Meet Alison and Ferg

Meet Alison:

I first had a panic attack in a lecture at university. I had gone as an older student to study nursing and didn’t really know many people as I didn’t live in. I really thought I was going to die when I first had a panic attack. It was horrible. My heart was beating out my chest and I could not catch my breath. I ran outside and everything seemed to slow down around me. People were staring and someone called an ambulance. After that, the attacks became more regular. I started to avoid any busy, crowded place in case it happened again. I stopped socialising. I couldn’t go on the bus or train. I didn’t like driving on busy roads. Everything became hard, even getting past my front door. I woke up having one sometimes, which was terrifying. I had read about CBT online and wanted to try it to get my life back. I wanted to be able to finish my course and be able to travel to placements. I referred myself for an assessment. It was probably the hardest thing I have done, but so worth it.

Physical symptoms

Heart racing Shaking Sweating Rapid breathing Dry mouth

Behaviours

Avoiding busy, crowded places Missing lectures Only going out at quiet times Ordering everything online Avoiding the cinema Only driving locally outside of rush hour

Altered thoughts

“What if I am having a heart attack?” “I am going to pass out” “If I go out without water I will have an attack” “I must keep myself safe”

Meet Ferg:

I went to my GP for help. I didn’t feel able to go out anywhere without Joe, my partner. He had to take me to work and collect me each day around his own job, or I would have to work from home. Places like bars, restaurants and shops all became a no go. Even if we needed a pint of milk, I would wait for Joe to come home and get one. I would only do it when it was really quiet, as a last resort. It was all really hard on our relationship. I stopped playing 5-aside and going to the gym. I even avoided sex, as that could bring it on. Exposure and habituation wasn’t easy, it was the total opposite of what I wanted to do to be honest! But hiding away had just made life worse for us both. Facing my fears has given us both our lives back. I can sit in a cafe, go to restaurants, the cinema, do the shopping and have started commuting to work again. I feel like the old me again.

Physical symptoms

Rapid heart beat Pins and needles Shaking Sweating Dizziness

Behaviours

Avoiding the gym and exercise Avoiding going out alone Avoiding public transport Taking the lift rather than the stairs Avoiding sex

Altered thoughts

“I can’t cope with another attack” “I don’t feel safe unless Joe is with me” “I am going to collapse” “All this anxiety is weakening my heart”