Strange sensations

[Kahlil the Heretic]

The strangest thing has started happening to me lately, and I'm pretty baffled as to what it may be.

It all started about a month or two ago when I started having what I could only describe as "phantom memories." I would start to remember something that had happened to me, but as soon as I was about to remember, it would drift away. It happened several times, but I brushed it off, assuming I was just remembering parts of a dream that I had forgotten.

About three days ago, I woke up in a panic for no reason. There was a tightness in my chest, my blood started pumping, the world seemed bizarre and surreal, like something out of a dream...and, twenty seconds later, it passed. I assumed it was just the remainder of a bad dream and forgot about it.

Today I've felt the same feeling about four or five times...I get the faint glimpse of a bizarre memory, and this wave of surreal terror grips me for twenty seconds and then passes.

I know, I know...panic attacks. But why? Why now? I've never had them before in my life...why am I starting to get them? Dammit, another thing I have to contend with...thing of it is, I'm not even afraid of getting them. They seem to just "happen" for no reason. I'm going to see my school's counseling center for some more insight...there is a huge chance that this will all pass, but I just needed to get it out.

What does it sound like to you all? Thanks for listening.

[TheWomanMonster]

Some people (like me!) get unprovoked panic attacks. Others have ones triggered by a certain situation or scenario (like going grocery shopping or speaking in public).

I've just started on some medication to control them and already I'm noticing a difference.

Not sure about the 'phantom memories' though.

Good idea going to the school's counsellors. Hope that they have some suggestions for you.

[NefertSatSekhmet]

My first thought is suppressed memories trying to surface and causing panic attacks. I am familiar with this phenomenon in abuse survivors. Is there something in your past that you don't want to remember? Any history of abuse? Because the memories are subconscious, you wouldn't even be consciously aware of the trigger, but some trigger may be making you remember something long since hidden. Or maybe it is just a dream as you said. Some people do suffer panic attacks for no apparent reason.

[Kahlil the Heretic]

Hm...nope, no traumatizing experiences that I can remember.

Today was actually a lot better though...it really wasn't on my mind, and I only felt it once as I was waking up.

I'm sure this is transient, I just wanted a little input. Thanks for the advice.

[Nitefalle]

Could be a biological response to something happening in your body?

About six years ago, my sister was on a diet - she had struggled with her weight for a number years after all the kids were born. She was being monitored by a doctor, thinking she was taking a healthy approach in which she had these little powder packets that she could make either into a pudding or a drink, depending on how much water she added, and she could also have diet sodas. That was it. After remaining on this diet for about nine months, she started having panic attacks for no apparent reason. They did a physical on her and she eventually had to have her gall bladder removed because it was filled with sludge and not functioning properly anymore. I personally believe that her panic attacks were her bodies way of freaking the F out over the insane diet she was on, the junk she was putting in her body between diet Coke and those powder mixes and the fact that she wasn't really getting a rounded diet out of it. Now, she's struggled with them ever since, and I don't really have any theories on that, but....there you go.

Have you changed anything in your diet or exercise recently? I know you were feeling anxious awhile ago about feeling you were in a rut - did you ever make any progress on that situation? Perhaps this stems from that? I very much encourage speaking to the school counselor, and if you ever need an extra ear, feel free to PM me. :hugz:

[Kahlil the Heretic]

I've actually been ok for several days now. Monday and Tuesday were killer for some reason...now I'm on top of the world. Weirdest thing...

Sorry to hear about your sister. Is she holding up ok now?

[SphinYote]

Wouldn't apply to you, but mine are cyclical given time of month.

They are a recent development, no weird memory issues, but certainly a bad feeling. Not long ago was a three day episode with no sleep because of anxiety.

Lately its been sudden onset, no warning.

Fear was last spring and summer--feeling of something bad going to happen, this dread that just came out of nowhere and lingered. Nightmares of past, combined with another version of reality.

There are a lot of other factors, too, events in my life right now causing steress, but something about your post struck me, so just saying that I wish you good luck, and hope that it stays a transient, one time thing.

Glad you're feeling better.

Yote

[magic_promises]

i have these horrible panick attack and i thought at first for no reason !!! it has taken me a while to relise that i was pushing my mind and body too much oftern expecting myself to cope with things that are bothering me.

a good tip is to take time out. if i get one going to work i go home !! i know not always possible then i calm down and think why cant i go today oftern i have put off somthing that i dont want to do and i am not thinking about it but my subconsious is!!! or if i am scared i reason my self out of them but first get yourself outa the situation that is causing it. i have to add ive been to hospital a number of times with these but my advise is chill out relax and maybe they will get a little better.

hope this helps i know everyones are different
xxx