Panic Attacks at Mass :(

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I am so sad and frustrated lately because my anxiety is making it harder and harder for me to attend Mass on Sunday. At this point, I have not actually missed Mass but most Sundays I am there fighting off a panic attack and desperately resisting the urge to run out of the Church. This past Sunday I forced myself to stay even though my legs were weak and I was shaking and sweating but as soon as I received communion I left because I thought I was going to pass out. Have I committed a sin by doing so?

I have always had anxiety but I developed panic disorder after three back to back health scares and I began having panic attacks at Mass after my daughter passed out in Church. I don’t have this problem when I attend daily Mass, which I do two to three times a week but Sunday Mass is longer and crowded and I feel trapped because if I leave I’ve not fulfilled my Sunday obligation.

I feel horrible about all of this because Jesus has been my strength and comfort through all of my difficulties and I dread attending Mass on Sundays.
 
I’m praying for you 😦

You said that daily masses don’t bother you, because there’s less people. Have you tried going to an early morning Mass on Sunday? Typically a 6:00 am or 7:30 am Sunday mass is less crowded, where I live it’s about the same amount of people as a daily mass, that might be an option for you!
 
Panic attacs are very common, They have always been there, but only for the past ten or twenty years doctors have learn to diagnose them. I still do not give medical advices because it is not something one should do, but you can always talk to your GP or then ask the priest for permission to stay away from Sunday mass. That is quite common theese days. I hope you will find help, there a number of ways to treat this uggly little thing we call panic-attaks and I am sure you will get over it in time.
 
I used to have the same problem for a while, and often had to leave Mass. I found that standing in the back by the door helped me. I could easily slip out if I needed to. I also suggest trying a less crowded mass. Those early in the morning tend to have less people.

Don’t beat yourself up over this. You are not committing a sin. Do what you can for now. God bless.
 
I know how you feel.

Last time I went to mass a few years ago I had to leave 10 minutes in and walk around the neighborhood around the Church until the end of mass because of my panic attacks.

My quality of life has dropped so much because of them and the fear of having them.
 
Hi mama,
I have an anxiety disorder which made Mass attendance almost unbearable at times. I finally swallowed my pride, and started on meds a few months ago. What a difference! It is a decision I do not regret for a second. I feel so much better-I can now attend crowded Sunday Mass and focus on praying through the Mass, rather than fighting off a panic attack. I also don’t have to worry about havng a panic attack at work anymore. My mind is quieter, and even my prayer life has been better. (less distractive, obsessive ruminations).

Have you discussed your anxiety issues with your PCP?
 
For several years I experienced the same thing and I completely understand what you are dealing with. First, it is not a sin, I am sure you would stay if you could. But, secondly, if you have not seen a doctor please do. My panic attacks, which were happening other places besides Church, controlled my life and I would even worry about doing something for fear I would have one, I found out that I could manage them by sitting on the end of the pew at Mass and staying in the back, that way I would not have the additional concern of disturbing others if I did have to leave. I also reduced the amount of caffeine I was drinking as that will increase the attack. Over the years of managing them I have found that I hardly have them at all anymore and I will pray that you will find that same recovery.
 
Are you seeing anyone about it?

I’m a proponent of trying all available therapies for psycho-emotional problems, from counseling to behavioral therapy to medications. I think panic attacks are one problem that can be helped with cognitive behavioral therapy.

I’ve had them a couple times. I think you should talk to someone about it (in real life, not on a forum). This is just a start: Try to learn the signs one is coming on. When you feel it happening, force yourself to realize that it’s just a panic attack. Force yourself to realize that you have options: you can get up and leave Mass. You can go outside. You can go home. Force yourself to recognize that what is happening to you is not harmful in any way. Nothing bad will come of it. You can control it. Give yourself time to settle down. Let your heart rate slow. Let your breathing do whatever it need to do.

Panic attacks, in my experience, are one of the few instances where the mind really can take control of the situation.
 
If you haven’t already, please seek the advice of a doctor. I assume you have children (you mentioned a daughter in your thread)… I was having chronic panic attacks and as a mom of three small children it became crucial to seek outside help - not only for myself, but for the sake of my children. As scared as we are during the panic attacks, imagine how the kids are feeling.

