Panic Attacks / Anxiety
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Massaging Mom
Cathlete
Sara,
Your post came in a timely manner. I have a relative who suffers from panic attacks and aniexty. She fights it on a daily basis. She said accupuncture helped some. I'm going to forward her the link to this thread as she may find some of the suggestions helpful.
Wishing you all the best!!!
Wendy
Your post came in a timely manner. I have a relative who suffers from panic attacks and aniexty. She fights it on a daily basis. She said accupuncture helped some. I'm going to forward her the link to this thread as she may find some of the suggestions helpful.
Wishing you all the best!!!
Wendy
RapidBreath
Cathlete
a few ideas
Rhodiola rosacea can increase anxiety, people often use that to lose weight or improve athletic performance.
I take St. John's Wort which helps with my anxiety level. Its just over the counter (can be purchased at any drug store or health food store.) but it can have an effect on birth control.
I find that journalling helps with any circular thought process that might be bothering me. Everybody else who posted had some really good things to say so I won't repeat it all.
Good luck with this.
Rhodiola rosacea can increase anxiety, people often use that to lose weight or improve athletic performance.
I take St. John's Wort which helps with my anxiety level. Its just over the counter (can be purchased at any drug store or health food store.) but it can have an effect on birth control.
I find that journalling helps with any circular thought process that might be bothering me. Everybody else who posted had some really good things to say so I won't repeat it all.
Good luck with this.
RapidBreath
Cathlete
one more thing
Licorice root can really help with anxiety too. Once again just over the counter its an herb. Also, helps with stomach/GI tract problems. It helps my brother with his anxiety.
Licorice root can really help with anxiety too. Once again just over the counter its an herb. Also, helps with stomach/GI tract problems. It helps my brother with his anxiety.
Jasmin416
Cathlete
BIG hugs to you!!!!
I have had anxiety my entire life from a young age and developed panic attacks and ocd symptoms in my late teens and early 20s. No one understands who hasn't experienced them how terrifying and draining it is. I used to try everything non medication related to get better by exercising, yoga, eating healthy and nothing worked until I took medication. If if affects your life and you can't get a handle on it through those methods then I believe there is nothing wrong with taking medications to help you out. I've been on and off meds a few times and am currently weaning myself off medication now because of weight gain but I am feeling better. Please talk to your doctor about medications if you feel you may need them...it is not weakness, just an illness. When you find the right one then it is like a godsend. Lexapro worked wonders for me with no side effects for a while until it pooped out. The most recent one caused me to gain weight that I'm not happy about but I'm willing to give it a go without medications again.
I have had anxiety my entire life from a young age and developed panic attacks and ocd symptoms in my late teens and early 20s. No one understands who hasn't experienced them how terrifying and draining it is. I used to try everything non medication related to get better by exercising, yoga, eating healthy and nothing worked until I took medication. If if affects your life and you can't get a handle on it through those methods then I believe there is nothing wrong with taking medications to help you out. I've been on and off meds a few times and am currently weaning myself off medication now because of weight gain but I am feeling better. Please talk to your doctor about medications if you feel you may need them...it is not weakness, just an illness. When you find the right one then it is like a godsend. Lexapro worked wonders for me with no side effects for a while until it pooped out. The most recent one caused me to gain weight that I'm not happy about but I'm willing to give it a go without medications again.
horseshowmom
Cathlete
Sara, So sorry to hear about your struggles.
I'm a life long depression suffering. I can remember the *black cloud* crushing me as young as 11-12 yrs. old It took a lot for me to change my mindset and accept medication. My first try hit the nail on the head, Lexapro. I'd never had panic or anxiety attacks, but they began when we were building our house. I would go into Home Depot and freak out!
ie: How am I supposed to pick a sink?! Do u know how many sinks there are!?!
It was awful! I thought I was going to literally physically die on occasion.
The Lexapro really took that awful feeling away and FAST! like within about 10 days. I did also incorporate counseling and have switched to Wellbutrin which handles my classic depressive symptoms better. Although, last summer was so bad again with the anxiety, I was doing the max dose of Wellbutrin am and large dose Prozac pm just to try and function. I stopped eating and sleeping for 3 months. It was hell! (although I got really skinny!
)
Morale of my story...don't feel alone! And don't be afraid of meds. Depression/anxiety disorders are real chemical imbalances within your body chemistry. Taking meds for treatment is no different than any other disease you might be diagnosed with.
I understand counseling being out of reach, but what about heading to the library and checking out some highly recommended self - help books? Read reviews on-line, word of mouth, whatever.
I have one called Healing Anxiety and Depression that is great, along with about 30 others. I've also used (don't laugh, you either like him or you don't, I realize there is no middle ground) Dr. Phil's books Life Strategies and Self Matters. I learned a lot about me by working through those books. JMO!
