Anxiety...

theia · Post by **theia** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:46 am

Following on from Jones Jones' Black Dog thread, has anyone here on FG been affected by chronic anxiety? You know, the sort that seems all out of proportion to the circumstances involved? Or, has anyone had an anxiety attack?

Mine began in my thirties...it comes and it goes but, to a large degree seems to hover just below the surface most of the time. And the anxiety attacks are, well, horrific...

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:09 pm

theia;933432 wrote: Following on from Jones Jones' Black Dog thread, has anyone here on FG been affected by chronic anxiety? You know, the sort that seems all out of proportion to the circumstances involved? Or, has anyone had an anxiety attack?

Mine began in my thirties...it comes and it goes but, to a large degree seems to hover just below the surface most of the time. And the anxiety attacks are, well, horrific...

Yeah, my first panic attack sent me to the hospital. After a couple of years on anxiety meds, I got the flu and didn't drink any coffee and noticed that they subsided. I think the caffeine really affected my nervous system, so since I cut out caffeine completely I can control my attacks without meds. It's rare when I have an attack now but have learned that focusing on breathing can really help.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:06 pm

i don't have anxiety attacks, but am very agoraphobic. I do not like to go anywhere with large crowds, or a new location. I pump myself up for days like this when I get on the comuter train, go down to DC, and hurry into the Archives-I feel secure in there, nice and quiet, lots of guards everywhere. But I dislike the subway and train ride immensely, and worry the whole time traveling.

mrsK · Post by **mrsK** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:19 pm

chonsigirl;933607 wrote: i don't have anxiety attacks, but am very agoraphobic. I do not like to go anywhere with large crowds, or a new location. I pump myself up for days like this when I get on the comuter train, go down to DC, and hurry into the Archives-I feel secure in there, nice and quiet, lots of guards everywhere. But I dislike the subway and train ride immensely, and worry the whole time traveling.

My sister is like that Chonsi.

She can only go to the corner store & to fuel her car up.

She likes to drive around but cannot get out at any places other than the ones I mentioned.

theia · Post by **theia** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:31 pm

Anxiety attacks have the effect of making you contract into yourself. You don't really know what you're scared of but you know you're petrified. Physically, the muscles in your body contract and you can find all the ordinary things like breathing and swallowing really difficult. You feel like you might go mad or die and it doesn't seem to matter how many times you have them and the "worst" doesn't happen, they get no easier.

For me, I think these are like mini ego deaths. The best advice I have ever read is not to resist them as it's the resistance that causes the suffering. Now that is definitely something easier read about than done.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:13 pm

How would you go with the flow of an anxiety attack? Give in to your fears?

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:35 pm

theia;933432 wrote: Following on from Jones Jones' Black Dog thread, has anyone here on FG been affected by chronic anxiety? You know, the sort that seems all out of proportion to the circumstances involved? Or, has anyone had an anxiety attack?

Mine began in my thirties...it comes and it goes but, to a large degree seems to hover just below the surface most of the time. And the anxiety attacks are, well, horrific...

Seriously---------try green tea-------at least two cups daily.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:16 pm

It comes from out of the blue. There must be a trigger but Ill be damned if I know what mine is.

Thats not entirely true but its complicated.

Had it yeterday but not today. Thats the way it goes with me.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:17 pm

I'm anxious over that siggie, Nomad.....................:wah:

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:21 pm

I'm anxious over that siggie, Nomad

Gloat.

For now.....

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:10 pm

Yes Theia, I've had anxiety attacks, but a while ago....when I had my first anxiety attack, I thought I was having a heart attack, and at the time I was married, the ex let me suffer for 4 days until I finally got up and took myself to the hospital....my left arm hurt for days and chest pain every night....The hospital gave me pain pills and I told my ex to leave that weekend....needless to say...never experienced that again.

but I suffer from pain due to stress now, and I get small panic moments when I feel overwhelmed. I know I need to relax, but too strung out at times.... currently I'm in major pain from neck pain....yes I'm a pain in the neck!:p

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:38 pm

I get the pains in my chest and the pains in my arms, i once went to the ER thinking i was having a heart attack!

it's been a while since its happened, but at one point i didn't want to leave the house, because i was positive that it was gonna burn down before i got home! i would get this horrible panic feeling on the way home until i could see the house and see that everything was alright!

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:57 pm

Hope6;933941 wrote: I get the pains in my chest and the pains in my arms, i once went to the ER thinking i was having a heart attack!

it's been a while since its happened, but at one point i didn't want to leave the house, because i was positive that it was gonna burn down before i got home! i would get this horrible panic feeling on the way home until i could see the house and see that everything was alright!

its horrible....I am sorry that you've experienced that Hope...you are such a sweet person on the boards....shame that bad things happen to good people....sending a cyber hug!

Hope6 · Post by **Hope6** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:18 pm

WonderWendy3;933963 wrote: its horrible....I am sorry that you've experienced that Hope...you are such a sweet person on the boards....shame that bad things happen to good people....sending a cyber hug!

thank you darlin! :yh_hugs:yh_hugs

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:27 pm

Everyone

Nomad - Hope - Chrons - Wonderwendy - Thei

Anxiety attacks are triggered from stress

as long as you stay calm - you won't have the panic heart racing feeling.

staying calm is the trick.

My DR gave me a thick rubber band to wear on my wrist - you feel this attack coming on - start snapping that rubber band. HONEST - Dr's therapy - it cost me for that rubber band... it worked Drink alot of water.

Do you drink alot of water? Electrolytes are very important in our system - everyone here with systems of this panic attack - should see a Dr. for a check up - blood work etc.

then try a expensive rubber band.

My panic attacks started after the death of my husband in 1988. I couldn't make a left hand turn once - I froze - in the intersection - everyone's honking.

I finally made the left well into a red light for someone.

I had to instantly pull over - I was sweating - couldn't breathe - I know.. it's real.

Good luck - take a deep breath - drink water - see a DR.

Patsy

koan · Post by **koan** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:45 pm

theia;933432 wrote: Following on from Jones Jones' Black Dog thread, has anyone here on FG been affected by chronic anxiety? You know, the sort that seems all out of proportion to the circumstances involved? Or, has anyone had an anxiety attack?

Mine began in my thirties...it comes and it goes but, to a large degree seems to hover just below the surface most of the time. And the anxiety attacks are, well, horrific...

I had anxiety attacks after taking depo provera. Usually B vitamins and rhodiola will help restore adrenal gland functioning. For immediate help, a lot of people find "Rescue Remedy" helpful. You take a few drops as needed, directly under the tongue or in water that you can sip. It's a Bach Flower Remedy combination and I was skeptical but impressed after trying it. Long term help involves restoring the adrenal glands though.

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:10 pm

Koan

Taking the remedies you suggested will calm the glands down in time

but never really stops the panic attack.

By the time one experiences the panic attacks - your adrenal glands are shot & need to be nurtured & restored.

Everyone needs to know what triggers the attack to control the panic.

I'm not sure how long my anxiety attacks took place months - a year?

How long have you (ALL) been experiencing the panic/anxiety attacks?

Patsy