled me to regain control of my life a great extent.
Guitar Hero 3 / Frets on Fire Custom Song: DreamTheater – Panic Attack