Panic Attacks At Mass

[porziuncola]

So the main reason why I actually wanted to post again was because I wondered if anyone else had similar experiences with having panic attacks at mass, and if anyone had suggestions about what to do about it...

 

I've had severe anxiety attacks at mass on occasion for years, but it's been more frequent in the past several months... A few weeks ago I was extremely shaky, dizzy and had a very high heart rate and I really didn't know why, so I went to the ER, and they said it was a panic attack. It was kind of weird though because I wasn't feeling particularly anxious. Anyway, I know the general principle about anxiety attacks is that because it's unjustified fear you're supposed to continue to stay in the situation, but that is sometimes REALLY HARD. I'm not always going to mass every week because I'm stressed out about it and other times I go but don't stay long enough to fulfill my Sunday obligation. 

 

I'm seeing a therapist currently and my confessor wants me to talk to him about this, but I'm just really reluctant to... I have a lot of other things that I feel are more pressing to bring up in therapy, and besides, I think he'll probably just ask me if going to mass is something important to me that I want to continue to do... and frankly the answer is sort of no. It's not an unequivocal no... I kind of do want to I suppose, but it's just not a super high priority for me and seems to cause more problems than its worth...

 

So, just wondering if anyone else has experience with that type of thing and how you may have handled it.

[MarysLittleFlower]

I've never struggled with this but do you know why it happens particularly at Mass?

[MissyP89]

Definitely talk to your therapist. The issue isn't necessarily the "at Mass" bit ... it's important to work on dealing with the root stuff causing the panic in the first place, and once you build up an arsenal of coping mechanisms, it's usually easier to deal with, whether it's Mass or the grocery store or...wherever.

 

Prayers. It always passes.

[porziuncola]

It's not necessarily at mass, it happens other times too sometimes, but it's most consistently at mass and that's when it's most severe. At one point I tried going to other parishes including smaller Eastern parishes in case it was somehow related to the specific environment or some kind of claustrophobic thing, but it really didn't make a difference.

[porziuncola]

It's not necessarily at mass, it happens other times too sometimes, but it's most consistently at mass and that's when it's most severe. At one point I tried going to other parishes including smaller Eastern parishes in case it was somehow related to the specific environment or some kind of claustrophobic thing, but it really didn't make a difference.

[CatholicsAreKewl]

So the main reason why I actually wanted to post again was because I wondered if anyone else had similar experiences with having panic attacks at mass, and if anyone had suggestions about what to do about it...

 

I've had severe anxiety attacks at mass on occasion for years, but it's been more frequent in the past several months... A few weeks ago I was extremely shaky, dizzy and had a very high heart rate and I really didn't know why, so I went to the ER, and they said it was a panic attack. It was kind of weird though because I wasn't feeling particularly anxious. Anyway, I know the general principle about anxiety attacks is that because it's unjustified fear you're supposed to continue to stay in the situation, but that is sometimes REALLY HARD. I'm not always going to mass every week because I'm stressed out about it and other times I go but don't stay long enough to fulfill my Sunday obligation. 

 

I'm seeing a therapist currently and my confessor wants me to talk to him about this, but I'm just really reluctant to... I have a lot of other things that I feel are more pressing to bring up in therapy, and besides, I think he'll probably just ask me if going to mass is something important to me that I want to continue to do... and frankly the answer is sort of no. It's not an unequivocal no... I kind of do want to I suppose, but it's just not a super high priority for me and seems to cause more problems than its worth...

 

So, just wondering if anyone else has experience with that type of thing and how you may have handled it.

 

Sorry you've gone through this. I used to have panic attacks during Mass in my youth. Do you only get them at Mass? 

Edited May 21, 2013 by CatholicsAreKewl

[CatholicsAreKewl]

Sorry, my question was answered. Is there a specific section of the mass that you tend to get them? Do you happen to be in prayer while you get them? 

