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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I’m having a panic attack - can anybody help?

36 replies

SaltKatten · 07/01/2021 10:17

I’m sorry, I know this isn’t the right board but I haven’t had one this bad in years. Can anybody help me to calm down? I can’t get through to Samaritans or any anxiety helpline. Struggling to breathe.

OP posts:
MrsJackRackham · 07/01/2021 10:32

Do the counting method.
Think of 5 animals with 4 legs
Think of 4 blue things
Think of 3 countries beginning with L
Think of 2 names of Ford cars

Start again 5 animals with 2 legs etc

SaltKatten · 07/01/2021 10:34

I’ve been having a hard time with childhood trauma flashbacks and on top of that, yesterday my partner accused me of having an affair (he does this fairly regularly - I’m not... he has some fairly big issues with trust and insecurity) and I decided enough was enough. I thought I was OK, went about my morning routine but then was suddenly hit with panic.

OP posts:
SaltKatten · 07/01/2021 10:35

I’ve been counting back from 100 in 3s. My appalling maths skills have helped to distract me

OP posts:
dingoesatemybaby · 07/01/2021 10:36

Something you can see
Something you can hear
Something you can feel

Try and focus on these three things and keep posting.

Thanks
CrotchBurn · 07/01/2021 10:38

If you aren't on any medication you can look into getting some valerian root to brew as a tea. It's a natural sleeping remedy and sedative. It can be useful to have to hand to take the edge off. Good luck with everything, you're going to be fine just remember that. Xxx

Honestadviceneeded · 07/01/2021 10:40

As well as the tapping advice...try movements. Small ones and concentrate on them . Move each finger individually and concentrate on it. Look at the details of your finger such as the wrinkles on your skin and the way them move and describe to yourself what you notice. Keep breathing slowly as you do it. Then move to bigger movements.
When you can, walk around and describe to yourself 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell and 1 you can taste.

It’s all about grounding yourself and engaging your senses. Try drinking something with a strong taste.

If you’re finding it too hard to get your breathing under control I find that breathing out until I’m empty and then taking a slow breath in whilst counting to 4 helps. I then exhale quickly with a push and almost saying ‘ha’ helps. It sounds stupid but it’s a technique my counsellor taught me when I struggle to get my breathing under control.

Hold something you like the feel of and concentrate on how it feels when you move your fingers over it and describe out loud.

I find writing or doodling and really concentrating on the way the pen moves really helpful.

Also sitting close to a window with it open or by a door in fresh air helps.

Wrapping yourself in a heavy blanket can also help.

It’s trial and error and also practice to find things that eventually work.

Pushing against a wall with your hands can help and really trying to push your feet into the ground can be helpful too.

I hope you feel better soon OP

Oh and the more you fight it, the worse it gets. Surrendering to it and letting the waves wash over me and telling myself that it’s just a panic attack and that I’m safe helps. Talk to the panic.Flowers

FlamboyantMustard · 07/01/2021 10:44

Still here OP just don't want to overwhelm with advice, but here to check in and listen

username1909 · 07/01/2021 10:50

@SaltKatten sorry to hear you're having panic attacks. I used to be a sufferer and tried everything. I lived in a constant relentless state of anxiety and panic and just wanted to get rid of it by doing all sorts of stuff to distract myself like breathing, focusing on something else etc. You know what helped me in the end ? It took a while, but I read ' self help for your nerves ' by Claire Weeks. This ' method ' focuses solely on accepting the panic, which automatically diminishes it. Feelings of panic and anxiety can not hurt you. They're just strong feelings / emotions. It takes a while to get through and to learn to just ' leave it alone '. But honestly I don't suffer anymore because I don't resist it. I still get anxious and I still get panic attacks but they can never really escalate the way they did. Check this website and blog out, it helped me a lot anxietynomore.co.uk

All the best to you.

username1909 · 07/01/2021 10:55

@SaltKatten try to see it for what it is- it's a feeling. It's unpleasant but it can do you no harm. Even if it feels like it can. It really cannot. The more you fight it and the more you think you need to get rid of it somehow, the more powerful it becomes. First hand experience.

SaltKatten · 07/01/2021 11:17

I’m feeling much calmer, thank you everyone. Now distracting myself by making a big batch of soup. Flowers

OP posts:
Hoghedge10 · 07/01/2021 11:27

If you ever need support again SHOUT is a text based service that offers crisis support.
So you text Shout to 85258 and you get connected to a crisis counsellor that will talk things through with you and offer you support and resources that might help.

It's a really good service even if you just feel you need to talk to someone and get stuff off your chest.

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