Panic Attack / Therapy...

[StevieBee]

Came home yesterday afternoon to find my son (22) in full panic attack.. shakes, sweats, crying, breathlessness - the full works. Calmed down after an hour or so and had a beer in the evening with him to chat things through.

He's a self employed PT. Works at a gym but the deal is his rent is a £1 less than his salary but keeps any fees from personal training. So it's down to him to win clients. He's very good at what he does and has had some success but is tough going. He said that what brought on the attack yesterday was the culmination of him worried about his future, his lack of drive to win customers even though he know he needs to, and a general sense that he needed to do something else but doesn't know what. He loves what he does and the people he works with so it's not the work per se.

He also said that he finds his head 'empty'. He'll sit down to draft up a marketing plan or something and just sits there looking at the screen. He knows what he needs to do but the dots aren't joining up to enable him to do it.

I can help him on the business side of things. There's no drugs involved (he's a fitness freak and doesn't even drink!). We've said that he doesn't have to worry about money. But we're of the belief that there's need for something else, counselling, therapy or whatever. We have joked about him having Adult ADHD in the past and am wondering if actually, there's some basis to this.

Having been blessed with sanity and no need for such things in the past, the route forward on this is a bit of a mystery to us and would be grateful for any pointers. GP first? Private?...

He's absolutely fine today but I do worry that the issues will remain without intervention.

Cheers chaps.

[23.7]

GP 1st. I know he's anti drugs, but they do help and gives a breathing space to work stuff out.

I also found hypnotherapy great, the relaxation techniques they'll teach work.

And a plan, I always feel more in control with a plan.

[pidsy]

Get a referral for CBT. Some local authorities have self referral routes (I know Hertfordshire does.

it’s really good at lessening anxiety and making you see the bigger picture.

[cologne2792]

Poor chap and hope he's feeling better soon.

There's a lot of it about at the moment.

I've had panic attacks for over 30 years, on and off and although they haven't been a major problem for a very long time they've really flared up in the last few months.

Uncertainty of the current situation we find ourselves in fuels stress and seems to lead to 'fear of fear' and in view of how crazy the last 18 months have been, it's hardly surprising.

CBT as suggested is very helpful plus a book on the mechanics of how they work, the triggers and how to manage them.

All the best.

[popeyewhite]

CBT won't address any existing core issue. Very good for certain things..like phobias, but maybe not so good when there's an underlying cause to the anxiety. I'd suggest a person-centred therapist.

Incidentally I've worked as a PT over many years, it's ridiculously competitive nowadays and hard to make any money. Your son has my sympathy. Perhaps he could look to specialising in a certain field?

[StevieBee]

Thanks for the advice chaps - very much appreciated.

Since the episode he's been much better and more focused. We're going to explore therapy but we've agreed that this needs to be led by him as and when.

Have since discovered a few of our friend's lads of a similar age have suffered similar so it seems that Covid may have had an impact on the type of people who'd normally brush such things aside. Who knows?

popeyewhite said:

Incidentally I've worked as a PT over many years, it's ridiculously competitive nowadays and hard to make any money. Your son has my sympathy. Perhaps he could look to specialising in a certain field?

He's started to look at 'proper' paid PT jobs. Regularity of income is something I think he now recognises as being beneficial. Has even mentioned teaching!

Thanks again - much love!