Panic Attacks Support Group

Hi there,
That is something isn't it? The what if thinking? Or better yet the blame game that we panic people sometimes play. I noticed that in your statement it said " So now I am thinking that the walk triggered it."
The walk did trigger your pulse rate to become faster. That is what exercise will do. You were already nervous before you got into the shower. Often times in the shower, with the curtain closed, their is a build up of carbon dioxide in the space around us. This is the probable trigger to your attack. Like the majority of panic people our fear is what if? What if I die? What if I choke? What if I can't get enough air?
The latest research is pointing toward the idea that panic people have an alarm system that goes off earlier than most. Telling our body and mind that we suffocating.
Check out: http://www.drweil.com/
and read up on panic attacks there.
Read the sections on controlled breathing and breathing exercises.
They are so beneficial to me. They might be to you and others as well.
After you have been a tense and panicky person. Your breathing changes. You are ready for the alarm to go off at a moments notice. You have forgotten what it is to relax and it must be relearned before you can hope to feel relief from the attacks.
Do the exercises and continue your walking.
Always, always, Did I say always? remember these facts about your attacks.

1) You have already had the worst attack you will ever have. Your body will produce only so much adrenaline and then will kick in the safety system to slow you down again.
2) You are not going to die! If panic attacks killed? We would be here chatting about them.
3) Your body is doing what it is supposed to do ! Yes, that's right. Your body is designed to protect itself. You just happen to have something better than ADT. Your alarm is a bit too sensitive.
4) Don't feed into it with what if thinking?
This will get you nowhere and just keep you feeling nervous and upset.
5) For right now? There is no cure. But there are so many treatment options. No one treatment works for everyone. Find out what works for you. If it is medication fine.
If you have to carry a duck under your arm for support? DO IT !
6) You can tone these down to a point that you can live with them. They may never go away. But, you can't avoid life because you are afraid to try and keep living. If you don't make the effort at all to help yourself? The you are already dead. That is something we all share and that is what many of us fear. But we are all going to do it at some point. So you may not like the music ...but you can still get your butt out there and dance.

Peace of mind and love for us all,

CR

Lady, has a really good point in a lot of areas that Im dealing with it's encouraging. Thanks!!!!

i have developed this too in the past few months. i get freaked out when my heart rate rises even if it's because of exercise (a good thing!). i think maybe because your brain associates fast heartbeat with panic and then you start thinking and before you know it...panic. i try to concentrate on my breathing and look at my surroundings and focus on something peaceful when walking.

Today I decided to buy myself a heart monitor for some reason I need to feel secure that my heart is beating o.k.

Hi,
My name is byrd. I read your post. I can relate to your concern about having future panic attacks. I agree with others who suggest that you keep walking; endorphins are released. Along with excercise, I read magazines and books; this helps me to escape. I hope this is helpful.

byrd

I have lived with generalized anxiety and panic attacks for over 30 years. My entire adult life.
I have mixed feelings about the use of BP and pulse monitoring equipment for home
use.

If you have a known, diagnosed condition such as high blood pressure, are on beta blockers or any other meds that will affect your BP or Pulse? Then ok...if your doc says you need it..then of course
Otherwise? .........Forget it !

To the person with the already nervous mind? It can become such a cycle so that you check your pulse and bp constantly!

Typically, when people do this it becomes so much of a habit and /or an obsession that to get accurate reading, is impossible.

What you will find yourself doing is either checking your pulse and bp only when you are feeling nervous or having a panic attack .
Or you will check it so much that it will cause a panic attack because you will anticipate the worst.

Psychologically, this can be a trap for most panic people. A vicious cycle of inaccurate readings and anticipatory anxiety that panic people do not need.

Soon just the thought of checking it can bring on additional anxiety or induce a panic attack.

Panic people are the last who should be playing nurse or doctor for themselves.
I should know I am in the medical field and have experience this very problem myself.

Your heart will do what it has always done. It will keep beating to keep you alive.
Even during times of stress when you think that it's going to explode !!!

It won't. Your heart is so strong. If you could see one and hold it? You would never worry about it again.
There are plenty of things in life to worry about.

1) Will it rain tomorrow??
2) Do I silly with my bra on the outside of my blouse?
3) Can the guy at the grocery store know that I when I ask for the" Big MeatBalls " that I want him to ride me like public transit !

There are many things you can do to help yourself panic people....but there are many things that you can do to make your situation worse!

If the news upsets you? Stop watching it !
If you have had EKG's in the past and professionals say that your heart is fine?

But you get that BP and pulse monitor anyway...in case they are wrong...you just hurt yourself.

If you drink morning coffee and have anxiety issues at all? You might as well skip all of the positive things we talked about and wait for the panic attack, cause it's coming !

Ladies? Stop the caffeine today!

Foods high in carbs, caffeine, sugar (yes sugar is a stimulant) Stop it !

The items I mentioned should never be eaten by panic people. Or at least in moderation.

My point ............If you have been checked out with an EKG. If they tell you that everything is fine? Stop already. Put that fear to rest.

I will say this again. If you aren't living ? Then you are dead.
If you have let anxiety overtake your entire life? Then change it.
Change the way you look at your anxiety.
No more what if thinking.

What if I go crazy, what if I die, what if I disappoint everyone. ENOUGH !

Aren't you tired? Yes, of course you are. Tired of being anxious. Tired of being "sick"
Tired of being a victim t your own body and an alarm system that is over sensitive? That's all it is.

Thought becomes action and action becomes thought.
Mind and body are one. If you believe something to be true? In your mind? It will be.

Get off the roller coaster. Enough blaming yourself. Or others.

Let me tell you a few things that all my research has taught me about panic people.

They are very smart !

They are very creative !

They are very sensitive and care a great deal what others think about them !

They are problem solvers !

They (we) notice I had to include myself on this one. typically have higher IQ's than the rest of the population.

Here is a good one: They are usually the best people to have around in case of a crisis or emergency ! That's right...you heard it right.

All these pluses and we are trapped by anxiety at times or all the time if you are agoraphobic.

Studies have indicated that anxious people take their mind off their own problems and will focus on other people's needs first.

In a crisis they will not falter until after the event when they have time to remind themselves they they are anxious.

That is what you do everyday.

Panic people remind themselves everyday that they have anxiety and panic attacks. Otherwise, they might just have a great day and not think about it at all.

So tomorrow give yourself a break. Get up and forget to remind yourself that you are anxious sometimes. Or that on occasion you have panic attacks.

Allow yourself to have a great day. You deserve the break !

Peace of mind for us all,

CR

Lady, you truly have a good point. I'm excited that you are a nurse and can shed some light about these issued because alot of us are so lost and confused. Thank you so much for your input it makes so much sense.