Sometimes when I tell people I have panic disorder, they
respond with “Oh I have anxiety too.” Panic disorder is very different from the
fear and reactions most people have to stressful events. Having an anxiety
attack during a stressful situation is pretty normal, I’ve been doing that for
years.
These panic attacks are something completely new to me.
The sneak up on me and sometimes I can’t even figure out why it’s happening. A
couple weeks ago I woke up and immediately felt what has become an all too familiar
heaviness in my chest. The first thing I did was look at my “to do” list for
the day to see what I have going on: gym, laundry, vacuum, and the Military
Spouse Appreciation dinner.
In hopes to avoid a panic attack, I needed to find the
trigger. I always start with the things on my list that are not normally part
of my routine and tell myself I can skip that activity. As soon as the thought of skipping the dinner
popped into my head, I felt the weight lifting from my chest and after a few
minutes it was nearly gone.
The goal with my anxiety is always to push through it. So,
I started to go over all the reasons I should go: I promised a friend, I would
feel better if I got out, who doesn’t want to be appreciated? And just like
that, it was back. Except this time my pulse was racing and I was sweating a
little on my temples. Once again, I decided not to go and my symptoms
immediately began to disappear.
I text my girlfriend to let her know that my anxiety was
out of control and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it to the
dinner. Then I vowed to keep her posted.
By lunch time I was feeling great, hopped in the shower,
put on a little make up and thought “I could totally go to that dinner
tonight.” To which my body promptly responded with a heart racing, sweating
like I had actually gone to the gym, maybe I really am having a heart attack,
full-blown panic attack. Over a DINNER. For FREE. With a FRIEND. Where we would
be appreciated.
That day, I lost the battle with my anxiety. After my panic
attack, I took another shower (I mean I was SWEATING), put on my PJs, told
myself I would do better next time and spent the rest of the day watching
Netflix.
Sometimes that’s just how it goes. I didn’t grow up in a
world where I always got to win and everyone got a trophy. I couldn’t always be
the best, but I could do my best. That’s what I did that day: my personal best. Maybe next time my best will be better and I'll be able to push past the irrational fear. Maybe not, but maybe.