Jul
12
When panic attacks take over your life
Filed Under Leadership
This is my entry for Robert Hruzek’s group writing project - What I Learned from Transportation
Before I start I don’t blame EasyJet for this. It just so happened that I was on one of their planes when it first happened. For non UK readers EasyJet is a low cost airline here in the UK. One of the first - if not the first. Their launch coincided with my then employer opening an office in St Albans outside of London and as they flew to Luton airport only a 20 minute ride away the timing was perfect.
So I became a regular traveller with them.Their livery colour is bright orange and the staff are usually chirpy and cheery. They were on that day. As is the case on low cost though you have to buy your coffee so I remember looking round to attract the attendent’s attention and wham! I broke out in a sweat and felt like I was having a heart attack. Of course I knew that I wasn’t - but I was terrified anyway.
The attendant came to me and took my order. Obviously they did not notice my discomfort. I had done a good job of hiding it . I drank the coffee and counted the minutes until I could get off the plane.
I had a day of meetings planned and all the way through I was thinking about having to fly back. By the time I got back to the airport I was so tense I ached. And when I got home I was exhausted.
This was the start of the pattern for me. Of course panic attacks - for that was what I had experienced - are not rational or logical. But I attached being on public transport to bringing on an attack . And so the two became inextricably linked.
As my job required me to travel widely this was a problem. A big problem. I shared what was going on with any travel companion I had but otherwise I did everything in my power to hide my symptoms from others . Buses were not too bad as I could just get off at the next stop…but I needed to force myself to stay on otherwise I would never get anywhere.
Then I could not sit in an theatre without having an attack….what next. Suddenly my life was becoming so full of stresses that I realised I needed help. My GP ( doctor) was great. Very understanding and keen to help me. I was given support by way of psychotherapy ( I really did need to understand what was going on ) and I learned relaxation techniques using self hypnosis.
I don’t have panic attacks now but I know that I could bring one on if I focused on doing so - which of course I won’t. Very, very occasionally - always when I am travelling - I feel the little lurch which used to signal the start of an attack but I know how to diffuse it.
I understand that many people who suffer panic attacks do so while travelling - on planes, boats, trains, buses….they have my sympathy!
But I learned that there are ways of understanding and dealing with panic attacks and I would urge anyone whose life is being disrupted because of them to seek help now!
Wow, Jackie, that must have been an awful experience. I’m glad you made the effort to understand, and then manage it, though - too many of us are afraid or ashamed to admit there’s a problem at all. Here’s to peace-filled journeys!
Jackie,
I’m glad you did what was necessary to get over your panic attacks. So many people just give up and try to avoid anything that triggers an attack. Thanks for sharing your story.
Bob - that is the cycle. The sufferer is too embarrassed to let on what is going on for them so they work hard to cover it up - and so the already stressful situation is made worse…
thanks for your comment!
Hi Lillie
So many people I have met talk about having “panic attacks” when they mean that they are nervous. Sufferers of heavy duty panic attacks often don’t say so for fear of being judged and living a normal life becomes harder and harder. Because I spoke about it those who know other sufferers have asked me to talk to them. The response is usually - “you don’t seem the type to have them” …”or you seem so confident”. So many many people out there are appearing outwardly confident but living with the stress.
thanks for your kind comment
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I am a suffer of panic attacks that has been suffering these horrible episodes of heavy sweatyness and fast heartbeats for the last 12 years.
I do not remember when my first panic attack happened, but I do recognise that on a regular basis maybe 5 to 7 times a week I suffer from panic attacks.
My attacks happen when I am in a crowed place, could be supermarkets, library, bars and one or two other places.
I have been to the doctor and have been diagnosed as having Agrophobia and prescribed seroxat and currently taking.
Over the years I have tried hypnotherapy, autosuggestion therapy, phsycotherapy, D-breating, EFT, and have tried different forms excercise just to alleviate the syptoms.
But none of these have worked for me!
This affects my work situation because everytime I go to have a job interview I end up having terrble panic attacks, of where my heart races and I sweat heavily. The person who’s interviewing me automatically comes to the conclusion I am incapable of work and thus not hires me!
I am sick and tied of not having a job, considering in my opion I think I am a very bright person.
Help, could you give me any advise.
Oh Taz -I really feel for you. Sounds like you have tried everything! I guess the turning point for me was understanding why I put pressure on myself which in turn contributed to my attacks and I did that with the help of a psychotherapist. I already used hypnotherapy techniques successfully and it was then a matter of applying what I knew to “reframe” the situations that triggered the panic.
I am not sure if that helps or not. As I understand it everybody’s experience of panic attacks is different. The one thing that is the same though is that the damage they can do to someone’s quality of life should not be underestimated.
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