Anxiety Attacks

[ouachita]

I would like to hear from others who dive and have a history of anxiety attacks in nondiving situations.

This will be my third year of diving. I have made over 75 dives, mostly lake dives to 30' while spearfishing. I am PADI AOW Nitrox. The closest I have come to a stressful situation was when my light decided to expire at 103' on my advanced deep dive. I would like to say I was super cool but I am sure narcosis had a little bit to do with the fact that I calmly tried to work on my light(i.e. tapping on the rock wall, flicking switch back and forth) before I called the dive which was over for the most part anyway. I will never forget the way the daylight looked as we ascended shining down the face of that wall. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen while diving.

This year my wife got her open water certification ( not at my urging) and I have begun to feel anxious while mother henning her on our dives. I would like to hear from successful "anxiety attack" prone divers because all you hear right now is "if you have had anxiety attacks in the past you will die if you dive". In my opinion, attacks are very situation specific and need certain triggers. Just because you have one on the interstate does not mean you will have one under water. I have been in some very stressful situations where I did not have an attack and have been surprised not too. I am also comfortable in the water.

I'm not asking for a psychlogical evaluation(I've already had that and the things he was most interested in was narcosis and the possible effects of trimix, blah, blah, blah ) I would just like to hear of the experiences of others.:wacko:

 

[DA Aquamaster]

My wife had anxiety attacks prior to learning to dive and has been diving for about 5 years now. She is an excellent diver and is comfortable in the water. Most of the diving we do is fresh water in cold high altitude lakes with at times very limited visibility.

The only problem she encounters is when she goes below 70-80 feet as she will often begin to feel anxious. My personal theory on this is that it is related to nitrogen narcosis. She can get her self deeper without anxiety but it usually requires an ascent to about 50 feet followed by a slow descent after a couple minutes She has been over 100' with no problems with this approach.

My understanding is that nitrogen narcosis can increase whatever mental state you are in at the time, so in my wife's case I suspect a little narcosis will turn a little anxiety into a lot.

I personally have had only one anxiety attack and it was on a deep solo dive on a familiar profile in great visibility and in an area that I was very familiar with. The dive was normal everything was functioning properly and I could identify no specific reason for feeling the way I felt about the dive.

As a counselor it was interesting for me to experience and helped me understand what my wife contends with. It was also enough to prompt me to abort the dive. In 18 years of diving I have learned to trust my instincts.

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

I have had several attacks here and there. For instance, going back to the hospital after my surgery screw-up, going back to the scene of a recent car accident (years ago), being in any type of cavernous environments and the like. Anxiety/panic attacks have trigger events, if you know what those trigger events are you can overcome that problem. This is why I avoid caves/caverns on land and underwater.

Ed

 

[brizzolatti]

I had problems with anxiety attacks about fifteen years ago long before I began diving. Real big problems which it took me a very long time, years, to really bring under control. But my perspective on it now is that the experience, and the fact that I now understand the physiology and thought process of anxiety, mean that I am actually very well equipped to handle it if it were to arise again.

Since I gained that experience and understanding, I have not suffered from anxiety in the way I did fifteen years ago. And I am much better at handling lesser types of anxiety because of strategies I learned when dealing with the full blown situations (by which I mean anxiety attacks that merited medical/psychiatric input).

When I began diving, I had some qualms in case it triggered anxiety and in case, suddenly, I would revert to how I was many years ago. But it was a fleeting thought that I handled. And when it came to being in the water, it was absolutely fine. And has been so far throughout the short period I have been diving (Knock on wood). Interestingly, I find that diving is extremely relaxing and part of that i think is to do with deep, slow and controlled breathing, which is also a tool which is used to control anxiety attacks. I also have the confidence, but not complacency, that if I were to panic underwater, I have additional techniques to employ to try and stop the panic and help me stop, think and act.

Ouachita, maybe your anxiety is about the fact that it is one thing looking out for yourself and a buddy when diving but it is another to have that responsibility for your spouse. You will maybe be anxious because she is inexperienced and you will be having a lot more to think about than when it was just you. Maybe as she becomes more proficient and experienced, you will relax a bit more. Just a thought.

