Panic Attack?

[Ellishart]

It's been a while! I thought things were getting better, but this week has been a doozy. On Monday, while working at my computer, I suddenly got very dizzy. I stood up to try and get a breath of air, but the room tilted and I felt like I was going to pass out. I didn't, but I felt like it. At about the exact same time the next day, nearly the same thing happened. I took a Xanax that time, and the symptoms all went away. Today, THE SAME THING happened at almost the exact same time! Two questions, although I know nobody here is a doctor: Does this sound like a panic attack thing? And if Xanax makes the problem go away, it is likely at least related to anxiety and not another underlying condition, right? Because if it was something like my heart or a brain tumor, the Xanax wouldn't immediately correct that vertigo/passing out, right?

[Agora1]

You're right Ellishart...sometimes the response we get with Xanax can reassure

us that it's coming from anxiety. I am not a doctor and can only go by my own

experiences with this issue. When working on the computer between the light

and the scrolling of words and symbols our brain can get over stimulated with info.

We can start holding our breath or hyperventilating and before long get a quick

dizzy spell. Also add to that dehydration as well as poor posture of the neck while

sitting at the computer. That's probably what happened the first time you got that.

As for the 2nd and 3rd time that happened at the same time, that's more from

anticipatory anxiety. What you expect, you get. If it continues of course always

check with your doctor but I think if you watch your breathing, hydrate and give

your eyes a break from the screen at times it may help. Watching your posture

when sitting at the computer and not having "tech neck" will help as well. xx

[Ellishart in reply to Agora1]

Thanks, Agora! Today, I was able to "fight it off" in the sense that I didn't have to take a Xanax and was able to largely make the sensation go away by just deeply breathing and laying down. That should reassure me that it's anxiety, but I still feel this lightly "dizzy" buzzing that keeps me worrying it's about to happen again. I am having a hard time breaking this cycle to be honest!

[Agora1 in reply to Ellishart]

Ellishart, you did good today by breathing through the sensation.

Accepting it as anxiety and nothing more will help the feeling pass.

Don't allow anxiety to get you caught up in a cycle of fear.

I'm so proud in how you handled the situation today. Anxiety doesn't

give up as quickly but don't let it discourage you. Breathing through any

fears or sensations will allow the adrenaline to dissipate. Once your

subconscious mind sees that this is not a threat or harmful, anxiety will

slowly settle down.

Maybe a few minutes spent on this video on YouTube may help.

It does for me.

"How to Calm Down During a Panic Attack" by Buzz Feed Video

It doesn't have to be a panic attack but just high emotions. This will

help settle you down. Feel better xx

[Silverlining101]

My episodes seem to happen around the same time too only they have been so bad it’s like my brain automatically sets a timer for them. Try to get up and move around when this happens get something to eat and drink. I learned that the subconscious mind can play tricks and even when we are not over excited we can be triggered. Prayers sent last night and today are not so good for me. Preparing to go to nursing school and can’t move from worry and shortness of breath. Things must get better soon.

[guynfl2chat]

Interesting thing about xanax.. it can relieve anxiety and other sensations so it is hard to tell if it was anxiety. However, I would say that you need to try and get up slowly and see if its a blood pressure related issue. I had that from a new BP med I was taking and they lowered the dosage and I am not that dizzy when I stand anymore. Xanax is a great drug. It does help with body sensations and feeling of uneasiness, but you have to rule out other issues that might be going on to make sure its just good old anxiety.