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RenaissanceGirl

Updated 10mo ago

Unexpected Panic Attack: What Happens Next?

Had a panic attack out of the blue today. Talking about groceries and suddenly I couldn’t breathe. I recognized it, got my breathing to more oxygen in than previous, and the tears hit. Body temp went wild, body shuddering, gasping tears and panic. I’m relatively sure it’s attached to health stuff going on, but it’s been awhile since one has hit out of the blue like that and it scared me. I took my meds, followed by being so blitzed out between the panic attack and meds that I’m sure I seemed stoned. Stress is picking back up in my life and now I get to add this to it. What happens the next time one sneaks up on me like that? What if I’m not at home? I can’t take a 30 minute reset nap in public. I mostly need to rant to people who get it, who aren’t my family.

Can you help? connect today

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LeeM

1y

It helps me to remind myself it's just anxiety and it won't harm me. I concentrate on breathing deeply. I try to keep to myself for a bit as well so that I'm not bothered by anyone.
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Mazzyllene

1y

It sounds like you might want to look into being proactive instead of reactive. I (am supposed to) take 3 buspar a day for my anxiety. It genuinely helps when I get them all in, or even 2. Coping skills help too. Do you know how to ground yourself?
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Tinkerbell1988

1y

I have been trying to find ways to ground myself but nothing has worked. I struggle with panic attacks too. Would you have any ideas on how to get grounded when dealing with high anxiety?
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RenaissanceGirl

1y

I take 60 mg of buspar a day on a bad day, 30 mg regularly. Grounding can be difficult for me, my best method is music and that isn’t always an option. My senses can’t always be trusted, so I get frustrated. I’m at the beginning of a pretty major new diagnosis, we’ve just begun mapping what my journey is on this path and it’s pushing me above my normal anxiety levels. 😥
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jodie88

1y

It is so awful when they attack out the blue like that, panicking is your body's natural way of coping with the overwhelming stress. I think its always good to be mindful and listen to what your body is telling you. Its normally pretty good at giving you signs that you need to slow down or take some time for yourself. Do all the regular things, breathing exercises, meditate everyday if you can, find some grounding techniques that work for you just in case you feel one coming on. I can tell way before I get one now, it's like my body goes through a cycle and I know its gunna end in a panic attack so usually am able to stop them getting worse but they do still creep up on me from time to time, usually when my mind is busy or on other things and I'm ignoring my body and the way I feel. I'm here if you need a chat lovely x
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RenaissanceGirl

1y

thank you so much. I had hit a point of equilibrium where most attacks had specific triggers. Like you, I could see them coming. It’s why this one hit so hard. It was so out of nowhere. I haven’t had that happen in at least two years. Anxiety is no joke 😥
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UpendedLife

1y

I’ve had the same thing happen. It is not easy. One Dr told me the fear of an anxiety attack can be greater than having one. One of the things I used to do was carry a rock in my pocket. Sounds stupid maybe. But if I was feeling anxious, I would hold on to that rock and work it around in my hands. There was something about it that I could shift my focus to it and it would help. It may not work for everyone but I know my therapist has worked with me on finding 5 things I could observe through my senses. This way I would shift focus from anxiety to something else and deflate the overwhelming response
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RenaissanceGirl

1y

I used to use my nails, running fingers along the edges, focusing on the texture. My nails broke last week, something tells me I need to find a new focus.
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Squire

1y

🤗
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WizardOfWardrobe

1y

I really didn't want a sedative for acute episodes, so my doctor recommended propranolol. It's not a traditional anxiety med (I believe it's typically prescribed for high blood pressure), but it helps with more of the physical symptoms - for me, sweaty palms, dry mouth, feeling like I can't breathe, etc. I don't know if that would help with this at all, but for me it helps keep my body from wearing itself out + doesn't make me sleepy.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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