Panic Attacks At Mass

[franciscanheart]

You're probably just possessed. No big. :|

[Tony]

I never had an anxiety attack but when I got Baptized and 1st communion (at age 13) I was very nervous. Being up there in front of all those people watching, I didn't like the idea at all. (I wasn't against the baptism it self.. just.. you know.. all those people staring at me lol). Even several times after the 1st communion, I was pretty nervous going up there, but after a while it became like 2nd nature. I think I was a little nervous for Confirmation too but not as bad  as Baptism

[jazzytakara]

I think a therapist may be able to help you understand what is leading to the panic attacks and devise a method to alleviate them. Personally I say find a therapist that will try to find the root of the problem first rather than placing you on medication right of the get go. I know medication works in some cases, but in some cases it may just mask the symptoms without getting to the root of the problem, causing withdrawing from the medication to become much more difficult. You also mentioned that you feel you have other things to bring up in therapy that are more important to you, its always best to tell a therapist everything, especially things that get in the way of daily life. So if you do make an appointment, make sure bring up all of the other stuff you feel you need to, but also mention the panic attacks. You never know, they may be correlated in some way that you cannot understand. I get anxiety attacks on public transit, it turns out my trigger was being touched by strangers (more so when my back was turned and I couldn't see who it was), I realized after my doctor telling me I had PTSD over my sexual assault  that  this was correlated to that, not wanting people to touch me without my permission. Hard to escape on a city bus during rush hour, but I just had to adjust my positioning on the bus, so that I could at least see everyone around me and actively move if I needed too. Long story short, once you identify what is causing the panic attacks and device a treatment method that works for you, you will be able to aware of what triggers the attacks, adjust your life to avoid them/learn to not have them over time.  Praying for you.

[incarnatewordsister]

Is there a possibility to attend mass from the choir loft of some parish where it isn't being used? You know, where you can get out of necessary without calling attention to yourself?

[HisChildForever]

Personally I say find a therapist that will try to find the root of the problem first rather than placing you on medication right of the get go.

 

Yes, especially because the problem can generalize, i.e. you might begin to experience panic attacks in spaces or environments similar to a church's like a movie theater or sporting arena. 

 

If the first panic attack you ever experienced happened in a church, then it's probable that you now have the fear this'll happen again, which causes more panic attacks, and then like I said above it can generalize. Like Jazz says, it's crucial to discover the trigger. There are endless possibilities, many of which have nothing to do with the actual church, and that's why a professional needs to guide you.

[cartermia]

On Tuesday, I went to a graduation Mass for the 8th grades for some of my friends (and my mom is a teacher at their school). My mom had to sit up in the front with the students and I got to sit back in the 2nd to last pew with no one around me. Let's just say I finally found a place I like to sit at during Mass.

[porziuncola]

 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.

 

 

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? 

 

Not really a specific point... if I leave it's usually during the epistle or the Gospel... This week I stayed until the Creed and then I went and sat outside. Frankly I'm not sure I'd say I'm praying, for how attentive I am I might as well not be there, really. :/

 

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.

 

I don't think it sounds silly, a previous therapist has recommended the wiggling toes thing actually and just trying to ground my feet and trying to bring myself back mentally to my physical surroundings and out of my head... It has helped in the past, it just doesn't seem to as effectively anymore. I do think I need to try memorizing something else to try and focus on.

 

I think a therapist may be able to help you understand what is leading to the panic attacks and devise a method to alleviate them. Personally I say find a therapist that will try to find the root of the problem first rather than placing you on medication right of the get go. I know medication works in some cases, but in some cases it may just mask the symptoms without getting to the root of the problem, causing withdrawing from the medication to become much more difficult. You also mentioned that you feel you have other things to bring up in therapy that are more important to you, its always best to tell a therapist everything, especially things that get in the way of daily life. So if you do make an appointment, make sure bring up all of the other stuff you feel you need to, but also mention the panic attacks. You never know, they may be correlated in some way that you cannot understand. I get anxiety attacks on public transit, it turns out my trigger was being touched by strangers (more so when my back was turned and I couldn't see who it was), I realized after my doctor telling me I had PTSD over my sexual assault  that  this was correlated to that, not wanting people to touch me without my permission. Hard to escape on a city bus during rush hour, but I just had to adjust my positioning on the bus, so that I could at least see everyone around me and actively move if I needed too. Long story short, once you identify what is causing the panic attacks and device a treatment method that works for you, you will be able to aware of what triggers the attacks, adjust your life to avoid them/learn to not have them over time.  Praying for you.

