How do you help a girl having panic attacks?
by Cagefighter 46 Replies latest jw friends
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thraxer68
Visualizing a happy place might not do the trick. On your own it might be helpful to determine the nature of the attacks. For example, are they situationally bound or cued? Is there a certain place or thing that triggers the attack? Are the attacks unexpected? Situationally bound attacks may sometimes be indicative of a specific phobia so it would be helpful to determine as best as you can what might be correlated with the attacks but there could be a million reasons why they happen, a professional will know what they are doing, hopefully. You said she is just starting to let you in. Bring all of this stuff up with a therapist, there may be some correlation between the panic attacks and this stage of your relationship with regard to other things, but it is pretty much impossible to "diagnose" anything from the information provided in your post and based on that sliver of information I could be 1,000,000,000% wrong! Along with the physical symptoms, her not being able to talk, shortness of breath, there are probably some things going on in her thought process that are making this alot harder too. Typically people who are experiencing panic attacks experience a feeling of imminent doom. That might be hard for most people to really understand so just let her know you are there for her and continue to be supportive. The fighting might only aggrivate her condition (assuming she has a serious condition, that is to be determined by a qualified professional). Do not take this upon yourself to treat and cure. These are things that licensed professionals deal with because it involves some complexities. I would recommend finding a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders. I know as men we like to fix things when they're broken but some things are just out of our power, I know, I dont like to admit it either! Best of luck to you and yours!
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Confuzzled
OUTLAW I have a anxiety/panic disorder, AND I had a python! LOL he was very calming, actualy. RIP Topaz!
An untreated anxiety disorder is terrible. Mine has been one of the death tolls in my relationship. The best advice I can give is to be understanding of the situation as best as you can. As a matter of fact, I was told just today AGAIN when trying to explain my feelings "get over shit and move on". Bone crippling panic, overwhelming dread, and worry are hard to explain to someone who has no idea what it's like. People just think you are nuts. My best suggestion is why don't you lovingly suggest you go see the Dr. together? Sometimes a milligrams of something are all you need to get through the day. I take wellbutrin once a day and an Ambien about 2-3 times a week to ward off "night worries" and my speeding brain. Oh, and Eckhart Tolle's books ARE AMAZING to help you deal with anxiety and depression. The Power Of Now has helped me so much in that area.
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penny2
Cagefighter, panic attacks usually begin during or after a major life stress or a period of continual stress.
Even the experts are not fully sure what causes a person to begin having panic attacks. And why some people get them and others don't.
The best way you can help is not to contribute to any stress your girlfriend may be under and don't put her under pressure. It goes without saying (and you probably realise this yourself in hindsight) - don't fight. Just let her be herself.
penny
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The Finger
When I suffered them for a number of years my doctor told me I could learn to control them as I was causing them. It was a mental fight to try and shift my thoughts to something positive and stop the locomotive that was heading my way, but so far I can control them. My dog helps me. There was a number of things that could trigger them. The hall was one at one time. Getting out of bed in the night. I had to change my sleeping pattern. And avoiding confrontation.
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Broken Promises
We have been dating for six months and she is finally starting to let me in.
This statement worries me more than anything you have posted in this thread. Sounds like you’ve got a girl with heaps of issues. The panic attacks are just a physical manifestation of them.
Oh, and OUTLAW – if you’ve got nothing productive to say, then shut up. Cagefighter is asking for help, and all you can post are childish jokes. Stop being an idiot, if you can.
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thraxer68
We have been dating for six months and she is finally starting to let me in.
The "heap of issues" assertion may or may not be entirely true, however, focusing on this can prove detrimental to your own psychological well being as well as your relationship, from what it sounds like you really care about her and want the best for her. Get a professional opinion, honestly, this doesnt necessarily mean that your girlfriend has a "heap" of issues. In all honesty, its entirely possible that she just doesnt deal with simple issues in a constructive way. It can literally be the seemingly smallest of issues we deal with on a daily basis that could be causing this. It might be true but it would be extremely difficult to logically deduce that from literally a sliver of biographical information and since we cant know for sure, it would only be damaging for you to think that you may or may not have in some way caused this. Dont focus on what you cant control. Do what you can, all you can do, unless you are qualified to treat anxiety disorders, is be supportive, assure her of your committment to her well being, and encourage her to seek help. Encourage, dont force. There are a million ways we can interpret the words you posted, but this situation requires dealing with the facts and dealing with them is best handled in a therapeutic setting by a qualified professional. It is definitely a treatable condition with a good prognosis, so long as it is treated correctly. And yes, Im sure neither cage fighter nor his girlfriend enjoy any of this, so real advice would be more appropriate
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nelly136
great description
A true panic attack is THE WORSE feeling in the world . Imagine feeling like you are having a heart attack ,your mouth goes dry , you can't catch your breath ,and your scared out of your mind ....
so you whip out your phone and start texting?
ok is it just me or does that sound a tad odd?
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Broken Promises
Maybe she didn’t have anyone nearby to seek help from, and she leans upon Cagefighter for emotional support?
She definitely has some issues, as evidenced by the panic attacks and obvious fear of intimacy.
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lisavegas420
Like White Dove above, I've learned what my triggers are and I plan ahead for them.
I KNOW; I'm not going to die, and this too shall pass.
I keep thinking this over and over.
lisa
