Panic Disorder: Lived Experience

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Amanda Stern grew up with an undiagnosed panic disorder and was plagued with fear that her friends and family would be taken from her or die. In this conversation, Amanda shares how her life has been impacted by anxiety caused by panic disorder and how she eventually found healing through therapy. She went on to write a memoir, "Little Panic: Dispatches from an Anxious Life" along with a series of children's books and is an advocate and public speaker helping to erase the stigma of Panic Disorder.
0:00 Intro
01:20 This week's guest
02:49 Early signs of anxiety & panic disorder
09:49 Avoiding her fears vs. facing them
13:39 Being diagnosed with panic disorder as an adult
21:00 How Amanda's panic disorder symptoms manifested
25:51 Finding the right treatment for her panic disorder
36:24 How Amanda manages her anxiety & panic
50:54 Amanda's advice for anyone battling panic disorder & anxiety
55:00 Outro
Learn more about Amanda at.....
Instagram: / alittlestern
Twitter: / amandastern
Purchase Little Panic: Dispatches from an Anxious Life: www.amazon.com/Little-Panic-D...
Subscribe to Amanda's weekly newsletter: amandastern.beehiiv.com
#mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #medcircle #psychology #panicdisorder #anxietydisorder #anxiety #anxietyrelief

[@anglenawaller5322]

As someone living with panic disorder, I am looking forward to hearing this lived story. Sometimes in the middle of a panic attack we can feel so alone and think no one else experiences the same thing. I wouldn't wish a panic attack and the dread of another one occurring on anyone. Thank you in advance of my listening for sharing your story. Blessings and Peace!!

[@Adehadynia]

I got my first panic attack out of nowhere this february and after that it happened every single day for weeks (sometimes multiple times a day). My symptoms were: very high blood pressure, dizziness, increased heart rate, huge anxiety and my feet and hands were getting very cold. I also had a feeling like I couldn't move and just stared at the wall for 30 minutes. I couldn't go to work, meet my friends and even go for a walk. Finally I was sent to a psychiatrist and she diagnosed me with panic disorder on the spot. I got medication and started to feel better after another month. I went to therapy too and my life is getting back on track now. To anyone suffering from panic disorder: With right meds and (most importantly) therapy, you can overcome this. You are not alone in this and you are not going crazy. It's a very hard illness, but please treat yourself with kindness. I'm sending virtual hugs to anyone who needs it

[@JustaDude7297]

How are you doing now. And what medication were you given.

[@Adehadynia]

@@JustaDude7297 Hi! I'm feeling much, much better now! I'm making progress with therapy and looking back, I think I struggled with smaller panic attacks/anxiety since I was 17 (I'm 33 now). I take sertraline and lamotrigine (the latter works for my adhd too - I was taking that even before the attacks, but smaller doses). I got prescribed Xanax too for extreme situations, but I try to avoid taking it since it's a very strong drug. I hope you are good too!

[@nina2592]

I have the worst anxiety/panic disorder! It's down right debilitating at times, I actually was worried about becoming scared of leaving the house because my grandmother was like that but I keep pushing myself to go out and deal with the anxiety or it's going to get harder for me to do so. Agoraphobia is genetic, I think. I can definitely understand now what my poor grandma was going through when she was alive 😢 she was always nervous and it got worse for her to the point where she was bedridden in her later years.

[@terryrustad1800]

Sounds traumatic and challenging to navigate life under those conditions.... Sending prayers and healing vibes 💫

[@2tzus]

I had panic disorder when I was in my 20s, it was terrible. I've found changing my diet to be the most significant in getting rid of it entirely. Whole foods, low carb. An elimination diet is the best place to start.

[@maleidi]

yes i found out too in my teens , intuitively that eating less carbs and exercising helped a lot. Sugar always made me feel ungrounded and anxious without control

[@HappyGirl4666]

I have panic disorder and anxiety , my councellor about a decade ago said I probably developed when I was separated from my mom when I was a year old and sent to live with my grandparents. My parents were an on and off relationship, we left all other family members to move across the country when I was 4. Like the lady speaking children didn’t have anxiety or panic when I was a kid. I am almost 60.I finally completely fell apart in my 40’s and became non functional. Like the child mentioned I never wanted to sleep. I still don’t .

