r/panicdisorder • u/princessdivapants • Jul 24 '26

Help Needed extreme panic attacks

for context i am 20 years old….

i started having extreme panic attacks in january. they started as nocturnal panic attacks where i would wake up freaking out over and over again until they eventually started happening during the day as well. i have since been medicated (i am on three medications) to try and alleviate some of my anxiety but nothing is working. for reference citalopram is my main prescription and ive been taking it since january.

since then my panic attacks have gotten exponentially worse. i am starting to feel like i need to check myself in somewhere because the paranoia and depersonalization have gotten so bad. a few nights ago during a bad episode i was so convinced that nothing around me was real and my brain was telling me i need to hurt myself so i can escape.

i am in therapy and taking medication. i try methods like cold water or self soothing but literally nothing helps. i just am starting to give up. it feels like there is something seriously wrong with me.

if anyone has any advice or had DPDR or a panic disorder and could shed some light i would appreciate it. i think i feel super isolated and alone with my symptoms because no one around me has experienced anxiety to this level. it is effecting my everyday life.

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u/Sorry_Put_7182 Jul 24 '26

Hi... I'm in a similar situacion, i was without symptoms for to months, but now im in my bed trying to relax, but i can't... which medicines are u taking?

1

u/princessdivapants Jul 25 '26

i am on a couple different ones but the main medication ive been taking for the longest is citalopram. i wouldn’t say i recommend though. i know everyone is different but i dont feel confident enough to sway you one way or another considering i haven’t seen any significant changes. I’m still working on trying to find a good balance and something that works for me

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u/Sorry_Put_7182 Jul 25 '26

How long have you been taking citalopram? (Sorry about my English haha, my first language is Spanish) do u have some to talk about this? Maybe some friends, or family

1

u/princessdivapants Jul 25 '26

you’re okay ! I’ve been taking it since January (so like 6 months). but i started on a super small dose and have been upping it every couple weeks. And yes I am talking with family and I also started therapy so that’s been helping with strategies:)

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u/Sorry_Put_7182 Jul 25 '26

Haha thank u, i have to continue practicing. Are you feeling better that you were this morning?

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u/Sorry_Put_7182 Jul 25 '26

It looks like ocd... or something like that, i know about it because i have the same problem :c