Alcohol And Panic Attack – Is It A Good Relationship?

Alcohol and panic attack are not a good match. Panic attack sufferers who have turned to alcohol thinking it will help relieve any anxiety are just "throwing fuel onto the fire."

Alcohol and panic attack are like "chalk and cheese. Panic attack sufferers may turn to alcohol to self-medicate but this is likely just going to make treatment more difficult. About one in three who suffer panic attacks use alcohol. Relieving distress and anguish caused by a panic attack is foremost on their minds but alcohol can alcohol can lead to depression which will only cause further problems.

In some cases the excess consumption of alcohol can be one of the main causes of frequent panic attacks. The depressing affect of the alcohol can cause a person to dwell on the unwanted stressors that trigger their panics. This only increases the likelihood of stronger, more frequent attacks; something most panic attack sufferers would prefer to do without.

Will Just One Drink Hurt?

So now that we know the basic relationship between alcohol and panic attack experiences, does that mean that a panic attack sufferer is not allowed to drink? The answer is surprisingly, no. A person who experiences panic, even frequent panic, is not disallowed to drink. What is considered a no-no is the excessive use and abuse of alcohol. A drink or two to relax yourself is not a bad idea, it’s when a person takes their drinking too far that the real problems begin to arise. This excessive abuse of alcohol is what will trigger these increased panic problems, so the simple solution to this problem? Don’t drink too much.

Panic attacks are not fun, and once the relationship between alcohol and panic attack experiences are truly understood by a person, it will become apparent what they must do. Everyone has different limits, and different alcoholic thresholds. The key is to understand where your limit is and to not step over it. For most people suffering from chronic panic attacks, this limit will begin to become natural. Because as any panic sufferers can tell you, a panic attack is extremely unpleasant and it isn’t worth having even if it means passing up that extra drink.

If left untreated panic disorder will disrupt your life affecting both social and professional relationships. Excessive alcohol and panic attack will never been a good partnership. You may experience feelings like withdrawing from normal activities leaving you feeling more anxious and depressed. About one in five people with panic disorder attempt suicide.