Panic Attacks........

[ELVIS68]

I`ve heard about people having panic attacks before attending weddings, parties and social nights out etc but if someone suffers them afterwards like 5am the next morning ie sickness and diarrhea even without drinking, what should be the next step?

[karenmac60]

my friend has panic attacks - she has never mentioned sickness and diarrhoea. More that she thinks she is having a heart attack and can't breathe.

[Sqad]

Elavis.....not quite sure what you mean.
These "panic attacks" with sickness and diarrhea to follow, do they come on at any time or only when he attends weddings etc as you have described.

Now, for get the D&V bit.....how do these "panic attacks" the ones that come on before an event....manifest themselves?

[ELVIS68]

Sorry, should have said the panic starts during the event, ie knotty stomach, light headed and queasy and the sickness and diarrhea is later

[LoftyLottie]

My panic attacks always cause me to run to the loo afterwards, and leave me with upset stomachs afterwards. Anxiety in general very often causes sickness or diarrhea (sp).

[LoftyLottie]

I don't know though Elvis what yu mean by "what should be the next step". Nothing really, the sickness/diarrhea goes away until the next time.

[DTCwordfan]

clean the loo.....

seriously Lottie has answered this - get it out of your system and move on. If serious you need some support psychologically....GP to begin with. It's more common than you realise.

I had a short term spurt of this following an unpleasant incident.

[boxtops]

I suffered considerably with panic attacks in the past, but I never had D&V with them. Seek help - as DT says, it's much more common than many people realise, you are far from being the only one.

[ELVIS68]

I mean as in how to stop this from happening again

[LoftyLottie]

Yes DT is right. If someone (like me) suffers general from acute anxiety and panic attacks, then it's time to see the GP. There are drugs that make life much more bearable. Not tranquilisers or anything, just drugs that help to adjust your brain chemistry. They don't change your personality.

Panic attacks can happen for no reason.

[boxtops]

As we say - seek help. There are coping mechanisms, there is therapy - but you need to ask for it. Professional help is far more effective than home remedies.

[LoftyLottie]

Counselling may help. I have tried it several times though to no avail.

[DTCwordfan]

some have used hypnotism - to mixed results..... I would start with your GP and then take it from there with what feels right to you.

[boxtops]

I recovered considerably after a long course of hypnotherapy - it never goes away entirely, but you learn how to control it and to manage it if it rears its head again.

[LoftyLottie]

Exercise really does help. If you start to get really anxious, take yourself out for a brisk walk and get rid of some of the adrelin. It works!!

[ELVIS68]

It`s not me it`s the missus, might just leave her at home next time ;o)

[DTCwordfan]

Meditation is another route - essentially means to control the attack when you feel it. Exercise is another. There are breathing techniques - some interesting Tantric techniques if you want some fun on the side!

[DTCwordfan]

Bet you dont know, Elvis, after that last comment of mine.... I am sure that you don't take it lightly.

[LoftyLottie]

Elvis, it doesn't actually sound as if your wife is actually suffering panic attacks as such. It sounds much more as if she is just getting really anxious and worked up about social occasions which is causing her sickness and diarreah.

Panic attacks are something entirely different and are quite frightening and you sort of lose control, you can't breath properly, can have chest pains, go hot and dizzy, etc. and, as I said, they happen often for no reason whatsoever.

Last time I had one I had to lean against a tree and take deep breaths. I thought I was going to pass out.

[LoftyLottie]

Must learn to spell diarr.... diarr..... the squits!!!

[DTCwordfan]

there is a different between an anxiety attack and a panic attack.

as to my previous (jocular) comment, take out the word "know"