Getting panic attacks after alcohol consumption

[beetlejuice]

Hi everyone! I have made a detailed post about my background with anxiety and panic attacks, however I haven't gotten any responses yet.

One of my really big concerns is that ever since I started having panic attacks I am unable to drink alcohol without getting horrible panic attacks. And I am not talking about big quantities here, for example 2 sips of wine the other day at a party gave me so strong panic attack that I became pale, got palpitation, sweating palms, unable to breath properly, vertigo, I had to flee the room and spend half an hour in the toilet until I got better. The issue is that I have been so concerned about my health lately that, now even getting a little bit tipsy gets treated by my brain as a terrible health issues. I am unable to enjoy social events anymore, I am afraid of going out and having a beer, because I may get a panic attack and my friends will think I am crazy... Anybody experienced the same problems with alcohol?

If you feel like knowing more about my background with anxiety you can read in my first post - http://www.anxietyzone.com/index.php/topic,64902.0.html

Please give me some advice what to do. Thank you in advance!

[kmwondering]

I don't think it is the actual alcohol. It is your anticipatory anxiety because you once ha a panic attack after drinking. Avoiding alcohol isn't a terrible thing. But the best way to beat panic attacks in my experience is to just let them happen, in fact I've even induced them in therapy sessions just to prove to myself that they can't hurt me.

[anxiousa]

I agree with above, it is anticipatory anxiety. You are afraid that you will have a panic attack after a drink, & this worrying brings on an attack. Unfortunately I can't answer a solution but feel free to pm me & il be an ear to talk to. I have been through something similar, I was afraid that drinking & dancing etc on a night out would cause me to randomly drop dead (far fetched I know) it was ruining my life, but eventually I took the bull by te horns, got myself drunk (probably not what people would call sensible -drinking to get drunk. But it was something I had to do to try get over the fear.. I didn't exactly enjoy myself, I worried at the start but as the night went on I started to loosen up! I got drunk.. I danced danced danced & I am still here & living a normal "20 year olds" social life!!

[floridaguy65]

I agree with the other posters, here.

I am unable to enjoy social events anymore, I am afraid of going out and having a beer, because I may get a panic attack and my friends will think I am crazy...

With panic attacks, we will tend to embrace avoidance mechanisms for what we perceive has a possiblity of precipitating a panic attack. You have linked the two together: drinking and 'losing it'. So, when there is the potential for a social engagement that might include drinking (which is nearly all the time, when we are younger:), then we have near immediate urges to avoid the situation entirely so that there just isn't any possiblity of us having a full blown "I'm F-ing dying here" panic attack in front of our friends, or anywhere in public for that matter.

Avoidance behaviors, though incredibly common, are just not a good longterm defense in learning how to live well alongside anxiety / panic issues. Our circle of avoidance tends to expand and it has the potential to make us fear many situations in life and, ultimately, leaves little left that we are aren't 'afriad of' (as far as bringing on a panic attack, possibly). 'Possibly' means LIKELY - DEFINITELY - SURELY - AUTOMATICALLY, etc., when we are struggling with our mental health challenges. Overwhelmingly, one of the major ways to help 'rewire' our minds is to not avoid situations and actions we have found ourselves fearing. Responsibly, I cannot tell someone to simply go out and get hammered:) But, I can say avoidance behavior is pervasive with panic attacks, so maybe you can try to have a drink with just one good friend or a family member in a comfortable environment and 'test' things out:)

If you are on meds, then it would be advisable to drink little (or not at all). Run your drinking habits past your Doc, if so.

Not drinking is cool, too. Moderation is the key, if you do, though. Hangovers and anxiety do not mix well, generally. And with anxiety issues, we tend to worry about potential damage to our bods a lot, as well.

Peace and Feel Well:)

[beetlejuice]

Thank you a lot for the replies! I will have what you told me in mind : ) It is all just so frustrating ... I have always had so strong mind and spirit and all of a sudden it all collapsed ... you made me feel a bit better. Thanks!

[marc]

My doctor told me that is some individuals, alcohol can cause anxiety, nervousness and heart palpitations.

[Nikki88]

I don't have much to add to what has already been written accept for....alcohol was a HUGE anxiety trigger for me...and it was severe.  I gave up drinking 7 years ago and while I do miss hanging out with friends and having a drink or two, it was just not work the stress of the panic attack that I knew would follow!  Now I am jsut everyones safe ride home when we go out :)

[e77]

You still have a strong mind and spirit.  You become sensitized to the part of your brain's instinctual alarm system for survival, very powerful and unpleasant which forces us to act or freeze so please don't judge yourself harshly, it could happen to anyone. Alcohol is a drug (ethanol) and it might have played a role, maybe.  Might be worth checking out what side effects alcohol can produce so you know what your getting into.  I remember my party days and alcohol was a big factor.  I remember feeling pretty awful after the fun was over.  It really messed with my body and mind.  Take care

[angielee]

Agree with what everyone else was saying, alcohol to me is a way to bring down anxiety. I use to drink a little too much. Because it was so calming and made me feel good. But I ended up having a bad hypoglycemic reaction one day after drinking too much and not eatting. Scared me so bad ended up with a full blown panic attack as well. I havent touched alcohol since :-)