Anxiety

soontoobemrsk Posted: Oct 28, 2008 10:20 PM

Anxiety

Does anyone have anxiety/panic attacks? Have you found anyway to cope with them??? If so, pleaseee share.

Thanks ladies!

amandah75 Posted: Oct 28, 2008 10:56 PM

Re: Anxiety

OMG this is so odd. I was literally about to post this hun. Honestly cross my heart. I had such a HORRIBLE anxiety attack today i swore i was going to pass out. Had to have one of the guys at work hold my hand because I felt so disconnected and thought I was losing my mind. I've been dealing with anxiety attacks since i was about 20. I learned how to control them through breathing techniques, talking myself out of them, having family members talk me down from them. I'm not big on meds and therefore do my best to take care of them on my own.

I have noticed since becoming engaged and dealing with the wedding and now the economy, I've been having more and more of them. For a while, I didn't have any. It really stinks and I'm worried about my health. I want to make sure it's not something physical that is causing them so i made an appointment today with the doc for a full work up including blood work (mom is convinced i have diabetes). It's so scary and I wish I didn't have to live with them. The first time I had one, I honestly thought i was having a heart attack. after that i just thought i was certifiable insane. Luckily there are people in my life who are also afflicted with them and that helps me work through this.

Please FM if you'd like to talk further. I'm sure we could both use a friendly ear.

chakrasdeosil Posted: Oct 28, 2008 10:58 PM

Re: Anxiety

I cant contol them not one bit. Its such an extreme emotion that ill even start hitting walls and stuff and i dont give a crap whos looking. I feel like im drowning its awful

grrulz Posted: Oct 28, 2008 11:03 PM

Re: Anxiety

having 2 midterms tomorrow and on top of that being in charge with the the after school program at my job and being observed by the executive director I AM FREAKING out...i am trying not to think about it but tomorrow it will be a tough one for me!! I do some yoga and it helps a lot....

amandah75 Posted: Oct 28, 2008 11:06 PM

Re: Anxiety

I get the tunnel vision and feel like I'm disconnected from my body. Usually doing slow methodic breathing helps me. Makes me realize that I control me and that I am alive. If it's beyond that, holding someone's hand and talking to them really helps. Gives me a sense that I'm not alone and I don't have to swirl out like I feel is going to happen. I was fuzzy....that's the best way to describe.

Just so glad to see others on here with the same affliction. Often feel alone with this stuff. FH is supportive but just doesn't get it. It's never happened to him.

soontoobemrsk Posted: Oct 28, 2008 11:07 PM

Re: Anxiety

Yea, fh doesnt have them either so he tries to help me and calm me down, but he doesnt REALLY understand how horrible it feels.

amandah75 Posted: Oct 28, 2008 11:13 PM

Re: Anxiety

Yeah. I called FH to have him talk me down and he got upset. Knew I was upset and thought something 'bad' had happened. Said something bad is happening, I'm in the middle of a really bad anxiety attack. Could tell he was slightly upset with me cause he feared the worse and said oh, is that all? that hurt, but i understand he cannot grasp the feeling. Wouldn't wish the attacks on my worse enemy, they re horrible.

When did yours start? Is it something recent of lifelong?

Another great help is knowing your triggers. I have certain scenarios that set me off and i do my best to avoid those situations.

soontoobemrsk Posted: Oct 28, 2008 11:24 PM

Re: Anxiety

I understand exactly how you feel. Fh is the same way, but its not their fault.

Mine started when I was 17. I didnt know it was anxiety/panic attacks at first. I went to all sorts of drs and they couldnt find anything. Eventually, I thought I was having a heart attack and went to the ER and I was diagnosed with panic disorder. Since then, I've been trying to work toward getting better.

My triggers are caffiene, sugar, and just stressful situations in general. Or if I start having a pain/something doesnt feel right/feel sick etc. I start to think it is the worst case scenario. Like, I have ongoing migraine headaches and when they are really bad, I convince myself that I have a brain tumor or something idiotic like that.

