Does anyone get anxiety attacks after reading non-triggering books?
Does anyone else get anxiety attacks/panic attacks while or after reading or watching something that doesn't have any triggering topics?
Because I do. Just yesterday, i was reading a book (my favourite, something I've read more than 5times) and suddenly I started getting really anxious, my heart was beating so fast but so slow at the same time, my hands were shaking, I started tearing up even though I wasnt sad and I was overwhelmed by everything that was going on in my head. Before this, I had no problem with reading the book and I cant see the reason why i had an anxiety attack. So, I was just wondering if other people go through with this too and maybe, if you can, give your thoughts on the subject?
Sometimes it may not be the book, it maybe something that you experience or thought of before you started reading your books. It might also be in your overall mood for that moment , were you in the lower or higher mood zone.
It could have been a coincidence that this happened whilst reading. Maybe there was something else going on at that time? Do you have these attacks often?
One other possibility to consider is that something subconsciously triggered you without you knowing. Like, you know how sometimes your thinking about one topic and then 5 minutes later you find yourself thinking about something completely unrelated? I often have this and when I do I try to recall the path my thoughts took to get there. What I find is that thinking about a random word like ''cheese'' can set off a series of memories, one starting with a time I ate cheese with a friend, then a memory of doing an activity with a friend, then a memory of talking about that activity with someone else, then a memory of talking about something else with that same person... The list goes on and on. I think the same thing can happen when reading a book, you read a certain word which subconsciously triggers a whole bunch of memories, eventually leading to one heavy with emotion which gives you the attack. This is just a theory of mine and it could be completely off, but it's interesting to think about.
@Cheeney nothing was going on at the time and the attacks happen often enought that I'm aware of when it happens. Thanks for the theory and now after reading what you said, a lot makes sense now. Do you think its avoidable though? Because I'm pretty tired of staying up at night because I accidentally triggered myself and I'm sure you are too. What do you do?
@fdsamira ,maybe you could try to reset your thought pattern after you have accidentally triggered it. Use the same connective method. Replace the negative thoughts with a positive one or a happier thought and let it connect to other pleasant thoughts and memories. Visualize how peaceful and relax you are with this nice thoughts and relax your body and breathing. This might help you to slowly replace any unpleasant thoughts and feelings.
@fdsamira Honestly, the best way to avoid having these attacks is resolving whatever you're dealing with. Making peace with the past, etcetera. Ofcourse this is easier said than done. I don't know another way to avoid the attacks, but when an attack does arrive I usually meditate. That almost always calms me and slows down my mind. For some people exercise does the trick, for others some form of art (music, drawing), for others reading or watching a series. I hope you find something that works well for you.
@Cheeney @faithlove1111 thank you both, I'll try my best to change the way I look on things. Thanks for replying :)
I've had that happen to me a couple of times, I couldn't settle down I had a major breakdown in my reading class after everyone left and I called my mom and cried. I couldn't do anything about my agoraphobia and it just got worse and worse. Eventually after I got to stay home for awhile my anxiety went away.
