I had posted this before, but didn't get a lot of responses. If you have ACTUALLY fainted during a panic attack, please respond.
And if you don't mind, tell me:
How many times you have actually fainted (if you know) and what you were doing right before.
This would help me a great deal because it is something I am dealing with. Telling myself I won't faint doesn't really comfort me because I HAVE! I HATE the way it feels and that is the only thing that bothers me. When I anticipate a panic attack, I don't worry about what people will think, or even about the other panic symptoms so much...just that I hate how it feels to faint. It makes me sick.
Thanks for responding.
Actually Fainting?
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Guest
I replied to this question yesterday and it seems to be a very popular topic. I read Lucinda's book "From Panic to Power" in which she states that in ALL her years in dealing w/people with anxiety she has NEVER had any pass out from a panic attack. Sure, fainting may occur if something else is wrong )low blood sugar, illness, or hyperventilating) but YOU CANT PASS OUT FROM HAVING A PANIC ATTACK! The symptoms during an attack make you FEEL like you will...but think back...you NEVER do! This is good news and should be conforting next time an attack happens. I read and re-read that part in her book every time I felt like I was gonna pass out and NOT ONCE did it happen. Remember...WE create the symptoms that cause panic!
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Guest
hey Frances,
like Hairstylistmom and Lucinda say, if you pass out, it's because of something else going on. i know you're probably thinking "no, really, i did pass out because of panic" but it wasn't the panic. your panic is your thoughts, thinking "i'm going to pass out" doesn't make it so. i know, because i happen to have a legitamate fainting disorder called neurocardiogenic syncope. sometimes i feel so sick-dizzy and agitated and depersonalized-that i'd rather pass out, just to get it over with! but no matter how many times i tell myself "ok, just let go, just pass out, lose consiousness already" it NEVER HAPPENS. however, if you're panicking really bad and you start hyperventilating or hold your breath or breathe irregularly, you WILL pass out, but it's not becuase of the panic attack, it's because of your irregular breathing-your brain needs to shut down for a minute, when you lose conciousness your breathing immediately returns to normal.
Can I ask how many times you have fainted? If you are fainting (actually losing conciousness, not just feeling dizzy or like you might) regularly without probable cause, you should definately go see a doctor, you may have something similar to what I have. If you only faint when you are having a big panic attack, it's probably due to your breathing patterns-carry a brown paper bag with you in your purse and breathe deeply into it when you feel panicked and dizzy.
If you want to PM me, feel free, I've become kind of an expert on fainting. I hope this helps. And remember there is no possible way you can will yourself to faint. Thinking it does NOT make it so. Good luck to you!
like Hairstylistmom and Lucinda say, if you pass out, it's because of something else going on. i know you're probably thinking "no, really, i did pass out because of panic" but it wasn't the panic. your panic is your thoughts, thinking "i'm going to pass out" doesn't make it so. i know, because i happen to have a legitamate fainting disorder called neurocardiogenic syncope. sometimes i feel so sick-dizzy and agitated and depersonalized-that i'd rather pass out, just to get it over with! but no matter how many times i tell myself "ok, just let go, just pass out, lose consiousness already" it NEVER HAPPENS. however, if you're panicking really bad and you start hyperventilating or hold your breath or breathe irregularly, you WILL pass out, but it's not becuase of the panic attack, it's because of your irregular breathing-your brain needs to shut down for a minute, when you lose conciousness your breathing immediately returns to normal.
Can I ask how many times you have fainted? If you are fainting (actually losing conciousness, not just feeling dizzy or like you might) regularly without probable cause, you should definately go see a doctor, you may have something similar to what I have. If you only faint when you are having a big panic attack, it's probably due to your breathing patterns-carry a brown paper bag with you in your purse and breathe deeply into it when you feel panicked and dizzy.
If you want to PM me, feel free, I've become kind of an expert on fainting. I hope this helps. And remember there is no possible way you can will yourself to faint. Thinking it does NOT make it so. Good luck to you!