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Panic attack while riding

Never had a panic attack on a bike, no. Don't want to sound harsh but the two things don't go well together.
 
I've had panic attacks before, goes with the territory for being me. Riding a motorcycle is usually, like a previous commenter mentioned, a form of therapy. Can focus, lots of things to keep one's attention, and my hectic, scatter-brained mind gets into a nice groove with all sorts of pleasing problems to focus its attention on. Have had minor panic attacks while riding the bike, once every year or so, nothing special, but this one, it was just bad timing, and especially bad. That sensation of my helmet and gloves being too loose was surreal.

And yes, as a previous commenter said, for those who don't have panic attacks, or who are not on the differently-brained side of things, they don't know what it's like. But hey, it takes all kind to make the world go round. :)
 
OP,

I recommend you take flying lessons
 
Again, ever had these before, and how much riding experience do you have? That could be a very rational reaction to start to panic in that traffic situation.
 
i took a good friend to ER when she had a panic attack...she totally couldn't control herself even while the nurse was trying to put a heart monitor on her...

kinda like waiting for something bad to happen but nothing does...?
 
This is something I've run into a number of times before, although only in a car, not on the bike. What I do is focus on just one thing that I can control: getting myself safely off the freeway and parked on a surface street. I don't concern myself with what is making me freak out, or what I'm going to do after I'm stopped - the only thing that matters is stopping somewhere safe, and that doing so is totally within my abilities and control. When this kind of thing happens to me there are a whole lot of other problems (real and unreal) that are fighting to take over, but I am able to focus so long as it's only on one thing.

After the first time through I've always been able to do this, and I don't think there's any reason that it would be different on the bike than in the car. In fact, being on the motorcycle makes things a lot better, which is one reason I ride whenever possible, particularly when it's dark and raining. At least for me being enclosed in a box makes everything way worse.

Don't let assholes get you down. Everybody's got problems in life, but most of us don't feel a need to rip on other people about them.
 
Nonsequitur said:
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I will remain."
Click to expand...

:applause
we all need to be reminded
 
:|
[youtube]JhlWddAXSRA&feature=related[/youtube]
 
thinmac said:
This is something I've run into a number of times before, although only in a car, not on the bike. What I do is focus on just one thing that I can control: getting myself safely off the freeway and parked on a surface street. I don't concern myself with what is making me freak out, or what I'm going to do after I'm stopped - the only thing that matters is stopping somewhere safe, and that doing so is totally within my abilities and control. When this kind of thing happens to me there are a whole lot of other problems (real and unreal) that are fighting to take over, but I am able to focus so long as it's only on one thing.

After the first time through I've always been able to do this, and I don't think there's any reason that it would be different on the bike than in the car. In fact, being on the motorcycle makes things a lot better, which is one reason I ride whenever possible, particularly when it's dark and raining. At least for me being enclosed in a box makes everything way worse.

Don't let assholes get you down. Everybody's got problems in life, but most of us don't feel a need to rip on other people about them.
Click to expand...

Thank you for a helpful, informative, detailed quote. What I was looking for. :thumbup
 
You might have been hyperventilating as well which can induce panic attacks and make them worse. My advice to you would be as soon as you start to feel even a bit stressed when riding do this: remind yourself to breath!
 
The ones I was talking about were more like vertigo then panic and weren't during stressful rides through traffic or in the twisties. Sort of like a feeling of doom followed by a lot of adrenalin.

A short burst of speed for about half a mile followed by a sedate speed limit or less usually helped, I only had to actually pull off the freeway once.
 
Ant said:
You might have been hyperventilating as well which can induce panic attacks and make them worse. My advice to you would be as soon as you start to feel even a bit stressed when riding do this: remind yourself to breath!
Click to expand...

good advice...i know some people wear these inexpensive dust masks when riding ...helps stop getting allergens while riding and helps regulate their breathing from hyperventilating...

$2.00 at home depot...don't like it, toss it or use it for around the house...

OP, find out what's triggering your attacks...sometimes it can be something simple ...

g'lucks again...

dust_mask.jpg
 
Hangin_Low said:
It hit after I'd come off the Bay Bridge, and that portion of mad merging traffic when all cars verge towards 101 southbound.
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That's a good spot to look up at the new gigantic apartment building beside the freeway in SF and distract yourself by thinking "why'd they put that here?" :p

I second the breathing control. And strange as this might sound, you were probably tensing up your face muscles during all this. If you think about relaxing your face, it spreads outward from there. Weird but true.
 
BTW, this seems like a very serious issue, one which may not be resolved with platitudes and smart ass cracks.

I get nervous in some circumstances, and I know that IS the problem.

But I have been in a thousand like it, so I am not worried about managing my fear.

If you suffer badly from panic attacks, you might want to seek professional help before you freak out again.
 
sanjuro said:
BTW, this seems like a very serious issue, one which may not be resolved with platitudes and smart ass cracks.

I get nervous in some circumstances, and I know that IS the problem.

But I have been in a thousand like it, so I am not worried about managing my fear.

If you suffer badly from panic attacks, you might want to seek professional help before you freak out again.
Click to expand...

Very well said Sanjuro, I agree that finding professional help for the panic attack should be a priority.
 
i think that anyone riding a nighthawk 250 over the bay bridge would have a panic attack.
 
shoelace said:
i think that anyone riding a nighthawk 250 over the bay bridge would have a panic attack.
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Wise cracks is what I do but it seems obvious that if you suffer from panic attacks you should seek professional help. Even Tony Soprano knows this.

Thanx, Russ
 
Hey OP -

First off, I give you mad props for asking this community for help. It is very serious, perhaps you should talk to a doctor? There are many drugs that can reduce the severity and frequency of panic attacks. (Ask me how I know)

Net net, riding can be very unforgiving, seek professional help, be careful and good luck.
 
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