Panic attacks and seasonal depression?

[MikoMum]

My DH is going through a really hard time right now. I think he's depressed--maybe seasonal?-- and he's been having panic attacks (this is all new to him). His Dr. put him on 'take as needed' meds (low dosage atrovan*sp?) but the side effects are almost as bad as the attacks. He's just not himself, he's so quiet and he's been sleeping lots. He's also very worried. He came home last night and broke down in tears at the back door. He had had a panic attack while brushing snow off of his van and he said it felt like he was going to die. He's so worried about dying and leaving us alone I just feel so helpless--I don't know what to do for him--I love that man so much! He has another Dr's appointment today (with a different Dr.) and I'm hoping they can figure out some way to help him. I've been thinking about getting a sun/mood lamp and maybe getting him on some herbals for mood elevation.

This has been difficult for me since I don't feel as if I can talk to my 'real life' friends about this. We're in such a small (redneck) town that I don't have any anoniminity (sp?) It doesn't help that DH works for MY family either. Everyone knows everyone else's business. This is all stressing me out as well, and being 29 weeks PG I'm a little concerned about how I'm internalizing all of this and how it may affect me postpartum.

If anyone can offer any advice I'd be very grateful

[koru]

i suffered from panic attacks for over a year & have thankfully gotten a pretty good handle on things. i also found that depression went hand-in-hand with the panic/anxiety because i felt like i would never be better & my life, as i knew it, was over.

first off, i've never taken medications. i strongly believe that panic can be dealt with on a mindful level. when i felt an "episode" coming on, i would do everything in my conscious power to not be afraid. the fear is what took it to the next level! sometimes i would use distraction (a quick walk, a phone call, a trip to the grocery store). other times i would fight it consciously. "this is NOT going to happen. these symptoms are all benign. i am not dying." and i've changed my breathing habits. deep breathing is essential for relaxation & should be done throughout the day....not just when an attack is iminent. exercise also helps. panic is a result of excess adrenaline & self-imposed adrenaline release seems to help somehow. i also occasionally take Rescue Remedy which is a combination of the bach flowers.

i know how scary & hopeless it can feel to be plagued by this craziness. and all sorts of other symptoms can accompany this, as well, like dizziness, fatigue, etc. the good news is, it CAN get better. encourage your husband to take time for himself, exercise, deep breathe & trust that his body is healthy.

and you should find someone to talk with about it, too....even if it's via phone to someone far away who won't spread the small town word. personally, i talked with everyone about what was happening with me because i felt it to be therapeutic & didn't want to be ashamed. i learned a lot from my friends & neighbors & was amazed at how many people suffer from anxiety & panic.

please pm me if you have any questions because i'd be glad to keep dialogue about this.

[MamaDimstam]

My husband has had major panic attacks and depression at various points in his life. I agree with the above poster that it is closely tied in with depression...which means that Ativan on it's own is ultimately not the best treatment for him. Is there any way you can get to another doctor? Or, hopefully your current doctor is open to other treatments. In my husbands case he ended up on Prozac, which did him a world of good. The Prozac didn't 'fix' his depression, but in the shorter term it did make the acute panic attacks go away, and more importantly, it got him to a place where he was able to do the deeper, more mindful work (like again what the poster above me describes) that he needed to do to heal. I'm a firm believer that medication isn't the cure-all, but it can be very very helpful in getting the depressed person to a state where they can do the 'real' work. Please feel free to PM me. And ((HUGS))...it's so hard to watch the one you love struggling like this.

[MikoMum]

He went to a different Dr. just after I posted this (I know this Dr. well). He was taken off the ativan and was sent for blood work with fasting and is also going for an EKG and a cat-scan. The Dr. said that one of DH's symptoms is stumping him---the fact that he kinda blanks out for about 30-60 seconds after an attack. He's been prescribed Paxil for the depression. We've had some good talks and I'm working on his 'social' health by getting him out of the house to do fun stuff. Thank you both for your input and support

[koru]

how's your husband doing?