Panic attack while setting off on holiday

We have all been scared witless by the media, the damage to everyone's mental health is incalculable, and agoraphobia induced. If you haven't really been out much, Scotland followed by Spain was a little ambitious as a starter! ? You can't force yourself, try little trips, little and often, to get your confidence back. It will come. Research the actual risk to reassure you. You handle other risks, largely without thinking about them. Probably the unsafest place to be is home, given the number of accidents and the number of people who die there. Eat your elephant in small chunks...

Panic attacks are scary but with understanding of what is happening in your body and perhaps some professional input they can be managed. I’m always reluctant to recommend web sites or books as we are all different and what I find helpful you may not. If you Google panic attacks you’ll find links to a lot of self help material. Please don’t be hard on yourself. A panic attack is simply a physiological response that helps us when we are in danger activating unnecessarily. Sometimes the switch simply gets stuck in the On position. No matter the approach you take the best way is with small steps. Wishing you well,

B9exchange and Cornergran thank you for your response. It is so unlike me to react like this. I will be out over the weekend with DH to do something nice , not just shopping! Strange how our brains can ‘trip’ like that to protect us. I trained people in assertiveness skills, ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’’don’t sweat the small stuff’ type courses. I always regarded myself as strong ( until my daughter’s wedding) so i need to listen to my inner voice more. X

Sorry to read your story Borrheid and I identify a little bit.
We're supposed to be going on holiday Sunday after next and I'm not looking forward to it - I'd rather be at home. Lying awake worrying about it at night. mostly the preparations and the driving (not me)
Small steps is right. Today I remembered how much I used to depend on making lists so that's what I'm going to do next.
I'm sure you'll get there and feel better for it.

We’ve just got back from a few days away. I really wanted to go, but a few days before ,I started to feel sick and couldn’t eat much. I’m a homebody anyway, but still like to go away, but this was unexpected. I pushed through, gave myself a talking to, and took a few Kalms tablets.
Once there I relaxed, not fully, but a lot better. I’ve enjoyed it but to be honest I couldn’t wait to get home. I hope I’m better next time, as it’s going to be hard work. Hope you do manage to get away, you have to start somewhere.

Panic attacks are awful to experience. They fade in time thankfully but in the eye of the storm not only are they scary, the mind goes onto ‘red alert’ anticipating and dreading the next one.

I hope you get over them soon Borrheid55.

I did a mindfulness course which at the time I thought was quite even though I did try and engage but the breathing techniques I learnt really did change my reactions to panic

I hope you are ok

So sorry to read this, they are terrifying and unpredictable, I have no idea what triggered mine and I thought my heart was coming out of my chest. I also couldn't see properly. It was shortly after my husband died unexpectedly.

The first time I was driving, and managed to stop in an area with shops and went to Boots, the pharmacist recommended Bach's Rescue Remedy. I had both the spray and the pastilles. If it happens again, do try counting through it and breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth.

Panic attacks are horrible. I too think you are being over ambitious with your plans. Perhaps try a few shorter trips first before travelling to Scotland on a train. Maybe a few bus trips? I've been on the bus a few times now and felt ok - windows are open. I wouldn't feel ok at peak times though. We are all still wearing masks as well. I wouldn't be going abroad at all unless it was essential. Don't know that I ever will again really.

I've worked all over the world. But when I had to leave the place I'd been living (and barely going out) for the last year, to fly home, I was very anxious. I had no choice because I'd ended my employment / accomodation contract, but I just wanted to hole up indoors.

I left, flew home and all was fine. But I was very anxious and stressed. Heart pounding, sweating palms.

I sympathise Borrheid55, any thoughts I have of jaunting off abroad, lord forbid a plane, or on my own fill me with panic. We are away next week, but that’s both of us, I’ll drive as I enjoy it and it gives me focus.
I had CBT last year, via zoom, for anxiety. Look up breathing exercises and the 1-5 calming technique, I was encouraged to have a ‘toolbox’ of coping strategies. Best of luck.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words of wisdom. I hope to take a bus to Maidstone (about 50mins) this week and see how it goes. My friend is still pushing for me to go to Spain but in all honesty, I can’t see it happening. Strong words will be needed come Tuesday/Wednesday!
Have a good weekend!

I'm supposed to be going to a restaurant this weekend with son and family. I don't really want to go, have not been inside any cafes during covid.He hadn't confirmed the details and daughter has just told me he has fallen and hurt his leg so maybe it will be cancelled.

I think many of us are having difficulties now. Like JaneJudge I find mindfulness meditation helps tremendously,. When I first had bad attacks I used to breath into a paper bag a few times which calmed me.. I still keep one in my bedside drawer. Perhaps try small steps at a time, as someone else suggested, just short trips. . And don't do anything you don't feel ready to do. They will pass.

I was incredibly anxious last week before going to the first face to face WI meeting since last February - as President I felt I had to go but I had no idea how many people might be there or how Covid safe the hall would be.

But once I got there and saw my friends again, went through all the preparations for the meeting and then began speaking to the group, my anxiety disappeared and I loved the evening. I had bought some little paper caps for the top of the microphone which everyone thought were hilarious!

So hopefully if you can start to go out locally then a bit further away, you will find your anxiety reducing slowly and you might be able to at least go and visit your mother even if going to Spain takes longer.

I've just completed my first holiday journey outwards since civic struck and it turned out ok even though I was a little nervous at the prospect. I'm already not looking forward to the return trip but the pot of gold is that I will be back home at the end of it. Crazy world at the moment