topic Anxiety and nightclubs in Anxiety

Anxiety and nightclubs

A_Marie — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 14:21:47 GMT

I have had anxiety and depression for years (since I was a kid). I am in my late 20s now and manage my mental health reasonably well now with mindfulness and medication. But recently, my anxiety has created a new symptom - panic attacks in nightclubs! I get the fight or flight response kicked and usually have to leave straighaway. I only calm down when I get outside. I'm not sure if it's the alcohol or due to a recent incident when I got harassed by a stranger and touched on the back.

Does anyone else have panic attacks in nightclubs?

I'm cool as a cucumber in bars where the noise is not as loud, concerts and I see live bands play all the time.

Thanks for reading.

Anxiety and nightclubs

Croix — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 20:48:09 GMT

Dear A Marie~

Welcome here to the Forum. Sounds like a most unpleasant thing to have to deal with. Panic attacks are pretty overwhelming at the best of times, in such an environment with strangers, a reasonably limited number of acceptable courses of action plus the noise and alcohol it is not a good place to have to try to 'climb out of' an attack.

From the sound of it you are already pretty used to dealing with you condition and would normally be OK. I do think the problem with the stranger might be the cause, particularly as it involved being touched from behind, a vulnerable area - the blind spot we all feel vulnerable about I guess.

You did mention you were on meds, do you think there is a possibility the alcohol is reducing their effectiveness or combing with them in some other way?

I guess if it was me I'd try a fair bit to avoid those attacks. The first three things that spring to mind are reducing alcohol intake, perhaps even being alcohol free for a while in those places, wearing something that covered my back( even if it was warm), and being in the company of friends.

In my own case I found that anxiety attacks of all sorts are more frequent and intense if my everyday background stress levels were high. To that end I do what you probably do already, avoid stressful or triggering situations, exercise, eat well and attempt to sleep well. In addition I have regular distractions that take me away from regular life.

I wonder if I am on the right track

Croix

Anxiety and nightclubs

A_Marie — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 10:58:18 GMT

Thank you very much for your reply Croix! You are on the right track and I think you're right about the stranger being the cause (normally I am quite comfortable in crowds). I find it very helpful and you are right about the alcohol. I think I will take a break for a while and 'up' my self-care: eating well, exercising, do arts and crafts, etc.

A Marie