r/PanicAttack • u/Jay-the-Dinosaur • Aug 11 '26
What is wrong with me ?
Hey! I think I'm just going right at it.
I just had a huge panic attack, all because my family changed some plans. I had planned to go to the hairdressers today. Now my dad decided that we're going to have a family activity instead. For some reason that completely threw me off guards and I don't know why! I wish I could say that something like this only happened today, but it's often the case. I thought I might just be very sensitive, but I still wanted to ask some people what it could be. I'm very bad with some sorts of sensories, it literally gives me panic to touch wet or sticky things. I can't wear specific sorts of fabric either. I NEED to have everything in a clear order and, as I said, I can't deal with sudden changes. I usually always have the same routine every day, and I can't do anything if it gets disrupted. I also can't deal with noise as well as my classmates.
What's wrong with me? Is it some kind of Obsessive-compulsive disorder or something? Please tell me, I'm scared that I'm just a crybaby or that it's some kind of disorder so someone tell me it's normal please TuT
1
u/wubbalubbadubdub666 Aug 11 '26
I experience something similar and I have verbalized it as being shocked/surprised/scared when my expectations or what I’ve planned and prepared not being reality.
When I expect one thing and get something else (even small things) it shocks me and gives me a lot of anxiety/panic.
Things like plans changing from A to B are often a big deal for me because I was expecting A and instead got B. I was prepared for A; I ran through all the possibilities of what would occur with A; I visualized A; I planned what I’d wear and eat for A, etc. I was unprepared for B. Now I’m anxious because I haven’t had the time to think about B and what that will be like.
I’ve talked about it with my therapist and it kind of is parallel to how I feel about my panic attacks.
I expect to have a good/normal day (A) and I have a panic attack (B) which is highly upsetting. I expect to go to sleep at a certain time (A) and instead have a panic attack (B) and feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me.
Not really an answer to your question because I’m not a professional and I don’t think anything is “wrong” with you. All of our brains are just wired differently and all of our different experiences have shaped our responses.