D: Sometimes I feel really anxious the day after I drink. Can alcohol cause a panic attack?
The short answer is yes.
Panic attacks – sudden waves of overwhelming fear and apprehension, together with physical symptoms such as chest pain and sedation, sweating, a racing heartbeat, nausea, difficulty breathing, feeling or numb in the arms and hands – are intense episodes of anxiety.
And alcohol and anxiety are considered “two sides of the same currency”, said dr. Alëna Balasanova, associate professor of psychiatry and director of the psychiatric education of addiction to the medical center of the University of Nebraska.
While drinking is often used as a social lubricant or a way to relax and relax, scientists have discovered that alcohol can increase feelings of anxiety. These feelings can derive when alcohol is metabolized by the body, a process that can require one day or more to complete. Regular and heavy drinkers can experience higher levels of anxiety, in particular after alcohol runs out.
“I I don’t want to scare people to think that if you go out and you have a few glass of wine, which you will have a panic attack, “said Dr. Balasanova.” But certainly the risk is always there. “
And that risk is higher if you already have an anxiety disorder.
Ideally, “people prone to anxiety should avoid drinking heavy or drinking, even if alcohol seems to alleviate short -term anxiety,” said Jennifer E. Merrill, associate professor of behavioral and social sciences at Brown University.
The vicious circle of alcohol and anxiety
Scientists do not fully understand how alcohol and anxiety are connected, but they know that people with alcohol use disorder, a model of frequent drinking that is difficult to control and persists despite the anguish or functioning of the problems, They have higher risks to develop anxiety disorders and vice versa.
When you drink alcohol, the brain increases the release of a chemical called gamma-aminobutirrico or gaba acid, which helps us feel calm. Alcohol also inhibits the release of a neurotransmitter called glutamate, which is associated with anxiety. These interruptions can make people feel more relaxed.
But if it becomes physically dependent on alcohol – after years of heavy drinking, for example – the constant increase in Gaba can make the brain produce less, and The glutamate becomes more dominant. The brain therefore becomes “hyperexcible”, which can lead to symptoms such as panic attacks, said Dr. Kathleen Brady, an expert in employees and professor of psychiatry at the Southern Carolina Medical University.
Federal health officials define the consumption of consumption of five or more drinks per day (or 15 or more per week) for men and four or more per day (or eight or more per week) for women.
But, added Dr. Brady, even those who drink moderately or not drinks in a day for men and no more than a drink in one day for women-onsing panic attacks induced by alcohol, in particular If they have an anxiety disorder or have had a panic attack in the past.
Alcohol can also make you dehydrate or sleep badly, which could make someone feel more anxious than usual, said dr. Balasanova. The use of alcohol to self -cololar and cope with anxiety can only create more long -term anxiety, he added, perpetuating a vicious circle.
How to manage a panic attack induced by alcohol
There are ways to cope with a panic attack, regardless of whether it is caused by alcohol or something else. It is counterproductive to try to fight it or distract, said David Carbonell, a Chicago psychologist who helps patients with anxiety disorders.
However, you can take measures to better understand what is happening in your body and help you feel more comfortable. Dr. Carbonell advises his patients to try the conscious method.
Aware is an acronym that involves recognize and accept That the panic attack is happening: recognize that you are afraid but not in danger. Then, Wait And look at how you feel. You can try actions Like the breathing of the belly, but it is important to recognize that it is not your responsibility to end the panic attack. Repeat the steps if necessary. Regardless of how you answer, a panic attack will generally be END In less than 15 minutes.
He is liberating when you realize that you don’t have to work to stop panic, Dr. Carbonell said. “In fact, the more difficult I try to make it end, the more I will cling to myself,” he added.
If you are worried about your consumption of alcohol or anxiety, said dr. Balasanova, talking about those worries with a general practitioner or another health professional as a therapist is a good starting point.