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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to ask how others recover after a severe anxiety attack

20 replies

Telephonelightflashing · 07/04/2026 18:11

I've spent the day in a long panic attack. I have anxiety and for th most part I manage it bit today has been rough
I'm home now but my body feels like something terrible has happened or that I'm really ill.
If you have anxiety attacks what do you do to regulate/recover?
I'd be grateful for a bit of support and solidarity as I live alone

OP posts:
ohyesido · 07/04/2026 18:13

Honestly I would suggest you do what comforts you. What some nostalgic TV, eat your favourite food if you have the appetite. Get into comfy pyjamas and read, sleep, whatever makes you feel safe.

do you have anyone to look after you who you can call?

Cathmawr · 07/04/2026 18:15

Aw OP I'm sorry you've had such a rough day! It's such a horrible feeling during and after a panic attack, and yours sounds very prolonged!

I suffer panic attacks sometimes and I try to sit outside quietly afterwards to sort of re-ground. Focusing on something like the wind in the leaves, an insect on the ground or a river moving is very calming to me. If that's not possible, could you lie down quietly inside? Maybe with a silly telly programme on if your mind is still busy?

I don't know if you have a sweet tooth but maybe something sugary will help. I hope you feel better soon- this too shall pass xx

user593 · 07/04/2026 18:23

When I used to have panic attacks (weirdly) tweezing my eyebrows was the one thing that would calm me down. I hope you feel better soon OP.

DepressedBunny · 07/04/2026 18:24

Tidying something, whether that’s a kitchen drawer, a bedroom cupboard, or sorting out a file. That’s what grounds me helps me reconnect. Sorry today was rubbish. x

EmeraldRoulette · 07/04/2026 18:29

@Telephonelightflashing been there many times

For some of them, I had diazepam which frankly is the most helpful thing if you can get some. I know other people like beta blockers, but my blood pressure is low generally so I can't take those.

These days, I don't think I could get any diazepam

So for me, no matter how unpopular it may be... some alcohol. I don't normally drink. This does mean that the odd medicinal drink actually works in the way that having a brandy might have worked in the old days.

That's not something I do all the time btw

Sometimes it's a hot bath

Sometimes I need to walk it off - I have done this in pouring rain and howling wind when I felt that physical movement was the only way to deal with it

Sometimes it's a case of sitting in front of the television and watching something calming. I can't usually focus on it for the first hour or so.

Also, I think having some sugar helps. That's not me making it up. I think there is a scientific reason why it helps, something to do with cortisol

Also chamomile tea is actually helpful

Or you could try taking Kalms pills or valerian drops.

it's hard to believe that it will pass, but it will pass.

Oh, and I tend to use a hot water bottle, but I'm cold all the time - it has to be about 30° outside before I can't make use of a hot water bottle!

I don't tend to do any breathing exercise exercises any more because I found I was better off just letting it settle back to normal. I think some of the official advice will tell you that now as well.

I really hope you feel better soon. 💐

Telephonelightflashing · 07/04/2026 18:32

ohyesido · 07/04/2026 18:13

Honestly I would suggest you do what comforts you. What some nostalgic TV, eat your favourite food if you have the appetite. Get into comfy pyjamas and read, sleep, whatever makes you feel safe.

do you have anyone to look after you who you can call?

Edited

I have no appetite which is not like me at all! I was looking forward to coming home and eating my Easter egg!
I do have people I can call , not quite that bad thankfully

OP posts:
Telephonelightflashing · 07/04/2026 18:33

EmeraldRoulette · 07/04/2026 18:29

@Telephonelightflashing been there many times

For some of them, I had diazepam which frankly is the most helpful thing if you can get some. I know other people like beta blockers, but my blood pressure is low generally so I can't take those.

These days, I don't think I could get any diazepam

So for me, no matter how unpopular it may be... some alcohol. I don't normally drink. This does mean that the odd medicinal drink actually works in the way that having a brandy might have worked in the old days.

That's not something I do all the time btw

Sometimes it's a hot bath

Sometimes I need to walk it off - I have done this in pouring rain and howling wind when I felt that physical movement was the only way to deal with it

Sometimes it's a case of sitting in front of the television and watching something calming. I can't usually focus on it for the first hour or so.

Also, I think having some sugar helps. That's not me making it up. I think there is a scientific reason why it helps, something to do with cortisol

Also chamomile tea is actually helpful

Or you could try taking Kalms pills or valerian drops.

it's hard to believe that it will pass, but it will pass.

Oh, and I tend to use a hot water bottle, but I'm cold all the time - it has to be about 30° outside before I can't make use of a hot water bottle!

I don't tend to do any breathing exercise exercises any more because I found I was better off just letting it settle back to normal. I think some of the official advice will tell you that now as well.

I really hope you feel better soon. 💐

Thank you so much, such a lovely post x

OP posts:
Hotzenplotz · 07/04/2026 18:38

Take it easy OP, sorry to hear you've had a rough day. Take time to do whatever recharges you.

ohyesido · 07/04/2026 18:39

Sugar definitely helps. Alcohol is a short term fix but the hangover anxiety is not worth the risk.

do you know what triggered the attack?

