Can alcohol trigger an anxiety attack?
468888
Alcohol or Drug Abuse: you may be tempted to turn to alcohol or drugs to self-medicate, although this will likely make treatment more difficult. The National Mental Health Association reports that “about 30% of people with panic disorder use alcohol and 17% use drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, in unsuccessful attempts to alleviate the anguish and distress caused by their condition.”\n\nGood starting points for reducing the frequency of future panic attacks include:\n\neducating yourself about anxiety symptoms, causes, and treatments\nmaintaining a healthy lifestyle\nlearning how to reduce your anxiety\nworking with a counselor or therapist to address your fears and anxieties\nassessing and modifying your general attitudes towards life\nlimiting triggers like caffeine, alcohol, and smoking\ntalking with your doctor if your symptoms have recurred or worsened
961941
It may just be anxiety attacks, but you should visitor the doctor first of all just to make sure.  If it's anxiety attacks, then stop, take big deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth.  Imagine breathing in calm and breathing out stress.  You should continue this for a few minutes and feel better.  If you try this now and it works, then it probably is just stress, in which case, you can buy some Bach's remedy and put a few drops under your tongue whenever you feel this coming on.  Then do your breathing.\n\nI've just seen your additional notes.  I had an irregular heart beat and this was picked up during pregnancy.  I think pregnancy puts extra strain on the heart.  You really should go to the doc asap.\n\nhttp://www.angelic1healing.com
605256
Interesting! I don't think modereate alcohol consumption can affect "performance" so I would suggest seeing a doctor about it! Are you sure you are not under a lot of stress at the minute?
1048564
It is called an anxiety attack! You have phobaphobia- the fear of having an attack and\npossibly of being embarresed in front of your family or friends. You may fear you are going to have a heart attack and die. Finally, you may fear that you are going crazy! You must find out \nwhat is going on. You don't need lots of drugs and expensive doctors. You need the knowledge of just what the causes are, or what may trigger an attack. Read the paperback " Hope and Help for Your Nerves" by Dr. Claire\nWeekes. It should be in your library. Once you find out what is really going on, YOU will be in control. Some counseling, some xanax, and some reading, might be all that you require.You\nmay expect this to take a year or two, but remember that YOU have the power to lessen\nthe severity and frequency of these attacks.\nNote: stress is a leading cause. If you are always arguing at home or being bullied by someone else, it's time to find out, without paying shrinks thousands of dollars. They are\nprobably crazier than you are. YOU have the\nPOWER and you are your own worst enemy!\nDo it and give me 10 points.
934930
It could be. According to Wikipedia, "while alcohol use is required to trigger alcoholism, the biological mechanism of alcoholism is uncertain. For most people, moderate alcohol consumption poses little danger of addiction. Other factors must exist for alcohol use to develop into alcoholism. These factors may include a person's social environment, emotional health and genetic predisposition" You don't need to drink every day to be an alcoholic. If your's is already a routine, it might be a warning sign.
