Panic attack lasting DAYS???

[momof2]

I was wondering if anyone ever experienced this...for the past 5 days, I have felt very dizzy, lightheaded, and jittery. I felt extremely nervous. This was so debilitating that I was in bed most of the time. I would wake up sweating, in the middle of a panic episode, and could not sleep more than 2 hours each night, no matter how exhausted I was.


I know it sounds like I had the flu or something, but I really do not believe that's the case. I mean, I guess it is possible that I could have had some strange virus. I honestly thought my blood sugar or thyroid was the problem until today. The dizziness went away, but the nervousness remained. My gag reflex is strange, yet my stomach is totally fine! I do have a diagnosed anxiety disorder but have never had any of the epsisodes last for days.


Has this happened to anyone?


Thanks for your advice!

[sage]

yes - this has happened to me, and many others I've seen/talked to in my counselling practice. It's what I call "pure anxiety" - you're just anxious, anxious, anxious. It's quite awful. I find that often something has happened in the family system to precipitate it - sort of "take a look around" at what's going on in your whole extended family system so see what might have set this off. If possible, make connections with your family of origin - even simple connections, and it might help calm the anxiety.

[shiva]

all i can say is that i have felt exactly the way you just explained for days now, too. i was thinking the same things you were... blood sugar, thyroid... ugh.. the other evening i was actually shivering like i was cold, but not cold at all.. my teeth were just chattering, and i felt light headed and dizzy and my heart keeps beating too fast. anxiety never dawned on me, but i think you may be onto something. when i think about it, i have been overly anxious lately... constantly worried.. having financial problems (financing a destination wedding and counting down the days... 13 weeks..)


i don't know what to tell ya except it somehow made me feel better that someone else is feeling like i currently am. but it's not a good feeling and i am sorry you are also experiencing it. hope you feel better soon.