Anyone prone to ...(serious thread)

Anxiety Attacks?

I know I am. Used to be on meds for it but they killed my sexual appetite and appetite for life in general so trying to avoid going back on them.

Supermarkets/Malls set me off (like if I am shopping with someone and we get seperated for a bit and can't find one another. I get panicky like a kid even though I KNOW rationally they will come back for me.) and so does the thought of doing math.

I had an AWFUL teacher in 8th grade who told me I wa stupid and would never catch on so she refused to teach me; literally. She was in her last year and tenured so they had to remove me from her class and the Gifted program I was in (only 2 parallel tracks at the time and the other class had too many kids) and I got punished for it essentially. I knwo I am NOT stupid obviously but I have failed basic college algebra a million times. I NEED it to grdaute-its whats keeping me from my diploma so Im taking it this semester and MUST pass....

Im stressed because it makes me anxious to begin with and now knowing I MUST pass it or keep holding DH and I back from my career as a teacher, is making it worse. Trying to stay calm so i don't get the full blown attack but defientl feel the anxiety levels rising now that my 27th birthday is approaching this Saturday and I start classes on the 28th...

Anyone ahd any suggestions on how they handle their anixiety in a non-medicated way? Thanks girls.

I used to get them when I was younger but haven't gotten them in years, i think it was all related to family issues, and I don't talk to them anymore, and somehow they are gone!

Aww, sweetie, I know how you feel. Although I never went on medication (because believe it or not, taking medication makes me very anxious), I am prone to them as well. They actually run in my family. Although I have calmed down considerably from the constant bundle of nerves I was as a child & teenager, I still have my moments. I don't have the attacks as much because stress has decided to go after my body under the clever disguise of fibromyalgia instead.

I know it's so hard and I'm sorry you have to deal with this. When I do on the rare occasion get an actual anxiety attack, I try to do some deep breathing.

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Posted by HeatherRose

I used to get them when I was younger but haven't gotten them in years, i think it was all related to family issues, and I don't talk to them anymore, and somehow they are gone!

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heh yea...that helped my family issues too lol. I just take the phone out of the wall now if I dont wnat to take calls and I live over 'The Bridge' (GW) so they dont cross it-they're like trolls lol.

I don't like crowds too much. I don't like elevators and will not get on if it is crowded. Not a good thing 'cause I work on the 40th floor. I have to stand in the front corner.

When I start to get anxious, I either start mentally reciting the alphabet slowly until the feelings pass, or I concentrate on my breathing, visualizing every inhale and exhale. Slows down my breathing so I don't hyperventilate too.

Sorry to crash but I have a few suggestions. Have you thought about getting a tutor for the class? I would offer but I live kind of far away.
Also (I don't know how reliable the source of info is) but they had a 'true life: I have panic attacks' on MTV a few weeks ago. One of the girls did hypnosis and it seemed to help.

I use to get them when I was younger....bad! I couldn't take tests without having one.....I was best friends with our school psychologist haha I think my turning point was towards the end of 5th grade....i got so bad one day that Dr. DeShryver (spelling?? Heather- do you remember her??) had to come sit next to me while I took a science test.....I think from being so embarassed...i realized I had to snap out of this. It took a lot of work but I never took anything just 'talked it out'. I also got anxiety during those years from being away from my Mom.

Funny thing is....my parents thought I would NEVER EVER go away to college b/c of this or even leave the house lol....yet my 4 years away in MD was the best 4 years of my life.....& my sister was the one that came home and she wanted out of the house since she was like 12 lol I even moved out on my own for a year until I got engaged (then I had to come back to save money haha)

But they are really horrible and I feel your pain. A lot of people never even admit that it's happening....because they think it's embarassing to have them but it's something you can't control.

Thanks girls.

Dr meg, I am planning to geta tutor. Ive had them in the past but so few of them were able to teach me the way I can understand-my MOH actually helped me alot but we're not talking anymore sadly so need a need a new one.

As a teacher (future one anyway) I know kids lern diff ays and so do adults. When she turned things into word equations I did relly well..Its just SO HARD findign a good tutor!

I was really bad when I was younger - being away from home was the biggest trigger and flying on planes was a close second. As I got older, I realized that I was actually working myself up so much way before whatever the actual event was that I was panicked before it ever started and I wasn't giving myself the chance to see if I might enjoy it. It is a terrifying, paralyzing feeling so I know exactly how you feel.

I also know how you feel about math. I had a teacher in 5th grade who called me stupid in front of the whole class. Ever since then I had a mental block when it came to math, where I just convinced myself I couldn't do it. I managed to get through all my math classes in HS but then dropped it like a hot potato in college (luckily went to a college where there were no core requirements).