1035948
This depends on a lot of factors.\n\nYou need to look at the ingredients in the sleeping aid and check them for reactions with alcohol or any other medication you might be taking. One excellent site is www.healthyhealing.com.\n\nI would recommend refraining from much alcohol use as it can contribute to your feelings of anxiety and agitation.\n\nMany herbs can be obtained in an extract (liquid) form either with alcohol as the agent or glycerine. You might want to investigate that option as well. I used CalmChild by Planetary Formulas when my children used to have trouble because they would get wound up once in a while.\n\nOther suggestions:\n\nTry and set as much of a routine as you can ... even if you travel on your holidays ... get up at the same time eat at the same time, go to sleep... try and stay as close to normal home as possible.\n\nMaybe incorporate a nighttime tea time into your routine. There are many herbal teas which can be calming. (stay away from black teas which contain caffeine if you have issues with caffeine). A nice cup of tea and a book or magazine can help relax your mind to let you drift away.\n\nLook into the possibility of a relaxation tape or CD you could bring with you. Test it out before you go.\n\nInvestigate whether you MIGHT (keyword might) be able to use melatonin or 5-HTP to help. Lack of Serotonin can cause sleep issues.\n\nGet alot of physical movement -- walk, ride a bike, etc and be outside. \n\nGet sun (but stay protected).\n\nhope this helps.\n\nbest\n\ncez
334720
Panic attacks occur as we become anxious and our adrenaline levels increase.  These adrenaline rushes were inbuilt into our subconscious minds in the days when man was still living in ancient times, and came in useful when danger was around for example, a wild beast threatening his survival.  This survival instinct meant that man had the option of fighting or fleeing from the danger and this is where adrenaline was needed to deal with it.  Panic attacks are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' response.  The trouble is that in todays society, we have little need for releasing adrenaline in this way, so tension and anxiety build up within the body and mind and are shown in symptoms of stress such as panic attacks.  The good news is that many people overcome these uncomfortable and often debilitating symptoms associated with panic attacks via the use of various therapies.  Very helpful therapies include learning the art of relaxation and i would highly recommend seeing a qualified hypnotherapist or a behavioural counsellor who specialises in this area.  I always say that knowlege is power and would suggest reading a self-help book - Self-Help for your Nerves by Claire Weekes is enlightening and can be found in most local libraries.
153840
I had suffer from anxiety attacks a while ago, the best thing to do is not to think of them, if before u go on the plane or the cruise u are already thinking that u are gonna have an anxiety attack, u are programming yourself.....just be optimistic about it, dont think about them...if u have one..the best thing to do, that works with me...think that it will soon pass....just dont loose ur head....it will pass it will pass....and if u have a partner, couple....try to talk about anything....anything at all...the worts thing is to be left alone with yourself and your nervous mind. Talk to the guy next to you..sing a song...anything...to distract for a moment your mind.
122014
Symptoms of anxiety\n\nThe physical symptoms of anxiety are caused by the brain sending messages to parts of the body to prepare for the "fight or flight" response. The heart, lungs and other parts of the body work faster. The brain also releases stress hormones, including adrenaline. The following symptoms can occur as a result:\n\n    * abdominal discomfort\n    * diarrhoea\n    * dry mouth\n    * rapid heartbeat or palpitations\n    * tightness or pain in chest\n    * shortness of breath\n    * dizziness\n    * frequent urination\n    * difficulty swallowing\n\nPsychological symptoms can include:\n\n    * insomnia\n    * irritability or anger\n    * inability to concentrate\n    * fear of madness\n    * feeling unreal and not in control of your actions (depersonalisation)
474670
Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant that triggers a broad range of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes. The rate at which it enters the bloodstream (and exerts its psychoactive effects) is influenced by many factors, including sex and body size and whether drinking is done on a full or empty stomach. As blood-alcohol levels rise, effects increase. At low doses, alcohol's effects includes a loosening of inhibitions along with feelings of relaxation and well-being. At higher doses, intoxication is linked to progressive levels of impairment.\n\n\nAll body systems are affected by alcohol. Side effects include dilation of blood vessels (which causes flushed skin) and increased gastric secretion in the stomach. At high doses, side effects include mood swings, unrestrained behavior, and inability to control motor functions as basic as walking.\n\nOther effects include blackouts, sleep problems (including impaired REM sleep), and hangovers. Side effects increase in severity with chronic abuse. Heavy drinkers suffer a variety of alcohol-related problems, including damage to the brain, stomach, pancreas, heart, and liver.
603880
Yes. My mother is bipolar, and she can be very aggressive anyways, and drinking increases the aggressive behavior. Not to mention the fact that bipolar people should be on regular medications, medications that do not mix well with alcohol. Make sure he is on his medications, ask him to stop drinking, suggest he makes an appointment with his psychiatrist. Perhaps you may join in on a session or two with him.
115227
You are starting on a never-ending-circle. You panic, you drink, since alcohol is a "downer" you buzz, but then you come down, get depressed, then panic about getting depressed or because you drank. Do you see where I'm headed? I've been there-done that. Please seek anxiety medication from a licensed medical professonal.
