Hey everyone..

this is my first post here. Lately i have been having panic attacks daily and thought that maybe fitness would help get my mind off of things for a while. When I have an attack I feel as though I cannot breathe. I have been active all my life with dance for about 3 hours a day 6 days a week up until college 4 years ago and now I am not really active. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knew of certain exercises that might help with my panic attacks. Any help is greatly appreciated!

More than likely that you would probably benefit from seeing a psychologist that specifically deals with cases like yours. Which may revolve around drugs, behavioral therapy etc, but no doubt more beneficial when complemented with exercise.

open water swimming is a bad idea.

that is the only place I have ever had a panic attack.

i know, I am such a jackassss...

but I did want to post that I feel for you and hope you find the solution quickly. Panic is a KILLER.

smooth landings, peaceful thought, and a even breathing to you.

FF


oh and sweat daily!

I suffer panic attacks in crowds. Not always, but if I'm tired they seem to happen more frequently. I discussed these attacks with my pschologist and he suggested that a panic attack is like a rush of water in a channel. If you attempt to fight the stream by damming it, there is a tendency for the water to back up until it eventually overwhelms you or the dam. So, as well, the flood of emotion that accompanies the panic attack. He suggested just repeating to myself that there is no danger or reason to panic and the feeling will pass in time. If you resist or fight the flood you force it into a channel and increase it's intensity. Better to let it go, because there is no reason for the panic.

There's really no one exercise that will help you with panic attacks. It differs from people to people. As a matter of fact, exercise isn’t the only thing to help you relax. Doing relaxing things can really do wonders and it can be as simple as reading a book to more demanding tasks such as hiking to even breaking things or squeezing a tennis ball and even going to sleep or taking a nap.

For example, driving can be a source of relaxation to some, but to others it can be a source of a panic attack. Also, walking can help people relax, but to some it's a source of the panic attack. It really depends on where you live, what you're doing, and most importantly why you're having the panic attacks in the first place. If you are having panic attacks due to stress of time, then putting in a schedule for dance can further complicates thing due to the limited time.

I would look into the source of the panic attack, rather than trying to find ways to suppress it. If you are really stressed, and you feel dancing will help, then do it and see if it can help you. I, however, doubt that it will benefit you in the way you wish. I doubt it mainly because I feel most people live in a very stressed environment when they're in school or making life changes. I would wait until the source of the panic attack is found, and then if you wish to continue your dancing as a means to relax, then do it.

I have them also, about 3 times a week. A day without them is a good day. If I keep busy and my mind is on other things I am OK. Crowds and loud places bother me too. I have not worked out in 2 years, hence be being back on the boards here. When I did workout 5 times a week for 3 years I had almost no anxiety or panic. it there a connection? I also take Paxil which I doubt does anything.

Good luck

are you on the contraceptive pill???

i used to have the worst panic attacks ever a few times a week in which i would truly beleive i was dying. would feel like my organs were failing and i used to spend many a night pacing up n down my hallway crying thinking my life was over.

the just kinda started suddenly so did some research on it and found out it could have been the contraceptive pill. so i stopped taking it and within a couple of months the panic attacks started to get less .. within about 4-5 months they had stopped completely. i never ever have panic attacks any more.. occasionally i will have a panicky moment but am able to stop it before it goes to a full blown attack. i am so glad i came off the evil pill.. never ever again.