[CatherineM]

My husband gets them sometimes. He's had some pretty severe hallucinations in mass before so he can get anxious afraid it will happen again.

[MarysLittleFlower]

Maybe you can figure out with your priest or therapist what particularly causes the panic attacks, and the underlying issue as well... if you solve the underlying issue, maybe that could help you to not have panic attacks at all. But regarding the Mass - it might help to figure out what contributes to this..... is it the amount of people there? do you have a negative association with something in the Mass? is it the music? someone talking? for example if it's the amount of people, maybe you could attend an evening Mass with fewer people... at my parish, (it's Latin Mass) there's the High Mass at 10:30 that many people attend, but then in the evening there's a low Mass with much fewer people. (also there's no music and it's mostly silence). Does it depend on where you're sitting: like near the front, or near the back where you can see everyone?

 

Or since you get them at other places too: is there something similar to those places and an aspect of church (how people are sitting, talking, etc). What i'd do is maybe I would isolate that factor that's contributing to it and find a parish or a Mass where this doesn't occur. But I think it's best to treat the underlying issue of whatever is causing this: cause then you'll be able to be more at peace and not worry about this when you're at Mass.

 

Is it for sure something psychological, not spiritual? have you been diagnosed with anything? do you have PTSD? etc. You don't have to answer these questions, just stuff to think about :)

 

Remember that Jesus is present in the Mass.... maybe try to focus on Him, not on anything else :) I know it's hard to focus when you're feeling anxious about something. Keep working on it :)

 

God bless!

Edited May 21, 2013 by MarysLittleFlower

[hotpink]

I'm people clausterphobic, so I don't like Sunday Masses, and why I don't like mega-churches.  I find the idea of Catholic Daily Mass facinating, as it is usually poorly attended (except for before Easter, dunno why).  I can be in a closet and not be clausterphobic but too many people in one room, and I want to hurl.

 

I nearly have.

 

On a girl, too.

 

I think thats why I like religion.  Parties make me feel sick.

[LouisvilleFan]

Your pastor can probably allow you to make your Sunday obligation on another day of the week. The Church should accomodate  faithful who have medical needs, so it's worth asking.

[Era Might]

Not panic attacks, but I hate when Mass is crowded or someone sits right near me. I need some space, a few pews at least. All I can think is I'm gonna have to shake their hand or nod or something during the rite of peace. Even worse when it's a couple people...that's kind of awkward, do you shake all their hands? Thankfully people are usually willing to accept a nod. Sometimes I just keep my head down and keep praying, hopefully they don't take scandal.

Edited May 22, 2013 by Era Might

[truthfinder]

Sorry can't be of any help besides prayers, but it is good to hear from you again.

[MissyP89]

Your pastor can probably allow you to make your Sunday obligation on another day of the week. The Church should accomodate  faithful who have medical needs, so it's worth asking.

 

This is true. He can also dispense your obligation completely.

[Sister Marie]

Part of it might be that naturally at mass you are quieter, more still, and, for lack of a better word, trapped ( as in you can't just get up and leave. Once you sit down you kinda commit for the next hour to stay in that spot.). Sometimes that means you can't use some of your normal coping mechanisms. You can't turn on the tv and veg out. You can't log on to the Internet. You can't go for a run. You can't take a nap. Prayer brings us face to face with ourselves so when there is a struggle within, like with anxiety, it could be more likely to manifest when you are being more reflective.

I know this sounds silly, but, may I suggest wiggling your toes inside your shoes. Count as you go, even make a pattern. It can help calm you. Close your eyes or focus them on something beautiful and still like a stained glass window. Use the readings before mass and memorize a line to repeat to yourself. It can help you ignore some of the irrational thoughts that sometimes accompany a panic attack. It won't fix it but it will help you feel more secure when it happens. Instead of a tsunami you'll feel the little waves above you.

I hope you don't give up on attending mass because God desires good for you and will continue to give it to you in the gift of the Eucharist even when you don't feel like it is helping.