Anxiety and alcohol

[lilykitten]

I was wondering if any other anxiety sufferers find that alcohol triggers anxiety. If I have 2 glasses of wine I am fine but on the third glass the slight dizzyness seems to trigger panic attacks. The next day (after only 3 drinks) the "hangover" is stomach upsets and shaky legs, not the traditional headache.

[Rabbit33]

Hi Lilykitten,

I can't say that alcohol triggers my anxiety, but it is a depressant which in the end will more than likely enhance your depression and mix badly with any medications you may be on. I would check this out with your doctor and see what they say. Probably best to try and avoid alcohol if it's triggering your anxiety.

Although, when the anxiety triggers after a few glasses, what are your surroundings like. Sometimes it can depend on the atmosphere and the people around you. If you do enjoy a drink or two, maybe try change the scenery a little bit and promoting some positive vibes. However, i still strongly believe you should discuss this with a doctor or psychologist and see what they say first.

Hope this helps. Have a great day!! 🙂

[PamelaR]

Hi Lilykitten and welcome to our community forums

Rabbit has given you a great reply and I agree, I would be speaking to my doctor about what was happening.

Just some more info that you might like. I'm not a health professional, however, there are a lot of studies out there about anxiety, alcohol, panic attacks. One thing it appears they agree on is -

Alcohol is a depressant. There are a number of reasons that even short-term, alcohol can be harmful to our mental health. For instance, because drinking reduces the amount of serotonin in the brain (serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps you to feel calm and happy), low levels of it can increase anxiety.

You know the feeling well if you’re an anxiety sufferer; being bundled up in a cocoon of duvet feeling like something truly awful is about to happen. While you may not have a headache or any feelings of nausea, anxiety hangovers are very much a thing.

So why do we get them?

When we're experiencing symptoms such as a palpitations, dizziness, shaking or sweating during a hangover, it can trigger anxiety because these symptoms feel very similar to anxiety itself.

Low serotonin in the brain and dehydration will also add to that sense of feeling unwell.

Hope some of this helps Lilykitten. Keep reaching out if and when you want to. No pressure.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[lilykitten]

I'm not on any medication, I'm not depressed. I have CBT to combat panic attacks and GAD. I am not using alcohol to self treat and I have only noticed this as it is that time of the year when I attend social gatherings but thank you for caring.

I am curious as I have wondered whether the "spinning or out of control" feeling you get from alcohol is triggering the panic attack as the symptoms are similar. I do not think 3 glasses of wine over a 4.5hr period should make you feel dizzy, nauseous and jelly legged for a 24hr period after drinking them. Just interested, I'll stop at 2 drinks next time.

[Rabbit33]

Hi Lilykitten,

Apologies, i didn't mean to jump to the conclusion that you had depression. I must have got ahead of myself so i'm sorry.
As for the alcohol causing you to being spinning or out of control, it almost sounds like the alcohol has been spiked.. (I know this is not the case) If it happens only around the 3rd glass over a 4.5hour period. I would definitely speak to your Doctor about it. I have heard somewhere before that some people can be allergic to some white wines. So maybe their is something in the wine that you're having a reaction too and should probably cease drinking that particular type of wine. Does it happen with all sorts or only white/red?

Sorry i can't be of more help.