Here's what I always did with math - maybe it will work for you. Every time I was sitting there with math homework in front of me, feeling like a dumb loser, I'd take a break and switch over to something I was really good at, like social studies, language, or music. I'd rock out on some other assignment that played to my strengths, forcing myself to remember I WAS smart and math was a temporary annoyance. It helped me feel confident enough to give the math another shot and not get quite as frustrated.

If that doesn't work you can always think of the pickle card

I am prone to panic attacks to, more so I hate being 'put on the spot' I go blank and start to get really uncomfortable, nervous, etc. but its not in a particular situation, its more random for me.

Jenn, I know you arent a dummy but you should try Algebra for dummies. I have a gazillion of these books (bought them for college) and they all helped me

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Posted by PeteysBride

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Posted by HeatherRose

I used to get them when I was younger but haven't gotten them in years, i think it was all related to family issues, and I don't talk to them anymore, and somehow they are gone!

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heh yea...that helped my family issues too lol. I just take the phone out of the wall now if I dont wnat to take calls and I live over 'The Bridge' (GW) so they dont cross it-they're like trolls lol.

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Similar to you, they tell me your a Morrison now.. As if sharing a last name ever made a difference!

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Posted by DNicholes

I use to get them when I was younger....bad! I couldn't take tests without having one.....I was best friends with our school psychologist haha I think my turning point was towards the end of 5th grade....i got so bad one day that Dr. DeShryver (spelling?? Heather- do you remember her??) had to come sit next to me while I took a science test.....I think from being so embarassed...i realized I had to snap out of this. It took a lot of work but I never took anything just 'talked it out'. I also got anxiety during those years from being away from my Mom.

Funny thing is....my parents thought I would NEVER EVER go away to college b/c of this or even leave the house lol....yet my 4 years away in MD was the best 4 years of my life.....& my sister was the one that came home and she wanted out of the house since she was like 12 lol I even moved out on my own for a year until I got engaged (then I had to come back to save money haha)

But they are really horrible and I feel your pain. A lot of people never even admit that it's happening....because they think it's embarassing to have them but it's something you can't control.

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hahaha!! I do remember her, don't know the spelling!
I had them when i was in 9th grade over tests, so Mr. Cartisano (sp?) used to let me take my tests in his office. it worked! I think i would stress out if other people were finishing or going on to the next page and i wasn't there yet.. thats too funny!

I dealt with a serious anxiety disorder for YEARS... This is the first time in my life I am actually OFF medication... It took a long time, but it takes patience with the right doctor or therapist. Exercising helped, Yoga helps, writing helps.. but basically you have to learn your patterns and behaviors and ways of avoiding what 'sets' you off. I know myself well enough so that I don't need medication... I can sense when something will set me off.

It's fixable.

what gifted program were you in? I was in a gifted and talented program from 1st grade - 7th... we competed in the Olympics of Mind yearly...(It's now called the Odessey of the Mind I think)

I've gotten them... and totally had one in the middle of dinner at my wedding.. Oh yes.. Picture the bride outside, hyperventilating with cold rags on the back of my neck with hot flashes for NO REASON!!!!

The best thing I do is breathe deeply, in thru my nose and out thru my mouth and drink lots of cold water.. I also take a zantac.. Don't ask why, it works for me.. I guess bc I get nauseous from them, it helps calm my stomach...

Listen.. whatever works, right!!!

I have been dealing with anxiety/panic attacks for a few years now. They $uck! It got so bad that I had to try the meds. It may sound silly, but I did try meditation and it actually seemed to help...and I mean I did it when I was at school (I am a teacher)...before I had to go into the classroom. I'm going to see if I can find the guide that I used and foward it to you. I also rely on DH a lot. Even though he doesn't really understand how I feel because he never had them, he is very supportive and just knowing that he will be there if I need him is a huge help. FM me if you ever need to talk.

I suffer from PAD, Panic Anxiety Disorder. It's rough. I'm on Meds for it, My heart beats outta my chest, and I have a fear of dying.It's horrible. I think really bad things, so I hop in the shower, a nervous wreck, because I want to be found clean, should I pass. It's a morbid thought, You don't have to tell me.But Darren has bought me these tapes, I don't even know what their called, because I never opened the boxes They come every month.I have to say though....when I go to the gym, and occupy my time, and get my mind off of it, and breathe in a postive way, as opposed to thinking I'm going to die, works for me Thank God

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Posted by PegaLega

I am prone to panic attacks to, more so I hate being 'put on the spot' I go blank and start to get really uncomfortable, nervous, etc. but its not in a particular situation, its more random for me.

Jenn, I know you arent a dummy but you should try Algebra for dummies. I have a gazillion of these books (bought them for college) and they all helped me

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Is there really one for Algebra? I never really like the Dummies books because I was senstive to the world but Im willing to try anything at this point. If it can break it down for me, thats what I need. I find too many tutors talk over my head and then get angry i dont get it.

I am going to look into this. Thanks Pegs.