Panic attack

Hello there...

I am Reece and 16

I was doing a short course with the Royal Navy as i am joining the Navy.

But whilst doing the swimming test (jumping in a pool, staying still floating for 2 mins, swimming 40 meters then getting out without help whilst wearing overalls) i struggled to breath, infact i couldnt breath which lead me to fall under the water a few times while staying a float and when trying to swim off and then freezing and casuing me not to be able to keep my self afloat.. and woth out the help of the stick and staff possibly drowning..

after that without the overall, completing the test..

also on a 2 hour journey i started to feel sick, not sure of what was going on around me then struggled breathing, felt like i was fainting or about to go unconsious, dizzyness, lungs being pushed to the back of my stomach, sweating, trmabling, tempeature differning, choking, lungs stopping, twitching, hand,feet and face locking up, all weak, numbness, itching, flash backs of attack in swimming pool, feeling i am having a serius illness dry mouth. and when moving to front of bus not being able to get up, see where i was going hearing a loud atmoshere, not being able to walking straight, then heavuly breathing when i could breath. then feeling real tired and faling asleep..

the whole thing lasted 2 and a bit hours..

and i can bearly remeber the whole thing..

i am 100% sure it was a panic attack..

and now i am a bit nervous of this happeing again as i do have to do the tests formally with in another course soon..

not relly shore wat caused the one on the journey as it was such a long one, and not knowing what the cause was.. i wont be able to prevent it..

has anyone got any decent tips to prevent this again?

Reece,

Well, I think there are different triggers for panic attacks so I don't know if my information will help you at all. WHen I was struggling with panic attacks - I had to take medicine and see a psycholgoist This took several months but the panic is gone. Are you able to see a psychologist? Can you think of a specific topic you were trying not to think about or focusing on when this happened? In my case - I had a brief painful thought and kind of shook it out of my head. That night -I awoke with a panic attack. (During the actual panic attacks I don't know WHY I am feeling that way.)

Well thats the thing..

i got on the bus.. talking about the guns we we firing (which i was complety fine with) then all of a sudden i felt sick and started my atack... i dont have a clue why.. i dindt even know it was a panic attack at the time.. it was only until we were on the train home 2 days later when i got told.. which then it made sence about the swimming one but not the one on the bus..

and every time i think about the one on the bus.. i have a small attack.. its really going to be a pain shortly.. i cannot afford to see a psycholgoist and taking medication would effect me joining the navy.. so i sorta find out whats causing it and then sort ot out myself.. what i plan to do is go to the gym and pool alot so that when i come to do the test i know that i will be able to pass..

Hi Rees,
I too had my first panic attack just after swimming and my fiance had his whilst swimming.
The thing with panic and anxiety is the fear of fear.. you will avoid doing things INCASE it happens again ( which i did for many yrs) Trust me that is the wrong thing to do!
Dont allow your mind to think negative.. dont let this what if thoughts creep in... block them out and focus on the fun your having... I avoided mcdonalds because when i had one there i blamed the strawberry sauce for making me have on! mad as it sounds i know!
The trick is DONT think... Dont pre see you in situations where you MAY have one! To over come this you have to Face it... gradually your brain will not feel threatened in situations...
Im talking from experience here !
Good Luck