My first panic attack

[Anxiousabby]

I posted in the past about how I felt and that despite all my anxiety, I was going to take an European trip with my husband. With the help of breathing techniques and my husband joking around, my flight was easy and lovely

My trip was amazing until I had to come back. The breathing techniques helped, but my airline messed up my connection flight and lost my luggage in a country I've never been. After hours of dealing with them and my anxious husband, I got a really bad panic attack. I couldn't breath, or feel my face, and I cried my heart out. The airport sent the EMTS to check on me and they gave me some kind of xanax to relax. I never felt this way before and I can't stop thinking of the why my body reacted that way. Now I'm in bed and feel a deep sadness for something I know is not a big deal. How do I cope with this feeling?? I'm still in Lisbon waiting for my flight tomorrow and I'm already anticipating drama, why is that?? I'm usually not like this. Why is my brain hurting me this way??

[Hidden]

Maybe we could just think a little longer about your momentous trip to Europe. You had a lovely and easy flight. Lucky your husband has a sense of humour...perhaps he is able to help you take yourself less seriously. I had a husband like that. Sigh.

Your trip was amazing. I wonder what experiences you had, where you went and what you saw.

Then something happened in the airport that you had no control over and eventually you became overwhelmed. Hardly surprising.

Help was on hand and you got through it.

Our bodies do react sometimes dramatically with a fight or flight response or slowly after months of stress or years of anxiety.

When we learn in calm times what is happening to us we can choose to change our reactions, little by little and with lots of practice.

(we don’t get toned and fit after one visit to a gym 😉).

How do you cope with your feelings of sadness about what happened? It was a big deal to my way of thinking. Forgive yourself. You are normal.

Recognise your anticipation of drama on the way back as excitement for the next adventure and challenges in your life.

If you are safely home already and still feel wobbly, make a cup of tea and reread my post to you. It might help. I hope so.

[Anxiousabby in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Christophina. I have been reading your post several times and it helps me to take certain worries easily. I know we are 2 strangers but the support you all have gave me is very appreciated

[mvillarreal]

Have you been traveling in between time zones? This can have a serious impact on mental health for people with anxiety and depression. It could just be that your brain was responding to jet lag. Last time I studied abroad, I actually had a nervous breakdown the night I came home. Feeling extreme sadness afterwards is another symptom I had. Honestly, you probably just need to get home and get some rest. Once your body adjusts to the time, you will probably start feeling better, although sometimes emotional crashes can occur afterwards. Just realize that it's part of the process; your body is confused by the jumps between time zones; and it should get better once your body adjusts. Also, it might be good to have some kind of emergency medication like Xanax or something similar so that, as soon as the feelings come on, you can calm down quickly. It was actually my post-jet lag nervous breakdown that convinced me to start carrying an emergency med. Feel better, and God bless!

[Anxiousabby in reply to mvillarreal]

It could've been the problem, but they took my carry on and my wellbutrin was there. Knowing that I didnt have my pills with me was the breaking point. I have traveled to europe several times, but I developed anxiety later in life...so it definitely felt different this time. I'm home already and it's been hard for me to get rid of this jet lag ( almost a week!) Today I woke up in a normal time and I'm definitely more relaxed