One thing, though, just because you suffered anxiety in the past, doesn't mean that you will again. And even if you do, your previous experience of coping will stand you in good stead.

 

[DocVikingo]

You have now commented with apparent authority on several types of psychiatric disorder, i.e., mood & anxiety disorders. Problem is, at points you seem rather at odds with published material by recognized mental health experts.

For example, your statement below that "Anxiety/panic attacks HAVE TRIGGER EVENTS, if you know what those trigger events are you can overcome that problem." Yet, the APA Public Affairs Office describes the disorder for the lay public in following terms:

"A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear that comes WITHOUT WARNING and WITHOUT ANY OBVIOUS REASON. It is far more intense than the feeling of being 'stressed out' that most people experience. Symptoms of a panic attack include:

racing heartbeat
difficulty breathing, feeling as though you 'can't get enough air'
terror that is almost paralyzing
dizziness, lightheadedness or nausea
trembling, sweating, shaking
choking, chest pains
hot flashes, or sudden chills
tingling in fingers or toes ('pins and needles')
fear that you're going to go crazy or are about to die

You probably recognize this as the classic 'flight or fight' response that human beings experience when we are in a situation of danger. But during a panic attack, these symptoms seem to rise from OUT OF NOWHERE. They occur in seemingly harmless situations--they can even happen while you are ASLEEP."

What you seem to be referring to are anxiety states brought on by specific & identifiable situations, such enclosed/restricted spaces like "caves/caverns" (claustrophobia).

Per the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, APA), these are not classified as a Panic Attack, but rather as a Specific Phobia. Specific Phobias are defined as a marked and persistent fear of CLEARLY CIRCUMSCRIBED OBJECTS OR SITUATIONS. When the individual is exposed to the phobic object experiences an immediate anxiety response.

While the response to a Specific Phobia may eventuate in a state that looks much like a Panic Attack, as you can see the professional diagnostic criteria are quite different. And, more importantly, the treatment protocols can be very different.

Words are important, and especially so in medicine. I'd suggest that your contributions here will be of greater value when you choose yours carefully & correctly.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[blacknet]

Doc,

I was just replying to this, from personal experiences.

I'm not asking for a psychlogical evaluation(I've already had that and the things he was most interested in was narcosis and the possible effects of trimix, blah, blah, blah ) I would just like to hear of the experiences of others.

I didnt' see anything wrong with what I posted because the person was asking for experiences from others.

Ed

 

[DocVikingo]

I do not object to your sharing of your experiences with the inquirer as he requested.

I do want to call to your attention your erroneous statement that, "Anxiety/panic attacks have trigger events, if you know what those trigger events are you can overcome that problem."

It is advice & it's misleading.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

You are correct, my termonology is flawed in this case. I used what I used for a lack of better technicaly correct termonology.

Ed

 

[ouachita]

I only had panic atttacks in certain situations. Never just out of the blue, and certainly never while asleep. So mine appeared to have triggers too. So perhaps I have some phobias rather than general anxiety attacks. My doc never gave me an broken down analyzation.


I am just glad to hear that I am not the only one diving who has experienced these attacks. The more I read that you shouldn't dive period if you have ever had attacks for any reason, the more concerned I got. Other than one article by DAN I have not found much concrete infomation on diving and Anxiety attacks. Maybe the less I know the better.

 

[sarahboo]

I have experienced panic attacks - but not while diving.
During a panic attack I have never felt under control of myself, I have had trouble breathing and my heart feels like it will fly out of my chest.
This is not something I would want to happen while under water. I think the first thing I would do is try and get to the serface asap - which would proberbly end up with me getting the bends.
Panic attacks are treatable, with meds and or therapy (although diving on some meds would not be sensable).
Why would you put yourself at risk my diving if you are not well - you would not dive with blocked sinuses, or a broken rib. Why dive when you are prone to panic attacks.
Treat your ilness first. Then dive.
Sorry if ive gone on
Sarah