odd sensation... - Panic Disorders Message Board

Doug1984 · 09-18-2003, 10:20 AM

Is it possible for your mind/body to become comfortable with the tension one has with panic disorder? What I mean is, I was listening to music this morning and a relaxed feeling came over me and then panic struck. I am back to being tense. Anyone else ever feel like this?

fm5 · 09-18-2003, 10:48 AM

Doug, panic attacks can pretty much come at anytime. (Some people get them in their sleep.) I mean, for some people, just to think for even a few seconds about their physical symptoms can bring on an attack. But, more than likely, a full blown panic attack doesn't normally happen unless you start "catastophizing" your physical symptoms.

This is why the distracting techniques really work, i.e., as soon as you start thinking about your physical symptoms FORCE your mind to CONCENTRATE on something else - count the tiles on the wall, think of fruits beginning with a, b, c, etc. - and if your mind goes back to your physical symptoms FORCE it back onto your distracting technique. This is what brings that panic down.

Doug1984 · 09-18-2003, 10:55 AM

fm5,

I have been trying the distracting techniques and going on about my life, and I thought I was doing great. I was really starting to enjoy things again. Then this morning it hit me. I will continue to try your techniques, I will look at this as a mild setback.

Thanks again,
Doug

fm5 · 09-18-2003, 11:03 AM

I have been trying the distracting techniques and going on about my life, and I thought I was doing great. I was really starting to enjoy things again. Then this morning it hit me. I will continue to try your techniques, I will look at this as a mild setback.

Definitely a good idea.

Setbacks are definitely expected. I HAD MANY. I remember not having an attack for a few months and then having a full blown one while driving home from work one night. I just pulled over to the side of the road (where it was safe), had the attack (and was thinking at that point "ahhhh oh, here they are again, they are going to start up again". I just (and this is very important) was very patient with myself and said "this is just a setback", went on driving home, did my distracting techniques, didn't avoid any situations, and they went away again.

But, again, I had many setbacks before they finally went away! Don't place too much emphasis on them.

cattys · 09-18-2003, 01:01 PM

I have had panic attacks wake me up before and I could not understand it because I was asleep. I thought I always brought them on myself but this proved me wrong.