Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...
I am just finishing up a panic attack. It was a reasonable one though it lasted longer than I would have like. Felt like hours but more like 40 mins. It was not one of those heart racing, can't breath ones, but it was more of a sense of dread, am I going to die panic attack.
Quick background: I am having heart issues, and my doctors have scared the crap out of me. I have real chest pains and have been put on 3 new meds that are supposed to help my heart function better (tons of new side effects and sensations). Also I am having chest pressure from locked chest muscles that seem to only release with muscle relaxers. So when I have a panic attack I have to guess, or well gamble, that I am not actually having a heart attack. This is my trigger lately so at least I know why I am having the panic attacks.
This attack made me sit up a few times and I paid attention. My first instinct was to reach for the valium, but I held back and am trying the "experience" the panic attack and do exposure therapy. Each attack I "experience" and follow through takes me one step closer to breaking the fear of the panic attack/ panic trick. I want to get to the point where I can recognize the panic attack, say, "Ah crap the sucks, but I will be fine.", experience the attack and get on with my day and my life. What I am really shooting for is the panic to just be gone forever, but at this point weaker panic attacks, less panic attacks, and knowledge of what I am really feeling is cool.
Main thing I did was do my belly breathing and do the opposite of what I normally do which is reach for the valium. It is a start, trying to my physical health and mental health one day at a time.
Quick background: I am having heart issues, and my doctors have scared the crap out of me. I have real chest pains and have been put on 3 new meds that are supposed to help my heart function better (tons of new side effects and sensations). Also I am having chest pressure from locked chest muscles that seem to only release with muscle relaxers. So when I have a panic attack I have to guess, or well gamble, that I am not actually having a heart attack. This is my trigger lately so at least I know why I am having the panic attacks.
This attack made me sit up a few times and I paid attention. My first instinct was to reach for the valium, but I held back and am trying the "experience" the panic attack and do exposure therapy. Each attack I "experience" and follow through takes me one step closer to breaking the fear of the panic attack/ panic trick. I want to get to the point where I can recognize the panic attack, say, "Ah crap the sucks, but I will be fine.", experience the attack and get on with my day and my life. What I am really shooting for is the panic to just be gone forever, but at this point weaker panic attacks, less panic attacks, and knowledge of what I am really feeling is cool.
Main thing I did was do my belly breathing and do the opposite of what I normally do which is reach for the valium. It is a start, trying to my physical health and mental health one day at a time.
I understand how heart issues can turn into panic/anxiety. I pulled a chest muscle once and was a mess until my doctor found the problem.
You and I are on a few other threads. Look into mindfulness as another tool to help you through the attacks. Jon Kabat-Zinn has a great set of mindfulness meditations that help with breathing and allowing your mind to let anxiety go. Takes practice, but it's along the lines of what you are going.
Again, you really impress me with how you are dealing with this.