Re: scuba dive messed me up and I can't heal, help please

Years ago I had a (horrible) psychiatrist say almost the same thing to me... "I think you surfaced from the dive and had a panic attack". I stared at him and said "that lasted for years?", and he shrugged. I had a strong desire to hit him... that dive was one of the most peaceful things I had ever done. It was a ton of fun in very safe conditions. I knew what he was saying was flat out wrong.

Since then I have learned a ton about what anxiety can do, mainly from other life experiences and reading a lot, so I can sort of see why he would say that. But I know I did not have a panic attack that day, or ever... though I think I came close a few years ago while withdrawing from some horrible meds. I am willing to admit that anxiety might be playing a role in making me worse (I worry that I'll never get better), but I know it didn't cause this mess, and I'm fairly certain it isn't the sole reason for my continued suffering.

I know millions of people have gone scuba diving for years and have no issues, but I've also had a handful of people see my story and contact me to say they were also messed up by it. I don't think it's scuba per se, but perhaps something lying dormant in the unlucky few that scuba somehow triggered...

If/when I get better, I'll never try it again. Tweet