Not just because he can play the guitar like nobody's business. . .
or that his recent work "Continuum" just won a Grammy for Album of the Year...
but because he has spoken about his experiences with Panic Disorder.
Mayer started experiencing crippling panic attacks at age seventeen.
Panic disorder is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms. Individuals experience attacks on a regular basis—sometimes monthly, weekly or daily. Because of the constant fear of having another panic attack - also known as "anticipatory anxiety"- individuals with Panic Disorder are often uncomfortable in social situations.
Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep. An attack generally peaks within 10 minutes, but some symptoms may last much longer.
Signs and symptoms may include:
*Rapid heart rate
*Sweating
*Trembling
*Shortness of breath and hyperventilation
*Chills
*Hot flashes
*Nausea
*Stomach pain
*Chest pain
*Headache
*Dizziness
*Faintness
*Tightness in your throat
*Trouble swallowing
*Feelings of dread
*A sense of impending death
Research suggests that brain structure, genetics, stress and certain biochemical factors in the body's fight-flight response play a role in Panic Disorder. It is important to note that individuals who experience Panic Disorder may also have other co-existing disorders (i.e. phobias, depression, IBS, susbstance abuse).
In my opinion, Mayer may experience depression in addition to his Panic Disorder. If you listen to his music, many of his songs have a depressive texture.
or that his recent work "Continuum" just won a Grammy for Album of the Year...
but because he has spoken about his experiences with Panic Disorder.
Mayer started experiencing crippling panic attacks at age seventeen.
Panic disorder is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms. Individuals experience attacks on a regular basis—sometimes monthly, weekly or daily. Because of the constant fear of having another panic attack - also known as "anticipatory anxiety"- individuals with Panic Disorder are often uncomfortable in social situations.
Panic attacks can occur at any time, even during sleep. An attack generally peaks within 10 minutes, but some symptoms may last much longer.
Signs and symptoms may include:
*Rapid heart rate
*Sweating
*Trembling
*Shortness of breath and hyperventilation
*Chills
*Hot flashes
*Nausea
*Stomach pain
*Chest pain
*Headache
*Dizziness
*Faintness
*Tightness in your throat
*Trouble swallowing
*Feelings of dread
*A sense of impending death
Research suggests that brain structure, genetics, stress and certain biochemical factors in the body's fight-flight response play a role in Panic Disorder. It is important to note that individuals who experience Panic Disorder may also have other co-existing disorders (i.e. phobias, depression, IBS, susbstance abuse).
In my opinion, Mayer may experience depression in addition to his Panic Disorder. If you listen to his music, many of his songs have a depressive texture.
42 comments:
Hi Deb
John Mayer hasn't really made it big over here yet so I didn't know about the panic disorders. Thanks for posting that.
I think quite a few celebs have spoken about their panic disorders in the past. I remember Gillian Anderson has spoken about having them after she had her first child. It's good that they feel they are able to speak up about them and bring the subject to more attention.
Hey Clare,
I recall Gillian Anderson talking about that now that you mention it. I believe she said that after having her daughter, she experienced panic and anxiety. I hope she has managed to reduce them. They are horrible. I've had many a panic attack in my life and they were so dreadful and terrifying. Luckily, therapy and medication have helped both my anxiety and my depression.
Happy weekend, my friend.
~Deb
Thank god (and Glaxo) for Paxil Cr 25-mg :)
PS: Love the song "Vultures"
Really good post, Deb. And a keeper for me. I suffered panic disorder after a severe viral infection when I was around 30, and every sympton you listed I experienced to a greater or lesser degree, and it was highly crippling and led to even a brief spate of agoraphobia, for all the obvious reasons.
Time and tide and a radical change in lifestyle evoked a big change in me, and I haven't so suffered for many years ago. But, your post did take me back to a grim and awful earlier time. Something that should never be disregarded, even though when I suffered from it there was so little available information. People thought I was goldbricking since there were no visible signs of illness. Thank you. Thank you. I'm sure you reached a lot of people with this.
Blessings,
Ian
I believe Carly Simon has also spoken abouth her experiences with this disorder.
That is SO me. Not that I'm dxing myself, but yeah it's part of the plethora of anxiety disorders which I have, and/or elements of others.
There is a squeezing in/around the chest, like a giant's iron grip that squeezes around me tighter, squeezes lungs and heart and everything til I can barely breathe the shortest most painful breaths . . . my whole world is and becomes PAIN. I can't speak or pay much attention to anyone or anything when caught in this horrific grip.
Thankfully, this SEVERE type of episode is infrequent, but I have other awful attacks as well.
I am terrified of this horrid, deathly squeezing, like I'm a grape that is about to pop in someone's mouth, or something.
I believe I'm also agoraphobic, with reason; there is much to be frightened of, about and around people. People will judge you horribly, and treat you like trash, without a second thought or concern; that is the default. For someone like me, it's like they have a radar that I'm . . .unworthy and pathetic, or something.
Yeah, I know, labeling. But I have been given much reason, especially in the last two years, to be frightened of people.
Altho I can go to the store, because I know the checker is just a passing interaction. Sometimes. I send my hubby alot by himself.
Anyway, sorry to go on, the post isn't about agoraphobia anyway.
Being around people is like being in a fully mirrored room, that shows one how fully ugly you are, inside and out. Experience has taught me that.
Dear Godwhacker,
Amen to that! My fav on that CD is Gravity. About depression and trying to say out of the darkness.
Dear Ian,
Sounds like it was immobilzing for you! It's great that you were able move through it all.
Dear Todd,
Yes, Carly, Barbra, Johnny Carson, James Gandolfini, Robert DeNiro, etc. so many high profile peeps. It's good when exposure of such issues gets out so others can feel less alone and afraid. And of course, it reduces stigma. And I'm all for that.
Dear Sare,
{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}
There are many people who can be cruel and unkind, but there are many many others who love, are gentle and as sensitive as you and me. I can relate to all that you are saying, but I hope that your perceptions can change. Don't let anxiety let you miss out on life and what can be out there for you.
~Deb
I'mnot a John Mayer fan but I do sympathize with anyone who has this disorder. I'm so glad there r meds out there that can help.
Have a great weekend Deb~
John Mayer is good! :) Panic Attacks are truly very real, but can it go hand in hand with Public Speaking?
People who don't have Panic Disorders (Social Anxiety)- they do have Public Speaking Phobia...
I have both..Social Anxiety and Public Speaking Phobia...I cannot even do well in an Interview for a job!
isnt that interesting until you wrote all the symptoms we just figured that something that was normal for people with DID its good to know this happens to people from every day walks of life, obviously not good for those experiencing it, you know what we mean
You've got the most FACINATING timing of topics!
Been emailing back and forth with my psychiatrist for the last week on panic attacks and medications! (and my not liking my reaction to the medication and his saying GOOD JOB! My email today said "you did see that it was a complaint email not a lookie what a good job I'm doing didn't you?" perspective, I guess, is everything!
Where I see loss of control, he sees progress ....go figure.)
I am now at the point of trying to figure out ... which is worse ... letting go of a bit of control (which I do on the medication) ...or the panic ...
don't answer that Dr. Deb ... I know your professional opinion ...and stop smiling ;)
MY professional opinion as a patient ...is panic sucks!
I hope that he is able to overcome this; it makes me sad to think that he also suffers from depression. I hope that the fame and fortune don't make it worse rather than better.
Panic attacks stink. I've had them since my teens. I now know that in my case the things that cause them are trauma related. It was surprising to me to realize that conditions like this can vary quite a bit from person to person.
I didn't know for many many years that the symptoms I was experiencing had a name. I had myself convinced I had a brain tumor or an aneurysm about to burst. I was actually glad when the doctor told me they were panic attacks and got me started on a med. What a relief!! I think the more "celebs" that speak about real life issues gives a face and a name to what are sometimes hushed conditions.
Hi Dr Deb
I think we all suffer from some form of "panic or anxiety disorder". I have been put on Klonipin for nerve pain. I find I am now able to speak in front of a group of people with out getting any of the anxiety symptoms. I never thought I had a "panic or anxiety problem" but looking back I DO.
thanks for the info
Hi Deb......I can't imagine the energy it must take to keep involved in life while experiencing these dibilitating attacks.
Thank goodness for therapy and medications.