[@toshaobrien4280]

I really appreciate these videos. I have bipolar disorder, and have had panic attacks during my entire life. I didn’t get diagnosed with bipolar until I was I was 37 years old. I did the usual thing where I got stable and decided I was ok. I was used to managing it. At 40 I got a job that I loved and couldn’t afford to blow up my life. I realized it wasn’t fair to put my partner through these mood shifts either. Anyway, I still had irritability and panic attacks when I was overstimulated and sometimes for no reason. It wasn’t until last year that I decided to go in and have a full psychological evaluation. I am 44 years old. It turned out that I have GAD, social anxiety, ADHD, and Bipolar Disorder. I finally got treated for ADHD. ALL the social anxiety went away. It turns out that the social anxiety was from losing my train of thought l (or the fear of it) and being over stimulated. Most of the general anxiety went away. I don’t feel overwhelmed by my house getting a little cluttered or being in a classroom setting. I even got a job where I lead meetings!!! It changed my life, and I am so grateful. I don’t need any medication for anxiety. I am shocked, and so grateful.

[@Kataleena22]

Thank you for sharing! How were you treated for ADHD? A certain medication?

[@avi10000]

I have so much pain for what this lady lived through. bc I have been in the anxiety disorder situation. I am soooo glad she is now past it. Amanda was in 'Breakdown' mode even as a young child.

[@terryrustad1800]

Excellent! Many Thanks! 💫

[@SheilaChung-rt5iy]

Thank you ❤

[@lilytea3]

0:34: 😰 Amanda Stern grew up with an undiagnosed panic disorder, causing her to experience distress and panic on a daily basis. 11:01: 👩‍👧‍👧 The speaker's mother tried to help with her anxiety but ended up doing the wrong things. 5:40: 📚 The video discusses the challenges of expressing emotional pain as a child and the importance of adults understanding and supporting them. 15:18: 😔 The speaker describes their struggle with a fear of leaving their house and their decision to end their life. 20:26: 😓 Panic disorder is often misunderstood and people make incorrect assumptions about it. 26:12: 😫 The speaker discusses their experience with panic disorder and how they initially used exposure therapy to face their fears. 30:43: 😰 Being buried alive is the most terrifying thing for people with anxiety and panic. 35:42: 🧠 Managing mental health is a lifelong endeavor with unrealistic expectations of quick fixes. 40:49: 👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker discusses the importance of their mother in their life and how therapy helped them overcome their struggles. 45:49: 💡 It is important to identify and name the distress in your body to understand your feelings and learn how to cope with them. 51:27: 💡 The speaker offers advice for those struggling with panic disorder and anxiety. Recap by Tammy AI

[@AveriesMiranda]

Wow this is extremely helpful. I have GAD and PTSD but I’m thinking there’s most definitely PD there.

[@pennylacombe4763]

I believe this is the Reason that Dolly Parton is such a dynamic success both in her personal life and her career! She says that she grew up with many siblings and very little family control over her days as a child…… her life wasn’t “managed “ by her parents because there just wasn’t enough time for the constant intervention and attention that today’s children are getting. Hands-off gives the kids opportunities for growth through trial and error ❤

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

I have ptsd & panic attacks since i was very young....i have had treatment & take appropriate medications & work very carefully with my physicians. I'm having issues with a few people who are aware of my diagnosises and go out of their way too get an emotional response from me by being cruel & taun ting me to the point I'm actively having a full blown panic attacks & so much fear Im in tears & cowering in a corner. I'm to the point where I can't do what I need to do because of their presence. Any suggestions? Im at a loss because these are professional prople I have to have limited contact with these people. Any suggestions?

[@heartbrokenamerican2195]

I have generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks. My husband is extremely verbally ad mentally abusive, and very controlling. He won’t let me talk to a therapist because it would take away from the time I spend with him, snd he’s afraid I would say bad stuff about him yo the tgerapist

[@dianalyon5609]

Get the help you deserve. Huge red flag 🚩! Yikes

[@nonagem8285]

This is sad to hear. Weigh your pros and cons living this way forever or getting help, living healthier and talking to a therapist or support group about your husband's behavior. It's not helping you at all. It may be exacerbating the issues.

[@luckdavis7057]

Your husband is a Narcissist n apart of the problem

[@arturkohut]

Is it only me or Jackie fake “wowing” and “right right” are sometimes inappropriate or even rude 😮

[@gbaglondon]

I wouldn’t say it is fake responses, It is just her personality and how she is, after watching a few episodes you see this.

[@TiaraHelen]

I imagine it might be helpful for the speaker if she's getting the feedback from Jackie but it would be better for me if she wasn't shown as I find all the knowing nodding, yes's, and empathic faces very distracting to watch. I would like to just see Amanda except when Jackie is asking the questions.

[@alias_peanut]

Warning for me medcircle is really clear and confusing same host Kyle. and multiple yt comments.