Panic Disorder

[Guest]

I am a 22 yr old male student. I began using drugs recreationly only in my last few yrs at college. I have also been on medication for depression for about a year. I experienced a very acute panic attack after taking ecstacy for the second time. My heart rate was extremely fast and I began pounding on my chest for fear that it would stop. I eventually wound up at the hospital and was treated for palpitations and dehydration. They never really made it clear whether it was a drug overdose or a panic attack. Since the episode I have been really conscious of my heart and i am constantly checking my pulse to reassure myself that it is working correctly. Several times I have smoked marijuanna and noticed that after about 4 or 5 hits i have palpitations which have triggered panic sensations. Typically these feelings have only occured after smoking marijuana so i have stopped. I would like to know if there is a link between marijauna use and panic attacks and also if these attacks are likely to occur without the influence of drugs. I would also appreciate any advice on calming myself down when i feel an attack is imminent. Do you think i should seek professional help with this problem?

[Guest]

The symptoms you describe are certainly congruent with Panic. There is a link in some people between Marijuana,ecstacy and panic. Obviously, I would stay away from these drugs, stimulents such as cocaine or hallucinigens such as LSD. Some people eschew the use of caffeine for similar reasons. You can read about Panic Disorder on this site. Distraction such as doing other things, use of the intellect and knowlege that anxiety per se is not life threatening. I would not take my pulse too much as nothing is to be gained. If symptoms persist, then seeing either a behaviorally oriented therapist or the use of medications such as SSRI's or Benzodiazepines is indicated. Good luck. PS. Factual information on Ecstacy is available on Dancesafe.com
[quote] I am a 22 yr old male student. I began using drugs recreationly only in my last few yrs at college... [/quote]

[Guest]

Correction. The site is dancesafe.org
[quote] The symptoms you describe are certainly congruent with Panic. There is a link in some people between Marijuana,ecstacy and panic... [/quote]