Panic attack & alcohol

[Guoy Darko]

Apparently I can suffer from panic attacks. Worse thing is: I got an attack in bed next to my girlfriend. I honestly don’t know how to deal with this.

Here’s the story: I went to a party on Saturday night with some friends. I was feeling average (not too happy, not too sad). I didn’t know the people but since my friends knew everybody they soon were spreading all over the place. I just went to talk to some people there. I drank a few beers, I got loser and happier. People were coming with vodka and all other kinds of liquor, which we all drank. Things were getting more and more fun and suddenly the alcohol hits me like a brick.

But not in a good way. I felt so uncomfortable and unhappy all of a sudden and the people around me didn’t seem like they were the same persons as they were before. I asked my brother to take me home and we went home on our bicycles. I started feeling scared by everything around me. I even started hyperventilating and crying. On the way home I fell from my bike on my chin, which shocked me even more and made the panic worse. My brother asked me if he should get a cab for me, which I didn’t want. I went to my room absolutely petrified, hyperventilating and crying.

But my girlfriend was in bed there completely sober and suddenly I’m there. She comforted me and the next morning she told me she was happy that I was my “old self again”. She was very supportive the next day and forgave me very easy. At least, that’s what she said. I was so ashamed. I cannot describe the feeling of the anxiety very well anymore, as the next morning it was completely vanished and only the shame was left. I did some research and apparently alcohol can cause panic attacks:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Alcohol-Trigger-Panic-Attacks?&id=1934773 and
http://anxietyattack.factsandnews.c...ween-Alcohol-and-Panic-Attack-Experiences.php

I’m not sure now if I should quit drinking all together, or have a very strict limit on the amount of drinks I have. I also don’t know if I should bring this up again to my GF. Even though it is a medical cause, such a panic attack can come across as very AFC and maybe should be explained.

Do you guys here have some advice if I should bring this up again to her? Explaining about the alcohol, etc and the triggering effect? Or just shut up about it and never bring it up again.

I also have OCD, which made the panic worse. Do any of you people here also have had panic attacks or OCD? How do you deal with alcohol? Quit all together or drink no more than (blank) amount of alcoholic units? Even if you don’t have any, how do you deal with alcohol? Do you have rules for yourself, or do you just drink as much as you feel like?

Cheers, Guoy

 

[Warrior74]

If you've told her about your condition, leave it at that.

After my daughter was born, my worst enemy at work was promoted over me. He would tell me several times a week that my days were numbered. He would sabotage my work and bad mouth me in upper management meetings. I was so stressed I could barely function, I kept worrying about providing for my family and I started having panic attacks. I told my woman about them, and then I began to confide a little to much in her. One day she said to me "you need to man up and do something about it". That's when I knew I was loosing her respect by talking too much about my problem and not doing something about it. Eventually I started a side business which relieved some stress and then I got fired. I havent had an attack since.

Do some deeper digging into what your real triggers are and any past emotional issues you haven't dealt with. Good luck man, just don't go blabbing to your woman over and over about it.

 

[Jean Valjean]

my ex gf had alot of panic attacks typically after relations with men go sour. She is terrified of getting them and thats why she would not become totally intimate with me. Her solution was a shrink and anxiety medication. She felt like she was going to die or go crazy.

 

[Forty0ztoFreedom]

Are you keeping anything inside? Are you very reserved in your emotions?

I had a huge panic attack in an IMAX theater watching The Dark Knight last August . . I had to leave and go to the in-theater bar for some red wine (it always eased anxiety when I first quit smoking). I'll never forget feeling completely weight-less as I'm walking . . like every cell in my body was just 'off.' And even though all logic and reason said otherwise, I was SURE death was imminent. It ended when finally, I just couldn't keep it in anymore and started crying (in public!). I ended up breaking down to my brother in his car, letting my emotions do ALL the talking for like 20 minutes . . Then I felt really at peace like all day.

I did drink the night before, which definitely helped bring it on. Drinking continued to bring on severe anxiety, until I just stopped for about 3 months. When I started drinking again, the cycle seemed to be broken . . and still is, to this day. I get some anxiety, but its perfectly manageable.

I think drinking helps bring it on but its not the root cause. You need to deal with your sh*t.

Don't even sweat it though, I look back at that PUBLIC MELTDOWN and seriously just laugh at it now. It was a trip.

 

[Guoy Darko]

Thank you guys. My anxiety probably had something to do with my OCD. At the end of the party, when everything was blurry, my ex-girlfriend came and talk to me. I wanted to get away, but I couldn't really talk properly or walk properly. She kept on telling stories about how her BF broke up with her and she felt bad about it. I told her she's a nice, pretty girl and that she deserves some guy that loves her.

