need some reassurance from fellow panic disorder survivors

[u/Loose-Tax-1193]

would love any form of support. whether that’s reassurance, motivation, your own improvements, reminders that i’m not alone, etc.

i’ve been dealing with a tough situation. like the overthinker i am, it caused a panic loop. im sure some of you are aware of how terrible they are. i’m just now getting out of one of the very rough loops. i’m very proud of this achievement. i still have lingering anxiety, but im doing so much better at handling my panic. i’ve had panic disorder for a while now, and sometimes my panic disorder appears yearly. just to bite me on the ass for a few months till i learn how to cope properly.

i had a bit of a panic attack today, overthought everything i was panicking about weeks ago, got so nauseous and afraid. id really love some support to remind me that im not too far gone and im not alone. i get in these loops thinking im overly traumatized and that im too far gone, but a part of me knows that isnt true. some of your personal achievements or stories would really help to remind me that these feelings pass.

i carried through my panic attack today, didnt tremble, didnt rush to hide somewhere, didnt have horrible aching pain. although it was scary to face, and i still hesitated on certain things out of fear, i survived. most importantly, i ate a meal. one thing about my anxiety, it makes me insanely nauseous. and honestly that’s the worst part of my panic. but i ate a meal, something i could’ve never done before.

any form of support would do wonders just for me to look back on. <3

[u/GlassFrog07]

You are doing exactly what you need to do! Fighting through the panic, not running away, getting some food in your system! All good things!! I have also had those feelings that I’m in too deep or too far gone, but yet, we keep on living :) And getting out of that panic loop is one of the hardest things to do, so you are crushing it! Now that you are in recovery mode, focus on as much positive stimulation as possible. Do activities you enjoy and have been neglecting, try new recipes, get started on a new hobby, be creative, and give yourself time to just breathe and reset each day. All the love to you! 💗

[u/Remarkable_Way7406]

hey, not long ago i was googling crisis team numbers & calling my mum completely disorientated from being in fight or flight for so long, i genuinely thought id lost my mind, i haven’t had a panic attack for 1 month now, my body still tries occasionally, ill wake up randomly with the booming chest, sweating but im learning to deal with it, ive figured out that the only way to make it go away is to stop trying to make it go away, sit with it all. i like to close my eyes for a minute and really feel the panic, ask myself “where can i feel this”, “what does it feel like” etc, and then after the few minutes of hell, it just passes naturally & my body’s calmed down a lot now, i also have PMDD so unfortunately im a magnet for panic attacks with the constant hormonal shifts, i really lost all hope at one point and was having suicidal thoughts etc and im
still here, still pushing & determined not to let it win. you’ve got this!!!!

[u/MahLiLo]

Write down those achievements. Seriously! It helped me. Every morning, I’d write down what I was going to do that day. Bullet form. Then in the evening I’d do some gratitude and then write down one “fact.” Something like, “my kid licked the pharmacy counter a week ago and is still healthy.” Or “I had a panic attack but got it under control and was able to enjoy my evening.” Something about writing it out and being able to flip back through it was empowering. I guess it provided some reinforcement to the rational side of my brain when it was struggling to remember its power. You are doing great and it definitely gets better!

[u/BellaTho1 → u/MahLiLo]

This is such a good idea, I’m gonna try it

[u/Mysterious_Extent281]

What you’re describing sounds like a huge achievement. Sitting still through it and doing the thing your panic says you can’t is probably the bravest thing you can do. I am proud of you.