 

 

 

Yes, especially because the problem can generalize, i.e. you might begin to experience panic attacks in spaces or environments similar to a church's like a movie theater or sporting arena. 

 

If the first panic attack you ever experienced happened in a church, then it's probable that you now have the fear this'll happen again, which causes more panic attacks, and then like I said above it can generalize. Like Jazz says, it's crucial to discover the trigger. There are endless possibilities, many of which have nothing to do with the actual church, and that's why a professional needs to guide you.

 

 

I have mentioned it a little with my therapist and I really am trying to figure out what the triggers are... it's just that I know it sounds terrible but I feel like I would just be much more happy at peace if I just stopped trying to force myself to go and did something else with my time. Like I know it might not really be related to the church itself but at the same time, how do I motivate myself to even continue to bother when things just seem better if I avid the situation entirely?

 

Is there a possibility to attend mass from the choir loft of some parish where it isn't being used? You know, where you can get out of necessary without calling attention to yourself?

 

For the past several months or a year I've sat on the staircase to the choir loft usually, or sometimes in the vestibule. I am able to leave, I just feel like I need to get out of the habit of leaving all the time. 

 

 

 

Edited May 27, 2013 by porziuncola

[porziuncola]

You're probably just possessed. No big. :|

 

Oh my gosh, I'm sure that's it!  :doh:

[MarysLittleFlower]

The Mass still gives us graces in our souls :) even if not sensibly.

[AccountDeleted]

I hear you saying a couple of different things and that is a good reason why you should discuss this with your therapist to help you work out just what it is that you really want. On the one hand you say that you don't want to 'have' to go to Mass because of what happens to you, and the other hand you say that you don't want to keep leaving.

 

We have a sister here in the convent who suffers from anxiety attacks. When they come on her, her whole body starts to jerk and she usually needs to sit down, even if the rest of us are standing. This happens during Mass as well. Some days are better than others for her and some times are better than others. Her therapist works with our Prioress to help her cope with the problem, and she has permission to leave the choir any time she feels overwhelmed, or just to sit down if she needs to do that. Sometimes she is missing from choir and we assume it is because of her problem (but we don't ask).

 

The reason I reveal this is because I think that you should be able to work out some coping strategies with your therapist and your priest to make yourself feel less 'trapped'. Perhaps the priest could recognize your obligation as being fulfilled simply by your intentions - that is, you come to Mass and stay as long as you are able to, but feel free to leave when you must. Or perhaps he could allow you to do the readings privately somewhere in the Church building, and then come into the chapel only for Communion. I don't know what could be arranged. But with both the priest and the therapist working together (like our Prioress and the therapist), I am sure that some accommodations could be made that allowed you to participate in the Mass to the extent that you are able, and yet still allow you the sense of freedom that you need to avoid feeling trapped.

 

I will keep you in my prayers. I do hope you resolve this problem because the more you are able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, the more strength you will find to deal with this issue. Our sister knows that her problem may never completely go away, but she continues for love of God, and I can see how much He supports her in her efforts.

 

Remember that in our weakness is Christ's power made perfect. (St Paul)

[AccountDeleted]

duplicate post

Edited May 28, 2013 by nunsense

[Ice_nine]

to the op: I don't know if you mentioned this but, do you only get panic attacks at church? Or would you get them in a similar social setting as well (like surrounded by people at a concert, or a conference, a large classroom maybe?)