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I had a panic attack yesterday.
It’s been 10 months since my last panic attack.
I started keeping track of my panic attacks when the started in February 2019.
I’ve kept track since my first, because I had no idea what was happening. It was terrifying.
It’s been 10 months since my last panic attack.
I started keeping track of my panic attacks when the started in February 2019.
I’ve kept track since my first, because I had no idea what was happening. It was terrifying.
If you’ve not had a panic attack before, it’s scary.
I didn’t know what the symptoms were when I had my first. And that made me more afraid of what was happening to me and my body
So, here is what I experience, in hopes that this may help you understand
1. Yourself
2. Others
I didn’t know what the symptoms were when I had my first. And that made me more afraid of what was happening to me and my body
So, here is what I experience, in hopes that this may help you understand
1. Yourself
2. Others
I feel tingling in my legs. My calves specifically. Not quite like they’re numb, but certainly weak.
There is a similar tingling in my arms and hands. Think: my arms are asleep, but I am watching myself move them, but at the same time don’t feel in control.
There is a similar tingling in my arms and hands. Think: my arms are asleep, but I am watching myself move them, but at the same time don’t feel in control.
My heart rate speeds up. I didn’t notice this specifically at first. I just noticed the symptoms that go along with it: alert, a quickness to thoughts/actions, almost constricted chest
I begin to feel shaky. Idk if I actually shake. My confidence in my body’s strength is minimal
I begin to feel shaky. Idk if I actually shake. My confidence in my body’s strength is minimal
Breathing feels hard. It’s happening but I can’t seem to get any control of it. No breath i take is satisfying.
When it came to my breath, I’d feel like I knew what to do. Yoga taught me many ways to control my breathing.
None of those ways seem to work in the moment.
When it came to my breath, I’d feel like I knew what to do. Yoga taught me many ways to control my breathing.
None of those ways seem to work in the moment.
The feeling I get after the above is loss of control. I can’t catch my breath, my breathing exercises do not help. My limbs are tingling, weak, uneasy...
The loss of control turns into fear. I ask myself questions.. What’s happening? How long will this last?
The loss of control turns into fear. I ask myself questions.. What’s happening? How long will this last?
anxiety and fear take over.
What’s important, from an outsiders perspective, is I don’t look like something is wrong. Maybe I look worried? Overall though, everything I’ve experienced is in my body and in my kind.
What’s important, from an outsiders perspective, is I don’t look like something is wrong. Maybe I look worried? Overall though, everything I’ve experienced is in my body and in my kind.
I once had one while on the bus. No one else knew, of course. I stayed in my seat and just let the panic flow through me. There wasn’t anything I could do. And again, no one could tell. It’s invisible.
For me, because I know I don’t look in danger, this stops me from telling anyone. Even if I’m around friends/family, I won’t say a thing. My anxiety is heightened bc I think about how they won’t understand - whether they do or not - in my mind no one will at that moment.
These feelings last for about 10 minutes. It’s a long 10 minutes.
I have to sit or lay down. I have to engage my senses.
I have to sit or lay down. I have to engage my senses.
Things that help me are
1. Find something to touch, define it.
2. Define what I’m hearing
3. Define what I’m seeing
4. Define what I’m smelling
Or just.... close my eyes and wait.
1. Find something to touch, define it.
2. Define what I’m hearing
3. Define what I’m seeing
4. Define what I’m smelling
Or just.... close my eyes and wait.
I also started keeping track of my triggers. What happened before this that made me feel this way.
Here is a screenshot of my list.
Lol. There’s almost no consistency. But hey, I know what happened.
Here is a screenshot of my list.
Lol. There’s almost no consistency. But hey, I know what happened.
Yesterday it was bc of the news of federal officers going to Chicago.
It’s out of control. And clearly, stresses me out. What does that even mean?
It’s out of control. And clearly, stresses me out. What does that even mean?
I share this because I didn’t know what was happening when my panic attacks started.
They’re not fun. But I hope someone reads this and understand they’ll be okay, if it happens to them. Keep track of you can and just understand your mind and body.
They’re not fun. But I hope someone reads this and understand they’ll be okay, if it happens to them. Keep track of you can and just understand your mind and body.
You can’t control panic attacks from happening. Knowing your body, triggers, or stresses will at least help you make changes.
Hope I’m 10 months out or more from my next...
Hope I’m 10 months out or more from my next...
