Where does the panic disorder come from?

[lallieth]

I can pinpoint the exact date/event/time when I had my very first panic attack.I can pinpoint the cause as being a traumatic event and yet I never experienced anxiety/panic before that time.

I often think about,what if I hadn't gone through that particular event,would I have panic disorder today? and what if I were to relive that event,would it change how I view it,in that I have more understanding of anxiety/panic disorder?

Was something triggered in my brain at that particular moment/event?

I remember the days before panic & anxiety,before the need for medication and it was nice..While I know and understand that I need the medication and probably will for the rest of my life,I hate being a slave to it.

Perhaps its time for another visit with the therapist

 

[braveheart]

Re: Where does the panic disorder come from

I'm not sure. Those're good questions which I'll give some thought.
I know for me, because of very early trauma, I can't ever remember a time when I wasn't panicky or anxious.

 

[Halo]

Re: Where does the panic disorder come from

I am much the same as Braveheart when I can't remember a time when I wasn't anxious but like you I have a friend that can recall the exact time, place and location she was when she had her first panick attack. She has often wondered too if she had not engaged in a certain behaviour if she would not have had panick attacks.

My wonder is whether she had a predisposition to anxiety/panick attacks and they did not come out in full force until she was triggered by engaging in that certain behaviour.

I don't think that one will ever know for sure as going back is not possible but look forward is the only option now.

Take care
:hug: :hug:

 

[lallieth]

Thanks to you both

I suppose I could have a genetic predisposition to panic/anxiety disorder.But I remember being able to face huge crowds for singing/public speaking and not even feeling a bit nervous

Then bang,this one event and panic is by my side.I realize we can't go back,but I do wonder if I were to recreate that same scenario,if I could handle it differently now and in that,reassure my self that I do not need to feel that panic

Does that make sense?

 

[surferdude3]

I don't know if this will help you at all, but think of taking the medication as taking a vitamin. That's what I had to do. It's just like taking care of your body with eating healthy foods, only this is with your brain.

 

[Into The Light]

Thanks to you both

I suppose I could have a genetic predisposition to panic/anxiety disorder.

that is quite likely.

Then bang,this one event and panic is by my side.I realize we can't go back,but I do wonder if I were to recreate that same scenario,if I could handle it differently now and in that,reassure my self that I do not need to feel that panic

Does that make sense?

i can understand your thinking here. it's hard to answer that question because i do not know of the intensity of the event that triggered things. do you think you would have been able to handle it differently with the knowledge you have today?

 

[Daniel E.]

I often think about,what if I hadn't gone through that particular event,would I have panic disorder today?

I used to think it could have been the fact my onset of depression/OCD coincided with my loss of religious beliefs, but then a religious family member developed mental illness.

Now I just blame society I'm joking, of course, but some of my favorite links concerning social psychology:

Michael Zielenziger - Shutting Out the Sun - Hikikomori - Japanese Culture

Running on Emptiness: The Failure of Symbolic Thought--John Zerzan

American Mania: When More is Not Enough - Google Book Search

The Saturated Self: Dilemmas of ... - Google Book Search

Arrested Adulthood: The Changing ... - Google Book Search