1165694
Maybe you are allergic to the ingredients in alcohol or it could be that your body is holding in water due to the alcohol.
927142
Are you talking about panic attacks?
538557
I take Xanax for panic attacks and before I get on an airplane, claustrophobia!  \nI don't drink, not my thing so I can't make a comparison for you.  \nI do know however that Xanx and alcohol are addictive.  I'd pass on both if I had the choice.
1159075
Panic attack\n\nA panic attack is a period of intense fear or psychological distress, typically of abrupt onset and lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms may include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), and sensations of choking or smothering. Repeated and apparently unprovoked panic attacks may be a sign of panic disorder, but panic attacks are associated with other anxiety disorders as well. For example, people who suffer from phobias may experience panic attacks upon exposure to certain triggers.\n\nIntroduction\n\nMost sufferers of panic attacks report a fear of dying, "going crazy", or losing control of emotions or behavior. These feelings generally provoke a strong urge to escape or flee the place where the attack began ("fight or flight" reaction) and, when associated with chest pain or shortness of breath, a feeling of impending doom and/or tunnel vision, frequently result in the sufferer seeking medical attention.\n\nThe panic attack is distinguished from other forms of anxiety by its intensity and its sudden, episodic nature. Panic attacks are often experienced by sufferers of anxiety disorders and other psychological conditions involving anxiety, though panic attacks are not always indicative of a mental disorder, nor are they uncommon. Up to 10 percent of otherwise healthy people experience an isolated panic attack per year, and 1 in 60 people in the U.S. will suffer from a panic disorder at some point in their lifetime.\n\nPeople with phobias will often experience panic attacks as a direct result of exposure to their trigger. These panic attacks are usually short-lived and self-limiting, as they will subside once the trigger no longer present.\n\nIn conditions of chronic anxiety, one panic attack can roll into another, leading to nervous exhaustion over a period of days.\n\nSymptoms\n\nThe symptoms of a panic attack appear suddenly, without any apparent cause. They may include:\n\nRacing or pounding heartbeat or palpitations \nSweating \nChest pain/PVCs \nDizziness, lightheadedness, nausea \nDifficulty breathing (dyspnea) \nTingling or numbness in the hands, face, feet or mouth \nA sudden feeling that everything around the person represents a threat. This can cause a person to either behave extremely defensively (perhaps even assuming the fetal position), or to become enraged and lash out violently. \nThe loss of the ability to react logically to oncoming stimuli, and the loss of cognitive ability in general. One suffering from a panic attack will often only feel the attack and will be unable to assess why they are feeling the attack or what they can do to stop the sensation. \nFlushed face and chest \nChills \nDream-like sensation or perceptual distortion (derealization) \nDissociation, or the perception that one is not connected to the body or is disconnected from space and time (depersonalization) \nTerror, or a sense that something unimaginably horrible is about to occur and one is powerless to prevent it \nVomiting \nTunnel vision \nFear of losing control and doing something embarrassing or going crazy \nFear of dying \nFeeling of impending doom \nTrembling or "shivering" \nCrying \nHeightened senses \nLoud internal dialogue \nExhaustion \nVertigo \n\nA panic attack typically lasts from 2 to 8 minutes. More severe panic attacks may form a series of episodes waxing and waning every few minutes, only to be ended by physical exhaustion and sleep.\n\nThe various symptoms of a panic attack can be understood as follows. First, there is the sudden onset of fear with little or no provoking stimulus. This leads to a release of adrenaline (epinephrine) which brings about the so-called fight-or-flight response where the person's body prepares for major physical activity. This leads to an increased heart rate (tachycardia), rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and sweating (which incr
451900
I have the same problem.  \n\nUsually the alcohol isn't the problem.  It may be what additives are in.  Things such as yeast, corn, eggs, molds and sulfites can affect you.  Try drinking something different and see if it still happens.  Then compare the ingredients.\n\nIt also depends on the temperature and what you've been doing previously.  You may not be allergic to alcohol, but your surroundings might trigger something.