For years after drinking, I would suffer from panic attacks alcohol related. I could never figure out why this was, but the attacks were debilitating. The more I drank, the worse off I would be the next morning, and the panic attacks alcohol related began seriously effecting my enjoyment of life.

It turns out I’m not alone. Millions of people out there suffer from panic attacks alcohol related, and are looking for an answer. A doctor at medhelp.org gave the following advice:

A panic disorder with agoraphobia attack is a brief period of intense fear or discomfort that comes on suddenly and usually it is accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, abdominal distress, dizziness, fear of losing control or going crazy or fear of dying. Panic attacks occur in many different situations and for different reasons. It is important to note that these symptoms can be confused with medical illness so physical problems should be ruled out. When people have recurrent panic attacks with anticipatory anxiety and phobic avoidance this may represent panic disorder.

The relationship between alcohol and panic attacks can be tricky. Sometimes alcohol can be a trigger for panic/anxiety, but sometimes people use alcohol to treat anxiety. In your case, I recommend that you discontinue drinking alcohol as there appears to be some link. If you find this difficult, there may be a question of whether you have a problem with alcohol. In any event, you should have a physical exam to rule out medical illness and if your problem persist without explanation, you should be evaluated further by a psychiatrist.

This may seem rather alarmist, but remember it is a doctor talking. They tend to err on the side of caution, which is a good thing in nearly all medical situations.

However, it’s important to know that there’s a physiological reason for panic attacks alcohol related. When you drink alcohol, you deplete your body’s stores of vitamin B, B-12 and several other related vitamins. These are vitamins that regulate your mood to some extent. In other words, you’re eliminating that which makes you a stable, functional human being.

The counter to this is simple: Either drink alcohol that’s loaded with vitamin B (unfiltered beer is one example; anything mixed with Red Bull is another), or just pop a vitamin B supplement before bedtime with those two aspirin and pint of water that I know you already slam to avoid a hangover.

If that doesn’t work, then yes, you should either stop drinking or see a doctor or both. But chances are it will work, and you can go back to the Bacchanal without fear of the morning sun. 

Tags: panic attacks alcohol, panic attacks