I have suffered from one panic attack before. I believe it was because I was under ALOT of stress in my life at that time, because I haven't had one since then. But experiencing that is really scary.
I LOVE John Mayer as well. He's so awesome, and cute...but I love his music.
wow i brought continuum two days ago and last night one of his songs was on an episode of CSI and here you are today blogging about him.
my fave song is gravity, because i feel every word that he sings in that song.
i'm glad he is speaking out,
I can't imagine being a performer and having panic disorder.
------------
I saw a little girl in McDonalds over the weekend, and she was so precious. She had light brunette hair, strands were coming out of her loosely-tied ponytail, and her laugh and smile were infectious. She ran up to a slightly older boy and said, "Come play with me." It was so cute and she eventually got the boy to play with her.
Well, I want to have a little contest called "Battle of the Bloggers." I wrote about it last week, and my readers were less-than-enthusiastic about the contest. I cannot be entered myself, but I want to host a competiton that, more than anything, will expose me and others to good blogs that we don't know about to date. Please visit my blog at http://dsmoya31410.blogspot.com to see the details. So if you want to nominate a blog for this competition, please do so. I don't really care who wins; I just want to know about quality blogs. Sorry if this looks like spam. I am just trying to spread the word.
oooh John Mayer is so awesome!
Love him!
Huge faux pas! Never tell the symptoms of an anxiety attack! Ha! People tend to get them as they read the list of the symptoms! I know if I read them or hear about them, I start developing them. Isn’t that a rule in psychotherapy? Hmm. *w
Anyway, I’m a guitarist, and I find it so relaxing to just sit and play music. I bet John Mayer finds peace in playing music once an anxiety attack hits.
(That comment wasn't meant to be rude either- just pokin' fun atchya'!)
Dear Heidi,
Different Strokes for Different Folks. Happy weekend to you too.
Dear Dream,
Yup, those experiences often co-exist with PD. I know them well too.
Dear JIP,
I do know what you mean.
Dear Dreaming,
I've had panic and I've had depression. In my experience, the panic was far more debilitating thatn the depression.
Dear Cathy,
Perhaps his experiences deepen his ability to write and create. It is hard to move through such things.
Dear Lynn,
PD can vary quite much from person to person. Sorry you experience them. They *do* suck.
Dear Chris,
It is a great relief when you can see what it is you're experiencing and that it has a name. And moreso, that it can be treated.
Dear Nancy,
I believe each of us have strengths and weaknesses. They key is finding what yours are and fortifying yourself.
Dear Ellesu,
I'm so with you on that! Must be so hard. Maybe that's why he tends to stay out of the spotlight.
Dear Urban
Congrats on not having another PA. They are soooooo awful.
Dear brydz,
Gravity is my fav too. The CSI episode was a good one as well.
Dear Leesa,
No worries. I hope readers head on over if they are interested.
Dear Christie,
I think so too.
Dear ~Deb,
I got the humor, no worries! I'm a guitarist too and playing music literally saved me - and continues to do so.
~Deb
Panic attacks suck big time! The last time I had one was at the dentist's office in the chair. Thank goodness he's a kind soul; he stopped what he was doing and asked if I was ok. He said that everything turned white...not only my face but even my gums!
My mom suffers from panic attacks. She takes medications for this. In addition to the symptoms listed she also has difficult going up and down stairs. They scare her. I had one brought on by stress when my third brother told me they found a tumor in him. I lost two brothers of cancer out of four. But the third one was (tumor) unfounded. But the day they told me, I had a terrible panic attack, couldn't breath, rapid heartbeat, sweating profusely to the point they had to cool me down with fans, etc. My brother was shocked, "what the heck is happening to her?" he wanted to know. Thankfully that was the only time I've had one.
I have panic attacks about having panic attacks! Ok, not really...but I definitely have the constant fear of having one. And now I have fear about having certain meds in the house...so I have a bit of work to do in that area I guess.
I love John Mayer. You're right his songs are depressing -- to put a positive spin on it -- I like to think of them as "deep and soulful". Most of them are achingly beautiful. I have his Continuumm album which I think is the bomb. Didn't know he suffered from panic attacks. The fact that he can even perform in front of crowds given his condition makes him that much more amazing in my mind. Truly gifted -- he is.
