Aside From Karo Parisyan, Everybody with Panic Attacks Raise Your Hands

Unfortunately, I do not know how many or if any other MMA fighters in the MMA world suffer from panic attacks or have General Anxiety Disorder.

I have read the Mayo Clinic letter (a dot-com site) regarding this problem but do not know if the number of people suffering from it is actually known.

Since I have agoraphobia, which stems from GAD, I have more familiarity with it than the public in general.

I feel safe in my house, on our property or in places I am accustomed to being; for example, my doctor's offices, work paces in which I have been, or the homes of friends. Ask my husband or relatives and they will affirm that I seldom leave my house willingly for any occasion; excepting when it is in flames.

It is beyond my imagination what an MMA fighter having GAD would experience while fighting in the octagon at a UFC event.

Fighting in MMA brings one close to being in a near-death experience because it can actually be one.

How a person could master the feelings of danger and imminent death, overcoming a fear as strong as this is beyond me entirely.

When I experienced my first panic attack I was six months pregnant with my first son, attending a roller derby match (sold out), with my husband.

My pregnancy had been extremely difficult with bleeding and the threat of miscarriage on three occasions and ended with my son being delivered prematurely by emergency cesarean section. Not a great experience.

So as we were sitting anticipating watching my favorite "blond bomber" wreaking havoc in the ring, I starting having horrible symptoms and an impending feeling of doom.

My heart began bounding like a wild bird trapped within my chest.

A cold sweat covered my body, although hot flashes and a flush spread over my neck and face. Suddenly I was very short of breath and in trying not to pass out I began to hyperventilate.

Trembling all over and not having a clue to what was occurring I begged my husband to get me out of there. Much to his confusion he almost carried me out of the stadium and into the car.

When we reached home I was still trembling and faint, but feeling that I perhaps would survive.

Explaining my fear and symptoms to long suffering Mel was very difficult, because he did not enjoy roller derby and though accustom to indulging my sports obsession of that time in our relationship, he could not understand what had just occurred.

Paying as much as we had, waiting as long as we had in line, then waited for the event to begin only having to leave so abruptly was incomprehensible to him.

As Joe Rogan and Goldie kept commenting on how Karo Parisyan kept spitting out his mouthpiece during his bout at UFC 94 and stating that it must be due to a poor fit, I began to contemplate how panic anxiety symptoms could be causing his discomfort.

Feeling short of breath and having to struggle to breathe is an awful predicament to be in and trying to keep a mouthpiece in your mouth while the difficulty is occurring would be almost impossible to tolerate.

Why Rogan and Goldberg could not conceive of this possibility could mean that they were too focused on "MMA logic" and not the difficulty a fighter with panic attack symptoms would react in the situation may have lead to their confusion as well.

There are drugs which are available to take to avoid panic attacks, but nothing that the UFC would approve of a fighter taking. Karo has said that he will attempt to gut it out on his own, although there are talk therapists available.

After all the flack that GSP took when he admitted to having seen a sports psychologist after losing his first fight to Matt Serra, who would be surprised at Karo's reluctance to seek such help?

Well Karo, I am living testament of what can be done, although I haven't done it lately.

In the past I have served as a nurse recruiter, a teacher, and had many other times when I have stood up in front of crowds of strangers to speak publicly and not only done it, but have enjoyed it thoroughly.

No I have never been an MMA fighter or fought in an MMA event, although my oldest son once encouraged me to fight in a "Tough Woman" contest; I declined.

Keeping a mouthpiece in my mouth while experiencing a panic attack is much more than I could ever accomplish. Karo, I envy you and am so happy that you were the winner of the close decision.

Your personal victory over our shared demon makes me exceedingly proud of you and your determination.

War Karo!