Mari
20-04-07, 08:41 AM
Hello,
I've had "panic attacks" from a young age, but I didn't identify them as such until recently. I heard of the term "panic attack" and thought that's what I may have, and after researching it, I fit the bill perfectly.
I have about 5 random panic attacks daily, not triggered by anything except my imagination. I have up to 10 panic attacks a day if I see a commercial for a horror film, and when I actually watch a horror film I can't shower or be anywhere alone for at least one day.
My panic attacks only happen when I am alone. I believe this is because it is triggered by a horrific image in my imagination, and when there are other people around me, even if I imagine such things I am not scared because I know I am protected.
I love blood and gore, and am a huge collector of grotesque art, and that does nothing to me. But when I see a moving image it stains my imagination for years and years and I simply can't shake it.
The only time I have experienced something like a panic attack in a group of people is when I am confronted by my phobias (spiders, syringes, and heights), but they are different. For example, a few days ago at a party, a diabetic took his syringe out after I told him of my phobia (to tease me). I started shaking and my vision got blurred, I felt sick to my stomach and I couldn't stop rubbing my arms (the part doctors draw blood from). But I wasn't actually SCARED. With the random panic attacks I experience, I instantly feel dizzy and light headed, my vision is extremely blurred, I feel tingling sensations in my hands and feet, my heart races, and the only way it will go away is if I just take off running to a place where my back can be against a solid object (I've actually twisted my ankles and inflicted other injuries upon myself in my terrors before).
I have tried to ride them out, telling myself it's just a panic attack. I still get them.
I have tried to stay in bed. I still get them.
I have completely avoided watching TV, for fear of seeing a horror movie commercial. I still get them.
I have told my friends never to mention horror ANYTHING around me. I still get them.
I have tried to tell my family... and they think I am being "dramatic".
I don't have the money for therapy. PLEASE, if there is anyone here with advice on home treatment, TELL ME!! This is getting ridiculous, I'm 19 years old and am paralyzed by my own overactive imagination.
Thank you very much,
Mari
I've had "panic attacks" from a young age, but I didn't identify them as such until recently. I heard of the term "panic attack" and thought that's what I may have, and after researching it, I fit the bill perfectly.
I have about 5 random panic attacks daily, not triggered by anything except my imagination. I have up to 10 panic attacks a day if I see a commercial for a horror film, and when I actually watch a horror film I can't shower or be anywhere alone for at least one day.
My panic attacks only happen when I am alone. I believe this is because it is triggered by a horrific image in my imagination, and when there are other people around me, even if I imagine such things I am not scared because I know I am protected.
I love blood and gore, and am a huge collector of grotesque art, and that does nothing to me. But when I see a moving image it stains my imagination for years and years and I simply can't shake it.
The only time I have experienced something like a panic attack in a group of people is when I am confronted by my phobias (spiders, syringes, and heights), but they are different. For example, a few days ago at a party, a diabetic took his syringe out after I told him of my phobia (to tease me). I started shaking and my vision got blurred, I felt sick to my stomach and I couldn't stop rubbing my arms (the part doctors draw blood from). But I wasn't actually SCARED. With the random panic attacks I experience, I instantly feel dizzy and light headed, my vision is extremely blurred, I feel tingling sensations in my hands and feet, my heart races, and the only way it will go away is if I just take off running to a place where my back can be against a solid object (I've actually twisted my ankles and inflicted other injuries upon myself in my terrors before).
I have tried to ride them out, telling myself it's just a panic attack. I still get them.
I have tried to stay in bed. I still get them.
I have completely avoided watching TV, for fear of seeing a horror movie commercial. I still get them.
I have told my friends never to mention horror ANYTHING around me. I still get them.
I have tried to tell my family... and they think I am being "dramatic".
I don't have the money for therapy. PLEASE, if there is anyone here with advice on home treatment, TELL ME!! This is getting ridiculous, I'm 19 years old and am paralyzed by my own overactive imagination.
Thank you very much,
Mari
