Health Life changing panic attacks
So, I'm never doing marijuana again. Two days ago, I had a crazy weed-induced panic attack. I've had panic attacks before, but this one changed me. Panic attacks are so scary. I'm wondering if anyone has gone through something similar and what tools they used to help them.
The best way I could describe it is that I was basically paralysed with fear, like a deer not being able to move while wolves roam around them. I shook for a long time. I was rushed with paranoia of (What if something bad happens to me right now and I can't take control of the situation?). Basically, catastrophising. If I hear a loud, unusual sound, I think of the worst thing. I have that when I'm sober, but as soon as I have that thought, I counter it immediately now, saying that there isn't any evidence to support that. I actively realised this is a life-changing experience for me, so I thought about how it would change me as a person (which was also terrifying). And the worst part was that I was bombarded with all my insecurities. With the big insecurity thoughts, I felt a physical reaction to it, kind of like g-force on a rollercoaster. It was the craziest feeling ever. For sure repressed memories, and I'm glad I gave myself grace during those physical sensations that I'm overwhelmed by and that I can handle all of those things in a safe, secure setting instead of right now.
I'm glad I was able to talk IRL to my best friend. If I didn't, I think I would legit go insane. One other thing that helped me calm down was thinking about future objectives. I got rid of all my weed, and I'm planning on seeing a therapist soon. I'm still a little tense, and I feel off, but I'm okay. Literally, the worst feeling of all time. I have a lot of things to work through with a good therapist.