panic/anxiety attacks!!!!- need help!!!

[jessica77]

Hey guys,

So, for those who have been following my other posts already know that I suffer from panic attacks for the past year. I have tried therapists, medicines etc...but nothing seems to work. I used consider my self very fortunate , cos I never had any medical problems and now this!!!!

Life is funny!!!! I feel completely debilitated as a person, although none of my friends know what I am going through!!! I guess, even if I told them they would offer their sympathy , but they really can't live their life for me. Sometimes I wonder why I was chosen to sufer like this. There are many people I know , who do much worse and seemingly don't suffer any repurcussions. yet, here I am ...probably lived as simple a life as one can and have to go thru with this everyday of my life....Doesn't make sense....u know the funny thing...just recently I was at my therapists office talking to him about my problems and he kept looking at his watch, to let me know when the hour would be complete!!!!!!!!! i don't believe that medicines is the answer to my problems...I would like to try behavior therapy and anyone...PLEASE ANYONE ATALL WHO HAS BEEN THERE PLEASE HELP ME, i WANNA GET OUT OF THIS.....ITS LIKE A LONG , DARK TUNNEL AND I AM HOPING THERE IS SUNLIGHT AT THE OTHER END!!!!!!

[whichwayisup]

Hey Jessica.

 

How long have you been seeing your Therapist? (It's time to find another one, who doesn't 'clock' watch...) The therapist should specialize in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. And you don't have to be on medication either. I don't do meds and I'm doing okay.

 

What I need to know here (hope you don't mind...) is give me a daily week for you. What you do, how you feel. How often do you feel the anxiety building, if you have an actual panic attack, what are the symptoms of it and how long does it last. What do you do when you're having the attack?

 

Another thing to start to do is look at your diet. Coffee, chocolate, sugars etc...You need to cut down on those for a while. Keep a dairy of your menstral cycle. Horomones can come into play and that will affect the anxiety. As well as stress, and it seems you have alot of stress in your life contributing to your anxiety.

 

How long have you been feeling this way? I mean with the anxiety attacks...

 

I can promise you, things WILL get better, but you have to be willing to do the leg work!! You will have some real rough days, but by going through those rough days GOOD days will follow. That much I can guarantee!! With the therapist, she/he (whoever you feel more comfy with, my T is a woman and she's wonderful) will be helping you cope with the issues that are causing you anxiety...Either present, past and future worries... You'll learn how to control it, instead of it controlling you.

 

Hope this helps abit tonight and I'll read what you say later or tomorrow...And then reply again.

[glittergurl]

I know somebody who used to have panic attacks. She saw a therapist a couple of times (that didn't help much); but it quickly became clear that it all started when her life started falling apart: marriage problems, problems at work, her son had just left, etc.

 

This may sound way simplified; but the panic attacs slowly disappeared after she'd solved her other problems (mainly work and marriage). It took a long time, don't get me wrong, but even though I believe some good therapy would help; you also have to keep in mind what it started with, and work on these things too.

[whichwayisup]

Situational crisis, stress, illness, all can start an anxiety disorder. In some cases, as you mentioned GG, it goes away as the problems are solved. Some anxieties are deeper and can have more symptoms and turn into more phobia's, such as being agrophobic, clausterphobic and/or becoming depressed. Either way, therapy has to take place. One has to learn about anxiety, how to fight it, control it and breath through the attacks...Take the control back.

 

Good to hear your friend is doing better! It really is an awful disorder to have! Trust me on this one...

[Milo]

I have a friend with accute anxiety disorder who does get some benefit from drugs and therapy, so it is definitely worth continuing. Try another drug or combination of drugs. Xanax is one possible drug that might work for you. But do also work on the other things in your life that can complicate this situation.

[jessica77]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your replies. So, to tell you a little bit more about me...I am a student doing my Ph.D. I am really good at what I do, which is what keeps me going. My teachers, co-workers love me and would never know that I suffer from anything, let alone this! I generally have a pretty hectic day and try and keep myself busy. Also, I try and avoid being by myself as much as I can....if I have to bealone I try and stay in familiar surroundings. When do the attcaks come....almost anytime..ot of the blue....I get a queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach followed by tingling and sweaty plams....If I cannot control it at this stage ...it usually goes into hyperventilaion and really rapid pulse. I have learnt through experinece to calm myself down....in certain situations...yet there are others where I find myself unable to control myself.....these would be travelling in car(I don't drive), going to a new place or even somewhere I don't normally go....(I have stopped taking road trips),stopped eating out, going to the mall....etc. It started about a year back and it has robbed me of every sense of self confidence I had...!!!!

