Can meditation bring on anxiety/panic attack?

[Smink]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to pose this question to anyone who tries meditation to deal with anxiety. I was meditating the other night because I couldn’t sleep and instead of calming me down it actually made my anxiety worse.

I was breathing and trying to be aware of my thoughts when I began to lose all feeling of my body. I took this as a good sign that I was getting into a meditative state, and then some thoughts from the previous day started to arise such as stressful experiences that I was having at work and I started reacting very badly. The usual physical symptoms I experience from anxiety resurfaced and I had a pretty intense panic attack.

I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing. It could be that the meditation revealed to me some of the things that were causing my anxiety at the time. I could be wrong here, but this might mean that meditation allowed those anxious thoughts to come to the surface.

On the other hand, it might have been a harmful and insensible thing to do when I was not in the right mindset. At this point, I was on very little sleep and recovering from a heavy drinking session from the night before.

When the panic attack went away I didn’t exactly feel much better and I still couldn’t get to sleep.

What do people think? Did the meditation do what it was supposed to do?

Thanks

[AnxiousSilver]

"At this point, I was on very little sleep and recovering from a heavy drinking session from the night before."

That's probably going to do you more harm for your anxiety than anything else.

Alcohol is nice short term fix, but when it wears off your anxiety is sometimes/usually worse than when you made the decision to drink. (especially if you're heaving drinking)

JMO.

[Smink in reply to AnxiousSilver]

Thanks AnxiousSilver. I understand that.

The way I see it is that drinking will probably always be a part of my social life and I need to know how to manage it more carefully. I know that I won’t always get it right. There will be occasions when I give in and drink too much and I am learning over time how to take care of myself when those occasions arise.

It seems like meditation didn’t work in this case. The following day, I made sure to drink lots and lots of water and I ate properly before bed and I slept like a log.

What I think is helping my mind, it turns out, does not always work the way I expect and it is rather what I do to take care of my body that makes the difference. I’m learning that behaviors that contribute to a healthy body should be prioritized over things like meditation and journalling (which contribute to a healthy mind and are still important in their own right).

Healthy body, healthy mind

[AnxiousSilver in reply to Smink]

I used to be a social drinker myself. I get it.

But eventually I got tired of the "Rebound effect". (being more anxious after the alcohol wore off)

It's been years since I had a drink. I'm not saying that I'll never have one again, because well "I'm human", but I'm trying to find other ways to get through social, and well "life in general", and (for me) hopefully close the book on alcohol forever.

But.. I'm also telling you this as an "anxious soul" that is far from perfect, and someone who is also hurting ATM as well. (Severe GAD really sucks)

All I can say is, "One day at a time", and I'm trying to do my best to hang in there.

[Smink in reply to AnxiousSilver]

Well I hope you know that you have helped me a little with your words and guidance. It sounds like you are trying your best and your experience is something to look up to in my eyes. You should be proud of your progress and I hope that you continue to make the most out of your situation, that is all you can do.

[AnxiousSilver in reply to Smink]

Thank you.

[AndrewT]

Dear Smink,

Can I perhaps, very gently, suggest that maybe, just maybe, you were- well erm- Hung Over BOTH Physically and Mentally! When I first started to read, your Post, I thought that there could be a 'Drug Interaction'..... well clearly there was!

If you want my advice, which you won't 'enjoy', Lay Off The Booze And Drink More Water- or SOFT Drinks.

Drink Yes BUT in MODERATION, perhaps two, or three, beers a WEEK- and don't 'Save Them Up' until the END Of The Month, it doesn't 'Work' like that either......

It's NOT all 'Doom & Gloom', my friend, there are both Low Alcohol and indeed NO Alcohol alternatives..... Many of which are, in fact. Delicious. The Zero Alcohol 'Old Moult Cider' tastes exactly the same- as do Many of the Beers. There are Low alcohol Wines, as well, some Are OK.

So, to re-cap, Drink Less Alcohol but, definitely DO, enjoy the Alternatives AND enjoy Better Overall Health..... and Far Less 'Side Effects'. You have Survived this far, is that 'Drink' really THAT Important? I Didn't think So!

Can I Close by sending you my

Very Best Wishes

AndrewT