Can flashing lights cause panic attacks????
I have had panic attacks for about 8 years now. I take klonopin (as needed). Today I was at the DMV and they gave me an eye test which included these bright red flashing lights. I had a horrible panic attack after that test and I didn’t even think I was going to make it home. On Thursday night, I was getting a laser procedure on my face which included a bright flashing laser light. I got panic, dizzy, and it made me nervous.
What is up w/ that???
I really hate taking Klonopin but it seems like simple things that didn’t bother me before trigger panic attacks now.
My panic attacks rule my life. I drove 90 miles per hour just to get home because I thought I was going to "flip out"
flashing lights but not just regular bright lights cause panic. I get really nervous. This sucks. I am 32 and feel so defective!!
I had a similar experience, but I was anxious in the first place. I was driving through normal horrendous traffic on the way home and I was sitting at this set of lights for AGES… they were broken and the orange light was just flashing and flashing and flashing! Aaarrgghhh! I was getting more and more anxious as I hate sitting in traffic and this light was driving me mental…. I got really panicky afterwards, so I understand what you mean.
I am so sorry that you feel your panic syndrome rules your life. I read an amazing book which likens the panic/anxiety to a monster, and that you should treat it like its stupid and pathetic and that you will not give it your attention. It is written by a person that used to suffer from the same thing. http://www.seekbooks.com.au/book/Living-with-it/isbn/9780207180408.htm
It really helped me understand why I was prone to anxiety and then subsequently anxiety attacks. Additionally, I saw a naturopath instead of my GP (who put me on Effexor XR for one day which made me worse) who pointed out that I didn’t eat much protein – you need protein for serotonin production etc..
What I am saying is, please dont feel like you have to stay on meds and continually suffer from this. Us sensitive folk will always have anxiety in our lives, but its how we learn to cope with it that really makes a difference to our quality of life and how we look at life.
Comments
Comment from Kat
Time February 11, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I had a similar experience, but I was anxious in the first place. I was driving through normal horrendous traffic on the way home and I was sitting at this set of lights for AGES… they were broken and the orange light was just flashing and flashing and flashing! Aaarrgghhh! I was getting more and more anxious as I hate sitting in traffic and this light was driving me mental…. I got really panicky afterwards, so I understand what you mean.
I am so sorry that you feel your panic syndrome rules your life. I read an amazing book which likens the panic/anxiety to a monster, and that you should treat it like its stupid and pathetic and that you will not give it your attention. It is written by a person that used to suffer from the same thing. http://www.seekbooks.com.au/book/Living-with-it/isbn/9780207180408.htm
It really helped me understand why I was prone to anxiety and then subsequently anxiety attacks. Additionally, I saw a naturopath instead of my GP (who put me on Effexor XR for one day which made me worse) who pointed out that I didn’t eat much protein – you need protein for serotonin production etc..
What I am saying is, please dont feel like you have to stay on meds and continually suffer from this. Us sensitive folk will always have anxiety in our lives, but its how we learn to cope with it that really makes a difference to our quality of life and how we look at life.
References :
Comment from Anthony S
Time February 11, 2010 at 3:05 pm
A good mate of mine was on medication for panic attacks and on my sons twenty first birthday we hired duke box witch had flashing and strobe lights on it.He ended up having an epileptic fit.He now only takes medication as he had epilepsy.Maybe go get a second opinion? could be interesting? All the best of luck.
References :
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Time July 25, 2010 at 11:08 am
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Comment from Amanda j c
Time February 11, 2010 at 2:00 pm
im personally unaware that flashing lights cause panic attacks they dont with me maybe you were nervous and thats what brought on your attack.oh btw do you get panic attacks while on your pc because of the brightness if not maybe im rite in thinking that lights dont affect you if you understand where im coming from hope this helps.
References :
panic attacks