Last month I experienced what I know recognize as a panic attack. A panic attack is basically a triggering of the fight-or-flight response in an inappropriate situation. The body prepares for exertion and, when it fails to occur, negative effects (in addition to the fear caused by the fight-or-flight response) result from the lack of carbon dioxide (an increase is anticipated for such exertion) and the increased blood flow to muscles and away from the brain (again, anticipated for such exertion).
Most of the info. I see about how to deal with a panic attack involves remaining calm, breathing through the nose, etc. But wouldn’t physical exertion be more appropriate (provided you have the opportunity for it–i.e., you’re not sitting on an airplane, in the middle of a board meeting, etc.)? Wouldn’t this expend your body’s fight-or-flight resources in the proper way, allowing you to come down? Perhaps a brisk jog around the block, or fifty push-ups?
Sorry I can’t answer directly, but for me, getting out of the situation helps to alleviate the anxiety. I wouldn’t be as likely to get an attack if I were in a situation where I could run away; IOW a plane or boardroom is much more likely to be the attack venue. And if I could run away, panic builds as I realize the escape has to come to an end and I eventually have to go back home, or back to work.
I used to have them and they suck big time but I don’t get them often anymore. I prevented mine through exertion as well. At one point, I was running 7 - 8 miles a day as prevention and would do some type of heavy exertion if I got one anyway. Breathing techniques and sitting quietly never worked for me. In fact, they made things worse because I felt like a lion was chasing me and there was no way I wanted to sit still through that.
When I used to get them, if it were an appropriate time and place, (not in a sales meeting, for example) I would get up and walk around looking for tigers. This was something my counselor recommended, it’s helping reassure yourself that you aren’t in physical danger, and if there actually are tigers in the room, then you need to get the hell out of there.
The nice thing about looking for tigers, rather than killer ninja mice, for example. is that you don’t have to peek under the chairs, saving considerable time.
I had a panic attack once where I was scratching at my face and pounding on the steering wheel and door of my car (I got it while driving and had to pull off the road. Whee!) It was part of the panic attack.
The physical exertion did not help. Coming home (well, being picked up and brought home) and curling up on the floor with my dog did.
Having misread the thread title, I came in here to offer advice on dealing with pancake attacks. This problem is decidedly less delicious, and sadly, I have no advice. I apologize.
If you ever have a pancake attack, though, you know who to call.
love
yams!!
Sounds like the principle behind the tarantella dance. Vigorous dancing is believed to be the antidote to the bite of a wolf spider (which is more panic-inducing than it is venomous): “There were strong suggestions that there is no organic cause for the heightened excitability and restlessness that gripped the victims.” Alessandra Belloni interprets the spider bite as a metaphor for psychological maladies resulting from women’s repressed sexual desire, tension that is released by the dance.
I think gigi touched on it. One of the things that used to trigger an attack for me was being in a situation that I couldn’t get out of and run away (driving in a car for example). The fact that I knew I couldn’t go out and run around the block increased the anxiety.
I think that your proposed solution would actually heighten anxiety in these situations because you will have used the stepping out and running around as a crutch that now cannot be used and increasing your anxiety…
I used to get them and it was bad. Back then they were less known so my first few doctor visits missed what it was. At that point I was convinced it was heart trouble even though the EKG’s said it was not. So I started running when I felt one coming on. The thinking being I would accelerate the heart attack and prove the “quacks” wrong. Turned out it improved the situation. My personal experience says yes it helps.
Slightly off topic from what I’ve heard I always assumed Panic Attacks were psychological in origin but could there be a case for say a hyper active Adrenal gland or even a heart defect?
Sorry if I sound naive but I am lucky enough to have never suffered one though I have actually approached panic in some seriously bad circumstances.
My sister used to get them bad, you miss the point, panic attacks are triggered by the brain, this doesn’t mean the symptoms are fake it just means they have no reason.
The usual problem is people have a fear of dying or going crazy along with the symptoms, so they are afraid to exercise as they feel they are already having a heart attack or trouble breathing. A lot of them overbreathe and hyperventilate. Can you exercise when you’ve been hyperventilating?
Anxiety attacks are illogical not irrational, the person remains sane, actually the best remedy is shock. I have shocked my sister out of a bad attack by taking ice water and throwing it in her face. She immediately stopped. It’s kind of like in the movie when they slap a hysterical person.