Well...I guess I’ve been in more of a “sensitized” state than I had realized.
Today I had probably the worst panic attack in 10 years.
I was at my office. I was sitting at my desk when it started. I walked outside to try and shake it off. I always do that.
It got worse, fast. I was in full “fight or flight” mode. My entire body went weak & limp. I felt like I would pass out. I was outside, in the front parking lot of my office. I truly believed I would not make it back inside before passing out.
I wondered if anyone would find me, lying in the parking lot.
I made it to the office and called my wife. She wasn’t far from the office. She was there in less than 10 minutes and picked me up. I left my car at the office. I went home and laid in the bed for about 2 hours.
Now as I’m typing this, my body still feels sore from the attack. It’s like every muscle in your body tightens up and won’t let go when the attack is happening.
I remember...when I’ve had attacks this bad...there were “after shocks”. Mini-attacks afterwards. I’m tense and in waiting for another attack.
Written by
CloudAtlasMoon
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I also suffer from panic attacks and they are so scary ! I am glad your wife came to pick you up!
I also had one today . I was at home alone so I went to my next door neighbor ( who had no idea about my anxiety issues ) and asked if I could use her cough for a while !
Having people who you trust to help you , at least for me , makes things less scary ! I have had panic attacks in so many places that I have learn to ask for help anywhere ... anytime !
I have seen a therapist in the past. Honestly, I stopped going after several visits. I told myself I could handle it....yes, I’m aware how stupid that sounds.
I also did not connect with him.
He had a tendency to minimize my attacks & basically, my anxiety.
He focused on breathing techniques...A LOT. I see the benefits in intentional breathing, but that was his only coping technique.
I read a very good book, Hope and Help For Your Nerves: End Anxiety Now by Dr Claire Weekes. I learned more coping techniques in reading this book.
Sorry to hear you had such a bad anxiety attack today. But happy to hear your wife was able to come and take you home to rest. I too had a wicked anxiety attack today that came in under a minute and lasted throughout the day. Work was stressful and finally now that I'm home I just feel exhausted. Can you read a book or do a puzzle to try and take your mind off your day? Or even just hug your wife? Sometimes just a small distraction can go a long way
You're already ahead of most people with this problem by reading a book by Dr. Claire Weekes. Remember: Your feelings are not facts! They're awful, they're terrible, but they're
NOT real! The air-raid sirens are going off in your head, but there's no nuclear war. It's a false alarm, a false message from your brain. Believe me, I've been there, done that , many many times over the years. It rarely happens anymore because I know those awful feelings are not real. Please keep this in mind.
Jkl5500 I envy you !!! 😉 I wish I could believe what you said ! Yes , I know it is a false alarm but how can you really know ?! It could be a heart attack ! In my mind there is always a chance and that is when things go crazy !
I know it doesn’t sound rational, but panic attacks aren’t rational.
When I’m “in it”.....I ONLY believe the worst. Today I was CONVINCED I would 100% collapse & pass out in the front parking lot. I was unable to move my legs to get to the office. It was literally like a bad dream where you can’t run away from whatever is chasing you.
Yes, I have described it the same way myself! It's like a bad dream that you can't wake up from because you're already awake! But to Cloud and foxglove, my reply is this: I know what's happening is only a panic attack because I've had my heart checked out a zillion times, and it's always been fine. This is a case where you have to use your mind to understand and control your brain. Your brain is just another organ giving out signals, and like everyone else, we automatically accept those signals as real. But what if your brain "shorts out" and sends out a false signal? That's when you have to keep your wits about you, use your mind, and realize that this air-raid siren is just a very painful false alarm. You've been through this routine
so many times that you know the whole sequence, and you can nip this in the bud, and save yourself a lot of suffering.
Also, look at it this way: If your heart can beat that fast and hard (during all those attacks) and you're still here, you've got yourself a strong heart! So just focus on calming yourself down, and let all that adrenaline leave your bloodstream, and you're on your way back to peace.
I’m 43 and I’ve had panic attacks since I was 14. I’m resigned to the fact that they will, unfortunately, always be a part of my life.
I’m just learning how to deal with them. I wish so badly I could live a life without panic attacks. My wife is 46. She’s never had a panic attack in her life. I envy her as well.
You are 100% right about the false alarm analogy too. My attack from today happened almost 8 hours ago. I didn’t pass out. I didn’t have a heart attack. I know now that it was a false alarm. It’s just so hard to realize that when it’s happening. No what I mean?
Sure I do! I'm not saying that dealing with this is easy, but it definitely can be done.
The after shocks effect comes from fear of the fear. You don't feel like you're in control of your own life anymore, right? Some "beast" inside you controls you now, and can slam you with an attack at any time. Please reread Dr. Weekes' book and watch her YouTube videos. You will reach the point where it doesn't matter if an attack starts, because you'll recognize it and just accept it for the moment and let it pass through you. Then it loses all its power over you, and you control your life again. But Dr. Weekes can describe this better than I can, so please read her book again. I wish you the best in defeating this illness!
jkl5500 , I have had my heart checked not a zillion times but I did a lot tests last year 😉 All turned out good !
I like the way you describe the false alarm , your analogy is spot on ! I am hopeful that one day I will nip this in the but !
Cloud , I am 44 so we are the same age ! My husband is 48 , no anxiety , no panic attacks! Happy man !!
I tried to talk to my self when it is happening but my body & mind keeps sending me signals after signals like : do you think it is a panic attack ? How about now that your arm is hurting ? How about now that your jaw is hurting ? 😳 Look , I am gonna make you believe you can’t breath !!!
Oh no 😯. I suffer with panic attacks as well. My body is always so weak and heavy afterwards. The muscle tension is the most difficult part because it feels like my body is trying to shut down. I hope that you're feeling better.
Sorry I’m just now responding. I had a good day. I would say 90%.
That’s really good.
After a “biggie” panic attack, for me at least, I can be very susceptible to another one very easily. I have NOT had another attack, just some random shaky moments. I will definitely take that. 🤗
This is hard, I know! You will be OK Keep reading/listening to Dr. Weekes. Recognizing which thoughts are anxiety-based and which are coming from your logical mind takes lots, lots lots of practice. The only way to get that practice is to get out there and keep having panic attacks. Yes, sounds NUTS but it's TRUE. A Panic attack is most certainly tiring but completely harmless. As you lose your fear of them, you will start to heal, and you will start to find it difficult to have a panic attack even if you try. Once you completely accept panic and anxiety and all that it brings, you will be empowered beyond your wildest dreams
I have listened to this audio, oh, probably 100 times. She's the girl!!
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Keep reading/listening to Dr. Weekes. Recognizing which thoughts are anxiety-based and which are coming from your logical mind takes lots, lots lots of practice. The only way to get that practice is to get out there and keep having panic attacks. Yes, sounds NUTS but it's TRUE. A Panic attack is most certainly tiring but completely harmless. As you lose your fear of them, you will start to heal, and you will start to find it difficult to have a panic attack even if you try. Once you completely accept panic and anxiety and all that it brings, you will be empowered beyond your wildest dreams 
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