I was diagnosed with depression four years ago, and was prescribed 20 mg. of Prozac a day. This has been extremely effective. I now only take Prozac when I feel as if I cannot control the depression myself. Twice within the past month, the most recent being last night, I suffered what I now believe to be panic attacks. While I did not have a racing heart or actual shortness of breath, I awoke feeling uncomfortably warm and while not suffocating, I had a feeling of smothering. I felt a need to leave my darkened room, because it seemed that the room was causing the smothering. I went downstairs to the kitchen and got a glass of water, which seemed to help somewhat.

I then took a Prozac and went back up the stairs, but did not want to enter my bedroom. I just felt the most overwhelming need to scream or run. I sat at the top of the stairs for several minutes during which time I sobbed uncontrollably, after which I felt some relief and went back to bed and slept. Both attacks have been in my bedroom, at night and awakening from a sound sleep. I am not sure if it is triggered by a dream, because I have no memory of dreaming when I awake. I am female, 59 years old, and in excellent health. I walk four miles per hour daily, either on my treadmill or an outside track. I do 50 to 100 sit-ups daily. I try to lead a very active life, and until last night, it did not occur to me that what I was experiencing was a panic attack.

I intend to try not to anticipate the next one. Rather, I will go back on daily doses of Prozac to try to ward them off. Thanks for listening.

    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 4 May 2006
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