[newbby]

jessica,

i had this problem for many years. i would actually faint with it it was so severe. i also associated it with "reasons" trying to rationalise or understand it. i used to think i was having premonitions, because i would be feeling perfectly fine and then suddenly a great black doom would descend and i couldnt breathe. sometimes i thought i would have a heart attack, but other times i had to check friends and family and make sure they were okay. sometimes i would just faint or sit on the floor unable to move. i did not think i would ever get better. i did get better though. when the rest of my life improved i began to get better. i also suggest trying yoga, meditation is good but it is very difficult to do when you are in a highly anxious state as you are. at least with yoga you are moving. really though the best solution is to eliminate the stress factors in your life. identify and eliminate them. good luck. i know how awful it is.

[whichwayisup]

Newbby, did you seek therapy for your anxiety or just go at it on your own?

 

I've never fainted but in the past I felt like I was going to. Oh, I know what you mean, during an attack or a build up, it's really hard to sit and do meditation or yoga. Usually (and still do) I put on music, very loud, and try to distract myself from the awful feelings anxiety can bring on. I do dishes, cleaning, and if I have to I call someone on the phone just so I don't feel so weird and alone.

 

I have found (still!) that when I do push through the anxiety I get a little boost of energy, a feeling of power and accomplishment! Like I won that battle against anxiety that time. For me, I gain confidence and know that next time I CAN do it and will do it.

 

Jess, I hope you're feeling better!

[newbby]

i went to the doctors for it many times and they did various tests. i dont think they realised that i was having panic attacks and neither did i, i was about 17 when they began and i didnt know what was happening to me. they lasted until i was about 19-20. they reappeared later when i was in another stressful life situation but never as bad as the first time. the second time i found that yoga did help, but the first time around i could do nothing when i was having one but rock back and forth like a mad woman.

[whichwayisup]

For me, when I have my attacks I gag. I never throw up or even feel like it, it's just a build of anxiety and the only way to relieve it is to gag. It's kinda embarressing at times, when out in public or around people who don't know about my anxiety. I've slowly learned how to not care how I look during the attack anymore! LOL! Humour for me is so important.

 

I can't do yoga when I'm feeling yuk though...Makes me feel worse and gives my mind a chance to think, which is bad ...

 

I know my anxiety will never go away forever but I can see the light more everyday at the end of the tunnel...It's just remembering I AM in control of it and breathing through the attacks.

 

Good to hear that you're doing well now.

[newbby]

the whole point in yoga is that it concentrates the mind so that it doesnt run off with itself. however doing yoga during an attack is probably impossible.

yes no panic attack is great for the social life.

[RD37]

I had some minor panic attacks last year mostly triggered by career stress.

 

They have gone after I did the following:

 

Cut way back on caffeine intake (more than a wake-up cup is uneccessary and I mean a cup- 8oz)

 

Started exercising daily.

 

Stopped obsessing about work.

 

I have gotten them a few times over the years in high stress situations. They tend to go away when I remove the stressors and start exercising and cutting back on caffeine.

 

I can't diagnose yours as I am not a doctor, but these things worked for me.

[newbby]

how are you doing jessica?

[jessica77]

Hey Guys,

Bad news!!! I may have to travel abroad, my first cousin just passed away. I am terrified at the thought of sitting in a plane and going into a depressing environment. I really can't do this.

Oh! Boy, it just keeps getting worse!

[jessica77]

Hey Guys,

so, have any of you travelled in plane while suffering from anxiet attcks!!!!

[romme22]

Not sure how much of this helps Jessica, but I've suffered about 10 years with anxiety and panic attacks. Never saw anyone besides my gp and at first she thought it was heart problems which made the attacks much more frequent and worse.

 

I tried a few different things to solve them. Tried lexapro, wellbutrin, xanax and nothing seemed to work except for the last thing that I tried which was toprol xl.

 

It's a beta blocker and used to control rapid heart rate and high blood pressure. It definitely calms me down and stops the main thing that would send me off and that's a rapid heart rate. Not saying that it's right for you but it has totally helped me and my weekly panic attacks have been totally gone after just a few days on 50mg. It has some side effects for me(tiredness) but I've found that to be beneficial and I sleep better now than I ever did before. I still take a xanax every once in a while but not very often.

 

I'm a nervous flyer also and for flight anxiety I take a couple of xanax and have a drink or two prior and during the flight. It works wonders. Call your Dr. and ask for a few for a flight it's pretty common practice.

 

Romme

[jessica77]

I can't bring myself to take this trip and I really have to...I don't know how i can sit in the plane for like 10-12 hours.... God! I am in sucha fix...

[newbby]

jessica, i would say dont take the trip if you dont feel you can cope with it. unless you really feel that the people there cannot cope without you, then dont do it. take the stress OFF. you have to get yourself well first. that is what i would say.

however, if you have to take the trip then how bout rommes advice above? do you think that might help you?

[whichwayisup]

I'm with newbby on this one. Do you have to go on this trip? It just seems you're putting yourself through ALOT and until you face the fears and learn how to handle the anxiety maybe it's best not to fly. People are very understanding when it comes to phobia's!

