Can you prevent attacks? - Panic Disorders Message Board

OtakuTess · 09-10-2003, 10:36 PM

Hello, all. After a few months without having any real attacks, I had one again a few nights ago. I should mention I had been drinking with some friends at the time... and I was sitting down, and I got very nervous and my heart started palpitating, which sometimes happens, but usually I can take a deep breath and I can relax... but for some reason this time I just didn't do that.... I feel bad for my friends who had to see me having an anxiety attack, particularly when I really felt I could have prevented it.

I just wondered what this might mean, since sometimes I feel nervous about not having an attack, since I have not been diagnosed with Panic Disorder, I feel anxious about not knowing if I do... I feel maybe I brought it on myself.

Graciecat · 09-11-2003, 05:13 AM

IMO a person can definitly bring an attack on themselves.
I know I've done it.
Just thinking about certain things can bring one on.
Like this morning for instance, I have a Dentist appointment and I was starting to freak myself out about it.
My heart started to pound and I started to feel dizzy.
I just sat here and took deep slow breaths and told myself "You know you're bringing this on yourself, so calm down and you'll be fine."
And I was.

I know drinking seems to provoke attacks in some people.
I've never had that problem, because I won't drink on my medication.
If I have one drink a year that's a lot for me.

cattys · 09-11-2003, 02:41 PM

I somtimes also can bring on a attack myself . If I feel a attack coming on I start to pace and keep telling myself that I am ok and this will pass.
It works most of the time.

Take care
cattys

hry33 · 09-11-2003, 06:39 PM

if a panic attack is lurking out there you sometimes can deliberately bring it on to get it over with and out of the way, rapid shallow panting and tensing up often works

however, once a panic attack starts, about all you can do is disolve a benzo under the tongue, breathe deep and slow, and perhaps tell people you have a migrane

its never known how severe the panic attack will be or how long it will last

panther1000 · 09-12-2003, 08:09 AM

Alchohol has a duel affect on some people.
Alchohol is loaded with sugars which can cause anxiety as you know. But is also slows the central nervous system down so it can relax.
I always had massive anxiety the next morning after a night of drinking because of the presence of sugar in my bloodstream.