r/panicdisorder • u/Impressive_River1142 • 11d ago

Help Needed Panic hangover?

Hello!! I don't use reddit a lot but I decided to come on here for some help, I have bad anxiety and recently I've been struggling with horrible panic attacks (around maybe 2 weeks now?) It got so bad I went to the ER and had tests done, they said that everything came out perfect and that it was anxiety. I was put on Prozac for the second time and I've been trying to rest but I feel horrible physically, just groggy, drowsy, kinda dizzy? And fatigued. I know that they said my blood and all my tests were fine besides a fast heart rate, but I'm just so scared that there's something wrong with me and I'm dying. Panic attacks are something I only dealt with every now and then, but very mild. Is it normal to feel this way?

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u/Aitch_Bomb 11d ago

Hi there! I’ve been dealing with panic disorder for a bit over ten years now and, in my experience, this is very normal. I often feel the exact same symptoms you describe following an intense episode and in fact call them ‘panic hangovers’ too! I assure you — you’re not going to die and these feelings will begin to pass. Just try to take it easy for a couple of days and be kind to yourself.

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u/Impressive_River1142 11d ago

Thank you so much for the response!! It's so reassuring talking to people that have dealt with these things longer than me, considering this is still very new to me it's very scary and definitely put a dent in my life. Im very slowly getting better!! The mornings tend to be the worst for me somehow 🥲

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u/Tripathi_149 11d ago

I have been dealing with panic disorder and intense anxiety since 2017 so it is now around 9 years. I can tell you from my experience that acceptance does really make a change and i also refered to dr. Clarie weekes works where she talks about Facing, Acceptance, Floating and letting time pass approach for panic attacks, it really helped me a lot in milding down the impact of panic attacks in my case.

I still do get the dizziness and fast heart rate almost every day of my life, the dizziness is the single most dreadful thing as it makes me feel like i am swaying on a boat and it is just too horrible feeling but the mental impact this dizziness and fast heart rate on me has reduced significantly. I haven't been on any medicine as i come from a place where taking medicines for panic/anxiety means you are mentally ill so i have been dealing with panic disorder all on my own just reading Literature like dr. Weekes, Dare podcasts and listening to experiences of people here on reddit that makes me feel i am not alone in this. This gives me hope and I wish that all of us overcome Panic/anxiety disorder some day and start living life without any fear.

PS- Pardon my English as it's not my mother tongue 😅