Sense of impending doom/dissociating on a busy train

[inablindpanic]

Been out all day with friend, had a v difficult/deep conversation but I’m left shattered and with a horrible sense of impending doom like Ive never had before . I’m on train home and keep feeling something horrible is going tk happwn. I’ve got an hour and twenty minthes yet . Don’t know what to do . Am disorientated as facing backwards and jr being so dark outside too .

Absolutely !
I get mine in confined spaces ( Trains, Lifts)
But now can cope.
My son (No longer 7) just makes gentle fun
” Bloody hell mum! Look at your face!”
( When we were on Channel Tunnel and they closed us in)
I truly thought I’d have to pull the emergency cord, have a violent bowel movement or be sick- or all three at once.

But breathing 😮‍💨 out slowly really worked.

The journey back via tunnel was fine.
Definitely not taking them too seriously helps me personally.
I now know the signs and what to do.

Spoke to conductor, they’re phoning ahead to station and someone will get me off train and help me into a taxi .

Said just to sit right and they’ll be back to check on me shortly . Will keep the breathing going .

Also not minimising the panic but have you eaten enough today op? Is there a cafe/shop on the next station? Sometimes all the little things stack up too such as not enough to eat/lack of sleep.

I’ve had lunch yes, and a bit of cake earlier . I think it was just the conversation topic, it was very hard .

Oh great op, keep breathing as others said, it will help to kick in the rest and relax responses.

That's brilliant OP.

I had a panic attack on the bus once, just focusing on the breathing while I was riding the wave helped enormously.

Bless you OP you'll be home soon. I wouldn't wish panic attacks on anyone it feels like you're drowning in air. Remember it will pass. Big glass of water and fresh air xx

Good for you!
The key is making that outbreath as long and slowcas possible.
When we panic, we do really fast, shallow breaths that make us dizzy and spaced out.
Well done👍

Belly breathe….push your stomach out as you breathe we do it naturally when completely relaxed and comfortable. Some times it tricks your body into calming down.

This sounds really horrible. I hope you're home safely soon.

Look after yourself when you get in op, nice hot drink or water and get some rest. Adrenaline surges can really wipe you out.

I've had this a few times op. It will pass.
When it happens I sometimes sing a song in my head, all the way through from start to finish.

We're all with you OP

Keep the steady out breaths going

OP when you’re in have a bath, some water, light bite to eat (even if you don’t feel like it) and get a good nights sleep.

Chabces are you’ll settle right down when you’re in your place of safety that is familiar and comfortable.

Chances are this is a one off as a result of the convo you had with your friend.. but even if this isn’t the case you can recognise the symptoms in future and you know you’ve dealt with this before and you can do it again.

Another one here with you OP. I’ve been there and it’s not pleasant. Try to keep yourself grounded with observing what’s going on around you with all senses and keep focused on your breathing. It will pass.

sometimes I tell my anxiety to “bring it on” and refuse to be scared of it. You can’t sustain the anxiety levels forever and it will burn itself out.

My husband gets anxiety attacks.

We talk through the senses. Name 5 things you can see, 5 things you can hear, 5 things you can feel (external/ touch), 5 things you can taste, 5 things you can smell (don't worry if you don't have five for anything just skip on at any hesitation to the next one). Then repeat back to sight again. Use the same or different ones, don't dwell too much on anything, just keep your thoughts light and grounded.

Hope you feel better soon op x

Glad the conductor is getting help for you.

It sounds like you’ve had a hard day, it won’t be long and you’ll be back home

This might sound cheesy but I turn my anxiety attacks into a character, I’m sure this is a real method and I’m not weird! I just say ‘oh hello, you again, thanks for the warning but we aren’t in danger’ sort of fits in with the not fighting it but making light of it. It did take a fair few go’s though.

Sounds very much like a form of panic attack. Panic attacks can happen in many forms. Not always the extreme end (hyperventilating, visible panic, shaking etc).

@inablindpanic How are you doing...? Hope you are feeling safe in a taxi your way home.

I read somewhere that a feeling of impending doom can mean an imminent medical crisis. I had a period once when I kept getting the feeling. I googled it, and it told me that it happens before an upcoming illness. Scared me to death! Needless to say I didn’t suffer a medical emergency, and just stopped having the feelings eventually.

Just in the door now . Still feeling very very sick and dizzy . Station staff got me in a taxi and said to maybe ring 111 if needed . Am absolutely exhausted . Thanks so much for keeping me sane ish, I knew before I got on the train I wasn’t with it at all . Friend is lovely but conversation was so hard .

Also OP if she is a really good friend and it's not going to hurt her in anyway, maybe it's worth mentioning next time you plan to meet up that you never want to talk about this again? X

Hope you are home safe now OP ❤️