Physical symptoms of panic attacks?

nish81 · Post by **nish81** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 11:32 pm

Hi,
So I've been having great success with the attacking anxiety program, but what I've heard a few times is that panic attacks dont actually hurt you. The symptoms may be uncomfortable, but they're temporary. I'm listening to the anticipatory anxiety lesson tape now, and this was just mentioned again, so I went looking for this forum to ask my question

When I have a panic attack, it often ends in my vomiting - I'm not sure why, my guess is that it's because of the stomach acid that's released? Anyways, doesn't this qualify as a way in which panic attacks physically affect/hurt me? I find myself not afraid of the mental symptoms, but afraid of vomiting :S

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:13 am

Hi there

I get the same thing. I 'think' (going to get deep here) that it is an emotional response where you need to purge the awful feelings.

Take care!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:15 pm

Nish and Mary -

From what I've read, the nausea that often comes with panic attacks is a direct result of the fight or flight response that fuels a panic attack. This response is a normal and healthy bodily reaction to danger, however for us, it occurs when there is no real threat. The number of physiological changes that occur during the fight or flight response is astounding. As for nausea, one of the bodies responses is to stop digestion. I would guess that in your case, your body also wants to empty the stomach.

When we are told that panic attacks cannot hurt us, I think the general intent of the message is that we are not going to die, we aren't going to have a heart attack or stroke, we aren't going to go insane and so on. In other words, we are not going to suffer any catastrophic damage. However, in your case, the vomiting may be something you may want to check out with your doctor. Your stomach acids are very strong and they're not the best thing for your throat or tooth enamel. I don't want to get you overly worried, but it probably would give you some peace of mind to discuss this with a professional.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:22 am

hey guys, week 3 session 3, and here i am feeling anxious, i got some news about a job im waiting for, and it got pushed up until sept, the feeling was like falling off a cliff, with the economy, theres not much out there, im putting too much negative thought in it, and it almost destroyed the day,financially it will be okay until then, and my wife is cool with it, she actually told me its an opportunity too put in the time i need too finish the program, maybe it is a blessing in disguise,and maybe writing down all the negative feelings might have something too do with it, anyway, it feels good too get it out. thanks,