I have never had panic attacks in the past, except the usual nervousness before an important gig/event, etc.  Last week I has a serous panic attack while flying to London.  I was in the cattle car class (aka cheap seats), seated in the middle seat between my wife and son.  Those of you that have met me know I can fill a seat pretty well, so with the combination of being in the middle and having the seat in front of me pushed way back into my face, and the temperature a little too warm in the cabin, the storm clouds began brewing.  I nodded off only to wake up with a choking/gagging feeling in my throat and the absolute, immediate need to jump out of my seat.  I eventually made my way to the galley area where I could get some water and have a little roaming space, where I stayed for 30-40 minutes while the panic subsided.  When I got back to my seat, I rearranged the family so I could at least get an aisle seat, which helped.  I had a few more minor bouts of panic throughout the flight but none as bad as the first.

The return trip was ok as I managed to get a bulkhead seat with no one in front of me, but the whole incident really flipped my out because I've never had this kind of experience in all of the years I've been travelling.  I have made several trips to Europe in the past as well as a few flights to Singapore (22+ hours!) so maybe it was just the right combination of circumstances the led to the panic.

I am interested in hearing from any of you who have overcome similar situations.

Regards,
Adam's Dad

I had exactly the same experience flying from London to DFW.  

Like you, the Asian trip was longer but ok.  I'm sure it helped that I was flying business class.  Being confined for long periods of time with strangers in my face really stresses me out.

i've gotten to feeling a little better about the breakup.  life sucks, i'm over it.  but hey, there is a bright side! more free time, more practice time, a greatly diminshed social life (thank you Lord) and i don't have to buy her a christmas present!  

i doubt the panic attacks are going to go away any time soon, but i can live with it.  it doesn't affect my drumming.

now that you've all seen my sensitive side, i'll have to spend the next month being a jerk so you'll forget!  hahahaha!

I'm pretty sure that dealing with a panic attack is perhaps one of the toughest things a person would ever have to do.  

Knowing how to deal with a potential problem (not necessarily medical - related, it can be any problem, for that matter) before it occurs can help greatly.  

Here is a link to a webpage that explains different methods of coping with a panic attack.

http://fl.essortment.com/anxietypanicat_rcoa.htm

To any member of this forum that suffers from panic attacks, I hope this might be of some help.

I can't say that I have ever had a panic attack, but I can only imagine what they must feel like.  

Regards, (and best of luck to you in overcoming this problem)

drumz1