I agree with seeking out a less-attended mass and sitting in the back of the church with an escape route if needed. I spent many services on the front steps of church.
 
Echoing what the others have said - please seek medical treatment. This problem can be hereditary and it’s basically your brain chemicals being out of balance. You can get medications and/or therapy, which can help you get control of this problem. I’m not talking out of my hat; I’ve had anxiety and panic attacks so I know what it’s like. For your sake and that of your family, please seek medical help.
 
While I agree that medicines can help, the most immediately effective ones are of the addictive benzodiazepine class. I hate to slam physicians but they often dole these out to people with instruction to take them 2-3x per day, everyday. This is a sure path to addiction, and foolish in terms of curing anxiety because it does not address the root cause.

Here’s how the addiction process works. Your body develops tolerance to the drug and requires higher doses to get the previous results. As you go back to the doctor asking for more, or stronger pills it eventually dawns on him that you are getting addicted. Then he cuts you off completely. By this time your body is so used to the drug that it goes into an adrenaline overload state that can actually cause heart attack and death. You see, it never cured anxiety but merely relieved a symptom by suppressing a blood chemical(adrenaline/norepenephrine).

Now, with that said, it is ok to go ahead and get this type med from your doctor, but then ONLY take 1/2 of one pill about an hour before Mass or whatever other event causes a big panic attack. You MUST ignore the instruction to take them everyday. Use the medicine to make life manageable while you seek understanding of and healing of the roots of your anxiety disorder, but do not use it as a panacea to eliminate your anxiety.

There is another class of medicine they sometimes prescribe for anxiety called SSRIs. Those are mostly considered antidepressants. I have a very dim view of those but perhaps will discuss them at length another time. Suffice it to say that nearly every or perhaps all school shooters in recent history were on SSRI and/or ADHD medications.
 
I used to have the same problem as the OP, but at 4:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass. I’m now going to 7:30am Mass, and things have been much improved.
 
I too suffer from panic attacks although mine are a recent onset, very debilitating, and caused by issues with my work.

At Mass this past weekend I felt one coming on and was terrified. How could I have a panic attack in the place that brings me so much comfort? How could this happen in a truly safe place for me? I made a decision right then that the evil in my work site was not going to disturb my peace in God’s house. I set my eyes on the alter and Jesus, I felt a very calming spirit immediately. The evil one can try to attack me in other places but may NOT while I’m at Mass.

To the OP - There have been some good suggestions about ways to handle this. Seeing your doctor is the best. I don’t know if you would be able to control it as I did but I do know it worked that time for me. However this is a very new issue for me, we’ll have to see how things go next weekend.

I surprised to see so many who suffer this way. I’d never had anything like this in my whole life until a couple of weeks ago. It has completely changed my quality of life. I’m starting counseling and have seen my doctor to try to gain some control over my life. I’m on leave from work because that is the root cause of my panic attacks. I have no idea where this will all end up but I trust God and have faith His plan for me is in my best interest.
 
Deus_tecum said:
While I agree that medicines can help, the most immediately effective ones are of the addictive benzodiazepine class. I hate to slam physicians but they often dole these out to people with instruction to take them 2-3x per day, everyday. This is a sure path to addiction, and foolish in terms of curing anxiety because it does not address the root cause.

Here’s how the addiction process works. Your body develops tolerance to the drug and requires higher doses to get the previous results. As you go back to the doctor asking for more, or stronger pills it eventually dawns on him that you are getting addicted. Then he cuts you off completely. By this time your body is so used to the drug that it goes into an adrenaline overload state that can actually cause heart attack and death. You see, it never cured anxiety but merely relieved a symptom by suppressing a blood chemical(adrenaline/norepenephrine).

Now, with that said, it is ok to go ahead and get this type med from your doctor, but then ONLY take 1/2 of one pill about an hour before Mass or whatever other event causes a big panic attack. You MUST ignore the instruction to take them everyday. Use the medicine to make life manageable while you seek understanding of and healing of the roots of your anxiety disorder, but do not use it as a panacea to eliminate your anxiety.

