New to diving, suffering from anxiety attacks

[Tinky]

Hello everyone,

I'm turning to you with humble plea for help. I have just started my PADI Open Water Diver course. I think I keep up quite well, both with theory and practice. So far I have done two dives, one in a small jaccuzi pool just high enough to keep us fully submerged while kneeling and another in 2m pool. Today we're supposed to go to 6 metres and there are another two dives following, so 5 confined water dives overall. I'm doing my course to be able to dive with my husband who is a very keen diver and I wanted to try as well to be buddies with him and to experience all the fun he's been telling me about.

Here's the problem. I am suffering from irrational anxiety attacks. The thing is, they are not triggered by any kind of problem. During my dive yesterday, I had a problem with cleaning my mask until I remembered what to do. I panicked for a bit, was about to breathe water through my nose, I think some even went in but I fought the urge to inflate and ascend to the surface, trying to imagine I am deep underwater and I have to prevent any injuries. I managed it and did everything else fine, even being without a mask completely for about a minute. However about two thirds into the dive I experienced a feeling of great anxiety. Feelings of I don't wan't to be here, I'm not enjoying myself, I'm feeling uncomfortable overwhelmed me and I had strong urge to just chuck it all, go above water and go home. I stayed, mostly because I don't want to be ashamed in front of my whole group. After I returned all of my equipment and went into the shower, i broke down and cried. Same thing happened to me after the jaccuzi day. No problem there, but after I left the pool and the people, without feeling any discomfort during the actual dive, I cried. I felt unhappy but I couldn't reason why if everything went well and my instructor praised me.

The thing is, these feelings are only there directly after the dive. When I return home I think of the experience as fine. I have talked to my husband, I have agreed to try it today as well. As I write these lines, I have no bad feelings about going underwater whatsoever. So I'm trying to figure out where does this anxiety come from. I have low blood pressure, from 90/60 to 110/80, depending. I am also on a low carb diet so I guess my body is in ketosis at present. I had two similiar attacks whilst on my business trip, I could identify the reason then: very bad air in 30 minute bus ride and then going directly to airport without remaining on fresh air and breathing deeply and low blood sugar as my condition cleared away after I ate something sweet. Overall I'm in a good physical shape I think, I go to gym four to five times a week. The diving course is a bit demanding as I go there directly from work, it goes on from 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., it's eleven when I get home and I've got about an hour of free time before I have to go to sleep. I have promised my husband to try getting some carbs into my system today, to see what it does.

As to other factors contributing to overall discomfort during dive, there are ten of us in course with one instructor only. There were supposed to be two yesterday, they were but the other one was only coaching one guy who was falling behind. I'm also not keen on a woman I've been buddied with. She's not that fit, always complaining about everything, about the equipment being too heavy (I try and help her with it, i.e. bending for her fins instead of her), about the water being too cold, about how she just can't make the step into the water and all other stuff. In my normal life, I tend to look at the better side of things and try to eliminate such people from my life. She's older, which is not a problem would it not come attached to tendency to boss other people around and tell them what to do, even if they're perfectly capable of doing it by themselves. So it's not really helping.

Any suggestions as to what should I do to avoid this overall discomfort and anxiety after I finish my dive? I really want to go through with it and enjoy myself on dives with my husband. Overall I have no problems with other "adrenalin" activities and my husband was actually wondering how could have I jumped a tandem skydive and being all peachy and happy about it all the time, even with pressure changes, yet being so uncomfortable underwater. I'm not a crybaby normally and tend to rationalize so I'm actually quite embarrassed about all of this. Please help. Thanks in advance, your comments are greatly appreciated. Tina

 

[Imla]

Three things come to mind...

1. WE (as in ppl) are NOT meant to be under water!!
Water is just as lifethreatening environment as outer space. Every instinct you have, will tell you that being under water is NOT good for you. What scubadivertraining will do is try to reteach some of those instincts, hopefully so well that you are not stressed about it. One is especially strong, and that is when water gets into your nose. This triggers reflexes that tells the body that it is in danger. I.e. Flightresponses. It takes a bit of time to learn to recognize, and respond correctly to these instincts.

2. When you begin to dive, you need to be mindful of how you breathe. If either for exitement, anxiety or other reasons, breathpatterns may be affected, and you may not be able to vent CO2 properly. If you have one of these episodes, consentrate, take a deep breath, and exhale properly. Do this a couple of times. Then focus on breathing normally.

3. I don't know for how long you have been on low-carbs, but you need to mind your caloric intake more closely. Being in water for extended periodes will cost a lot of energy. Make sure you replenish just before (30min or so) you go in the pool so you don't get low.

Ask for a new buddy. A good excuse is to "get used to diving with different people"

Also... I would reflect on overall motivation for doing this... and what your lifesituation is atm. Normally if I have a huge emotional rush after a dive it comes because I have finally relaxed, and when getting up all floodgates open. This is usually if there has been something major happening. Feks when my grandfather died. I went diving to clear my head. (Also with one of my best friends who supported me greatly through his illness.) When I came up from the water all the emotions came.
But.. That is me...

Good luck.. and dont give up.

