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gaza448
10-10-03, 11:34
I am a boxer and 6 years ago I was going through a very stressful time in my life and during a sparring training session i suffered what I later discovered was a panic attack and now a few years later I still suffer panic attacks but only during sparring sessions and occassionally fights I don't suffer these at any other time in my life only during training I have read various books but unfortunately a lot of the techniques are not applicicable during a strenuous sport like boxing. My doctor is less than helpful telling me to give up boxing and eventually giving me anti-depressants which I didn't take as I don't think I am depressed is there any advice anyone could give me

Laurie28
10-10-03, 12:13
gaza,

I don't know much about controlling panic attacks as i have trouble controlling them myself (others will probably be able to help)

I am however going to cognitive bahaviour therapy where I am learning avoidance is the worst thing you can do (as someone who avoids everything I am scared of) I will have to re-introduce myself to many things!!)

My fear is if you stop training you may stop boxing which you clearly must enjoy and possibly go on to avoid other things!!

I am not a therapist but maybe your doctor can refer you to one(?)

I hope others on this forum can help u more

lucky

nomorepanic
10-10-03, 12:48
Hi Gazza448

You may find that because you associate the boxing with the first ever panic attack then your sub-concious mind has made a relationship between the two.

My first panic attack was whilst driving and 10 years on this is still the biggest problem I have with regard to the panic.

We both need to try and break the cycle and re-train our minds not to associate an event with the illness.

Contrary to the name, anti-depressants and not there necessarily to treat depression. There are many sufferers in this forum that are taking anti-depressants to control the panic.

I used to be on them (5 years ago) but took myself off.

You could try some counselling/CBT or even Hypnotherapy as that is good too.

Like Lucky says, don't let this ruin something that you love doing. Try and get on top of it now and seek some help.

I know that the doctor was not particularly helpful in telling you to give it up - it could be your job, for e.g., so his advice is not very positive is it?

Keep your chin up and hopefully you will find some help on this forum and on the web site.

Nicola

gaza448
10-10-03, 13:58
Thankyou for the replies I am not at the avoidance stage yet!! I boxed in Bradford last Sunday but unfortunately was focusing more on the thought of panic attacks than the fight and eventually i got knocked out in the 2nd round although I have never had a panic attack in a fight only in training it is what i focus on most and the thoughts of QUIT have started too enter my mind as i am not doing myself justice in the ring
Gary

Shelley
10-10-03, 14:07
Gaza,

As Nicola said there are options, my hynotherapist told me a little story about a young boy who was taken to her by his mother, he was a very talented footballer (apparently plays for a Local premiership team - local being Manchester) anyway, he suffered a panic attack whilst playing and contined to have them everytime the ball came near him - any to cut a long story short he now plays without any problems, nip this in the bud before it becomes engraned in you and starts to affect other areas of your life - mine started with mortorways (similary story to Nic's) now I hate trains and not too keen on flying - panic is like a nasty growth unles you get it treated it, it grows!!

x

Shell

gaza448
10-10-03, 14:58
hello Shelly
Thanks for the advice the story of the footballer is my situation so i take it the young boy saw a hypnotherapist and thats what helped him

Gary

benoo5
10-10-03, 17:32
hya gary,

ime sorry to hear about your problems,i take it your a pro boxer,and if so,you are examined before every fight by a doctor supplied by the boxing board of control...if your heartbeat is at all irregular,he will not let you fight.
what worries me gary,is that your negative thoughts during your fight,are taking your mind off your opponent...whos only thought is too knock you out...
i dont want to seem harsh,but i would recommend that you take a few months away from actual fights,concentrate on your training,and sparring,taking plenty of long jogging sessions,to keep up your fitness.
during this period,i would ask to be referred to a specialist...there is a lady on this site called..radar..(meg) as soon as she sees your post,ime sure she will give you great advice.
i wish you well,matey....bryan

Meg
10-10-03, 23:52
Hi Gary,

There's lots of great advice already been posted for you.

You didn't mention what symptoms it was about your first panic attack that you suffered and got concerned about...this would be really useful to know please as it really affects specifics on how to get over them .

However, it's clear that the anticipatory thoughts surrounding this issue have really got to you and are starting to affect your performance.

The antidepressants as Nic says are used for all sorts of mood alteration - not just depression but with your role I think you can do this without them. To be a boxer you've got to have guts and spirit, strength of mind and determination so this just another mental agility test for you !

I would approach this with a HUGE Positive Mental Attitude that you will not concede defeat to. I don't think you should give up competitive boxing but accept that whilst you deal with this you may not be on top form.

Nic is so right when she talks about your innards making associations and when this panic happens again in training/fight this link is strengthened.

You might like to have a few low key sessions where you can notice exactly what happens, what sensations come first, what the chain of events are etc.

Have you discussed this with your coach or similar ?

There are lots of avenues to help you but some details would be useful or I could rattle off all sorts of stuff that just isn't appropriate. We each feel panic differently and I wouldn't want to assume you get what I did, especially as in your circumstances you are actively bringing on symptoms that a lot of panicers would see as a panicable reason in themselves !!

Talk again soon. It can be sorted.




Meg

Watch your thoughts, they become your words...
Watch your words, they become your actions... Watch your actions, they become your habits... Watch your habits, they become your character... Watch your character, it becomes your destiny...

gaza448
11-10-03, 09:02
hi meg the symptoms I have usually come in between rounds (each round is 3 minutes long with 1 minute rest) I feel very claustrophobic like the room is closing in on me and feel i can't get my breath those are the only two symptoms I notice. May be I should explain when I had my first panic attack it was during a sparring session 5 or so years ago my wife suffers from bi-polar disorder and at the time of the first attack we had only been married for 6months had a 8 month old son and she was suffering depression and was admitted to a pysciatric hospital so I was going through a very stressfull time and still do at times but I feel the only reason I have them in training is because of the power of association every time I step in to spar my brain automatically thinks panic attack I have never bothered with them before but feel I should address the problem now. Also I have had 16 fights while sufferering these rarely have them in fights and have put in some good performances but if I can't train good I can't fight good.