 

I remember once at my previous job, my boss, his boss and the big boss had to decide WHO to send on the work conference. NONE of them would go due to phobia's, anxiety etc...So the assistant boss went and represented the department.

 

It happens and try not to stress about it. If you can't get out of it then do talk to your doctor and see what they can prescribe for you.

[jessica77]

I think I have more or less decided that I will not take this trip. I hope that my family is not too upset with my decision not to go...However I really think that I should get rolling with this cognitive therapy....I don't want to push all decisions based on the anxiety response all my life. WWIU, didn't you say that you would start coaching me on that therapy??? I have XANAX with me, but I just don't wanna take it... I hope I can help myself!!!!

[whichwayisup]

If you don't feel like doing this with meds, then don't. CBT therapy WILL help you alot.

 

I am not sure where you live but basically look in your phone book or do a google search in your area and CBT therapists. Colleges, Universities, Hospitals, Clinics usually have these kind of Therapists around.

 

Start doing yoga daily. Cut out as much caffeine out of your diet and sugars too. Eat healthy, rest when you need to rest. Keep a daily journal of thoughts/feelings/fears, whatever comes into your head. Those bad days when the panic is there, write about it...ALL of it. Getting it out just helps relieve the anxiety symptoms and can even help you keep calm. Just like talking...

 

Not too sure if you're up and rolling with PM on the site, but when you do get PM enabled I'll help you more. For now, it's out on the boards...

[Guest44]

Lately I think I've started having anxiety or panic attacks, but I'm

not sure. Twice this week my

heart began racing out of control, like I was afraid of something but I

don't know what. Along

with that I had a sinking feeling. Kind of a very unworldly, lonely

feeling. I was really

concerned that I might be going crazy. I thought about seeing a doctor

but am more worried I’d

just be put on some medication. I found a list of anxiety symptoms at

http://www.selftherapy.org , which

has calmed me down a bit as it's sounds quite like what I’m

experiencing. Has anyone every tried

that program? Or have any other suggestions? Does this sound like

anxiety??

[stressandanxiaty]

Lately I think I've started having anxiety or panic attacks, but I'm

not sure. Twice this week my

heart began racing out of control, like I was afraid of something but I

don't know what. Along

with that I had a sinking feeling. Kind of a very unworldly, lonely

feeling. I was really

concerned that I might be going crazy. I thought about seeing a doctor

but am more worried I’d

just be put on some medication. I found a list of anxiety symptoms at

http://www.selftherapy.org , which

has calmed me down a bit as it's sounds quite like what I’m

experiencing. Has anyone every tried

that program? Or have any other suggestions? Does this sound like

anxiety??

[whichwayisup]

It does sound like anxiety. Have you thought about going to therapy? Cognitive Behaviour Therapy could work for you. It has for me, and many others as well.

 

You don't have to go on meds for this. Some need to, but I chose not to because I was terrified of side effects - Plus my Therapist really didn't think I needed them. IF she thought it would beneficial for me to get on meds I guess I would have gone on them.

 

Start doing yoga, meditation, things that will calm you down, control your breathing. Anxiety and panic attacks can be very scarey too! I know I've had my share of them and thought I was either going crazy or was going to die/passout or something. So much fear! The one thing to remember is that you won't! The mind is a powerful thing and when the anxiety takes over - It is so hard to gain control back - That is when the tools you'll learn to use when taking CBT will come in handy. Retraining your brain to think more positively, facing whatever it is you're scared of head on and doing lots of exposure therapy to combat those fears! So much of it is in the head!

 

Keep talking about it, tell your family and friends. Get support, join some online support groups too. talking to people who understand anxiety and know how you feel will help alot.

 

Hope this helps, feel free to ask me anything! I'm an open book now when it comes to dealing with anxiety and panic attacks!

[Becoming]

Jessica--I started having anxiety attacks during my PhD studies as well even though, I, too was the darling of the dept., did well, etc. There is a tremendous amt. of pressure on you during that degree.

 

It came back last year when I'm in the same boat--writing another book for tenure publication. Even though I like writing (most days), it was similar to writing the dissertation, which was a really stressful time, partly because it triggered childhood issues I hadn't dealt with.

 

If you're still on campus, you may have access to free counseling, which is sometimes helpful. But cognitive behavior therapy is extremely helpful.

 

Deep breathing helps me and talking myself down: "I know what I'm facing is uncomfortable, but it's just uncomfortable. I'm not in any danger here, and I can take my time to give myself what I need to get over this. . . . . "

 

I was given Welbutrin, but after a few months it made the anxiety worse! I quit taking that and was much better.

 

Keep posting and don't take that trip. It's OK to not to do everything everyone expects of you. You can just be too sick to fly without having to explain anything else. Send something nice and meaningful instead.