Hang in there!
You have people here who care about you!
And you made a great 1st step in reaching out to others! Good for you!!!!!
Keep us posted!
Becky
I'm a life long depression suffering. I can remember the *black cloud* crushing me as young as 11-12 yrs. old It took a lot for me to change my mindset and accept medication. My first try hit the nail on the head, Lexapro. I'd never had panic or anxiety attacks, but they began when we were building our house. I would go into Home Depot and freak out!
ie: How am I supposed to pick a sink?! Do u know how many sinks there are!?!
It was awful! I thought I was going to literally physically die on occasion.
The Lexapro really took that awful feeling away and FAST! like within about 10 days. I did also incorporate counseling and have switched to Wellbutrin which handles my classic depressive symptoms better. Although, last summer was so bad again with the anxiety, I was doing the max dose of Wellbutrin am and large dose Prozac pm just to try and function. I stopped eating and sleeping for 3 months. It was hell! (although I got really skinny!
)Morale of my story...don't feel alone! And don't be afraid of meds. Depression/anxiety disorders are real chemical imbalances within your body chemistry. Taking meds for treatment is no different than any other disease you might be diagnosed with.
I understand counseling being out of reach, but what about heading to the library and checking out some highly recommended self - help books? Read reviews on-line, word of mouth, whatever.
I have one called Healing Anxiety and Depression that is great, along with about 30 others. I've also used (don't laugh, you either like him or you don't, I realize there is no middle ground) Dr. Phil's books Life Strategies and Self Matters. I learned a lot about me by working through those books. JMO!
Hang in there!
You have people here who care about you!
And you made a great 1st step in reaching out to others! Good for you!!!!!
Keep us posted!
Becky
horseshowmom
Cathlete
cindi1
Cathlete
I've only had mild depression/anxiety but second the vote for St. John's Wort. I absolutely helped me post-partum. It can also make you sensitive to sunlight.
Sara,
You are not alone in this challenge. I have had this condition most of my life and didn't know what was wrong with me until I saw Midwest Center info show on TV about 4 years ago.
http://www.stresscenter.com/ I ordered the program 4 years ago and it has helped me immensley. It is kind of costly but they claim to help people who can't afford it and I personally think it is worth you checking into. You could try the following breathing pattern to help with the panic/anxiety: inhale for two counts (one thousand one, one thousand two) and then exhale for four counts. You can get better and get control of this, I know it isn't easy but it can be done. Good luck to you and you are not alone.
Cindy
You are not alone in this challenge. I have had this condition most of my life and didn't know what was wrong with me until I saw Midwest Center info show on TV about 4 years ago.
http://www.stresscenter.com/ I ordered the program 4 years ago and it has helped me immensley. It is kind of costly but they claim to help people who can't afford it and I personally think it is worth you checking into. You could try the following breathing pattern to help with the panic/anxiety: inhale for two counts (one thousand one, one thousand two) and then exhale for four counts. You can get better and get control of this, I know it isn't easy but it can be done. Good luck to you and you are not alone.
Cindy
Fidget Queen
Cathlete
I really had no idea how many of you have been through this anxiety. It is amazing to us how some of us deal with life and it's problems. I wish I had inherited my dad's outlook: He doesn't worry about anything. I mean, sometimes it's to a fault, but still.
I actually went out last night and bought some St. John's Wort as well as some hormone regulating vitamins. I took my first dose this morning. I'm going to give this a few weeks (as long as I'm not too miserable) and if that' doesn't work, I'm heading to a doctor. I'm going to find a counselor regardless.
Also, as I was up in the middle of the night a couple of days ago, I ran into a program that I downloaded. I woke up at 1 am and immediately went into a massive attack that wouldn't go away. I thought that was kind of strange as usually it requires some anxious thoughts for awhile before it explodes into an attack. Anyway, I'm reading this program and the author has very simple advice. When you're in the middle of an attack, or even just starting one, don't be afraid AT ALL. First, accept that this isn't going to kill you (I think the key here is genuinely trusting that you aren't going to die). Then dig into every feeling that you're having and, in a sense, mentally egg on the attack. Welcome it and dare it to become even stronger. His opinion is that the attack WILL NOT kill you and it can only last so long before the body has to give up. It will get worse before it gets better, but then it will go away. It worked. It really worked. I have yet to have another attack, because every single time I feel one coming on, I tell myself that I can take it and to bring it on! The body doesn't want it as much then. I think it's the fear of the physical symptoms and how miserable it is that makes it worse. I know I sound stupid explaining it, but it worked for me. Now, I still have severe and constant anxiety that I must work out, but at least the attacks have subsided for now. It's only been a couple of days, though, so who knows?
