i had to practically run out of a restaurant tonight

[fizzgig]

i'm just reading my book and waiting for my food when *BAM*! panic attack...full freaking blown attack. i told the waiter that something had come up and i had to run. he was wonderful in getting my food boxed up (looks like the order came out right after i told him) and getting me out the door.

the worst part was that i didn't have my ativan with me. i haven't been carrying my purse lately, so i don't have the meds with me when i go out. i've been feeling an attack festering for a few days now and silly me, i leave my meds at home. i was shaking so badly when i got to my car...thank gods my best friend was home, so she spent about 45 minutes on the phone with me.

i haven't had one like this in months and i have a feeling that the stress of the past few weeks has at least something to do with it but that doesn't make me feel any better

[elleng]

1. You're safe, now, right?

PLEASE promise that you'll keep meds with you!

Peace.

[fizzgig]

3. i am safe

and i'm going to just suck it up and start carrying my purse again

thanks :)

[EFerrari]

2. Darn.

Panic attacks are so depleting. I'm so sorry that happened.

The only way I learned to manage them was to learn to feel them coming a mile away. My breathing changed, my something changed, I felt anxious or pressed, my thinking slanted to negative or catastrophic for no reason. Things don't feel right and I don't know why.

Learning to spot these small changes allowed me to see a panic attack coming and to avert it all together. I haven't had a panic attack for 15 years. I'll probably never have one again because I've learned how to see them coming and I cut it off before it hits me full blast. :shrug:

What it was like for me was trying to notice very small changes as soon as I could. The sooner I recognized them, the sooner I could try to manage them and so, avoid what they all multiplied to -- that feeling of horrible immanent danger. :hug:

Meds have helped me a lot but, learning how to notice small changes that could lead to trouble has helped more.

It's amazing how much control we really do have. If we notice our breathing has changed, we can control that. If we notice our thinking is negative or frightened, we can reassure ourselves and change our thinking. The trick is to do it soon enough before our nervous system takes over with the panic response.

Take good care of you.

:hug:

[fizzgig]

4. i can usually feel them coming and head it off

but tonight it felt like i was blindsided...something that hasn't happened in a long, long time. i've been a bit distracted lately is the best way to put it, i guess...i'm trying to be more mindful

thanks for all the advice :hug: