Panic Attack While Attending a Funeral

If you need to get up and leave, do it.
There is no reason to feel trapped. Just walk out.
No one will say a word.
I think sometimes you feel trapped because you think people expect you to sit through the whole event whether it's a class, a funeral, a wedding or something else -- Just get up and walk out. It's tough the first time, but after that it gets easier...
As for an airplane - you can't get up and walk out -- take the medicine for that.

YMMV
LBC

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Some things you can try are putting some lavender oil on a handkerchief and smelling it if the anxiety peaks. The smell does sooth anxiety. Another trick is to wear a rubber band around your wrist and if the anxiety starts getting bad snap yourself with it...the jolt of the snap can help you clear your head.

Keep your breathing slow and steady...do not allow yourself to hyperventilate.

Remember you can always get up and leave...pregnancy is the perfect excuse to leave any situation. And at a funeral if you panic and start crying or get a bit dizzy and need to put your head between your knees (if you still can) between grief and being pregnant no one will even wonder about it.

As your doctor if taking one Xanax will hurt...I was on anxiety meds my whole pregnancy because my attacks were effecting functioning everyday. I have two happy, healthy, smart kids...

Oh, I used to sit in class and try to imagine something about everyone else in the class...like what did each person eat for breakfast...or something silly like what kind or color underwear each person was wearing...mind over panic.

A big hug to you!! Panic attacks totally suck and you are not alone!!

Does everyone know that you're pregnant? If so, just say that you are feeling queasy and need to sit in the back. If no one knows, just sit on the aisle so that you have an out. And breath deeply. Breath in to a slow count of four and our to a slow count of four. Do that like 5 times. Also, try to focus on something and name them and count. So if you are at a church, count the cross (1) cup (2) flowers (3) and let your mind drift to that.

And if you do have to escape - who cares. No one will remember that. And you can always blame your pregnancy.

I have suffered from anxiety attacks for many years. What I have learned to do is say to myself "this is just my mind, I am fine, nothing is wrong with me" (or something to that effect). I also try to distract myself with a task or if I can't do that I visualize I am at the beach. I close my eyes and focus on the waves, the sun, ect. Fortunately for me my attacks only last a few minutes and I have been able to "control" them by just riding them out. If you are at the funeral and feel an attack coming on, you can try to stay calm, tell yourself it will be over in a few minutes and picture yourself somewhere calm and serene.

Best of luck and sorry for your loss.

M.

Being temporarily disabled by panic attacks may increase with events or time. I suggest seeing a doctor about it. Your OB/GYN should be able to tell you if there is some safe way to get through this. You may have generalized anxiety that peaks at the time -- or you may have very negative associations with flying and funerals. That may be helped by a psychologist in the long run. The next funeral may be important to you personally.

You've probably already tried this once or twice, but if you haven't... Try imagining that you aren't at a funeral. If start feeling like you are about to have an attack just quietly excuse yourself and go outside to get something from the car or to go use the bathroom.

Maybe set up an appointment with your doctor and see if there is anything else that you can use while you are pregnant.

I had a hard time sitting in classrooms and I sat near the door so I could get up and leave when I needed to. Talk to your Psychiatrist about any other meds you can take short term. I don't know if there are any. But I can tell you I have a LOT of avoidance behaviors, one is sitting by the door. If someone thinks it's odd then it's really none of their business. You are pregnant and can blame sitting there on having to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes, or morning sickness. They won't know for sure and you don't have to tell them.

most of the funerals i have been to the family sits in a seperate kind of off to the side area where you cant really see all of them. you should be able to get up and walk around in the back of that private area as well as have access to an outside door and the restroom. just sit in the back row of the family area so no one sees you. even if people do see you, you are pregnant and most will think this is whats going on, not that you are dealing with a panic attack. most immediate family will be wearing black, so i would also suggest you think about wearing a black veil, many women still do at funerals, and this would give you a little privacy and shield you a little from prying eyes.

Hmmm.
Grandma hasn't even passed away yet and you're already having anxiety about it.
I think you should make an appointment with your doctor now so you can perhaps try dealing with it before the actual event arrives and find a way to alleviate your stress level.
Funerals can be tough because of the level of emotion involved, but you don't have to set yourself up for feeling trapped.
Talk to your doctor. They will have some ideas for helping you through this stressful time.
I have a lot of anxiety as well and what I've come to learn is that most of what I worry about might happen, usually doesn't. I mean, I can get more worked up thinking about going through something than the actual going through it.
Anxiety can be managed.......just let your doctor know what's going on and see what they can do to help.
You can always try sitting on the outstide of the aisle so you can excuse yourself if you must. If they have a family viewing beforehand, perhaps you can go to that instead of the actual funeral. You can support your husband that way and pay your respects and not attend the actual service where there might be lots of people.
My mother in law passed away unexpectedly 3 weeks to the day after my son was born. We had to travel, just me and the kids since my husband had gone over before to begin arrangements. I had a newborn and didn't attend the private family viewing service but did go to the actual funeral service. Everyone was very understanding.
So....there are options.
I loved my mother in law so for me, the private viewing was too much for me but the actual service with other people there somehow made it easier. I was able to hold up through that part. It might be the opposite for you.
You're pregnant, I'm sure any attempt at support will be appreciated by your husband. He's going to need you after the service as well.
I'm sorry you're going through all of this.

Take care of yourself.