panic attacks

**Posts:** 254 · by **MatthewTrueland** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:46 am

Having had a panic attack again after just under a year it brought back those feelings of "my god im having a heart attack".
Of course 3 days later still shakey and bit down i know it was not a heart attack but one thing bothers me.

During a full PA the heart goes so fast it hurts, does this cause damage to the heart if it goes on to long?
I was watching a Tv programe about real life hospitals and a man was brought in with very fast heart rate and they were worried if it was not brought down the heart could " flip out " he was given drugs to control it.
Could this happen in a Panic attack?

**Posts:** 48 · by **junglemonkey** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 9:57 am

Hi MatthewTrueland,

I have to start by saying DEFINITELY NOT!!! The heart would never "give in" as such during a panic attack. Their original evolutionary design was to help us survive rather than kill us, so if we're running away from a tiger in the caveman days, it wouldn't be very helpful to have a heart attack would it?

Your heart rate could never go on being so high. The body cannot sustain a panic attack for very long... in fact most people tend to peak at about 10-15 minutes. So the high heart rate would not go on for long enough to cause any damage to the heart muscle. And in fact, your chest pain isn't related to your heart at all! You know the way your chest feels all tight, and you can't breathe very well? That's the source of your chest pains. The muscles inbetween your ribs that help you to breathe tighten up so much it restricts your breathing and the muscles get tired and sore giving you chest pains, which, in a panicky moment we translate into a heart attack.

You will never have a heart attack as a result of a panic attack. It has never happened and never will. I'm sorry to hear your panic attacks are back thoguh

**Posts:** 254 · by **MatthewTrueland** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 10:08 am

It is my fault i gave up alcahol as i was told this was the main cause.
It worked was panic free, but have been to a few partys and things and started drinking again and WHAM there they are again :oops:

Still worries me how the heart can take such a beating.

**Posts:** 48 · by **junglemonkey** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 7:31 pm

The chest pains you experience have absolutely nothing to do with your heart

The heart isn't taking a beating, your heart isn't sore, it's the muscles inbetween your ribs that get tired!

Keep strong!!

**Posts:** 254 · by **MatthewTrueland** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 7:53 pm

Have not had any kind of drink for two days nothing but water but the panic keeps sweeping over me my chest is heaving as you say ts the muscle that must be sore.
Getting really worried as i have a very importamt training course in the morning the tought of being trapped in the room is driving me mad.
So apart from not drinking anyone know some quick fix answers? i think i know the answer to that

**Posts:** 5816 · by **Michael Lank** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 8:19 pm

Hi,

The best quick fix answer is to practice 7/11 breathing, that is breathing in deeply to a count of 7 and a longer outbreath to a count of 11. Do this for a few minutes, and let us know how you get on..

Best wishes.

**Posts:** 254 · by **MatthewTrueland** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 8:22 pm

ok will try that beats getting drunk :roll:

should i try a run before i go to meeting someone said this will mean panic can not happen?

**Posts:** 5816 · by **Michael Lank** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 8:44 pm

Going for a run, or any exercise is generally a good idea. A panic attack is the mind and body preparing to fight or run away, all the symptoms, like an increased heart rate, are just the normal things we feel when taking strenuous exercise.

It's like warming up a car engine by revving the engine so the oil is warm so that when you do move the engine is ready to move quickly away.

So, if you take exercise you are doing what the body is naturally gearing up to do, and you'll get the extra benefits from regular exercise: fitness, better immune system, generally calmer, etc.

Another thing you could do is prepare something nice to do after the meeting tomorrow, and if you worry about the meeting, stop and just think about the treat you've got afterwards.

I hope things go well for the training course.

**Posts:** 254 · by **MatthewTrueland** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 4:43 pm

Boy that was hard did the run and did the breathing still took a lot to get there but manages to stay in room untill breaks in course.... panic was really there in my face. Just hope tuesday goes better.
Thanks for your help guys.

**Posts:** 5816 · by **Michael Lank** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 5:09 pm

Hi Matthew,

Well done for staying there until the break. The more you succeed in staying in the meeting the easier it becomes - you are re-educating this mind that the experience is ok.

So, before next Tuesday I'd suggest you practice the 7/11 breathing regularly and keep up the running.

Best wishes.

**Posts:** 254 · by **MatthewTrueland** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 5:58 pm

Thanks guys did it and passed the course but it was one of the hardest most unpleasant things i have ever done but feel good that i did it.

I hate this grip cant we just get a pill to take

**Posts:** 5816 · by **Michael Lank** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:35 pm

Brilliant! Well done, you deserve to feel really good for doing 'one of the hardest most unpleasant things i have ever done'

Things should get easier next time!

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:38 pm

Yes, good for you Matthew - that takes guts, but the payoff is worth it in the long run!

**Posts:** 254 · by **MatthewTrueland** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 8:31 am

Do you think Hypnosis will help me more?
What sort of cost is it and how long does a course take aprox... really want to work towards getting rid of this now :oops:

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