Thank you guys so much for the advice. I'm just wondering if any of you feel as though you're the kind of people who worry more about what others think of you and what you should do than what you really want out of life? Aside from being UNSURE of what I truly want, I tend to find myself wanting approval and for my friends and family to be proud. They are not at all the kind of people who put any pressure on me, but somehow, I've put it on myself. I'm just wondering if you guys believe this has anything to do with a lifetime of anxiety and depression. I think it all comes down to insecurity.
Thanks,
Sara
I actually went out last night and bought some St. John's Wort as well as some hormone regulating vitamins. I took my first dose this morning. I'm going to give this a few weeks (as long as I'm not too miserable) and if that' doesn't work, I'm heading to a doctor. I'm going to find a counselor regardless.
Also, as I was up in the middle of the night a couple of days ago, I ran into a program that I downloaded. I woke up at 1 am and immediately went into a massive attack that wouldn't go away. I thought that was kind of strange as usually it requires some anxious thoughts for awhile before it explodes into an attack. Anyway, I'm reading this program and the author has very simple advice. When you're in the middle of an attack, or even just starting one, don't be afraid AT ALL. First, accept that this isn't going to kill you (I think the key here is genuinely trusting that you aren't going to die). Then dig into every feeling that you're having and, in a sense, mentally egg on the attack. Welcome it and dare it to become even stronger. His opinion is that the attack WILL NOT kill you and it can only last so long before the body has to give up. It will get worse before it gets better, but then it will go away. It worked. It really worked. I have yet to have another attack, because every single time I feel one coming on, I tell myself that I can take it and to bring it on! The body doesn't want it as much then. I think it's the fear of the physical symptoms and how miserable it is that makes it worse. I know I sound stupid explaining it, but it worked for me. Now, I still have severe and constant anxiety that I must work out, but at least the attacks have subsided for now. It's only been a couple of days, though, so who knows?
Thank you guys so much for the advice. I'm just wondering if any of you feel as though you're the kind of people who worry more about what others think of you and what you should do than what you really want out of life? Aside from being UNSURE of what I truly want, I tend to find myself wanting approval and for my friends and family to be proud. They are not at all the kind of people who put any pressure on me, but somehow, I've put it on myself. I'm just wondering if you guys believe this has anything to do with a lifetime of anxiety and depression. I think it all comes down to insecurity.
Thanks,
Sara
nancy324
Cathlete
I haven't read any other responses, but in my humble opinion, the only way to deal with true panic attacks is with drugs. I can't tell from your description whether you're having panic attacks or not. High anxiety does not equal a panic attack. High anxiety and mild depression can be dealt with without drugs, I think, but not panic attacks. I used to have panic attacks and not only do the drugs relieve the panic, but they actually change your brain chemistry so that it is highly unlikely that you will ever have another panic attack in your life. I thought that was amazing when I heard it, but it worked for me. I haven't had a panic attack in 20 years. You don't have to be "in therapy" to see a doctor for medication. If you have a med doc, you can see him/her 3 or 4 times per year, and insurance generally pays for most of it. Just my 2 cents worth, but in my experience panic attacks are 100% curable!
Best wishes!
Best wishes!
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horseshowmom
Cathlete
sara,
I am absolutely a people pleaser. I run from confrontation like it's the plague and I will happily lie down so you can kick me and then roll over so you can do it again. Some of it is from my upbringing, some of it is self-inflicted. I believe in my core, I will never succeed so I'd rather not try rather than fail again.
Or I should say, I have lived and breathed those mantras for 35 years, but over the last 2yrs am working past them. My counselor and a desire in myself to truly change have begun changes. I will say, when things get rough that is still the *reflex* mentality I have, but I am working on it! And I've made some big strides, but I have to work at it constantly. I guess old habits do die hard, even when they're negative thought patterns/self-dialogue.
I do believe, if I can change, ANYONE can.
Good luck and good for you for recognizing that you want a different life experience for yourself!
Becky
I am absolutely a people pleaser. I run from confrontation like it's the plague and I will happily lie down so you can kick me and then roll over so you can do it again. Some of it is from my upbringing, some of it is self-inflicted. I believe in my core, I will never succeed so I'd rather not try rather than fail again.
Or I should say, I have lived and breathed those mantras for 35 years, but over the last 2yrs am working past them. My counselor and a desire in myself to truly change have begun changes. I will say, when things get rough that is still the *reflex* mentality I have, but I am working on it! And I've made some big strides, but I have to work at it constantly. I guess old habits do die hard, even when they're negative thought patterns/self-dialogue.
I do believe, if I can change, ANYONE can.
Good luck and good for you for recognizing that you want a different life experience for yourself!
Becky