I haven't posted here for a while, but I still browse it often.
I was wondering if anyone else has experienced panic attacks following the death of a loved one? My mom passed away just over a year ago, and I've found that since then I have become prone to getting significant anxiety/panic attacks. I've always been a bit of an anxious person, but I never experienced any severe attacks until after my mom's death. These attacks occur intermittently and most often happen while I'm trying to sleep. I'm home from work today because I had one last night, I didn't get to sleep until around 3-4am, so I called my boss and told him I was sick. I feel kind of guilty about it, but I didn't want to be driving around all day feeling like this.
I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced these types of episodes? If so, do you have any advice for dealing with them? My doctor prescribed me some ativan, which thankfully I have only had to take once since he gave them to me a month ago (I took 1/2 of one last night). It seems to help in a minor way, but the last thing I want is to develop a dependency on them. I'm really frustrated by this, because I have a great opportunity coming up this summer to go to a university field school, a significant component of my education, which will require me to live on a remote island doing archaeological work for 6 weeks this summer. I really don't want to not be able to attend.
This anxiety is starting my make me wonder if I have somehow been driving "over the edge" so to speak by the stresses associated with my situation. Any help at all would be appreciated.
Sorry for rambling.
Josh
Hi Josh,
i also am having panic attacks. I got them when my 1st husband died and now i a having them again since I just lost my finance. My doctor put me on depression medication (lexapro) which really helps. It will also help you sleep. I have Valium as well but that does not help with the panic attacks. So ask your doctor about some depression medication. I wouldn't go out or even answer my phone I had them so bad. I would have to force myself to go out even to the doctor's. Hope this helps you.
Panic Attacks?
in Behaviors in Bereavement
Posted
Hi Josh,
i also am having panic attacks. I got them when my 1st husband died and now i a having them again since I just lost my finance. My doctor put me on depression medication (lexapro) which really helps. It will also help you sleep. I have Valium as well but that does not help with the panic attacks. So ask your doctor about some depression medication. I wouldn't go out or even answer my phone I had them so bad. I would have to force myself to go out even to the doctor's. Hope this helps you.
Sharon