But after that, I couldn't remember a thing! My OCD makes me believe I kissed her in a short blackout, although I cannot remember it. I'm really strickt when it comes to cheating. Even a short kiss during a blackout is crossing the line for me. Apparently. My brother told me he was there 95% of the time and he only left for half a minute to a minute to say people goodbye. He said that in the time he was there nothing happened and he would bet his foot(!) on it that nothing happened in the period he was gone. But for my OCD that's not enough proof.

Here are my issues. I don't know why I have these strickt rules and why I'm so panicking about it. OCD is a total SOB. For the guys here that don't have it: congrats! I envy you!

 

[thedude4242]

one thing you must remember is that panic attacks cannot hurt you. they cant. having a good diet and exercising can really help that out. the thing is dont let them stop you in what you do. the quicker you get them addressed and treated by your doctor the easy it is to get rid of them. there are different levels of OCD, but you need to get some counciling from a therapist to learn more about your condition.

 

[Peña]

I thought booze helps to sooth your jangled nerves.

one thing you must remember is that panic attacks cannot hurt you. they cant.

If you get freaked out enough it could.

 

[In2theGame]

Pretty interesting this thread topic came up. For the past 3 weeks i have been having these and my first one ever was 3 weeks ago after the gym. I cant tell you how fvcking scary that was lol. For years i have taken stimulants and pre workouts before the gym without any problems whatsoever. The last 3 years though i have been drinking very heavy every weekend and noticed about a year ago i was having heart palpitations after a long weekend of drinking. lately I decided to cut back a bit on the alcohol but i ended up drinking a lot again.

Rewind 3 weeks prior to today... I had forgotten how many stimulants i took through out the day so i ended up taking more than i should have, I got to the Gym and had a strong pre workout drink. I got on the treadmill and did some running and i felt great, After about an hour or so i hit the weights and on my last set of bench press i started to feel a little dizzy, I was worried i was going to pass out. I quickly got into the car and sped home. While i was on the highway, I felt i couldnt breath and my hands and legs started going numb. I barely made it home. I tried laying down for a few minutes and then my heart rate was through the roof. It was like i couldnt calm down at all and my breathing was getting shorter while my heart rate increasing. I went to the ER and when i got there, they did a EKG on me and said i was fine and the feeling subsided and i was able to relax a bit. For the next couple of days i felt like i couldnt catch my breath right and i ended up back into the ER one early morning with shortness of breath and my heart racing. This time they did a bunch of tests on me and said everything looks okay. The doctor told me i probably was having a panic/anxiety attack. I have NEVER had anything like that before.

I think I may have overdosed on Caffeine and the fact that ive been drinking alot of alcohol finally caught up to me in a very bad way. Right now i feel the shortness of breath but im feeling a little bit better day by day if i stay relaxed. Im done with drinking and stimulants for now and i probably wont drink like i used to ever again. Its not worth that feeling. Plus im going to try to look for supps with no caffeine in them as my body probbaly needs a break from stims. I hope to feel much better by Saturday as i have this super hot girl i want to hang out with lol. If anyone has suggestions to remedies for relaxation because my upper abdomen feels tense and causes a "feeling" of shortness of breath. This feeling fvcking sucks.

 

[Trump]

You have; panic attacks, OCD, and a alcohol problem, yet you have a girlfriend you are sleeping with regularly?

Sounds like you are doing OK.

 

[corrector]

Yeah, I know the feeling about panic attacks. After a separation with my wife, a lawyer coming against my cousin for an appeal I put together so he can live rent-free in his apartment, starting an annulment proceeding, and then seeing an escort after all of that, I've had some panic attacks.

I believe the escort triggered the actual panic attack because I felt so guilty and was in such shock that I actually did that I felt disgusted and sick with myself.

Right now I'm not feeling as bad, but I can't get over the fact that I deal with someone I don't know, even if I have no STDs, the mental aspect of it was too brutal on my nervous system. My parents keep reassuring me that I'll get over all of this.

Symtoms:

First week, could not eat properly or sleep. Had to book a hotel to get out of the home. Could not drive.

Heart would increase in speed while sleeping and I would awake. Feelings of derealization and depersonalization. Feeling like I was been thrown into the air or there was no bottom, etc... weird perceptional feelings.

Mom prayed and plead the blood of Jesus over me. She said I was already healed and delivered by Jesus and it would be a matter of time that I would be back to my old self.

Second week,

Started driving again. Was on herbal medication. Some signs of a healthy appetite resurfacing. Still in inner turmoil and asking my folks frequently if I looked okay (still do up to today).

