To start i should proabaly give some information about myself, Im 21, male from the UK and am studying at universit away from home (have been for a few years).Ok so in certain situations I am over come by the strongest desire just to get the hell out of where i am at the time. This is usually accompanied by becoming really flushed and my heart pounding and an increased rate of breathing (I dont find it hard to breathe or anything but my breathing just really speeds up). In some cases this has been accompanied by seeing spots, a mild ringing in my ears and sometimes a tingling sensation in my finger tips. I dont know if these are panic attacks as ive been reading on here and others seem to have more drastic symptoms such as passing out which i havn't experienced myself (although i do feel a bit light headed) but the only thing i can think about doing in these situations is getting out of where ever i am and usually going home. im usually fine after about 10-15mins but just feel so ashamed that i cant control my actions and just get on with my life. Its really getting to me and starting to affect my life in a negative way.What usually brings them on is situations i dont think i can deal with. Im not the most confident person in the world (im fine in casual situations) but things like doing university work in groups and talking/ giving presentations in front of a group of people absoloutly terrifies me. Also going to get help from a tutor about work can bring them on and i usually end up leaving without even seeing them. Also on a few occassions ive started to get these feelings when in a crowded shop or somethng, sometimes i can get over it but on other occassions ive just had to turn around put what i was going to buy back on the shelf and walk out of there as quickly as possible. Im usually fine when with a friend it just happens when im out on my own. What do you think it could be? and is there anything i can do about it? I dont think its Agorophobia as im not scared to be outside, and sometimes to get over them i got for a walk or something.Cheers fo any help.
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Is this a panic attack?
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Actually, they sound remarkably like panic attacks. As for the fainting, that's probably a very rare symptom of a panic attack.
It also sounds like you might have some agoraphobia. Agoraphobia isn't so much about not wanting to leave the house as much as it is a fear of being somewhere from where you can't escape...like a crowded shop or someting.I dunno...this looks like a textbook case from my psychopathology textbook. The good news is that if you go get an assessment there are ways to help you overcome this.
Keep us posted.
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cheers for the input, so you think i should get it checked out. I think thats probably a good idea its just im not registered with a doctor in the city where i study and its 100miles to home.
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I'm not sure where you live or what it takes to get "registered", but I would suggest you find someone close to where you are living now. If you need to visit a counselor/therapist/psychologist on a regular basis, you'll want him/her to be close by.
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cheers for the help, really appreciate it.
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sounds like a panic attack to me. maybe. you might wanna go to a doctor. or idk.