exercise and panic

[xvolatileheart]

Hello all. As somebody who has anxiety and panic attacks I sometimes assume that everything I feel or experience is related to it. For instance, when I do some exercise I become out of breath etc and for a long time I thought I was having a panic attack. It took me a long time to realise that that was the effect of exercise.

This is a really good point. I feel like I've lost all sense of what my normal bodily sensations are! I do tend to get panicky after exercising (I have a 45 minute bus ride to sit there and think about it which is not good). My problem post exercise is that I get obsessed with my breathing and heart rate even though I'm sure it's a normal post workout breathing and heart rate. That's when I start breathing too deeply, get tight chest/rib sensation, and go into the whole "your heart can't take it!" panic.

Just keep going. Exercise helps in the long run and it's not going to hurt you. Unless you're getting extreme sensations (i.e. major chest pain, truly cannot breath, etc.), chances are it's just panic.

[Meltdown]

This is a really good point. I feel like I've lost all sense of what my normal bodily sensations are! I do tend to get panicky after exercising (I have a 45 minute bus ride to sit there and think about it which is not good). My problem post exercise is that I get obsessed with my breathing and heart rate even though I'm sure it's a normal post workout breathing and heart rate. That's when I start breathing too deeply, get tight chest/rib sensation, and go into the whole "your heart can't take it!" panic.

This is what I find, too!

Last time I went running, (last year!) - it was very cold and windy. Half way round I became aware of how uncomfortable and cold I was feeling, and suddenly realised there was nothing I could do at that moment to get out of that situation! This brought on an immediate feeling of panic, and mega-burst of palpitatins!

Also I hate the "spaced out" sensation you get after exercise. I used to like this feeling "runner's high" - but now I associate it with the "de-personalisation" feelings you get with anxiety, and don't really like it. I just try to stay as still as possible, and wait half an hour or so for it to pass!

[xvolatileheart]

Also I hate the "spaced out" sensation you get after exercise. I used to like this feeling "runner's high" - but now I associate it with the "de-personalisation" feelings you get with anxiety, and don't really like it. I just try to stay as still as possible, and wait half an hour or so for it to pass!

I completely know what you mean. I feel the EXACT same way, totally spaced out and feel like I'm going mad. It's like we've negatively retrained all of our normal bodily sensation. Guess all we can do is try to retrain them with positive associations!

[nicotine]

Try energy sweets after/during exercise! Exercise + anxiety = Low blood sugar! This will make a panic attack more likely! Keep your sugar levels up without over-indulging!!

Also, like someone said, you don't have to push so much! Take it steady and build up slowly! Being patience will pay off you are on the right track! Go for it