I keep having panic attacks

[Lex Diamonds]

Like my vision goes all blurred and fucked and my mind goes totally blank and I feel like I'm about to pass out. They last for like 30 seconds each, and have been happening more regularly over the last week or so. I first had one about 2 weeks ago.

I think part of it is psychosomatic (if I had to self-diagnose I'd say I'm a paranoid schizophrenic) but it's also gotta have something to do with the fact I'm going to uni tomorrow. I'm totally not ready, I can see myself fucking it all up and failing and ending up with 10k debt and no chance of a decent job.

I'm considering whether I should see a doctor but I'm about 80% sure it's nothing medication could sort out, and they'd just tell me to stop drinking and doing drugs (fuck that shit). Also, fuck psychiatrists. I don't want some smug middle aged woman with a dried up vagina telling me about me.

Any advice? I think I just need to change my frame of mind.

Anyone had anything similar?

[ToucanSpam]

I know you aren't going to like this but seeing a doctor just once might give you some insight as to why these are happening. I'm not saying that you have to see a shrink or anything but at least they will give you an idea of where to start off.


Also, you probably are not a paranoid schizophrenic if you are only have short panic attacks. I'm not an expert on the issue but my dad works with people with those kinds of disorders. Schizophrenics typically hear voices or random noises and possibly delusions and really confusing speech patterns.

I think that you might be really worked up about going to university for the first time. If they continue after a week of school then it might be beneficial to go see a doctor just once. Personally, I've seen/heard people I know say similar things and it really is a matter of just trying to keep your mind off of the high-stress upcoming event. Maybe watch a movie you really like or spend a lot of time with friends.(y)

[Lex Diamonds]

I know what a paranoid schizophrenic is. Trust me, I'm pretty fucked up.

Thanks for the concern, you're a decent guy. Although I don't think the solution is to distract myself. On the contrary I think the problem is I've been pushing shit to the back of my mind for years and trying to ignore things, and that's why I'm suddenly getting this dawning realisation that something big is about to happen in my life and it won't just go away if I ignore it. I need to step up and take responsibility but my personality, habits and lifestyle make it near enough impossible.

[mikizee]

Get more exercise

and if that doesnt fix it, at least you will be fitter.

[Lex Diamonds]

Yeah, I heard just the other day that exercise had links to mental health. Now if I could just stop being so fucking lazy I would go for it. I need to buff up a little anyway, these chicks at uni aren't going to seduce themselves.

[100% ILL]

perhaps you should change your avatar. It seems you are being taken over by Tony Soprano.

[ToucanSpam]

I know what a paranoid schizophrenic is. Trust me, I'm pretty fucked up.

Thanks for the concern, you're a decent guy. Although I don't think the solution is to distract myself. On the contrary I think the problem is I've been pushing shit to the back of my mind for years and trying to ignore things, and that's why I'm suddenly getting this dawning realisation that something big is about to happen in my life and it won't just go away if I ignore it. I need to step up and take responsibility but my personality, habits and lifestyle make it near enough impossible.

You seem to understand what it is you have to do. When I say 'watch a movie' I don't exactly mean distract yourself from the issue. Staggering the confrontation with reality by doing what you have to do then taking a break with simple pleasures can be effective in alleviating stress. Trust me, as a Masters student who moved away from home for the first time, I've never watched more movies in my life trying to adjust to the big change.


And if I can do it, someone as incredibly headstrong as yourself can definitely do it.(y)

[Lex Diamonds]

perhaps you should change your avatar. It seems you are being taken over by Tony Soprano.Ha yeah, I made that link the other day. Only pop culture panic attack reference I could think of (apart from one-offs like Fear And Loathing). I'm basically exactly like Tony Soprano (but without the power, money or cool voice).

[RoryMC]

If you were a paranoid schizo then I suppose 100% of what you write on here is a load of bullshit. You seem a pretty switched on and clued up guy so I doubt it's as bad as that.

Schizophrenia is one hell of a disorder.

Or maybe you do have it and you don't pound the vag as much as you say you do?

[Lex Diamonds]

I think I lie about shit in real life quite a lot but not on here. Plus I often think that people are talking about me or have some problem with me or there's a secret I'm not in on, etc. I cover it up pretty well though, I think. None of my friends think I'm mental or anything.

I think it comes out more on here in the way that I literally have two personalities, depending on my mood.

It's mostly only when I'm stoned (which come to think of it is like 80% of the time). That's the only time I talk to myself in my head and shit, too.

[100% ILL]

Start going to group counseling, you'll quickly realize you're not nearly as screwed up as everyone else, and develop a sense of superiority that will catapult you through the rest of your life.


And mabey find a better grade of weed

[Lex Diamonds]

I know I'm not as fucked up as many, but weed does have a habit of making you delusional. Fuck it, I bet by Sunday I'll be fine and back to my usual level of craziness.

[roosta]

Trust me, I'm pretty fucked up.


Hmm...how can we trust you? If you are so fucked up? And paranoid schizophrenic?

[100% ILL]

In all seriousness, I was having some of these same issues a couple of years ago. I guess I realized I waas just spending too much time analyzing myself. Once you start school you'll be too busy to think about it.

[Lex Diamonds]

Hmm...how can we trust you? If you are so fucked up? And paranoid schizophrenic?
I'm not saying you can, am I? That's kinda the point. Think what you want.

Anyway I'm not saying it's full blown. I'm saying I've got a mild version of it. It's not like Gangster Number 1 or Revolver or anything.

[Waus]

What are you going to uni for?

[Burnout18]

Get rid of the tony soprano picture, that might help.

