FORGOT EVERYTHING I learned, mind went blank!

[silverberg]

For you all who do not know me, I do not post much, I usually try to answer questions and It helps me learn and grow, I have a Open Journal in this site also. I have been free of Panic Attacks since February 2009, I had Panic Attacks b4 over 10 yrs ago. lasted a number of years, I did out patient therapy , I got better and moved on with my life, Panic Attacks came back last year. I started CBT in February and just finished this last week. My life as been very good over all.

My question is today I had a situation and felt myself building up and it was scaring me, I really did allot of deep breathing to keep myself in check, but the funny thing is, for the life of me Its like I forgot everything I had learned
(in this moment of Panic SYMPTIOMS).

I went to my bedroom with my CBT book  to do a PIE chart of the event that happened today, I skimmed the book to refresh my mind, It all came back to me, again my question is has anyone had this happen to them? forgetting what you have learned in the moment of incrrease Panic symtoms?

also FYI I started feeling better the second I started opening my book and reading, I believe this is because my mind switched form all the thougthts flooding my head. Thanks for any input

[silverberg]

Thank you all for your responses, this is what this forum is all about! thanks for the reminder, NOT TO BE PERFECT, that is me, I try to hard sometimes, I like the approch of it as a game, thanks again!

[bosnianworrier]

Same thing happened to my brother but more than once. During his panic attacks he couldn't recall what his therapist told him to do.

I think it's normal to forget things during panic. We are able to think only 1 thing at the time. When panic attack attacks, it is stronger than other thoughts and sometimes our mind goes blank for a while.

[Paxiled]

CBT never worked for me, but it might have been the therapist.  Ended up meds, and then Paxil ended me.  But there's something I learned from the author of the book Don't Panic, or at least I think that's the name.  It's an old book, been around for ages, and I stumbled on his website while looking for someone who could help me with my weird long-term reaction to stopping Paxil.  He couldn't do that, but we emailed a couple of times and he sent me an article.  In it he said the problem with many of us when CBT doesn't work is our attitude about it.  His new theory is to try to make into something more like a game so it's not so threatening.  Basically, he emphasizes that a failure isn't anything more than one pitch, so to speak.  So you might have a bad moment or episode, but the point is to look at it as a game and get ready for the next pitch.  As I say, nothing's worked for me, but I thought this was very insightful, to demystify not only the anxious thoughts but also the very process of demystifying those thoughts.  Wish he had been my therapist, maybe I wouldn't have ended up on the med carousel.  Hope this is helpful.  Don't expect perfection.

[cj29]

Anxiety can be hard nut to crack sometimes.  I have had times where I forget what I have learned when dealing with anxiety.  Furthermore, it can happen with other things as well.  I believe that as humans, we are going to stumble from time to time and remember that anxiety can ebb and flow a little bit.  

For me, I realize that I will stumble, but I tend to focus on the long term progress.  Look where you were and where you are now.  Don't forget to give yourself credit as well.  I also don't think you forgot everything.  You may have stumbled, but you realized it and analyzed why you had those feelings...I think you applied what you have learned really well!  Keep us posted!  It is good to hear from you!