A hot shower caused me to have a panic attack ( need help )

I am actually experiencing something similar with the shower situation. I don't know if its the enclosure or the steam, but I feel like I can't breathe when I'm in the shower and I get heart palpitations sometimes. This just happened within the past few weeks, I've never had a problem with the shower. My best recommendation is to have company with you, spouse, pet, parent (as I try to drag mine with me when I'm not feeling good), or what's been working better is to play music or a tv show on your laptop in the background and just focus on singing or listening to the tv show to distract you from getting your thoughts caught up in the shower. Its easier said than done but when you have to shower just dont over think it, just go in like I'm gonna take a shower, sing if you have to, and get out. Don't be like "oh no last time I didn't feel good in the shower" because then the panic sets in afterwards. Leave the past in the past. Like I said I am still experiencing this, but this stuff is helping me way more than a few weeks ago. Feel better.

I'm so sorry to hear that this has happened to you, the same thing happens to me just about every time I shower. Showering is such a mindless activity and anxiety thrives off of that because it gives it time to take control. It makes you think about all of this crazy stuff and causes you to panic. Also anxiety makes you feel "hot" and clammy naturally so a hot shower plus the "hot" affect from anxiety I feel attributed to that. What helps me is I either turn on YouTube or listen to music, to help distract my mind. I also shower in lukewarm water (as weird as that sounds) and make it as quick as possible. Hope that helps! Anxiety is a beast sometimes ugh

Best advice is go and seek a therapist now. Dont wait until it has such a strong grip it ruins your life you are making something called "anxiety rules" you probably have a lot by now and this lists will grow and grow. The shower is now an anxiety rule for you. No hot showers 🤔😱

Panic attacks can be situational and many times random. So be very careful on the connection. You can be happily walking about and boom one comes on. Is it the streets fault..no it isnt. But believe me people will  be like ..oh yes it so i wont walk there anymore..it is the door to agoraphobis dont fall into that cage.

the shower triggered it. How about dehydration. Hot water escalates dehydration. Simple drink a tall cup of either water  or gatorade then shower then have another drink if needed. 

THere are a ton of books out there on anxiety and ways to cope. Apps galore. And Workbooks on anxiety to help you think correctly. That and therapy can go a long way.

it takes a while to manage it. When it first starts its scary and very very confusing. That goes on for months. Some develop health anxiety as they are just in extreme denial or enviornmental taught to down play the potency of what an anxiety disorder is caoable of doing to a person. It does have symptoms from the adrenaline rushes.tHen comes acceptance. Best part it's the start of healing. Read, read and read some more. Utube has videos too. Pinterest is loaded with help.  Learn all you can. Its a simple search too. Then apply it all. Something will resonate with you. A therapist is very useful because of all its confusion and it will keep you grounded. Some do go for cbt or dbt and meds as well. 

Good luck. You are not alone. This disorder takes time to reprogram and manage. It requires patient and change. You never "need" to "fear" anything. Fear is the food for the disorder. 

Yes hot water triggers my panic attacks as well as being hot in general! I take semi cold showers now and it really helps if I really want to take a hot shower I do but if I start feeling anxious I turn the water back down to cold. You're not alone on this subject at all I've had anxiety my whole life and just being alone in the shower for too long sometimes throws me into anxiety taking a cool shower has helped me a lot I hope this helps

I have had anxiety and agoraphobia for two years now and I get panic attacks all the time but they get really bad in the shower and I figured out when I feel the attack coming on to switch the shower to cold it helps a little to where it isn't as bad and you can all ways just take baths. It might work for you but everyone is different and I also recommend you seek professional help if your panic attacks are getting out of control.

You are not alone in this. I don't THINK, its the heat or steam though. As I've felt these sensations in the past, but more recently, (thanks pandemic) i think it has to do with the getting the shower done thing, if this makes sense. if we're already anxious souls, we have a tendency to want to "plow through" to get a task done. We lose self control, and focus on the rapid heart rate, that is perfectly normal when you're doing something invigorating , especially when just getting up from sleep, or just getting up at all. iI thought that I would pop some music on my phone and sing along, to take my mind off. I didn’t do this today thus, I’m writing this. Next time, I will and I will update. I’m so glad that I know that I’m not alone in this. Glad I found this thread. FYI I’ve been suffering with anxiety, really bad, It came on over the last five years with the loss of my mother, five years ago and my father, just this year. I know this is gonna sound weird, but next time you feel an attack coming on, no matter what it is, try to associate it with something that soothes you. For me it’s music. It takes my mind off of a lot of things and if I sing along to it no matter how goofy I might sound, at least my mind is off my internal thoughts at that time. Hope this helps, keep up the good fight!

It's great that you're taking proactive steps to manage your anxiety and seeking help. It's common for people with anxiety to have panic attacks triggered by seemingly harmless stimuli, like hot showers in your case. Here are some tips that may help:

Gradually expose yourself to the trigger: If you're afraid of hot showers triggering panic attacks, try gradually increasing the time you spend in a warm shower, starting with just a few minutes at a time.

Use relaxation techniques: Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can help calm you down during a panic attack.

Consider seeing a therapist: A mental health professional can help you work through your anxiety and panic attacks and develop coping strategies.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol: Both caffeine and alcohol can increase anxiety, so it may be helpful to limit or avoid them.

Practice good self-care: Make sure to get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet. These can all help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Remember, it takes time and effort to overcome anxiety, but with the right help and support, it is possible. If you continue to experience panic attacks and they are affecting your quality of life, it may be a good idea to speak with a doctor or mental health professional.