SummerBride10 Posted: Oct 29, 2008 06:13 AM

Re: Anxiety

Have you tried any breathing techniques? I've had anxiety attacks since h.s and that seems to help me. You just have to remain REALLY focused on your breathing- in through your nose/out through your mouth.

amandah75 Posted: Oct 29, 2008 06:58 AM

Re: Anxiety

Posted by soontoobemrsk

I understand exactly how you feel. Fh is the same way, but its not their fault.

Mine started when I was 17. I didnt know it was anxiety/panic attacks at first. I went to all sorts of drs and they couldnt find anything. Eventually, I thought I was having a heart attack and went to the ER and I was diagnosed with panic disorder. Since then, I've been trying to work toward getting better.

My triggers are caffiene, sugar, and just stressful situations in general. Or if I start having a pain/something doesnt feel right/feel sick etc. I start to think it is the worst case scenario. Like, I have ongoing migraine headaches and when they are really bad, I convince myself that I have a brain tumor or something idiotic like that.

Pam, I have the same triggers. Yesterday I was slightly dizzy and boom, HUGE panic attack because of course I had some incurable disease. It's horrible. On top of that, I had coffee and I haven't had coffee in about 2 months. All those things together really didn't help. Plus I've been worried about my health lately. Been having migraines for about 2 weeks now on and off. Geez. Glad to know I'm not crazy and there's someone else who has similar issues.

stinenandy2010 Posted: Oct 29, 2008 07:55 AM

Re: Anxiety

I sent you FM pam.

JenBill61210 Posted: Oct 29, 2008 08:32 AM

Re: Anxiety

what about taking medication? there are a lot out there that can help with anxiety.

RitasEngaged Posted: Oct 29, 2008 09:06 AM

Re: Anxiety

I get them a lot but have no idea how to control them

soontoobemrsk Posted: Oct 29, 2008 09:17 AM

Re: Anxiety

Rita, FM me if you want to talk! We're here for you

RitasEngaged Posted: Oct 29, 2008 09:21 AM

Re: Anxiety

Posted by soontoobemrsk

Rita, FM me if you want to talk! We're here for you

Aww thanks!!!

amandah75 Posted: Oct 29, 2008 09:36 AM

Re: Anxiety

Posted by JenBill61210

what about taking medication? there are a lot out there that can help with anxiety.

I have issues with meds, always have. hate the idea of depending on a chemical substance to lead a normal life when it's my own issues that are causing the problems. when i was going to school at stony brook, it was cool cause i got to go to therapy for free. miss that. therapy definitely helps look at your anxiety and figure out what's going on in your head.

soontoobemrsk Posted: Oct 29, 2008 10:04 AM

Re: Anxiety

I take Klonopin when I absolutely have no other choice and have too (its like xanax) but I HATE taking it and will avoid it at all costs. I've started doing a program though. Its called Lucinda Bassett, attacking anxiety and depression. I dont have depression but the main focus of the program is anxiety anyway. I think the thought behind it is that you can become depressed from your anxiety eventually, so treating the anxiety will also treat the depression. It has reallllly worked for me in the last 5 weeks or so. Its a very intensive program and somewhat time consuming, so you have to be committed to it before starting, otherwise it wont work. Heres the link.

Click Me!

rocketsummer17 Posted: Oct 29, 2008 10:23 AM

Re: Anxiety

I get SUPER bad anxiety on a daily basis (in addition to other issues), so I understand where you are coming from. If you ever need to talk through it FM me, it helps sometimes to just have someone who understands what you are going through to listen...

chakrasdeosil Posted: Oct 29, 2008 11:10 AM

Re: Anxiety

I also hate meds. Many dont agree with my body and I will end up getting worse for a while. its stressful when no one understands how you feel and they think you are being dramatic. Its the worse feeling in the world, and therapists dont even help. I hate having to go some one and pay to talk to them and them try to understand, when in reality they dont. They prolly dont even listen all they do is nod and say 'oh and how does it make you feel' UGH!!!! I hate it.

amandah75 Posted: Oct 29, 2008 11:31 AM

Re: Anxiety

my mother would flat out make fun of me when i would tell her about my anxiety attacks. then she had one........shut her up real quick. karma is a b!tch.

if you have a good therapist it helps. mine was very familiar with anxiety attacks and made me feel like what i said wasn't crazy and all that good stuff. just gotta get back to the mindset i was at when i was seeing her. those attacks were so minimal and far and few between.