I just found out that my boyfriend has panic disorder?!
Question: I just found out that my boyfriend has panic disorder.?
At least I'm fairly certain that's what it is. Two weeks ago (feels a lot longer), my boyfriend suddenly started having panic attacks. He has been having them pretty much everyday (often 2-3 a day), and has continuous fear over getting another one. He's also started feeling a bit depressed. Sometimes he'll be fine, and he'll be my amazing, normal boyfriend, then all of sudden he'll get panicky again. It's so weird for me to see him like this, especially since he's never had anxiety before. I've been there for him, of course, but it's hard because this is so unlike him, and it feels like I'm mothering him. He wants to be with me a lot (more than usual), which I suppose is nice, but it's not for the right reasons. And when we're together, and he feels panicky (most of the time), he doesn't talk whatsoever. He's so up and down, I never know what to expect. He's gone to the ER twice because of the panicky feeling. We thought he had some medical condition, and both of us couldn't wait for these panic attacks to pass, but yesterday he got his blood tests back and everything was fine (same with his heart tests). He's 21. I know 2 weeks isn't a very long time, but it has felt like forever. Will this pass (I'm assuming not).? How do I deal with this, and more importantly, how do I help him deal with it.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
It truly sounds as though he has panic disorder. I suffered from anxiety and panic for years. It is a frustrating illness and often very misunderstood by others and doctors too.
It can be a long road to recovery, but he will get there. Try to be as patient and understanding as you can.Health Question & Answer
It can be a long road to recovery, but he will get there. Try to be as patient and understanding as you can.Health Question & Answer
he needs help, and you need patience I been having panic, anxiety and depression for the last 18 years, now im on Prozac....helps a lot and some Xanax time to time specially for my PMS......
Just hep him out if you love him.......:DHealth Question & Answer
Just hep him out if you love him.......:DHealth Question & Answer
make sure he isn't abusing any substances. try to convince him to see a therapist. maybe they can get to the root of the problem of his panic attacks. Health Question & Answer
I'm a panic attack sufferer. It is normal for them to show up suddenly any time during a persons life. It will not go away on its own. He will need to go to a psychologist. The help with trying to figure out what is causing them and how to make them go away. Its not going to be a quick fix. It takes time a work to lessen the attacks. It will be hard on you too. You will have to be patient and remember it is not his fault. Believe me it will try your patients. Health Question & Answer
Sounds like the emergency rooom is not exactly the right place to go - well, except of course to deal with the acute symptoms (breathing problems, racing heart, high bp) that come with a bad attack.
But, he needs to get in touch with a psychiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat him.
I'd say psychologist, but this sounds absolutely biological *only* and as such is most appropriately treated with medicine, not therapy.
BUT - any good mental health practitioner can and should be able to offer some advice and treatment and "coaching" et cetera to help anyone - with or without panic or anxiety issues - to better cope and handle stress - and stressors.
Good luck to you both.
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But, he needs to get in touch with a psychiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat him.
I'd say psychologist, but this sounds absolutely biological *only* and as such is most appropriately treated with medicine, not therapy.
BUT - any good mental health practitioner can and should be able to offer some advice and treatment and "coaching" et cetera to help anyone - with or without panic or anxiety issues - to better cope and handle stress - and stressors.
Good luck to you both.
Health Question & Answer
Negative emotions (like sadness, stress, anger, etc.) causes your Serotonin production to be low; when your Serotonin level is low, you are more prone to getting Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, etc.
Medication like Antidepressants (SSRI - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) helps to boost Serotonin level.
But there are natural ways to do it without medication. There's this strange herb called "St John's Wort" - it is said to be more effective than Prozac. No, it is not for mild depression only and ignore those sayings. In fact, it does help anxiety and panic-attacks as St John's Wort works like prozac. Other natural ways will be exercise, diet, more exposure to light, etc.
The problem is that, even if your Serotonin is balanced... you have that "learned behavior" in your mind. You need to break that initial cycle to destroy that learned behavior - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) does this. A technique that you can use without CBT will be Distraction... There are several other techniques to help cope them!
Ok, to use Distraction: Firstly, try to....
Extracted from Source.
Health Question & Answer
Medication like Antidepressants (SSRI - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) helps to boost Serotonin level.
But there are natural ways to do it without medication. There's this strange herb called "St John's Wort" - it is said to be more effective than Prozac. No, it is not for mild depression only and ignore those sayings. In fact, it does help anxiety and panic-attacks as St John's Wort works like prozac. Other natural ways will be exercise, diet, more exposure to light, etc.
The problem is that, even if your Serotonin is balanced... you have that "learned behavior" in your mind. You need to break that initial cycle to destroy that learned behavior - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) does this. A technique that you can use without CBT will be Distraction... There are several other techniques to help cope them!
Ok, to use Distraction: Firstly, try to....
Extracted from Source.
Health Question & Answer
Sadly, its not going to go away on its own. He needs to see a psychiatrist and have them evaluate him and see what route he should take. Whether that be counceling or medication. Until then, just continue to be there for him and let him know that he is not alone. He is most likely scared of what is happening. Having a panic attack can feel like a heart attack alot of the time. Good luck. :)Health Question & Answer