Panic Attack

My mother has dementia and for the last few years she's suffered with panic attacks. Several of my friends also have panic attacks. I feel blessed not to have experienced them myself but just watching my mother endure them has taught me that they are far more than just being nervous or a bit frightened. They are unpredictable, life altering, and much feared.

Panic Attack

I can't breathe.

I'm choking on air.

Help me move,

I'm glued to this chair!

I can't get out,

Can't open this door,

My feet won't hold me,

They're nailed to the floor.

I'm in a black hole,

I'm out of control,

Please God, lift me up,

I'm being swallowed whole.

I can't breathe,

My heart's full of fear,

I can't stand the pressure,

Help me get out of here!

Thoughts are spinning,

I know it's real,

Don't tell me I'm crazy,

I know what I feel.

You think I can fight it?

I can just turn my back?

Each second is Hell,

During a panic attack.

4/23/2010

Comments: 30

Sara H. Apr 23, 2010, 9:50pm UTC

I'm so sorry that your mother and friends to have to go through that.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 23, 2010, 10:51pm UTC

Thank you, Sara, I would never have understood how terrifying these attacks can be in my younger years. I'm sorry anyone ever has to go through these attacks.

Sara H. Apr 23, 2010, 11:21pm UTC

I don't want to even begin imaging what it would feel like. God bless those who have the strength to put up with them, not that they have a choice, but bless them to have the strength.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 24, 2010, 12:18am UTC

I totally agree with you, Sara!

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Dixie C. Apr 23, 2010, 10:28pm UTC

you so captured just what it is. have experienced many times. it is so not fun.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 23, 2010, 10:51pm UTC

Thank you, Dixie. I'm sorry that you have panic attacks. I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. I appreciate your feed back.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 25, 2010, 12:04am UTC

Thank you, Guy!

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Kathryn Flynn Apr 24, 2010, 12:20am UTC

yes, they are to be much feared. Meds can help. Specific meds and hypnosis, relaxation, often abuse of some sort might be a contributing factor from early on.

Featured in the Triple Name Club.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 24, 2010, 12:27am UTC

Kathryn, due to a panic attack with too much happening here at the same time last Friday, my mother's blood pressure spiked and we ended up in the ER to get it back down. Panic attacks are not only frustrating, they are dangerous to your health. I truly had no idea of how many people go through life having to deal with panic attacks. Thank you for commenting and for featuring this post.

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Diane Huizenga Apr 24, 2010, 12:45am UTC

Thankfully I have never had to endure a panic attack. Hope your mother feels better soon.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 24, 2010, 12:55am UTC

I'm glad you haven't, Diane! Thank you for the good wishes. I'm hoping we can both relax this weekend. You have a great weekend!

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Beth P. Apr 24, 2010, 3:19am UTC

discover the best medicine for panic attacks...
panicdotes by Rachel C Mohn
http://www.panicdotes.net
heard her at a woman's conference...loved the practical reality she shared!

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 25, 2010, 12:05am UTC

Thank you, Beth, I'm going to check this site out. I think many people could benefit from any help at all.

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Ruthi C. Apr 24, 2010, 11:15am UTC

Dianna, you've described the experience well; I've felt the panic attack hell.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 25, 2010, 12:08am UTC

Ruthi, I'm sorry that anyone has to have that experience. I'm the lucky one in this family, I think. My brother seems to have inherited more of my mother's genes and her medical issues. I have more of my father's genes I guess, because I don't have the same issues. It is a scary thing to see people you love suffering with so many problems.

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Ruthi C. Apr 24, 2010, 11:16am UTC

...smiles...
Thanks for adding Nuttin' But Sunshine to -- Sun Bespeckled Ink!
This is now Featured!

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 25, 2010, 12:09am UTC

Thank you, Ruthi, I'm honored.

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Leo Lemmer Apr 24, 2010, 5:29pm UTC

I have had a few over the years. There is no describing a panic attack. The textbook description "a feeling of impending doom" does not even begin.

An attack is simply worse than the worst nightmare.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 25, 2010, 12:11am UTC

Leo, I agree that there is no real description of a panic attack. I know that some people have them much more frequently and more severly than others and only someone who has felt that storm rise within them could know what it feels like. My writing was from observations only and I am thankful for that. I'm sorry that you've had to experience these attacks.

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Kushal Poddar Apr 24, 2010, 9:38pm UTC

I have gone through the phase too often. You are wonderful, wonderful writer.

the cells

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 25, 2010, 12:12am UTC

Thank you, Kushal, and I'm sorry that you could identify so closely with this particular writing. I would not wish panic attacks on my worst enemy. It bothers me to know that so many of my friends have to deal with them.

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Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen Apr 25, 2010, 8:28pm UTC

Your poem is pretty much what panic attacks are like. I have had some mild ones but now am on a med that has prevented them from happening.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 27, 2010, 7:05pm UTC

I sure hate to hear that anyone has these attacks. I really had no idea that so many people have them. I've had a lot of private messages from people who didn't want to post publicly about them and I'm feeling really blessed that I don't have them myself. Thank you for stopping by to read this.

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Sherrie H. Apr 26, 2010, 9:56am UTC

This is great. You really nailed it.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 27, 2010, 7:05pm UTC

Thank you, Sherrie. I truly appreciate that.

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Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Apr 28, 2010, 9:54pm UTC

You hit that one right on the head. My daughter has suffered for a couple of years. I had no idea what was causing them. It was scary. Then her husband walked out - just gone - no explanation - just I'm not happy. She was devastated, now a few months down that road and she realizes she hasn't had a panic attack since he left. And yes, she is doing just fine.

Dianna Doles-Petry Apr 28, 2010, 11:00pm UTC

I'm so glad she is not having the panic attacks anymore. She must have been living under a great deal of stress. Thanks for your comment and for sharing this information. I wish everyone who has these attacks could figure out what the trigger is for them.

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Panic Attack

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