There is another class of medicine they sometimes prescribe for anxiety called SSRIs. Those are mostly considered antidepressants. I have a very dim view of those but perhaps will discuss them at length another time. Suffice it to say that nearly every or perhaps all school shooters in recent history were on SSRI and/or ADHD medications.
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I know that we aren’t supposed to give medical advice or really discuss in depth any medical issues but a lot of posters have recommended seeing my doctor, so I will tell you why that is not an option for ME.

When this first started happening last summer I went to my doctor and of course the first thing he did was prescribe an SSRI and two different tranquilizers. 3 days after I started taking meds I ended up in the hospital with a racing heart, fever, sweats, and vomiting. It took hours before my heart rate returned to normal. They refused to believe it was caused by the medications. I kept taking them and for three weeks I suffered nearly constant panic till I could no longer function and ended up in the hospital again because no tranquilizer would slow my heart rate. They gave me a prescription for a new SSRI. I knew what was happening to me wasn’t normal and I stopped taking all medication and the extreme panic attacks and constant anxiety went away, or at least decreased to a manageable level.

I had been doing pretty good for the past six months other than this anxiety surrounding Mass. It seems to be worse at times…probably during periods of added stress. I just don’t want to offend God. If I can’t handle it and leave have I sinned? Will I be in a state of mortal sin?

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and kind replies. God bless you.
 
mama2lovebugs said:
I know that we aren’t supposed to give medical advice or really discuss in depth any medical issues but a lot of posters have recommended seeing my doctor, so I will tell you why that is not an option for ME.

When this first started happening last summer I went to my doctor and of course the first thing he did was prescribe an SSRI and two different tranquilizers. 3 days after I started taking meds I ended up in the hospital with a racing heart, fever, sweats, and vomiting. It took hours before my heart rate returned to normal. They refused to believe it was caused by the medications. I kept taking them and for three weeks I suffered nearly constant panic till I could no longer function and ended up in the hospital again because no tranquilizer would slow my heart rate. They gave me a prescription for a new SSRI. I knew what was happening to me wasn’t normal and I stopped taking all medication and the extreme panic attacks and constant anxiety went away, or at least decreased to a manageable level.

I had been doing pretty good for the past six months other than this anxiety surrounding Mass. It seems to be worse at times…probably during periods of added stress. I just don’t want to offend God. If I can’t handle it and leave have I sinned? Will I be in a state of mortal sin?

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and kind replies. God bless you.
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I remember having anxiety so bad, that taking the medicine gave me anxiety.

Your not offending God, and you have not sinned. However there are many SSRI’s, I would suggest going back, saying you didnt like it, and trying a different one. I eventually got off all of my medications but that was a very hard fight.
 
Deus_tecum said:
While I agree that medicines can help, the most immediately effective ones are of the addictive benzodiazepine class. I hate to slam physicians but they often dole these out to people with instruction to take them 2-3x per day, everyday. This is a sure path to addiction, and foolish in terms of curing anxiety because it does not address the root cause.

Here’s how the addiction process works. Your body develops tolerance to the drug and requires higher doses to get the previous results. As you go back to the doctor asking for more, or stronger pills it eventually dawns on him that you are getting addicted. Then he cuts you off completely. By this time your body is so used to the drug that it goes into an adrenaline overload state that can actually cause heart attack and death. You see, it never cured anxiety but merely relieved a symptom by suppressing a blood chemical(adrenaline/norepenephrine).

Now, with that said, it is ok to go ahead and get this type med from your doctor, but then ONLY take 1/2 of one pill about an hour before Mass or whatever other event causes a big panic attack. You MUST ignore the instruction to take them everyday. Use the medicine to make life manageable while you seek understanding of and healing of the roots of your anxiety disorder, but do not use it as a panacea to eliminate your anxiety.

There is another class of medicine they sometimes prescribe for anxiety called SSRIs. Those are mostly considered antidepressants. I have a very dim view of those but perhaps will discuss them at length another time. Suffice it to say that nearly every or perhaps all school shooters in recent history were on SSRI and/or ADHD medications.
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For the record Deus-there may be some docs who overperscribe benzos-but that was not my experience. The SSRI worked wonders for me-and I was given ONE script (no refills) for lowest dose of a benzo-for use in the event of an acute episode of panic until the SSRIs kicked in. I still have some left. 🙂

Hi mama-sorry to hear you had such a bad reaction to the SSRIs. I was lucky-we found the right one for me first try-started at a very low dose, and gradually gave my body a chance to adjust to the med, until we reached a “therapeutic” dose. It has done wonders for me.

