It’s worth mentioning that it’s not actually possible to open an emergency exit door at cruising altitude, given the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the aircraft. So there probably wasn’t a major risk of some catastrophic event happening.
Yeah, my guess would be a panic attack. And as someone with panic disorder, I unfortunately know that feeling all too well... It's misery, and the reason I despise flying so much even though I am...
Yeah, my guess would be a panic attack. And as someone with panic disorder, I unfortunately know that feeling all too well... It's misery, and the reason I despise flying so much even though I am not afraid of the flying itself, and actually even enjoy the feeling of turbulence. I mostly just need to run to the bathroom immediately whenever I have panic attack though, since I very often throw up or start dry heaving as a result. But I know a few other panic attack sufferers who instead experience an overwhelming, totally irrational urge to flee from the situation causing them the anxiety, like this person might have as well.
Thankfully my panic attacks are more like a feeling that I'm going to die and I just lie down half expecting to expire right there. I think I generally don't have an evolutionarily advantageous...
Thankfully my panic attacks are more like a feeling that I'm going to die and I just lie down half expecting to expire right there. I think I generally don't have an evolutionarily advantageous will to live. And not in a depressed/suicidal way. More like if I perceive I'm about to die or get hurt I don't react much. This does actually come in handy when driving as I think keeping steady in a near crash scenario is far better than over-reacting.
I wish mine were like that. I used to drive, but can't (and shouldn't) anymore because if I'm not able to almost immediately pull over somewhere to get sick, I stop being able to concentrate on...
I wish mine were like that. I used to drive, but can't (and shouldn't) anymore because if I'm not able to almost immediately pull over somewhere to get sick, I stop being able to concentrate on driving safely anymore. And anti-anxiety meds are also pretty strong sedatives in most cases, so that just makes the driving situation worse. I thankfully never had any major accidents because of attacks or medication, but I still figured it was better to stop pushing my luck before I did. And I would feel absolutely horrible if I hurt anyone while I was driving because I had a panic attack. :(
(edit: Not that I am trying to minimize your own suffering, BTW. I know how miserable the experience is, regardless of how it expresses itself!)
This is the part I needed to read.
Anxiety? A strong need to "get out"?
Yeah, my guess would be a panic attack. And as someone with panic disorder, I unfortunately know that feeling all too well... It's misery, and the reason I despise flying so much even though I am not afraid of the flying itself, and actually even enjoy the feeling of turbulence. I mostly just need to run to the bathroom immediately whenever I have panic attack though, since I very often throw up or start dry heaving as a result. But I know a few other panic attack sufferers who instead experience an overwhelming, totally irrational urge to flee from the situation causing them the anxiety, like this person might have as well.
Thankfully my panic attacks are more like a feeling that I'm going to die and I just lie down half expecting to expire right there. I think I generally don't have an evolutionarily advantageous will to live. And not in a depressed/suicidal way. More like if I perceive I'm about to die or get hurt I don't react much. This does actually come in handy when driving as I think keeping steady in a near crash scenario is far better than over-reacting.
I wish mine were like that. I used to drive, but can't (and shouldn't) anymore because if I'm not able to almost immediately pull over somewhere to get sick, I stop being able to concentrate on driving safely anymore. And anti-anxiety meds are also pretty strong sedatives in most cases, so that just makes the driving situation worse. I thankfully never had any major accidents because of attacks or medication, but I still figured it was better to stop pushing my luck before I did. And I would feel absolutely horrible if I hurt anyone while I was driving because I had a panic attack. :(
(edit: Not that I am trying to minimize your own suffering, BTW. I know how miserable the experience is, regardless of how it expresses itself!)