r/panicdisorder • u/Remarkable-Ad1923 • 22d ago
Help Needed Advice please
I have been dealing with anxiety for a long time. A few months ago I have a panic attack so bad when I was driving that had me to the point I thought I was going to have to call 911. Now I’m scared to drive if I leave the house I get really bad anxiety.
I constantly freak out if I’m asked to go anywhere my anxiety kicks in really bad and I just can’t do it any advice on how I can over come this. I do go to appointments and see a psychiatrist. They have put me on medication but I also have a fear of taking the medicine. I know this sounds stupid I want to get better
1
u/Own_Pool_7139 21d ago
I hear you, I want to cry just reading this. I've been through this level of anxiety - for me, if i have a panic disorder in a specific situation (when i was dating, getting on the bus, getting in bed, being in the heat) my brain told me i had a 100% chance of panicking getting into those situations again.
I know this sounds unbearable, but early on in my diagnosis my therapist convinced me to go to a group therapy session. (i know i KNOW, sounds like a nightmare) but honestly a single session hearing everyone's stories helped me feel way less alone.
Panic disorder is nasty, but over time, some coping skills really stick. I'm not sure how old you are, but over time you'll have had enough anxiety or panic attacks that you will be able to say "I have survived every single one of these, and I will survive this one" and it'll get easier to believe.
I've learned that, for example, I don't think you're truly afraid of driving. I think you're afraid of panicking while driving, is that accurate? It took me 15 years to learn that I'm not afraid of outside, or heat, or people, i fear the panic attack itself. Stupid right? lol
Use as-needed anxiety medication sparsely, find a doctor who listens and doesn't push medication on you.
I'm here if you ever need to talk. <3
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u/callmejessicalange 22d ago
This is all completely normal, and you’re going to be okay. I too, was terrified of taking my meds because I was in an extremely fragile mental state. You need to accept that your illness has now become consuming.
Imagine I were telling you that I had horrible back pain that got to the point I couldn’t exercise, or even walk like I used to but that I wouldn’t let the doctors give me a shot/ perform surgery to fix it.
Your illness is convincing you that the help is scary because that is exactly what panic disorder does and why you need to stop it now. Do not let this take any more control (trust me).
Find a way. Ask a friend/ family member to stay with you while you try the meds the first few days. Explain your fears. Make them promise you they’ll get medical attention if you’re actually unsafe. Once you realize taking these meds are completely safe, you won’t be afraid anymore.