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Monday, October 20, 2008 shar asks

Q: why do i get panic attack after alcohol

if i drink a few beers i get terrible anxiety and panic, total terror and wake up and cant go asleep again and can hardly breath this could last all day, i dont know anyone else who suffers like this is it an allergy

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Hi Shar,

 

There are a few possibilities that you can discuss with your doctor:

 

1.  You could be tested either for an alcohol allergy (which I understand to be relatively rare) or you may be allergic to an ingredient in beer, such as wheat.

 

2. Maybe you have "alcohol intolerance" which means that even a little alcohol affects you in a bad way...like what you are describing.

 

3. There is another trigger for anxiety that is occuring in the same time that you are consuming alcohol.

 

You can try abstaining from alcohol and see if all symptoms dissapear.  You can also get a physical to rule out any other medical condition.

 

I hope that gets you started!

 

Regards,

 

Jennifer L. Fee, Psy.D.

The Stress Masters

 

Dr. Fee is a Psychologist. Dr. Fee's answers are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only, and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own Psychiatrist/Physician.

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