[easy 3]

I was having weird head-spin things for quite a few weeks after I got beaten up recently - I got my head smashed into a wall and might have been a bit knocked out for a minute. The head-spin things seemed to happen when I tipped my head back (first thing in the morning getting out of bed would usually cause a pretty strong one) I spend quite a lot of time with my head tipped back whilst on top of a ladder at work so it was getting a bit worrying for a minute.

I eventually went to the Doctor and they did some very basic balance, blood-pressure and concussion-type tests - I'm really not sure what was wrong and the Doctor could do little other than to reassure me that he didn't think it was anything major, and luckily they seem to have calmed down recently (can't remember having one for about a week now - it's a real relief).

Anyway, like I say - short of seeing some kind of head-specialist it might be difficult to diagnose the real problem, so look after yourself man - and good luck with the whole University thing.

[Freebasser]

10k debt

Hahaha! Kids today are so naive!

Try 30k+.

I have 20k and fees have gone up since then (and are still going up), and don't forget good ol' "top-up fees", accommodation and of course the day-to-day living expenses courtesy of whichever bank you sell your soul to.


Err... I mean, have a blast! :/

[Sarky Devotchka]

take a break from the green stuff. sometimes when I start feeling panicky or depressed and really irritable I realize that I've been high for like a week straight or something (not all day mind you, but like every night, maybe some afternoons). you gotta break that shit up or your brain goes all foggy. also, are you doing hallucinogens? that could exacerbate or cause any sort of underlying psychological problems you may have.

and pills, you like pills right? those totally break your brain.

I really think a little moderation, exercise and a healthier diet would do wonders. at least take some vitamins and drink more water.

[Dharma]

Sounds more like anxiety then a panic attack.

Relax ... You'll be fine.

You should be excited, the goods times are about to begin.

Do you have any idea what you want to do with your life?

[checkyourprez]

I think I lie about shit in real life quite a lot but not on here. Plus I often think that people are talking about me or have some problem with me or there's a secret I'm not in on, etc. I cover it up pretty well though, I think. None of my friends think I'm mental or anything.

I think it comes out more on here in the way that I literally have two personalities, depending on my mood.

It's mostly only when I'm stoned (which come to think of it is like 80% of the time). That's the only time I talk to myself in my head and shit, too.

I use to get some of those thoughts a lot when i was stoned alllll the time too. I didnt really get the panic attack stuff though. I haven't smoked in a good bunch of months and they're no longer there. I still love weed, Im just not smoking at the moment to maintain some clear piss for a job. But once I'm back on the weed train moderation will be the key. When your stoned all day every day you start to forget who you are almost. Just give the pipe a rest for a bit. Should clear everything up.

[camo]

Chill out mate, uni is fun. You'll meet friends you'll keep for the rest of your life and you'll have stories like climbing on the roof of HSBC whilst pissed and having to have the fire brigade get you down to tell your grand kids.

Change is scary, but without it things gets stale.

[checkyourprez]

^ seriously.


i dont know how much different uni is over there than college over here, but college was a fucking blast. i wish i never left.

[kaiser soze]

You are not a schizophrenic paranoid, it is a condition that shouldn't be taken lightly and you would need treatment before you even knew you were schizophrenic

You might have high anxiety

you strike me as a little bit compulsive with an addictive personality and still in that egocentric invincible bubble adolescents usually live in

could it be side effects or withdrawal symptoms from your chemical consumptions?

[Randetica]

he is also a pathological liar

[gbsuey]

I would say Dharma said what i was gonna-unless you can't function properly and your life is taking a nosedive i think you just need to chill. sounds to me like you got things under control-you could be sitting and vegetating on your lazy ass but you got it together to get to Uni.

Maybe give your head the chance to pop up from the weed cloud for a day and see how you feeling.

i hate doing this advice shit cause i end up staring out the window thinking who the fuck am i to give advice? or i just feel really old-whatever-try and not let things stress you-that's a real fucker.

[rirv]

Don't worry - I finished Uni over a year ago, have about £16,000 of debt and still haven't got a proper job. Your panic attacks are entirely justified.

[BangkokB]

Try laying off the caffeine: I had 2 teas 2day and had to take a Valium to calm down. I was spinning around faster than the Tasmanian Devil

"You can't understand a users mind
But try with your books and degrees"

[funk63]

I know what a paranoid schizophrenic is. Trust me, I'm pretty fucked up.

Thanks for the concern, you're a decent guy. Although I don't think the solution is to distract myself. On the contrary I think the problem is I've been pushing shit to the back of my mind for years and trying to ignore things, and that's why I'm suddenly getting this dawning realisation that something big is about to happen in my life and it won't just go away if I ignore it. I need to step up and take responsibility but my personality, habits and lifestyle make it near enough impossible.

If your a paranoid schizo theres nothing you can really do. Its something your born with. My mom is one and I cant fucking stand her. Shes completely into herself and If you disagree with her prepare for the wrath of hell. She clawed me with her nails on my back when I was a kid because I didnt finish all my cereal, I still have the scars. The fucked up thing is the nicer you are and the more you try and comform with their warped perception the more they seem to lash out. I dont think your a schizo, but hey I only know one. You seem like a fairly reasonable person.
All I can say is stop dem damn drugs, or go on a nature walk or something.

[funk63]

If your a paranoid schizo theres nothing you can really do. Its something your born with. My mom is one and I cant fucking stand her. Shes completely into herself and If you disagree with her prepare for the wrath of hell. She clawed me with her nails on my back when I was a kid because I didnt finish all my cereal, I still have the scars. The fucked up thing is the nicer you are and the more you try and comform with their warped perception the more they seem to lash out. I dont think your a schizo, but hey I only know one. You seem like a fairly reasonable person.
All I can say is stop dem damn drugs, or go on a nature walk or something.

You are not a schizophrenic paranoid, it is a condition that shouldn't be taken lightly and you would need treatment before you even knew you were schizophrenic


Yeah