Lipsticky · 07/04/2026 18:43

Box breathing helps a little bit. Going for a brisk walk if possible. Last 2 that I had recently were so bad I resorted to Propanolol.
Mediation is meant to be good for general anxiety but you have to practice to get it to work.
I also have trouble eating when I'm anxious but can usually manage hot tea/coffee and a couple of biscuits. I hope you're feeling better soon. I really sympathise with you. Just try to think about how you feel when you're not anxious.
It's weird how, when you're anxious(I find anyway) that you can remember what it's like to feel anxious so try to reverse it.
Just remember that no matter how bad you feel that it's only temporary.

Telephonelightflashing · 07/04/2026 18:49

ohyesido · 07/04/2026 18:39

Sugar definitely helps. Alcohol is a short term fix but the hangover anxiety is not worth the risk.

do you know what triggered the attack?

Triggered by health anxiety/grief but I've been fighting it for a week or so and barely hanging on

OP posts:
WobblyBoots · 07/04/2026 19:05

It's so tough OP. I don't have these as much as I used to but when I do I generally feel completely physically and mentally exhausted from the energy they consume. I generally put on very loud white noise, get into my pyjamas and go to sleep (regardless of the time of day). If they were not quite as bad then a shower, big glass of water, bed and something funny/not demanding on TV.
x

EmeraldRoulette · 07/04/2026 19:55

Telephonelightflashing · 07/04/2026 18:49

Triggered by health anxiety/grief but I've been fighting it for a week or so and barely hanging on

Okay, the word grief jumps out at me

Is that likely to be a bigger factor?

if you're struggling to get food down you, and you want to keep your strength up, a smoothie is a good idea. A shop bought one is fine. The main thing is if you are too anxious to eat, it's the benefit of getting some calories in.

i'm glad you found the post helpful. I was a bit worried because I can be quite ... blasé... about it with myself, because I'm such a veteran.

Hopefully, you'll take the words of a veteran when I say you will come out the other side, I promise

You have to be careful with grief because some people say the most bonkers things

They mean well. When my dad died, I had people saying to me "it won't get better, it will get different".

Not my experience at all. It got better. I realise people are reluctant to say that sometimes. But I did not feel they were helpful to me by saying that it wouldn't get better!

I really do mean it when I say wherever you are now... it will get better!

Woozybazoochy · 07/04/2026 22:35

So sorry you're struggling. I can totally relate. It's all new to me. I've had anxiety probably for nearly 2yrs now but recently had my first panic attack which was absolutely terrifying. I was lucky enough to have my family with me but tbh it just took time to regulate. GP sent an email (and prescription for propranolol) with breathing techniques. I think you have to focus on that and distract with happy thoughts. And it is not easy. Sending love and hope you're ok you're not alone in feeling the way you do I promise ♥️

Lipsticky · 08/04/2026 22:48

How have you been today OP? I see that another poster has also mentioned propanolol. When I had a difficult time with daily panic attacks years ago my GP put me on a low dose of citalapram and that helped me through it and I came out the other side.But as I said previously the Propanolol helped not so long ago.
You might not want to but perhaps if this continues, maybe consider a visit to your GP? Just to give you something to tide you over or break the cycle. You don't have to take what they give you but it might help just to go and see what the options are.They might also offer counselling for help processing your grief.
Hope you get rest from all of this. I know how hard it can be but you will get through it.

Telephonelightflashing · 09/04/2026 10:24

Hi I'm off to the doctor this morning as im definitely spiralling. I'm worried that I will just cry and look mental. I also have a physical thing to check out which I'm worried will get ignored/subsumed by the anxiety.
I'm currently just sitting and trying to script out my appt

OP posts:
Loulou4022 · 09/04/2026 10:33

Sending big hugs
I don’t have anxiety attacks but I have a miriad of coping strategies. Fizzy pop, crisps and chocolate think it’s the snap crackle and pop so to speak that soothes me! Aromatherapy rollerballs (absolute aromas, puressential are my favourites) hand cream and lip balm (I buy scents that I love and apply while taking deep breaths) reading or playing a game on my iPad, watching a familiar film (usually Harry Potter), listening to audiobooks (gives my mind something to focus on)
Actually didn’t realise I had so many coping strategies!!

Telephonelightflashing · 09/04/2026 14:16

I've come away with some sertraline to try. I'm feeling very grateful but now trying not to fall down the side effects goggling route... anxiety is such a pain in the arse (or brain)

OP posts:
Lipsticky · 09/04/2026 18:57

Telephonelightflashing · 09/04/2026 14:16

I've come away with some sertraline to try. I'm feeling very grateful but now trying not to fall down the side effects goggling route... anxiety is such a pain in the arse (or brain)

Well done. That was probably difficult. Hope you start feeling better soon but it'll take a little while to get into your system so give it a chance. Sending u a 🫂 🤗

Telephonelightflashing · 09/04/2026 20:26

It's just exhausting to feel your brain run riot. I hope the tablets work soon

OP posts:
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