Worst Time to Have a Panic Attack
I believe that I can now say without doubt when is the worst time to have a panic attack. That would be when you are sitting in the dentist's chair, halfway through having two crowns done. You are basically at a point of no return in the procedure and a most captive audience. Sadly, that's what happened to me last week.
The way my dentist was doing the work made me begin to feel claustrophobic, and in spite of my knowing what was going on, the next thing I knew I was suffering a full-blown panic attack. I managed to get control of it for a few minutes. Before long, however, I had to bring the proceedings to a halt. It meant, of course, that my dentist – aside from having his schedule for the morning scotched – had to fashion a temporary covering for my teeth before sending me on my merry for another try this week.
The other try turned out to be this morning. Now, the catch with panic attacks is that once you get the thought in your head, it’s very hard to get it out. The idea of having a panic attack can create a panic attack. So what to do when you’re walking right back into the situation that created an attack only a few days earlier?
This time, I armed myself with palliatives. After last week’s appointment, I got a Xanax prescription from my doctor, and I downed a pill before today’s appointment. I also queued up several relaxing songs on my iPod, which I am extremely grateful to my sister buying for me as an unexpected gift.
Thus fortified, I plopped myself down in the chair – still with butterflies – and let the dentist do his thing. At first, I thought I’d have to bolt immediately, but I steeled myself and stuck with it.
Thankfully, the dentist needed to drill only for five minutes, and then it was on with the temporary crowns. Twice I had to keep my mouth closed for several minutes – once to take the impression for the temporary and again to cement the temporary in place. I definitely felt myself freaking out the second time, but with the iPod playing, I focused on the song, knowing that as soon as it was over, I’d be able to open my mouth. You see, the dentist told me how long I’d need to keep my mouth closed each time, and I picked songs that fit the bill.
All together, it took about forty-five minutes. After it was over, I still felt on edge for a while, but eventually I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. To my dentist – thank you for being such a mensch about it and helping me through it.