Panic Attack
I had my first panic attack today. My bf and I fought earlier in the morning today and we haven't talked since. I decided to text him and try to fix the tension, but he was still angry at me and I came off as passive aggressive. He was in the middle of playing video games with his friends, but he has always told me that if I needed him he would always be there.
This isn't easy for me, I know I have vulnerability issues and have so much trouble opening up in anyway, but I was sobbing and the whole day I have been so miserable and all I could do was sleep. I decided to text him "I need you" for the first time ever.
As soon as I sent that, the panic attack hit. All the sudden I had trouble breathing and it just got worse and worse. My feet started tingling and I was so scared. I was able to get myself under control, but that's when the second wave hit. He finally called me and I was able to get a hold of myself. He didn't take to long to call me it must have been a minute at most, but panic attack made it feel so much longer.
The fear of opening myself up and the possibility that we wouldn't call was so scary to me that it caused the panic attack. I have never experienced anything like that, and I am afraid of it happening again.
Replies
I am so sorry you had this experience :( Panic attacks are never fun, but I am so glad you reached out for help. I hope that you are feeling better today! In terms of the future, I can give you a few tips for handling panic attacks. They aren't foolproof, but I find having some kind of game plan helps me feel less terrified of having a panic attack (which in turn makes it less likely to have a panic attack in the first place!) I'll go ahead an list some stuff that helps me out, or that I have heard other people use. It might take some trial and error to find which techniques work for you, but don't give up! You'll gain strength and find a way to deal with these difficult feelings. Here's my list:
1. Ground yourself. It helps to stand up with your feet flat on the ground. Imagine you are spreading roots from your feet and feel yourself standing on solid ground.
2. Try your best to take some deep breaths -- count to 5 breathing in, hold it for 5, let it out for 5, then count to 5 before breathing in again. I close my eyes when I do this and it helps a lot.
3. Try going into your senses. Find all the blue things in your room, name four things you can hear, take a cold shower. Anything that gets you out of your mind and into your body.
4. Get moving. This one kind of goes with the sensory stuff, and I've got to say it's one that's hard for me to get myself to actually do, but if you are feeling really panicked get down and do some pushups or do some jumping jacks. Again, gets you out of your mind and into your body.
And, remember that you aren't alone in this. So many of us deal with panic attacks and anxiety. You made it through your panic attack, and even if it was terrible, you know that it is something you can overcome. Remind yourself that you are so strong, not in spite of your anxiety, but BECAUSE of it. *hugs*
Thank you so much for your advice! It was very uplifting seeing someone comment on this and trying to help out, and it made my day.
I know a bunch of people that have panic attacks and I will pass this advice to them as well. Hopefully, I won't have another panic attack again, but if I do, I definitely try these.
Thank you again for your support!
I'm so glad this was helpful :) Wishing you all the best!