Have you tried a variety of treatments, tips, and tricks for stopping your panic attacks, with little or no results? If so, it may be time to see a professional, but to ward off any anxiety you may have about doing so, you can arm yourself with knowledge of what to expect during your first visit to the doctor.
If you have kept a journal related to your attacks, definitely take that with you, it will help you to fill out forms that ask for specific information about your symptoms. This process is going to start off with you answering a great many questions, so be prepared to provide information as accurately as you can. The following is a list of some of the information you can expect to have to provide.
You will need to provide a history of prior illnesses and surgeries, and even if it is difficult to remember exact dates, be as accurate as you can.
Have you ever experienced a traumatic event that stands out in your mind, and that still makes you uncomfortable to think about? Traumatic events can be anything from a divorce or breakup, a loved one dying, a natural disaster that you either lived through or felt particularly sad about or even things like your children moving out or going away to college.
Providing an accurate list of medications (and the dosage for each) that you are taking, or have taken over the last six months or so is going to be very important.
Be prepared to provide information on whether anyone in your family has or used to have panic or anxiety attacks.
A completely honest answer is going to be required related to any questions your doctor asks you about your alcohol consumption on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, as alcohol is a proven trigger for attacks.
No matter how uncomfortable it may be for you to answer questions about recreational drug use, it is going to be particularly important for you to do so, since these, too, can trigger attacks.
How much coffee, or caffeinated soda or other beverages do you drink on a daily basis? What happens if you don’t get your morning cup of coffee; for example, do you get a headache, or are you too tired to function without it?
Your journal can also help you answer questions about how often you feel anxious or stressed, and how you know that you are about to have an attack.
Be prepared to discuss your individual triggers with your doctor. These can be things such as having heart palpitations when you must drive, or experiencing increased anxiety when riding in an elevator.
Just remember to be as thorough and honest as possible, and if you remember things later that you did not share, write them down so that you can let your doctor know during your next visit.
Want more information? Visit Ending Panic Attacks and find plenty of informative content ranging from general information about anxiety to very specific “how to” info on panic attacks.
Category: Health