Do you have panic/anxiety attacks?

@Skelepop666: because I am suddenly having them and they are terrifying. Trying to figure out what triggers them. They are horrible...otherworldy..and I am left in deep despair and dread for a few minutes.

@Fernie: I know that feeling, almost like they are never going to end after they start, right? Can you remember where you were/ what you were doing when they first happened? Maybe that will help you start to identify a pattern.

@Skelepop666: My dear friend of 42 years suddenly died...I was and still am devastated. One night I was sitting at my kitchen table sobbing at the loss of her and suddenly...I broke out all over my body in a serious sweat..and the nausea was intense....then...I know it sounds nuts but...suddenly I felt as if I were being taken...I grabbed on to the table it was such a strong feeling....it seemed to last forever. Since then it happens out of nowhere...more often when I am watching tv or I have particular dreams. I am wondering if unpleasant things trigger it, violence, stress...I just don't know. What does it feel like to you?

@Fernie: Mine vary in intensity and length but the best way I can explain them is this overwhelming sense of fear, I practically freeze up, I hyperventilate, unable to communicate during the worst of it and can only communicate through writing stuff down at the beginning and end. My mind both rushes with a million thoughts, whilst focusing on one main thing and 9 times out of 10 I end up self harming in one way or another (it was almost like a coping strategy at first but now most of the time I don't even realise I'm doing it).
I can't really identify main triggers. Something that reminds me of a traumatic event doesn't help but at the same time they have been known to come on when I've been happy/ relaxed.

@Skelepop666: That's about right. Have you ever been diagnosed with PTSD? I was years ago but it occurs to me now that once I was out of a stressful/abusive situation...it didn't rear it's ugly head until now because of stress...I wish I knew what the triggers were. You seem to have a much worse experience...but, that fear you spoke of...it is SO intense you just can't explain it to people. I write too when they come...trying to get as much info on the pages to help understand.

@Fernie: Yeah I've struggled with anxiety since I was 12, depression on and off since 14 and developed PTSD after a serious unfortunate event about 18 months ago (to put that into context I turned 30 last month).

I'm sure yours won't last forever though, you have gotten out of a stressful/ abusive situation before, you're strong enough to overcome this stress in time. we're always here if you need someone to talk to as well.

@Skelepop666: geez...that last sentence made me cry. How kind. Right back atcha. I find talking about this with people who get it is so helpful and calming. Perhaps the PTSD has something to do with it for us. You be strong too!

@Fernie: Yeah, I have one or two close friends who kinda understand as they have been there since the beginning but I tend to find unless the person you are talking with has experienced it, most responses end up to be some rendition of the unhelpful "advice" of 'get over it'. But thank you :)