Could use an outside opinion

[robin]

Hi everyone, I am a 24 year old male, I am a pilot currently in school finishing up to become a professional pilot if all goes well I should have a job for an airline in the next year. Ever sense I could remember I had some difficulty getting through awkward situations from time to time but nothing very significant, but this year has been very hard and I feel like I’m going backwards.

I have these panic attacks that started accruing when I would go to the airport for a flight and they only persist until I actually start flying then they are completely gone, but as the year goes on it seems that a lot of situations trigger these episodes. Just to name off a few times I got them, when I went to a haunted house, to a movie once, and I got them countless times on our trip to Florida this winter.

The last one and this one is what made me deside to post a message on here to get some input was today I went to get my hair cut, and it was at a place that I’ve been to numerous times.

Also I want to add that medication will never be an option for be, I cannot hold a medical certificate for my flying if I am on any type of anti-depression, or anti-anxiety.

Thank you in advance for any comments that you might have

[daley]

Self help books on overcoming panic disorder and agoraphobia have useful advice
when panicky, try to relax and accept what’s happening, don’t tense up or fight back and do breathe deep and slow
when you first realize that a panic attack has started it sometimes helps to hold the breath for a while then breathe deep a nd slow
panic attack sufferers don’t crash their cars, so I guess flying will be OK
you need to learn new methods of relaxing and calming yourself, these are usually called CBT skills
also read up on the fight or flight response and its effects on the net, this is usually involved with a panic attack

[pope]

"Also I want to add that medication will be an option for be, I cannot hold a medical certificate for my flying if I am on any type of anti-depression, or anti-anxiety."

then you will probably get better. I had panic attacks, depersonalization, social phobia and agoraphobia from 13 till I was 18.

If you don’t take medication it will probably never go away. Sure some people can get better other ways but that’s like 5 percent of people. And for some it’s a chemical imbalance that cant is fixed without meds. (or all??)

you also cant be a pilot if your going to be having panic attacks while flying.. Maybe take meds and stuff and then go back to finish becoming a pilot... panic attacks tend to get worse and continue on to even harsher things if left untreated...

i have to take meds for the rest of my life... if there was some other none medical cure. I would be cured...