Separating "before" and "during" a panic attack...

[Laurence5905]

In the workbook for session two, it asks a couple of questions -- one dealing with what you feel "before" a panic attack, and another question dealing with what you feel "during" a panic attack...

Honestly, I can't differentiate the "before" from the "during" - I go from no panic to 100% panic way to quickly for me to tell that there even is a "before" part... So how do I catch that and stop it before it gets to the "during" part, when I can't tell 'em apart?

L.

[ElectrifiedBrain]

You know, I can't really tell them apart either, but if you don't have a before, then you don't, and that's OK. I listed the symptoms I feel right at the beginning. Perhaps you can too.

[Laurence5905]

Well, as long as it's not critical that I identify the "before" and keep it separate from the "during"... I was worried that it was going to be a requirement, and I've never been able to do that... They just jump from 0 to 10 too quickly -- or at least, they seem to...

L.

[ElectrifiedBrain]

It's the same way for me. I see something unexpected, and I'm in a panic attack right there. You probably had a "before" and "after" sometime before in your life, but you've learned through classical conditioning to associate this one particular thing with panic so often that you just do it, so it might be a simple on switch.

That doesn't necessarily apply to all situations where you panic, though. For example, if I'm in a crowded area, there is definitely a before and after situation.