Panic attack advice

[ChiRie]

So sorry to hear that, sending you love! Definitely don’t google (jeez we’ve all been there). I know it sounds stupid but just try and stay calm and do whatever it takes to take your mind off it and the intrusive thoughts - Tattle is a great place for that!

Thank you, definitely not looking anything up about it. Thanks for being so nice.

 

[ChiRie]

It sounds like a panic attack, especially if your O2 levels were fine. If you were dyspoenic your O2 levels would’ve been reading lower on the pulse ox! Obviously get your chest checked out but it does sound like anxiety as someone who also struggles with panic attacks Definitely follow up with your GP. The advice above about focussing on five different things works a treat but if you do keep having them, it may be worth considering ongoing medication. It’s changed my life! Sending you lots of love

Thanks. I just don't know how to stop this feeling. I'm getting chest pain pressure in the middle of my chest and then I feel breathless. I'm on tablets already for depression and anxiety.

 

[ChiRie]

Hi, your experience sounds awful. It's so scary when you feel you can't breathe. I have panic disorder which is basically a long-term problem with panic attacks, but find it hard to get them under control. Don't feel bad about calling the ambulance. They deal with these situations frequently, I promise! It's common for people having a panic attack to mistake their symptoms for heart attacks and similar emergencies.

First thing I'd do, check that you don't have any underlying physical issue, e.g. pneumonia, chest infection, asthma. If you went to the hospital I'm assuming they did some basic tests? But it might be worth having additional tests to rule out other causes.

One thing I'd warn against is becoming frightened of having another panic attack. In other words, it's easy to get scared of the anxiety itself. You have to remind yourself that you're completely safe. The only good thing about panic attacks is that they come with a time limit. The bad feelings will pass and it'll be okay. The more you believe that, the easier it'll be to calm down.

Distraction works best for me. That's why I spend so much time on Tattle lol. Music can help too. Do you sketch or paint at all? Sometimes doodling can take your mind off it. Another technique to try is progressive muscle relaxation. There's info online explaining it. Maybe look up diapghragmatic breathing too? When I get anxious I have the worst problem with shallow breathing.

I'm hoping that in your case it was a one off triggered by your virus. If not, it might be worth seeking more support from mental health services like counselling or CBT.

I didn't go into hospital. I think that virus I had at the timethe time always wheezing and I think I got worked up about it and started trying to get air in as I felt I wasn't getting enough then started breathing to fast. I've had lots of mental health support as I am in a pretty bad way with my mental health. My GP is calling me on Friday. Btw cannot do anything arty to save my life lol.

 

[StatusWoe]

Yesterday I had what I now know was a panic attack. I'm going through menopause and have been getting a tight anxious feeling in my chest for a while. I've had a virus for 4 weeks now coughing like mad making me breathless. Yesterday I felt like I really could not breath and obviously panicked, tried to get hold of my GP surgery but it was constantly engaged so ended up ringing an ambulance and gasping down the phone. My oxygen was fine but I honestly felt like it wasn't. In the end I managed to calm down and they said it was a panic attack. I feel so bad I called them out for that. The mental health nurse has given me Phenergan I'm not sure whether to take or not. Does anyone here have panic attacks and if so how do you calm down on your own please.

I also pulled or tore my lats previous to this from so much coughing, strained it but then coughing again it went pop. I read that can affect breathing.

Hi, your experience sounds awful. It's so scary when you feel you can't breathe. I have panic disorder which is basically a long-term problem with panic attacks, but find it hard to get them under control. Don't feel bad about calling the ambulance. They deal with these situations frequently, I promise! It's common for people having a panic attack to mistake their symptoms for heart attacks and similar emergencies.

First thing I'd do, check that you don't have any underlying physical issue, e.g. pneumonia, chest infection, asthma. If you went to the hospital I'm assuming they did some basic tests? But it might be worth having additional tests to rule out other causes.

One thing I'd warn against is becoming frightened of having another panic attack. In other words, it's easy to get scared of the anxiety itself. You have to remind yourself that you're completely safe. The only good thing about panic attacks is that they come with a time limit. The bad feelings will pass and it'll be okay. The more you believe that, the easier it'll be to calm down.

Distraction works best for me. That's why I spend so much time on Tattle lol. Music can help too. Do you sketch or paint at all? Sometimes doodling can take your mind off it. Another technique to try is progressive muscle relaxation. There's info online explaining it. Maybe look up diapghragmatic breathing too? When I get anxious I have the worst problem with shallow breathing.

I'm hoping that in your case it was a one off triggered by your virus. If not, it might be worth seeking more support from mental health services like counselling or CBT.