Panic attacks - living alone in lockdown

[Dobbyhasnomaster]

Is anyone else finding that they are seemingly out of nowhere starting with panic attacks? I had them when I was a teenager, and very occasionally now either in v stressful situations or wake up in the middle of the night with one maybe a handful of times of year.

However I currently live alone, I’m working from home, feeling very isolated and suddenly suffering with them again. I’m just not coping and I’m A) really annoyed about it because I thought I had my mental health under control and B) worried it isn’t related to lockdown and I have to deal with them again as part of my life.

Think I’m just after a handhold really and hoping for affirmation that it’s just the situation. I know I’m fortunate in the grand scheme of things to still be working and touch wood have my health, but I’m all over the place!

Any words of wisdom or similar sufferers welcome...

I think so many people will be experiencing them at the moment, it's really shit😞. I'm Thinking once everything gets back to normal the panic attacks will stop.

Didn't want to read and run, feel really sorry for people isolating alone

Poor you, I'm so sorry for you. I am in a houseful and it's exhausting but I know it's preferable to the alternative.

I've had panic attacks and the best cure, for me, is running. If you are able to run anywhere and stay a good distance away from others, I suggest you do that. It honestly works wonders for anxiety reduction.

I don't think you're the only one.

Going on my experiences and the conversations I've had with others it might be the general sense of "unsafeness" this situation has caused that is triggering them for you. Your body's spending a lot of time in a high state of alert plus you sound like you're feeling worn down(?) so it makes sense.

If you can find ways to feel a little bit of safeness during your day it might make them more manageable. And if not, I'm guessing you already have lots of good soothing strategies you can deploy to bring your panic levels down and take care of yourself afterwards so it doesn't spiral?

I get why you're feeling A and B - it would piss me off and scare me too - but I hope you're not turning it into some kind of personal failure and beating yourself up for struggling? Because I don't think that will help and you definitely don't deserve harshness or self-punishment over it! If you can be kinder to yourself about it then it might feel slightly less unbearable.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this alone. I'm a single mum, and I'm really feeling it just now. Very, very lonely time. I also had panic attacks when I was younger and they've started up again lately. My DD is 9 and it's been really hard on her. I think we're all just doing our best but sometimes it doesn't feel good enough. Do you have anyone online you can turn to/lean on?

Also, I like your username.

No you’re not the only one. My panic attacks have been worse since lockdown too.

Thanks everyone - the kind words have made me feel a little better.

Yeah I’ve been taking some walks and trying to do the usual eat well, sleep well, breathing exercises etc. But your brain goes to some weird places when there are very few distractions!

I kind of find video calls with loved ones worse - it’s like dangling the ones you want to be with in your face and I always feel more sad after. I’m a big hugger normally and I miss my parents and my partner and it’s just a bit rubbish! And I don’t want anyone to worry about me not feeling great when they have enough on their plates.

Hopefully it will come to pass and just need to batten down the hatches until this is over. Hope you’re all doing ok too!

@user53175387 lol thanks 🤣 currently doing a Harry Potter re read as a coping strategy, on the goblet of fire!

Hi, I also suffer with bad anxiety and have found that mine has become much worse lately, mainly because I am still overcoming agoraphobia so going out and about is still really important for me. However when I can I go for my once a day walk, and I also have some apps that help, like meditation etc and YouTube videos that are sort of like white noise when I’m sleeping. Nothing is permanent and we will get through this :) stay strong.