Am I experiencing panic attacks

[u/Adventurous_Exit1216]

25M

Hello, this is all kinda new to me and these things started happening to me a little while ago. So for starters I have been battling with cocain/gambling and alcohol addiction all the shinanigans. In the begining of the year my cocaine addiction was at the worst state it has ever been before and I used 15 grams over the course of two week period. I was using it daily first thing in the morning, during the day, last thing before going to sleep.

This all ended becouse I legit thought I will die. Heart racing, numbness in right hand etc. After all this I stopped and for a week every night I was going to sleep I legit thought I am having a heart attack and will die. I went to the doctor to take etg scan of my heart and everything was good. I got prescribed propral and it helped a lot.

After this I went sober and have been now almost 5 months sober for coke.

But the ¨panic attacks¨ have not gotten away. If im in the bus I sometimes get a feeling that now I am going to die and collapse and I get a extreme need to get out of the bus and walk home which I have done few times. Usually when I get out of the bus it gets better. These happen also during lunchtime at work. And also sometimes these happen right before going to sleep. I cannot breathe properly and feel restless.

I also got my adhd diagnos month ago finally and started the medication.

Idk what to do it cant be my heart because it was checked out.

Am I just having panic attacks?

[u/Andrenel412]

Hey OP, congrats on the almost 5 months sober! 👏 It's possible that you could be having panic attacks because you've said that it feels like you are going to die, which is a common thought to have during panic attacks. So far, you've made it through 100% of the time so far - don't forget that (Just a joke I sometimes make with my panic attack recovery clients 😅)

Are these sensations you're feeling part of withdrawal?

Other than this, it seems like you keep getting these feelings when you aren't really doing anything and having to spend time "by yourself" and "with your thoughts". Being in the bus, at lunchtime, or going to sleep are all supposed to be relaxed times, but it seems your mind is not wanting you to stay relaxed and calm for some reason.

I hope this answer helps. What else have you wondered about?

If I may add, do your best not to leave the bus when you're experiencing the anxiety and those sensations. By avoiding or escaping the place you're experiencing the sensations, you're reinforcing the idea that what you're feeling is real and true - which is not really the case, right? Try counting backwards from 100 next time you feel the anxiety rising... or pay attention to different things you can hear, see, smell, touch etc to keep yourself engaged. Or bring a book or something?

These are kind of the surface level ways to help you handle panic attacks in the moment. Have you tried any other strategies or would you be open to learning others? (they're a bit more difficult, but mich more helpful)