I have never been prone to panic attacks, but I had a mini one in the store today. I am afraid to go alone so my husband goes with me. I told him we needed to stick together in case I had an attack since they are more frequent now. He said OK. He wanted to look at shoes, so we did that and then were going to another part of the store. I was in front of him and when I turned around he was no where to be seen. I couldn't find him and I got scared. By the time I found him in the hardware section, I was crying. This is totally not me, but I am getting more nervous about being alone in a store. I honestly don't know how single people handle this disease.
I have had similar things happen since this monster MD has entered my world. I got my self a walking stick and I am less nervous about being alone. I have something to hold to and learn on when the world starts to tilt. I am so sorry you have to deal with this too.
Keep a cell phone with you at all times so you can use it in case you need to reach him (or anybody else) in case you need help.
I had agoraphobia from age 26 - my early 30's. It was like being in hell. Everything gave me panic attacks just about. I couldn't even talk on the phone without having one. It took me about 8 years to get over it. But it makes sense many of us with MM get panic attacks, we don't feel safe, ever, because our bodies cannot be trusted. We live in fear of vertigo attacks. I had a therapist come to my house because I could not leave it, and through hard work I overcame it. I will list the main points of the therapy that got me over it. It sounds simple but takes a lot of practice. 1. Stay in the present, don't what if. When you find yourself saying what if I get an attack or what if ..... block the thought and push it out and think of something else, something positive.. 2. Don't fight the anxiety attack, fighting it just escalates it. 3. Don't be afraid of it, it cannot hurt you, its a feeling. I will never forget the turning point for me. Those 3 simple statements take a lot of work to master, but they do work once you do. I was online in a store, which always brought on the worse panic attacks for me. As it got closer and closer for my turn to pay the panic started rising, sweat pouring down me, legs felt like jelly, I was trembling all over. I was at the cashier and I said to myself but really meant it with such strong conviction, screw you I am sick of this, do what you want, I am not afraid of you anymore, within seconds the panic left me and I never had another one since. I walked out of the store after paying still shakey from it all but I knew this was the end of my panic attacks. I finally didn't fight it and they went away. I hope this helps.
I've had panic attacks. I've had them in stores. I've had them at home. Yes, I got to a point where I didn't want to leave the house,and I didn't for a long time except for grocery shopping and I would put that off for as long as I could,then I would bring someone with me and go later in the day when the store was less busy. The cell phone idea is a great one, there were times I'd be somewhere alone and call hubby to come get me. I saw a psychiatrist and he told me basically the same as what Vicki said. But when I was home alone,they would keep hitting me,and a panic attack would exasperate my Menieres and visa-versa. I finally started taking Klonipin and I have to say I haven't had a panic attack since. They are scary, I know that. I can't tell you how many times I went to the ER telling them I couldn't breathe and my heart was racing. Looking back it seems so silly now. Medication may help but it is also a mind over matter thing. I think for me I thought the Klonipin would do it so it did. Also, I got to a point where I was never afraid to ask anyone for assistance. Most people will be happy to help you. I hope you get past this stage. You Can!
I have had anxiety disorder (panic attacks) for 50+/- years. It took many years of ‘shrink searching’ and ‘trial & error’ before finding a combo of drugs (nardil & clonazepam) that allowed me to live a (somewhat) normal life. Anxiety disorder is caused by a chemical imbalance and MUST be treated with a pharmacological regimen in order to stop the chemoreceptors from receiving the faulty, or overly-sensitive, messages from the neurotransmitters. The only benefit I got from psychologists, (after ten days of treatment at the psych’ department of the University of British Columbia), was learning a better relaxation technique (using a biofeedback device). The other ‘stuff’ about “learning how to cope” was an exercise in futility (although it may be helpful for folks who have occasional, mild attacks). peace/out