When you have a panic attack you feel disconnected from yourself for a time, it doesn't only disrupt you during the time of hyperventilation or complete freak out mode. The feeling of being disconnected from yourself will often last longer, on into the next day, or as long as you let it honestly.  I used to let it affect me for an entire week, sometimes more. Looking back it probably affected me 100% of the time because I was always living in fear of it happening again, which it always did.

Although they are not truly an out of body experience, they might as well be because of the disconnection to self they create.

I had a panic attack 3 days ago and the effects lasted from that night until 2:30 the next day, which honestly I'm so thankful & I'm proud of myself for the personal development work I have put in, to allow myself to get over it that quickly.

Although it mostly lasted as long as it did because I was beating myself up over having a panic attack in the first place, after not having one for two months or more, which felt like a really long time, like I was finally making progress! After I had one again, it felt like all the work I put in was completely wasted and that I was right back to where I began, I was beating myself up that I wasn't better already. But I know that there was no waste in effort because it didn't last for the entire week this time!

The effects of anxiety throughout my day started to peddle-out and ease off much quicker than in the past. And that's as much proof as you need to tell yourself, "Hey, you're doing wonderful, just keep it up!"

It's hard to tell yourself that when you're in the moment of feeling completely hopeless. But day 3 and I feel ok. Who could have seen that coming 2 years ago?

And so I'm thankful, really thankful. And I can find pride for myself, I can find a sense of worth despite imperfection.

Find tools for healing in this post here or this one!