Gary

gaza448
11-10-03, 09:16
I forgot too add I have read books and at the moment have a hypnotherapy tape but the reason I have problems with the exercises in the books is in a boxing ring it isn't easy too stop and practice breathing exercises etc ( although the referee does help me by counting to ten in each fight ha ha ha )

Gary

Meg
11-10-03, 18:58
Hi Gary,

Yes, it's total association triggers for you and for only one event. Lucky you !

The thing with breathing when you're nervous is that your bronchial tubes significantly dilate thus really requiring more air than usual to fill the lungs so it feels that it’s taking more effort to breathe- it is – but you’re taking in more air at each breath as you've more space for this life giving force so you're actually better off.
It's good in a fight as you'll have more oxygen to feed your muscles.

Try to look at it as a positive and capture and use the benefits it is bringing you. Forget the traditional breathing exercises - just keep it going deeply and use the oxygen well.

The claustrophobia - it's hot , sweaty, lots of people in a small space , bags of noise, anger, pent up energy . Pretty normal and rational sensation - it can't hurt you. Accept it and go with it. Don't get dehydrated - it'll make it worse.


You don't have them in fights because you're much more focussed on the job in hand and there isn't room for both.

A hypnotherapist ought to be able to help you sort this along with you finding a mantra that suits you and saying it to yourself both out loud and silently as much as possible for at least 3 weeks. Something that you can totally believe in and feel very comfortable with like
'Each breath I take moves me closer to winning'

Learn to breathe and relax properly outside of boxing. You do have a stressful time and it will help you cope better.

Good luck and let us know how you do....


Meg

Watch your thoughts, they become your words...
Watch your words, they become your actions... Watch your actions, they become your habits... Watch your habits, they become your character... Watch your character, it becomes your destiny...

nomorepanic
11-10-03, 23:17
Meg

Thanks for all the advice - wow! I am sure u have helped gaza

Nicola

benoo5
12-10-03, 01:31
ime sorry ladies,but on this occasion,i cant agree with you,sooo ime going to play the devils advocate.
gary is a boxer,he goes into a ring with an opponent of similar weight,of similar build....the idea of the contest is to beat your opponent...either on points,or by a knockout.
gary has already stated,that because he was worrying about panicking,he was not concentrating on his opponent,and because of this he was knocked out in the second round.
blows to the head,as in a knockout,can,and have caused boxers to have blood clots,and long term serious injury.
there is no way can you enter a boxing ring ,unless you are physically,and mentally 100%...i suggested to gary,that he takes a break from actual fights,during this period he should get professional help,but still carry on training,so that he keeps up with his fitness.
support gary, yes i agree,but please remember...when he gets in that ring,theres a guy in there that wants to hurt him.
this is just my oppinion,and i hope i havent upset anyone....bryan.

gaza448
12-10-03, 10:10
Thankyou you all for you're advice. Bryan the thing is I stated I had 16 fights while sufferering panic attacks and have knocked out a few myself and have give some good performances as well as bad it has only been the last fight I really worried about panic attacks. I suffer them and have for while suffered them in training mostly. I don't remember having a panic attack in a fight only remember the fear of having one I do agree I need to begin too sort them out and need to work on my mental attitude. What confuses me is 12 months ago no-one could drop me stop me or knock me out and I fought some good fighters maybe a lot of it is down too my attitude anyway I want too thankyou all this has been very helpful and it is a fantastic website I am getting help soon and I realise I am fortunate not too suffer with panic attacks as much as some other people and I wish them all well

Gary

benoo5
12-10-03, 16:08
good luck to you gary,
keep us posted .... it would be nice to see you in the chat room some night...best wishes bryan

Meg
12-10-03, 17:31
Bryan - If Gary had been really suffering in the ring I would wholeheartedly agree with you to take a break but it seems that is where he is strongest right now and he can overcome the attacks with great focus, concentration and a brilliant attitude. He knows to pick opponents with care at this time.

Gary - if you can replicate all that in sparring you'll be sorted !
Just know that this is within your control. If you get the thoughts that lead to sensations of panic in sparring sessions again - repeat your mantra over and over and really concentrate and simulate within youself the concentration as you do for a match and Just Do It ...

Have you discussed it with your coach ?

Anxiety is like water, if you give it a tiny place to leak from, soon it will look like it's a flood building. It's very opportunistic and sneaks in new things you didn't know you were afraid of..Our thoughts are so powerful, we need to be able to channel them our preferred way - all the time and it's so hard sometimes .


All the very best Gary. Let us know how you go on.

Bryan -all opinions and posts are so valuable- it's how we learn and share our experiences that allow each of us to move forward.
Unless you actually insult someone personally and meaningfully you cannot upset anyone here and Nic would be hot on that one - then you'd see a tasty bit of her for sure !LOL!




Meg

Watch your thoughts, they become your words...
Watch your words, they become your actions... Watch your actions, they become your habits... Watch your habits, they become your character... Watch your character, it becomes your destiny...

nomorepanic
12-10-03, 20:45
Hi all

As Meg says all posts are important and everyone has a different opinion on everything. I am not upset by the comments Bryan - I respect you having an opinion.

Meg - I try to make sure no-one gets abusive in here and will remove the reply if I have to. I like your comments though - lol

Nicola

Laurie28
13-10-03, 14:18
Gaza,

Whatever form of help you choose good luck. I think whatever form it takes you will be fine

Lucky