If your panic is manageable without meds-that’s super. If you have to leave Mass because you are having an attack-I don’t think that is a sin. Mass obligation is excused for illness, and in spite of cultural ignorance about the nature of mental illnesses-it is an illness. Maybe you could try and sit towards the back-so if you have to make a quick exit you can do it with your dignity in tact. I found just knowing I could make a quick escape helps manage the panic.

Good luck.
 
TerryJT said:
For the record Deus-there may be some docs who overperscribe benzos-but that was not my experience. The SSRI worked wonders for me-and I was given ONE script (no refills) for lowest dose of a benzo-for use in the event of an acute episode of panic until the SSRIs kicked in. I still have some left. 🙂

Hi mama-sorry to hear you had such a bad reaction to the SSRIs. I was lucky-we found the right one for me first try-started at a very low dose, and gradually gave my body a chance to adjust to the med, until we reached a “therapeutic” dose. It has done wonders for me.

If your panic is manageable without meds-that’s super. If you have to leave Mass because you are having an attack-I don’t think that is a sin. Mass obligation is excused for illness, and in spite of cultural ignorance about the nature of mental illnesses-it is an illness. Maybe you could try and sit towards the back-so if you have to make a quick exit you can do it with your dignity in tact. I found just knowing I could make a quick escape helps manage the panic.

Good luck.
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Thank you for the encouragement! I usually sit at the front but maybe I will try to sit further back this Sunday and see if that helps. I think it is the obligation and the fear of sinning that causes me to panic because I feel trapped, if that makes sense?
 
I think it is the obligation and the fear of sinning that causes me to panic because I feel trapped, if that makes sense?
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Hi mama-that absolutely makes sense! I can get a bit obsessed about the “rules” of the faith sometimes-to the point where the needle gets stuck…and then my brain spins and spins in the same groove to the point of major anxiety buildup…though i have found relief over the last few months.

I spent a couple of decades in protestant churches-it made it a bit easier as “the rules” were generally a one page statement of faith, rather than an entire catechism. 😃
 
I’m praying for you. 😦
I myself have panic attacks/anxiety, and yes, seek medical help from your doctor. I hope you feel better a.s.a.p.

God Bless
 
Prayers are going out to you. Perhaps asking St. Dymphna to pray for you and with you will help. I also wear my St. Dymphna medal (with 3rd class relic, I believe) to Mass.

Although I’ve not had a panic attack or anxiety to your level during Mass, I do find it easier for myself to sit on the end of the pew. That doesn’t always work, if someone comes in late and needs us to scoot over, but most of the time, I’m able to sit on the end.

I also recommend sitting towards the back or a more open area. Our ‘cry room’ is often empty, so you could go there as well; ours personally seems small to me, so the wide open space of our main area works better for me.

It is a fact that going on some medications can cause greater anxiety for awhile. It has been very hard for me at times to stay on the meds long enough for them to go away. I do have Xanax if I need it. I have, at times, taken 1/2 the dosage (1/2 pill) before Mass if I’m feeling that way. I don’t want to be zoned out! 🙂 I have never ever taken the recommended dosage of 2-3 times a day! EEK!

Coincidentally, (God-cidentally?!!) I am listening to Immaculate Heart radio as I type this, “Reasons for Faith” program. You might find today’s episode helpful and is probably available on podcast or their website (ihradio.com).

As for the school shooters, yes, many were on antidepressants or other medications. That doesn’t make the meds ‘evil’. There are many reasons, and each med may affect people different ways. Caution is truly needed. Just like ‘tequila’ makes people act differently than vodka or wine (often), it’s all alcohol; but it reacts differently in different people.

St. Dymphna, please pray for blessings for all those in this thread, and all others, who suffer from anxiety and depression.

God bless you,
Christina
 
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