Panic attack. =S
 

Hi guys,i didn't know where to put this,so i'm sorry if it's in the wrong place.
Today was my performance at the RNCM(music college) where i've been staying since Tuesday,with about 26 other people my age. Anyway i had like 5 pieces to perform.
When i came off the stage from the first one with everyone else,i was in a bad way. I was breathing very heavily,quick&loud.And i was crying pretty loud too,and i got this tingling sensation in my body,mostly in my hands.And the dizziness,that was bad.
And then after each performance i was crying and still breathing heavily although not so bad.
I mean i've performed before,and this has never happened.
I got so worried,like i was going to die or something.
Was this a panic attack or not?
Thanks guys xxx

Yes, to me it sounds like a panic attack. I know it feels awful but it's natural, and many people describe it as feeling that they are going to die, but of course physically they aren't very dangerous at all.

From my own experiences I find when you have an attack is to slow down your breathing, deeply exhale out all the "stale" air in your long and slowly breathe in, when you breathe shallowly for a prolonged amount of time. If there is too much carbon dioxide in your body it will make you feel dizzy, but the worst that can happen is you may momentarily faint.

Just remember not to worry, the more relaxed you are, the easier it will be and it won't last so long.

I have come across some good threads here on RYL on grounding techniques to help alleviate the symptoms of panic attacks, and there are also some good stuff on sites such as:

• Get ice or ice water
• Breathe - slow and deep, like blowing up a balloon.
• Take your shoes off and rub your feet on the ground.
• Open your eyes and look around. See you are in a different place than then.
• Move around. Feel your body. Stretch out your arms, hands, fingers.
• Peel an orange or a lemon. Notice the smell. Take a bite. Focus on the taste.
• Pet your cat, dog or rabbit.
• Spray yourself with favorite perfume.
• Eat ice cream! Or any favorite food. Pay attention to the taste.
• Hold a stuffie. Pay attention to the feel of it.
• Repeat "this is now, not then"
• Call a friend, or your T.
• Take a shower.
• Take a bath.
• Go for a walk. Feel the sunshine (or rain, or snow!)
• Count nice things.
• Dig in the dirt in your garden.
• Turn lights on.
• Play your favorite music.
• Hug a tree!
• Touch things around you.

from http://www.mosaicminds.org/safe-ground-new.shtml

of course in some situations that isn't always the most helpful advise maybe try some of these from http://www.m-a-h.net/support/article-grounding.htm
I found these which can be helpful:

"Stomp your feet to remind yourself where you are. Press your feet firmly into the ground.
Try to notice where you are, your surroundings including the people, the sounds like the t.v. or radio.
Concentrate on your breathing. Take a deep cleansing breath from your diaphragm. Count the breaths as you exhale. Make sure you breath slowly so you don't hyperventilate.
Cross your legs and arms. Feel the sensations of you controlling your body."

But if it gets worse or you feel it is beginning to control your life and your welfare contact a professional.

Take care (hope all that made sense)
x

It sounds like it could have possibly been a panick attack, at the very least it does sound like you were hyperventilating.

Sometimes pepole can become very very anxious without actually having a full panic attack. In a situation where you are performing, many people have some anxiety.

Has this ever happened to you before?

Thanks guys,and thanks for the tip Rosie.
No Angel Dust,it's never happened before,that's why i was so scared. Normally i'm fine before and after a performance.

just off the top of my head, maybe you were just a bit nervous afterwards and were breathing a bit fast and bit dizzy. but you thuoght something might be wrong and panicked and that triggered the panic attack? meh. just a thought.

I actually hug trees when i'm having attack and it does give me some sense of relief

fi

xxx