Had my second one last week. First time was at work and I thought I was having a heart attack. Went to urgent care - totally fine. But now I'm anxious about having another one and that anxiety is probably causing them. It's like my brain's turned against me. Looking into therapy but wanted to see if anyone else has dealt with this. What actually helped?
The anxiety about the anxiety is the worst part honestly. Glad the urgent care ruled out the heart stuff. Have you talked to your actual doctor about it or just the urgent care? Might be worth getting referred to someone who can actually help with the panic cycle instead of just treating the symptom.
Grocery store panic attacks hit different because you're trapped and embarrassed. I started doing little grounding things when I felt it coming on - naming 5 things I could see, touching cold stuff. Sounds dumb but it actually helps.
That second panic attack anxiety spiral is real. Your brain is basically saying "remember that scary thing? What if it happens again?" and then that fear becomes the actual problem. Might help to tell your doctor specifically about that loop rather than just the initial panic.
Real talk - get some professional help with this. Not because you're broken, but because waiting for the next attack to happen is exactly how this becomes a long-term problem. A therapist can actually teach you to break the cycle.
Two panic attacks sounds rough. Before you spiral more - did the urgent care do bloodwork or just a quick check? Sometimes knowing your heart is actually fine doesn't stick until a doctor really confirms it.
The anxiety about having another one is exactly what keeps them coming. It's like your brain learned 'panic = threat' and now waits for it. Have you looked into therapy? CBT is actually solid for this.
I had the same spiral after my first one. Ended up talking to my doctor about it and he explained that the anxiety about the next one IS the actual problem now, not your heart. Shifted my whole perspective on it.
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I had something similar happen and the "what if it happens again" loop is brutal. Once I realized the anxiety about it was worse than the actual panic attack, I could start breaking the cycle. Easier said than done though. You doing anything to manage it or just white-knuckling through?
Second one at the grocery store hits different because it's public and routine. Weird how the brain latches onto that. Therapy helps more than you'd think for breaking the anticipatory anxiety part of this.