Third week: Appetite normalizing. Driving okay. Weaning off herbal medication. Sleep okay, but tend to wait a bit before falling asleep.

Fourth week: Not under any herbal medication. Appetite is normal. Driving is normal. Sleep is normal.

Recent: Seem to be back to normal. Still have flashbacks of the incident.

At the worst points of the panic attack, my dad wanted to take me twice to emergency since he was really worried - this occurred two nights.

Symptoms occurred the next morning after the encounter.

Jesus Christ credited for healing and deliverance and forgiveness of sins.

 

[RangerMIke]

My daughter gets panic attacks. Usually this is brought on by actual fear that you are about to have a panic attack. Counseling has helped her not to be fearful of being anxious. You should see a psychologist. .. And get some medication prescribed it's worked wonders for my girl. Something you can take when you feel this coming on. Ask him/she about alcohol... I don't know. I'm inclined to think it's never a good idea to self medicate. Everyone body chemistry is different. It took a few months to figure out what worked for her and as she is entering puberty... her chemistry is changing so adjustments need to be made. As you get older your body changes too... so it's something you have to stay on top of.

Sounds like you have a good girl... if you want to keep her then you will need to demonstrate that you are taking steps to help yourself... go see a psychologist. Best advice I can give... good luck, don't be afraid to get help. If you broke your leg you would go to a doctor... this is no different. Let's us know how you're doing.

 

[In2theGame]

My daughter gets panic attacks. Usually this is brought on by actual fear that you are about to have a panic attack. Counseling has helped her not to be fearful of being anxious. You should see a psychologist. .. And get some medication prescribed it's worked wonders for my girl. Something you can take when you feel this coming on. Ask him/she about alcohol... I don't know. I'm inclined to think it's never a good idea to self medicate. Everyone body chemistry is different. It took a few months to figure out what worked for her and as she is entering puberty... her chemistry is changing so adjustments need to be made. As you get older your body changes too... so it's something you have to stay on top of.

Sounds like you have a good girl... if you want to keep her then you will need to demonstrate that you are taking steps to help yourself... go see a psychologist. Best advice I can give... good luck, don't be afraid to get help. If you broke your leg you would go to a doctor... this is no different. Let's us know how you're doing.

Fear is definitely a big trigger. Everyone I guess has an anxiety/panic attack sometime in their life but for different reasons contributing to it, Be it Alcohol, Too much Caffeine, Drugs, Massive traumatic life stress etc. I was talking to my neighbor the other day as i went to the gym with him and he was talking about when it happened to him. He was freaking the hell out while driving one day and he went into an extreme panic gasping for air and not being able to breath at all as his throat felt close up. He called 911 because he thought he was having a heart attack so as soon as he saw the Cops and Ambulance pulling up to his truck, He totally felt relaxed lol. I was laughing as i could totally relate. My step father was driving me to the E.R and the whole way there i was panicking that i couldnt breath and felt my heart beating hard. As soon as i could see the Hospital sign that said "Emergency Room Entrance"... I, all of a sudden felt relaxed and relieved.

 

[PeasantPlayer]

I had anxiety for a year, had a full blown panic attack last September. Never forget it, I thought I was going to die. It was the worst feeling I ever had, I felt powerless. Went to the doctors after words, got a blood and urine test everything was fine. I still wasn't convinced.....The anxiety got so bad I didn't leave the house for a few weeks. Always thought I was going to do, shortness of breath, dizziness. I was close to giving up I was in CONSTANT fear, but something clicked in me and I had to do something. I started meditating.....I didn't notice results until 3 weeks in to mediation my anxiety was slowly diminishing, started eating better no more alcohol or caffeine. Clean eating. Started exercises......You are having this anxiety because you are not happy where you are at in life.....listen to what your anxiety is trying to tell you.

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/the-gift-of-anxiety-7-ways-to-get-the-message-and-find-peace/

 

[Julian]

I beat anxiety easily. All you need to do is use your brain. Realize you are being a giant puzzy and there is nothing life threatening happening to you. Those panic feelings is fight or flight and is a good thing to have (saves your ass when **** hits the fan).

what you guys do is wind yourself up and start having a crazy imagination like a small child in a haunted house. sure it feels "scary" but you know its not real and there is no true danger. As a child you feel true fear as an adult you do not. this is how a panic attack and anxiety is. grow some balls.

remember theres men in warzones fighting and dieing and people in rugged areas...having a panic attack in bed next to your gf...i mean come on brah. you are stronger then that.

also maybe you were drugged that evening of drunkeness.