Have you ever called a hotline during a panic attack to try and help calm down?

I'm having a panic attack lol. I dozed off briefly then woke up, got up for a drink and took a bite of food, then boom. It's just so hard to tell if I'm panicking or if something happened sometimes. Chest is tight and short of breath. Scared I'm dying as is so common in a panic attack. Tried calling 1 person they're already asleep so thought about a hotline. Have never done that before. But i think it's a good idea to remember. Since I crossed an international border tonight my phone service is not working and I'm waiting to have it switched over hahah. Also I don't want to wake my son who is sleeping soundly. Chugged water. Thought about my son and needing to stay strong for him. Focusing on breath. Ugh. Writing this all down. It was literally so bad a few minutes ago I thought about calling an ambulance. What else can I do right now, myself....ugh 😭

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

bookerdana · M

I guy I worked with called the paramedics (fireman ,here) He was a fireman himself and thought he was having a heart attack..after examining him they gave him a paper bag and said "breathe"

It works,man..lunch size best

Notsimilarreally · 31-35, F

@bookerdana I've really never tried that, just seen it on TV many many times.

bookerdana · M

@Notsimilarreally Like many things that are simple it works

Notsimilarreally · 31-35, F

@bookerdana right.....so true. Things don't have to be complex and detailed and complicated to be good!

bookerdana · M

@Notsimilarreally Don't become a paper bag hop head as this posts suggests😃

Do not suggest breathing in and out of a paper bag. People used to think breathing in and out of a paper bag was helpful during a panic attack, and the physiology makes sense; breathing out in panic results in the loss of carbon dioxide in the blood and breathing into a bag restores the lost CO2.

However, the danger with a paper bag is that the casualty may become dependent upon it and can panic if they do not have one to hand 😱

Why take massive quantities of benzos instead... no dependency there😏

Notsimilarreally · 31-35, F

@bookerdana don't tempt me with a handful of benzies 🤩

Lol. If you're going to be dependent on something at least let it be potentially deadly and for someone to be making billions on it, while the rest of the world struggles to keep the lights on and fridge full 🌚

bookerdana · M

@Notsimilarreally At least the bag is cheap😃

SW-User

@Notsimilarreally @bookerdana thats a very good point. Paper bags work because it helps your body remember how to breathe.

Breathing excercises should be a normsl part of your routine.. (right back at ya with the yoga and meditation)

Notsimilarreally · 31-35, F

@SW-User fully agree

I was just looking at live online yoga classes. Gonna start myself