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...

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Which music?

ZenEm
ZenEm
I'm only new to this community, and am really finding everyone's discussions and comments incredibly helpful. Thank you! So many people are saying they use music to help soothe and calm the panic. I know it's probably a personal choice, but I'm interested to know which music / artists you find most helpful? I'd like to expand my collection somewhat.

I personally like 'Macchu Picchu' by Rusty Crutcher (yes, that's his real name). I find that breathing meditation tapes actually induce panic attacks - as soon as I focus on the breath I find I want to yawn but can't, and then the panic starts.

Any suggestions?
bebu
bebu
I have the exact same experience with the breathing tapes. I think it is because I start concentrating on my breathing and then realize that I'm not breathing properly - then the attack starts. I use yawning as a "tool" which you are actually not supposed to do, apparently, but I feel as if it puts more air into my lungs. As for music it is a personal choice. It may sound dumb but I usually listen to music that makes me cry when I'm having an attack. The crying somehow aliviates the symptons, no idea why this works but it does.
ZenEm
ZenEm
Yeah, actually I find that about crying - if I can get a good sob session going, then the panic subsides. Go figure! Seems like working up and through some sort of crisis point without knowing quite what you're 'crisising' about... if that makes sense :)
bebu
bebu
Makes perfect sense to me!! - but don't try explaining it to anyone without attacks, cause trust me you will get "looks"
deleted_user
deleted_user
So weird what you guys say about crying. I've noticed if I'm crying about something or have been crying I have NO anxiety. I can get in my car, drive around, go stand in line (which is a big panic for me usually). I think it's 2 things: crying releases a lot of emotional and sometimes physical stress, and it's a good distraction from other symptoms that bring on PAs.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I also find that if I can have a good sob, the panic goes away.
I recently found that David Bowie music calms me down some, silly as it sounds. I also listen to Celtic rock.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I like to listen to classical music or relaxation music to help make the attack go away.
deleted_user
deleted_user
my favorite relaxation tapes are classical soundtracts to movies such as scent of a woman, out of africa, red violin, green card
deleted_user
deleted_user
Have you ever listend to jazz? A friend of mine who lives in japan recently sent me lots of jazz cd . They are soothing and calming. The one i like the most is julie london.I had never even thought of listening to jazz before so maybe you should give it a listen.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have read some what of the other posters have said about crying helping ,and it is true. After i have finished a good hard cry i feel better. I may have a bit of a headache ,but emotionally i feel better.
deleted_user
deleted_user
DOES ANYBODY THINK THAT METALLICA..IS GOOD TO LISEN TO..? LOL
deleted_user
deleted_user
Actually with me, music doesn't help. Everybody's different. Hang in there it will get better. I wish I found this site when the panic attacks came on me. I've researched so much that it did help me understand it alot better. And know one fully understands unless they've been through it. Which I don't wish on anyone. God bless-
Nitokris
Nitokris
Yea go Metallica! I like metal.
But yea I know what you mean about crying, it helps me too!
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