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Original poster

Hangover and anxiety

62 replies

Wishgad · 26/08/2019 19:14

Last night I got drunk (myself and DH at home). I'm not a big drinker but last night just went a bit OTT. Mixed my drinks and was just a bit foolish.

I woke up at 1am feeling utter terror. I had to wake up DH who sat with me until 3am. I've never experienced anything like it in my life before. Just an overwhelming feeling of doom and a feeling of total loss of control. I was absolutely terrified even to the point I thought I was going to die Sad

Finally fell asleep. Woke up with a hangover but mentally feeling much better. The 'episode' had thankfully passed, whatever it was.

I've now been feeling a constant low-level anxiety/panic all day today as well as physically a bit dodgy which I think is the hangover.

I'm late 30s and have never had anything like this happen before. DH was really concerned and it's left me really shaken up.

OP posts:
Ligresa · 27/08/2019 09:27

I now do yoga and its been amazing.

tirednhungry247 · 27/08/2019 09:30

@Wishgad I'm the same, I don't know about you I don't drink often but when I do I always get a bit too boozey.

Now I try to keep myself busy on the second day of the beer fear. So today is that for me. I'm going to put some upbeat music on, get my housework jobs done and then later on tonight listen to my podcast and have a relaxing bath and paint my nails or something. Self care and all that. It's so awful, beating yourself up over what seems like nothing. Everyone is different: I suffer from anxiety as it is but some people who get the "beer fear" feel like they don't at all. Like @Ligresa said, it comes from an underline anxiety somewhere. I think for some people the "feeling" of being hungover physically ill, tired etc can trigger a panic attack.

@Wishgad regardless you aren't alone. I know exactly how you feel and so do so many others on here!

tirednhungry247 · 27/08/2019 09:31

Wow how obnoxious I didn't mean to put all of that in bold BlushBlush slightly embarrassing sorry!

Abstractedobstructed · 27/08/2019 09:36

Metabolism of alcohol produces a byproduct that is chemically very similar to adrenaline. I am very sensitive to adrenaline (can't have it in dentist jabs, eg, makes me shake) and so I, too, wake up with a sense of dread and horror after drinking too much. Knowing it is my brain's interpretation of being flooded by adrenaline - type chemicals is very useful and helps me rationalise what is happening.

Incidentally I have found that new world wines are much much worse for this than European. I stick to French and Italian wine, (not prosecco though, devil's work - dreadful hangovers) never more than 2/3 bottle, and I don't get this. Two glasses of Australian or New Zealand stuff and my heart is pounding and a sense of dread washes over me. Must be a different manufacturing method or different grape variety of something. Drink European, and drink moderately, and you'll be ok.

Original poster
Wishgad · 27/08/2019 09:37

Thanks tierdhungry - wise words spoken!

Mild anxiety has been part of my life for years, even as a child! There's been a few quite big life events recently. Funnily enough I told DH a few weeks ago I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with life. Definitely something to look into.

Ligresa - I go to yoga too, although the classes stop for the Summer holidays so not been for 6 weeks. Again, another factor perhaps!

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Original poster
Wishgad · 27/08/2019 09:38

Wow interesting about the various wines Abstractedobstructed!

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Georgiemcgeorgeface · 27/08/2019 09:42

Welcome to your late 30s. It's definitely something no one tells you about! I don't drink wine now because of it and when I do drink, I drink a lot less than I used to and don't mix drinks. Still get the hangxiety but only mildly. Shit isn't it.

Hairydogmummy · 27/08/2019 09:49

Welcome to late 30s! Actually I'm 41 now but yep, had this after drinking. Your heart rate speeds up to process the alcohol, you wake up with a racing heart, start to panic and all your other fight or flight responses start up. You're possibly also confused if you've woken during deep sleep and hey presto, the night time panic!

Original poster
Wishgad · 27/08/2019 09:49

Totally shit!

It's odd thinking about it, almost all of my friends are still really big drinkers. On a night out, I'll only have a few and also ensure everyone gets home safe (which is fine, my choice). We're all late 30s/early 40s.

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Hairydogmummy · 27/08/2019 09:55

Don't worry it won't happen all the time. Where you are in your cycle, weather, what you drank all play a part. I have friends who can still drink a lot and some who can't any more. Everyone is different. Having anxiety is just shit all round really...

tirednhungry247 · 27/08/2019 09:57

I'm 25 what's my excuse 😭🤣

Original poster
Wishgad · 27/08/2019 10:00

Anxiety sucks balls big time.

Tirednhungry Flowers

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