Hi Christian
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<br />What I call a panic attack was something that happened to me early in the morning. I'd wake up at say 4am, my heart would be beating madly and my mind would immediately turn to my son, fears and concerns regarding him...even through I knew rationally that every thing was okay, everything was going well, it didnt stop my mind from turning to those fears.
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<br />The panic attacks started a couple of years ago when he had a traumatic incident with a picc line...I continuously saw him in my mind having that experience. My stress levels built up and (I know from a physiological point of view) that your body is adapting a 'fight or flight' response to a stressor...what happens is that adrenaline is released to allow you to escape the perceived danger...but there is no danger, so your heart beats fast etc.
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<br />My body (I believe) was in a constant state where that stress response was occuring all the time, and I couldnt control it with rational thoughts (such as there is no danger).
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<br />Since I have been on the anti depressants that has stopped. My concerns have abated, I can accept the reality of what is happening today without my body responding physiologically to fears that (although real), arent happening at this time.
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<br />I can understand your fears as a mum...see your doctor if you think you would be helped as I have been. I have no regrets about the meds, wish I had done it sooner. I feel so much better, happier and more at peace. The anti depressants dont make me feel 'high' or anything, just normal. I had both panic attacks and then depression, not really bad depression though, but any stress was making me worse. Our son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as well as cf in december (we already knew he had cf). The fears regarding that put my right on the edge I think, Icouldnt even think about his situation without crying. Much better now (and he is very well).
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<br />Jo <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
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