 

[Tinky]

Thanks Imla very much for your kind suggestions. I will focus on breathing even more, maybe I forgot to fully engage my diaphragm while breathing and I have added carbs to my diet as of today trying to offset it, I hope it will help.

As for the emotional side, that's the most curious thing of all, I have nothing to vent, no worry in the world so to say. Loving husband, nice work, great family and friends, loads of travels and nothing major to worry about so I feel like spoiled brat to bawl like that

 

[tamas970]

Everybody is different. Some adapt quickly to the underwater environment, some just need more time. There are also some, who cannot adapt to the idea of breathing from a machine and feeling OK under 30m water.
Also one can cross from a "group" to another: a superb, semi-fish diver may avoid water completely after an accident. Or, a "nervous Nellie" (quote from another topic) can become a competent diver, performing deep wreck dives, provided he/she got a good&patient instruction with enough time to develop new instincts.

Very important: in diving, there is no "shame", "embarrassment" etc, if you feel uncomfortable. If something is wrong, anyone can call a dive!

As for your training: I would strongly suggest a one-on-one/private training making clear to the instructor, that you may adapt slower to the underwater environment and need more dives. This will also eliminate the buddy issue. (Someone's got to tell that lady stay home & watch TV... Diving is supposed to be FUN, any I wouldn't feel safe with a buddy whose soul is not in diving)

I know, a private class will cost more, but it IS more fun. You will have an inch-by-inch supervision of a dive professional, who'll tell you if your finning, bouyancy techniques need even a minor polishing. He/She will have your full attention and you will have his/hers.

 

[PatW]

I would also suggest getting a private instructor. Also, try to find an instructor who has some experience with students who have had anxiety issues. You probably want an instructor who has a flexible approach. In your situation, I very much doubt that there is a one size fits all. I understand that anxiety issues can be dealt with using a gradual and persistent approach.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I join with the others concerning some one on one instruction. Most important, however, do not press to dive if you continue to have experiences like those you have had. Diving is serious fun. By that I mean it is a lot a fun, but it is also a vey serious, and can be hazardous, activity. You must be in good health, both physically and mentally, to dive safely. I think you can work thorugh your issues, but remeber, diving is not for everyone, no matter what the certification agency ads say. Be smart, be safe, and take your time with quality private instruction.
DivemasterDennis

 

[DCBC]

I would be concerned that you are receiving 40% of your confined water training in water that you can stand-up in. Get a different Instructor who will provide training in-which you can develop confidence in your abilities. Some people are anxious about mask clearing for example. Once they realize that it's something they can deal with, they are more confident to move on. Increasing the diver's anxiety incrementally gives the Diver confidence and is a proven method of instruction.

Slower training progression allows anxious people with the time to deal with the situation. Repetitions also increase confidence. Deal with your instructional situation decisively and quickly. I'm not sure if Club instruction is possible. Clubs tend to move at a slower pace and provide the time for the students to acclimatize to the underwater world.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I don't know if this helps, but even experienced divers have been known to have anxiety or panic attacks. If you do a search on "anxiety" or "panic" on SB, you might find some of these threads. Could be interesting reading.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

I read a bit of myself in the way you have expressed this. I had a rough time when I decided to learn to dive. I was shocked and embarrassed when I found myself on the edge of panic. I am not a panicky person and have always prided myself on my ability to stay in control of myself. At the time I was working as a Paramedic and Paramedics tend to be a little macho for want of another term.

People questioned my motives.. if I should even continue the course. That made me more embarrassed, angry and determined!

What I focused on was the fact that... I did not actually panic... I controlled it! The first 50 dives I had to do a lot of self talk to start the dive. One I was into the dive and looking at the fish I was better. My husband just said.. when it gets bad, settle and concentrate on blowing bubbles. I now have nearly 700 bottom hours and the thing that used to scare me the most is what I find most relaxing!

Only you can decide if it is right for you by honest self assessment but take it from someone who has been there... focus on the fact that you didn't give in to panic.. that is the best indicator that you can be a good diver if that is what you really want for yourself! It is worth the effort for the magic that diving can be!

 

[Tinky]

Thank you all for your kind words! They were really an encouragement. I have decided to go to class yesterday and go along with the dive. I'm not sure what it was, whether a different mindset, proper deep breathing or changed diet to include much more energy coming from carbs, or combination of all, but it was amazing! I was anxious by the poolside, but I just breathed it out. There were seven of us with two instructors now, I have indicated to one I have a bit problem clearing my mask and he was very kind to show it to me underwater couple of times until I've started doing it regularly. And also, I have enjoyed myself immensely! I was so enthralled to dive into 6m pool and see all of the divers from other classes floating around, it was amazing. A great rush of happines overwhelmed me and from that moment, everything went well. I was even manage to do the excercise of swimming around without a mask, just with a regulator in my mouth. This morning I'm actually finally looking forward to going to class and diving again! I've decided I'd also like to take another course - perfect buoyancy - just to be able to dive at least in pool until I'm somwhere I could make open water dives. (No holiday leave until October/November and living in Moscow with such lakes around diving for newbies is not much fun, cold and visibility max. to 1.5 m on a nice day).

So once again, thank you for your kind words and encouragement, it made me feel much better to know I was not alone in this.