Highly Sensitive Parenthood Blog
Panic attacks and High Sensitivity: My Story
Shortness of breath.
Heart palpitations.
Numbness in fingers.
Difficulty speaking.
Stomach & Chest pain.
Nausea.
Dizziness.
Sounds like a heart attack or a stroke, right? While it’s always a good idea to get checked out by a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, they also can be symptoms of an intense but ultimately physically harmless panic attack.
A major turning point in my journey as a Highly Sensitive (HSP) parent was when I had my first panic attack. I had definitely experienced episodes of intense anxiety before, but never anything so debilitating as what occurred a few weeks after the birth of my second child. My husband had gone out for a much-deserved outing with some friends, and I was on my own for the evening for the first time with my 3 year old and 5 week old sons. It started when I was sitting on the floor trying to nurse my crying baby, while my 3 year old was crawling on my back and talking to me incessantly (I love him, but he was a major chatterbox at that age)! In retrospect, it was incredibly physically overstimulating - too much noise, too many physical touches, too many demands on my body and attention.
I started feeling some pain in my solar plexus (where my ribs meet) and some shortness of breath. After a few minutes, this progressed into all of the symptoms listed above, to the point where my vision was blacking out, I couldn’t stand up, and could only say “it’s okay. It’s okay. It’s okay” over and over again. I thankfully had the wherewithal to call my sister, who then called my husband to come home. The experience was so intense and scary that I went to the ER, where they ran several tests and couldn’t find any physiological issues. My background in mental health ultimately led me to understand that I had experienced a very intense panic attack, and my journey from there led me to find a therapist specializing in postpartum anxiety and beginning to take anti-anxiety medication.
I experienced several more minor panic attacks in the months afterwards, and still experience mini versions of them from time to time. Understanding this experience through the lens of High Sensitivity and Overstimulation has empowered me to make impactful changes. Taking breaks, reducing sensory input (noises, touch, etc), and listening to my body when it is saying “too much” have all helped me to reduce overstimulation and subsequent anxiety and panic.
If you, too, have experienced intense anxiety and panic, please know that you are not alone. I encourage you to find a therapist who can support you.
If you don’t need mental health support or are already working with a therapist, but want to explore your experiences as a Highly Sensitive or Empath parent in more depth, please check out the Highly Sensitive Parenthood Course that I’ve created just for parents like you. It’s designed to teach you about the HSP trait, help you reflect on your experience, and empower you to see the gifts of your sensitivity while compassionately tending to the challenges of being an HSP parent. With two whole modules on the topic of overstimulation, and 15 different meditation & relaxation practices, you’ll learn many tools to manage overwhelm, reduce feelings of anxiety and panic, and just be a calmer, happier person and parent!
written by Amy Lajiness, HSP Parenthood Coach and Educator