Happy belated Valentine's Day!
hi dr deb,
i like john mayer also; i didn't know about his panic attacks. thank you for sharing info behind this disorder.
sylvia
Wow, that was a good article. I suffer from that too, almost daily lately. I hate it and Im on Xanax already. I really would like the dose increased or something else. My face always feels tingley too, Im not sure if thats from shortness of breath and lack of oxygn or somthing.
I'm not someone who treats panic disorder, but one of the aspects I think is missing from your description is a sense of the intensity of the episodes when people have them. It's not exactly like a list of things they have or may have but the fact that it's something like a mushroom cloud of feelings such as in your list that compound each other to point of having the person feel as if they might die.
Dear Donna,
Wow, white gums too?!?!
Dear Rose,
Oh, such sadness reading about your brothers. I can totally understand the way you worried and how you reacted.
Dear Fallen,
Actually, many have worries about having more worries. It can makes things very hard!
Dear Michelle,
He is gifted. I think certain expereicnes deepen one's ability to create.
Dear Heiress,
I like sharing information :)
Dear Miranda,
Wow, I can relate to what you are saying. I hope one day you can limit the use of your meds too. Please talk to your doc about the tingliness and shortness of breath.
Dear Greg,
YOu make an excellent point.
~Deb
I think Youtube's in order for your guitar playing Dr. Deb! ;) I would love to hear you play!
Dear ~Deb,
I played maaaaaaany years ago, trained in classical technique, but I don't play like I used to. As you know, it's not like riding a bike - one needs to keep practicing to keep the skills. However, I do play from time to time, especially when I am full of metions. A YouTube video would be completely boring! But what about for YOU?
OMG i didnt know he had panic disorder!! Last week I bought 3 of his CDS, Heavier things, Room for squares and continum (sp?) hes in concert here tomorrow. i love his song when youre dreaming with a broken heart. Its my favorite. He rocks and knowing that now, no wonder i Like him LOL
Dear Dianna,
Isn't it funny when things unfold like that.....I hope you have an AWESOME time seeing him.
~Deb
Dear Dianna,
Isn't it funny when things unfold like that.....I hope you have an AWESOME time seeing him.
~Deb
I hate panic attacks. I would do nearly anything to avoid them.
I came upon this site and hoped that I probably wouldn't sound as crazy as people make me feel about this subject. I suffer from panic disorder, and I swear, tonight, I just had a melt down. It is to the point that I have these attacks every single day, and now, I have noticed that I have new triggers as well. I feel so tired and now angry because I don't even know what it feels like to be "normal" anymore. The heart palpitations, the tingling arms/legs, the light headedness; no one I know understands what its like to think you're going to die at least twice a day. Can someone out there lead me in the right direction. I just want to live my life again! I welcome any and all suggestions
Thanks,
Jill
I wonder if John Mayer's success has brought him confidence to fight these panic attacks or if being in the limelight brings more pressure to his disorder. It's wonderful that he fights his anxiety with his ambition and passion.
Does he take medication or use anatural panic attack treatment?
Either way, he obviously handles it very well and i give him a lot of respect for it.
-Rachel
www.stop-anxiety-panic-attack.com
Panic Attacks Are Horrible. I Suffered For Years With Them And Agoraphobia.
I'm always happy when celebs come forward to admit suffering too.
Debbie Gibson was another person who recently emerged from the 'panic closet'.
Thanks - B
Hello all... I suffer from panic disorder and like you guys had all the symptons and wasnt aware that it was actually a disorder until I met my (now x-girlfriend) who also suffered from it.
I am blessed on one side to be a huge John Mayer fan and generally love music. On the other hand I have panic (but will live with it until one day it subsides I guess like most of us I guess). In response to the original posted item music is a great way to soothe the attacks. A few years ago I bought myself a guitar and would encourage anyone out there who suffers from panic to do the same (or any instrument for that matter). Great way to spend your time. I would also be interested to hear from any other JM fans out there in relation to their thoughts on the meaning of his song 'Why Georgia' - I am now halfway to learning this one (great song) and am quite intrigured with the lyrics. Sites claim that the meaning of the song was a time in his life where he was wondering whether pursuing the whole music thing was the right choice however I am sure there is a hidden underlying theme as a result of the panic he experienced in his younger years!
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