Panic Attacks/Anxiety/Fear

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AlmondHen

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Hi all.
New member here but I'm going right into posting because I need help.
I've had JME for 12 years now. My seizures are well controlled and are always nocturnal.
I'm prone to panic attacks and I have been having one for a couple of hours now. As I haven't slept all night, and my epilepsy is sleep triggered, I am obviously very scared.
Does anyone else suffer similar problems/situations? I can usually control my anxiety but today I am very bad.
Advice?
Thanks so much z
 
So, what are you feeling now? Ask yourself were is the threat? Tell yourself there is nothing the fear nothing can hurt me I'm at home safe and sound. Breath in deep slow breaths Close your eyes listen to yourself breath in and out. With your eyes closed already think yourself closing them again and then close them again. Feel the calm wave through your body as your read this from your head to your toes. Breath..... I hope this helps!
 
I have taken the advice of my mum and moved to a different room as not to associate the location with fear. It's taking hard work to attempt calm as I am very scared kmt lack of sleep will result in a seizure. I have my mum and boyfriend who has witnessed attacks and is great but I needed to talk with people who have experienced panic attacks or the fear of having a seizure.

The simple fact that I got a lovely reply so quickly is helping
Thank you very much. I appreciate your help so much
 
That's what we are here for is to help each other. Try not to think about it and just try to get some sleep. You can't live life in fear so there is nothing in your house to fear and nothing in your bed but your pillow and blankets waiting for you to sleep. Yawn a bunch of times and take slow breaths closing your eyes. Listen to your breathing and you will be asleep before you know it.
 
I am feeling a lot calmer now and am trying to maintain it.
My main fear is going to sleep or while drifting into sleep, I have an attack. My last one happened like this and for the first time I felt the beginning of a seizure. This has created a big fear but this is the worst/full on panic attack for a long time.
Hoping to sleep at some point but still not quite ready.
 
Yeah, I know how you feel. I have a hard time too some times. The yawning and breathing thing works for me. I hate feeling that way but just because it has happened before does not mean it will happen today.
 
I wish I was there to give you a big HUG! You are getting great advise so far. You are at home with people who love you. Nothing bad will happen. If you were to have a seizure, you are in a familiar place where nothing bad will happen to you. Just try to let go. You need sleep most of all. Keep us updated!
 
Hi AlmondHen, I hope you were able to get a good night's sleep. You've gotten good advice above. Progressive relaxation can help -- it's basically slowed breathing while you gradually tense and relax all your muscles, starting at the feet and moving all the way up to your head and neck. It can also help to listen to music or white noise. One last thing to try: a magnesium supplement after dinner or before going to sleep. Magnesium can sometimes help with myoclonics (it's helps relieve muscle tension), plus it can make some people mildly sleepy.
 
I know how you feel. I remember the fear from the first many seizures I had. I got them while sleeping/trying to sleep. If I could feel one coming I would quickly get out of bed if possible because it could keep it away. Then I would walk around for maybe hours, then lay in bed again. Not turn off the light, not close my eyes, just trying to stay awake. Lay there in panic till I was too tired to stay awake anymore. Then I might have one but as tired as I was I would sleep right after it. I lived like that for a long time. Then I got more used to them and today when I can feel one coming I just lay and wait for it to be over. I still feel the fear but I am not afraid of that anymore, if you get what I mean? I don't let the fear take over - I know that it will just dissappear and the seizure will eventually stop again. If I begin to panic I close my eyes and tell myself there's nothing to be afraid of while I literally think of pink ponies. Pink ponies I guess are so funny I forget to be afraid. Or I think of something else that is funny. And then I fall asleep.
 
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