hurleysurf24

Just seeking others who may be going through what I am. I just recently started having SEVERE panic attacks and suffering from random bouts of anxiety (ironically i don't feel stressed?) The doctor recommended good rest, stretching, etc etc and also some cardio. I'm going to take up biking as my cardio to get me out and about, and hope it helps with these random physical feelings (nauseua, cramps, etc).

Has riding helped oand of you out with anxiety/panic attacks? If so .. how's it improved your lifestyle.


Sorry for getting deep here guys, just trying to find others who are in similar situations

10 Wheels

Never had one. Riding has made me very fit. I love to ride.

Randochap

Depends where you ride; some urban areas could induce a panic attack. Otherwise, I concur with the quote: "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs

EventServices

Severe and Random? Something is triggering them. You have to figure out what.

Riding is generally good for just about anything except trying to cure saddle sores and meeting women.

hurleysurf24

Lol. Its basically a combination of work (at a law firm), studying for the cpa exam, living at home still, doing a lot for others and not myself, just broke up with gf etc etc. Stuff I can't really avoid. However, I'm not sure what in particular is setting them off. I'll start keeping a log.

I was trying to get to the point of keeping my mind off of the aforementioned and feeling healthy by biking

deep_sky

I'd avoid congested urban areas, and narrow hilly roads with lots of switchbacks and no shoulder. I suffer from anxiety and take medications to help control it. Cycling has actually been a great exposure (what people generally do in therapy to build up a tolerance to the anxiety) for me. I ride up in the hills with no shoulder to speak of and lots of blind turns, and I am not bothered by it. Someone who is unmedicated for their anxiety if its a chemical imbalance thing, or has not done exposure to build that tolerance, I would not recommend it.

Just stay away from stressful situations (ride where there is less traffic, a good solid bike lane, and not a lot of pedestrian traffice as well) until you know you can control your anxiety and not have a panic attack in the middle of the ride.

kindablue

I have some mild anxiety and I've only had a few (~3) panic attacks in my life. I think exercise in general helps curb the anxiety. I know people have done studies on anxiety/depression and have found that exercise has similar effects to a typical course of SSRI's (like zoloft or lexipro... which are anti depression/anti anxiety drugs).

I wouldn't rely on the bike to "cure" it, but riding will certainly help

h0axwa7k

It's hard to have a panic attack when you're so exhausted you can't think.

Go try to kill yourself on the bike. It'll do you good.

Gluteus

Been there (I mean, a lot of stressors, mostly job related, anxiety provoking but without the panic attacks).
I can honestly tell you that for me nothing worked better than biking. It really did make a huge difference.
I hope it would help you just as much as it helped me.

enjoi07

when i started my first semester at state with a 16 unit load, quit smoking the herb, and quit riding my bike for 100+ miles/week i experienced my first panic attack at work. i was by myself and it was so bad i had to close an hour early because no one could back me up. i had shortness of breath, irregular heart beats, and thought i was going to pass out and/or die. i got extremely nervous when people approached. i had never had anything like that before, i was 23, and it really scared the crap out of me.

i was considering seeing someone about it, lack of medical insurance made that difficult but i do get benefits through school. i felt the symptoms go away as the days went on so i decided to see how it would play out. it took months to get over, but riding my bike again is what helped. i am a firm believer in the negative effects of stress now .

RT

I'll tellya right now that 2009 was no picnic, and 2010 is not helping matters. I have found that without peer, riding my bike is the answer for me. No panic attacks, but it is about as peaceful a feeling as I'll ever have, for the time being.

rush_forth

exercise, both running and riding my bike, has been my number 1 form of medication over the last 5 yrs. not for anxiety, but some similar issues. exercise is a huge part of my life now, in fact, it's almost a bit addictive (as i'm sure others here would say). but it's better than the alternative, that's for sure!

when you ride, focus on your technique, your breathing, the way your body feels. be aware of how strong your body is to do the task at hand; it will become stronger even yet! this is a meditative state - you're no longer worrying about bills, relationships, todo lists. you can let your mind be free of thoughts. that might sound kind of hippy dippy, about meditation and all, but all i mean is you can get out and leave your stressors/thoughts behind and boost your serotonin - not to mention you'll sleep better and be healthier. good luck!

*i'm not a doctor, not even close, but this is what worked for me, fyi

Jancouver

+1

47lb lighter and medication free

Nachoman

you've been a member since 2004. Haven't you been cycling for the past six years?

deep_sky

I'll agree that exercise does help, but if you find (after seeking the proper help) that it is not enough, do not be afraid to try medication in addition to therapy and exercise. I am not advocating popping a pill and forgetting about it, but in my case, biking and therapy were not enough to control it, and the addition of the right medication has finally given me the ability to control my anxiety.

Start out with exercise in non-stressful situations first, then if exercise isn't enough, seek therapy to help you learn techniques to cope with anxiety.

Anxiety can be crippling and there are a lot of people out there who suffer in silence. Don't be one of those.

RacerOne

14 posts and not one HTFU? BF is going soft in its mid winter duldrums.

Seriously though, all the things you mentioned would give me a panic attack, the living at home part for sure.

patentcad

If you get enough endorphins into your system, nothing will phase you, not even the considerably idiotic rantings of half the members on BF.

Trust me on this.

patentcad

By the way, HTFU already.

AngryScientist 

you work for a law firm and live with your parents? i'm having a panic attack just thinking about that.

zatopek

Me too. Anxiety and depression. Both are significantly ameliorated by intense aerobic exercise. I notice a considerable increase in energy levels and positive thoughts the higher my mileage and the harder my running and cycling. Good luck and good cycling.

patentcad

File a lawsuit against your parents. Perhaps that will relieve all the stress.

banerjek

All the puking and cramping I've done in the past few years was caused by cycling. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I relax by riding, and my experience is that few things are as therapeutic as riding yourself into the ground.

cyclezealot

Nah. Riding calms me down. Makes the world seem a better place.. Do have a slight fear of heights and a fast- windy, descent sometimes can wear on my brakes a bit.

RacerOne

What is going on with BF, this is the post tonight with words I've not a clue what they mean.

patentcad

Not for nothing, but when you get to be 50+, cycling may well be your last link to sanity.