Panic Attacks

Some of the above statements I agree with, some are pure BS from a medical person that has never experienced several REAL panic attacks. (old thread from the dead)

 

To all those of you with GAD (general anxiety disorder) or panic attacks, I would like to say thank you, for saving our species.
As the cavemen slept, you were at the edge of the firelight. Sharpened stick in hand. The saber tooth tiger would not have an opportunity for surprise. You were the frontline sentry that saved the regiment, the shepherd that named the stars and constellations while watching over the flock. The one at the bow of the ship. The first to sing out "Land Ho!" You never got caught with your neighbor's wife 'cause you stacked pop cans at the door that got knocked over with his unexpected return. 10 different exit strategies all at the ready. Now you want to drive a truck?
As an owner, I would prefer you! You will always be vigilant, scanning, watching, sniffing. If a problem arises, you saw it coming. If the differential starts making a noise, you heard it before it became expensive. When you age as the others slide into alzimers, you will still be sharp. The mental over activity pays off again. Congratulations!

 

20 years ago i had 3 panic attacks they were horrible. Could not imagine anything so bad. ended up in er one time and on other while i was having my ex wife called and said her current husband said i could lean on me because she thought another of her sons had a disability like hers and mine. Just told her not a good time then said why the hell should you lean on me...you married him. i figured out what my trigger was i was coming home every night to an empty apartment. Left work at 130 am it was lonliness. i recognized that when a few nights later as i was walking to apartment iI goy more aprehensive each step toward house. once i figured this out was ok could do something as simple as going to drugstore and having a conversation with someone. havent had one since

Lol brings me to another funny he called me and asked me what i should do to keep my ex....i just told him what i did didnt work. So dont know how i can help you.

 

oh and was in counseling and experts there said there was no way that i could figure that out myself. I fall back to havent had one in 20 years. probably closer to 25

 

Panic attacks can be caused by sleep deprivation. continuous sleep deprivation can also cause permanent brain damage Manic depression, and PANIC ATTACKS. ,Mania

 

None of the coffee swilling, cross top eating, hard running, severely sleep deprived drivers from the 60s and 70s that I knew had panic attacks, depression or manic episodes.
By looking at them, you would think that sleep depravation caused syphilis and crabs.

 

I've had panic attacks while in my sleeper while trying to fall asleep and have woke out of sleep having a full blown attack. Thought it was a heart attack.
I'm 6'0" 180lbs and 43 years old.

I'm fearful of the stress of trucking, the bad food in the truck stops, getting old, time flying by on the road, being alone, and it's overwhelming at times.

I'm so tired at the end of the day, my eyes are heavy but my mind won't shut off.
I've been checked but not as thoroughly as I'd like, wish the Dr would give me a stress test. But they just do a quick EKG and tell my I'm fine, write me xanax and say take one of these when you have an episode.

They help but over time I think they make it worse.

I think it's depression, lonelyness, stress. And as for the driver who said back in the 70's drivers didn't have these issues, we also had driver who were more courtious, drivers talked more, were more active unloading their trucks, ect. It was much different then than today.

 

Panic attacks are from sleep derivation .And no your boss don't care.

 

The cops don't either.

 

A quote from a friend. "Doctors proscribe medicine about which they know little, for diseases, about which they know nothing." My friend was a doctor. Fortunately, I am not!
Alcohol is classed as a depressant. This is why most people self medicate with it. It will slow the racing of the brain, while increasing dopamine in the pleasure centers. Dulls the senses. Dulls the pain. A temporary answer, much like Xanex and the rest.
Approximately 5% have panic disorder. Think about how many cars you saw on the road today. Was it thousands? Tens of thousands? You may have been in proximity of a thousand people with panic. Pull into a truck stop. One in twenty will have a person dealing with the disorder. Possibly higher in this group. Malnutrition, sleep depravation, and loneliness exact a toll.
What happens during a panic attack? Your brain sees danger! Now a thousand years ago, that meant you were going to defend your life, or be running away. Your mind/body are still wired that way, so adrenalin is pumped into your system to feed the muscles, your digestion shuts down, your hearing and vision become more acute. You are now prepared to defend against an attacker, or run from a grizzly. Fortunately, (or unfortunately) no attacker, no bear, just you alone in the cab, with nowhere to run.
The good news. (lots of good news!)
You are not, and will not, go crazy! If you go crazy due to panic, let me know, because you will be the first on to do so.
You are not, and will not, have a heart attack! The adrenalin causes it to pound, delivering extra to those tingling muscles. Nothing more.
Help is available! You can train your brain!