topic PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter in Anxiety

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 05:00:11 GMT

Hi,

I am 46 and have always suffered anxiety on and off. The last few months I have had triggers that caused anxiety and I will have a particular thing that I panic and worry about. I have started to notice that it happens more around that time of the month. I do suffer other pmt symptoms but am noticing a pattern with the anxiety now. There will be a trigger, I will feel panic/anxiety during the day and wake at times during the night as i constantly think negative things about it about. It will then it will lift, like a dark cloud has been removed from my mind and I think more rationally and of positive things re what I am anxious about and tell myself how silly I was being. I will then feel ok and more upbeat until the negative talk sets in again-i.e when I wake the next morning. When this happens I try to remember that I was feeling ok and why I was feeling ok and that it is the anxiety making me think negatively but it is an ongoing cycle. I know hormones play a part in this. I have a dr apt next week but I am assuming it is hormone related as my last few anxiety/panic attacks have been around the time of the month. My cycles etc are also changing.

I am taking magnesium and B6 now and drinking chamomile and green tea.

Has anyone been though this or had experience with pmt anxiety.

cmf

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

BballJ — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 12:51:43 GMT

Hi CMF,

As a male I can't comment on the PMT Anxiety however I can comment on the symptoms of your anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking. My biggest cloud regarding anxiety is exactly what you described, Focusing on one thing, over thinking about it, having a panic attack and then all of a sudden the dark cloud you mentioned does disappear and you look at the situation rationally, and in a more positive light I guess and it goes away but it creeps back up out of no where. This has been the backbone of my anxiety for years and I am now learning to control It, medication is helping that and seeing a psychologist finally to work through all my "triggers" should hopefully help.

I am interested in your magnesium and b6, have you found this helps with your anxiety?

My best for you CMF.

Jay

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 22:01:19 GMT

Hi Jay,

i started them together 2 days ago. On both days I had the cloud lift in the afternoon. I did also drink green tea at that time. Today I am feeling better so far but don't know if it's the magnesium/b6, the green tea or my hormones shifting. I will keep you posted as to how it's going and what my dr says.

cmf

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

romantic_thi3f — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 06:56:37 GMT

Hi Can't move forward,

Thanks for posting.
Certainly hormones can play a big part in our anxiety levels and I hope
the Doctor is able to provide a bit of insight for you into why this is
happening and offer some suggestions.

In the meantime though,
what sort of techniques have you tried for your anxiety when it does come on in
the morning? Certainly it can feel like a dark cloud and even though you
may not be able to stop it (at first) you might be able to reduce the impact
that it has on you.

I know from experience
it's very easy to say "oh how silly I was being", but in that moment
our anxiety feels very real so it helps to try to develop different techniques
and strategies to help calm your mind and make that dark cloud a little
lighter. Certainly breathing techniques can be very useful, or
mindfulness, meditations - or even just checking your thoughts and reminding
yourself of the facts not letting your brain jump to conclusions.

If you can, try and give
yourself a little bit of compassion when the anxiety comes on; if you know it's
going to happen - see what it would be like to 'allow it'. Learning to
cultivate a non-judgmental practice can help enormously.

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 08:41:51 GMT

Thank you romantic thi3f,

As I have kids to get ready in the morning I'm pretty much up and at it quite early. I do sometimes lay in bed a little and just try to 'be'. I try and focus on tasks at hand and continue my day as necessary.

I will try what you suggested.

cmf

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 01:04:50 GMT

not feeling great today. tired, drained, pre menstrual, confused

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

romantic_thi3f — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 01:56:43 GMT

Hi cmf,

Thanks for writing back. I'm not sure if you're aware but often people assume meditation/mindfulness/breathing type exercises need to be done cross legged on the floor - this is definately not the case! Ultimately it's about finding what works for you.

What sort of techniques are you using now when you're feeling this way?

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 03:25:44 GMT

Hi,

Besides trying to focus on other things and or go for a walk I have started brain training games. I find them a good distraction as I need to concentrate on them. I love jigsaw puzzles, big ones 1000 plus pieces but its a bit hard with a 3 year old. I used to really zone out in my younger days with jigsaws. I could sit for hours on end.

cmf

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

romantic_thi3f — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 01:42:41 GMT

Hi cmf,

Just wanted to check in and see how you were feeling. I presume by now you will have had the Doctor's appointment that you mentioned earlier; was that helpful?

Brain training games are a great way to focus your brain. I have a few that I like to play including Peak and TanZen. Which ones do you enjoy?

Hope that you were able to get a bit of direction and some relief with your anxiety.

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:30:01 GMT

well I though I was better but crashed this evening. I was going to cancel the dr, it's this Thursday, but have decided I should go. I use fit brains for brain training but I may look at the ones you suggested.

im pretty down atm. Few things on my mind and a lot on my plate.

thx for checking in, much appreciated.

cmf

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

romantic_thi3f — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 00:11:16 GMT

Hi cmf,

Sorry to hear that you crashed this evening. It sounds like you're a bit burned out; I hope that you've been implementing lots of self-care.

I'm so pleased that you didn't end up cancelling the Doctor's appointment. I really encourage you to go. Sometimes the referral can take a little time anyway so in my opinion it's better to go and book and postpone then wait and wait. If you do end up feeling better again maybe you could try and look at it from the perspective of "I feel great, so now I can get some tools to help me keep feeling this way".

Thank you for sharing the app that you use. I did a quick search and saw that it was one of the top 5 for brain training which is great. TanZen isn't for brain training it's more of a game where you move triangles around; it might not be for you but I know I play it a lot when I'm anxious and it helps.

Here are a list of the other apps if you'd like to try them - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/23/brain-training-apps-five-of-the-best

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 04:09:09 GMT

Hi Romantic Thi3f,

yes I looked at TanZen, think I would find it frustrating lol. Ill look at the link you shared, thanks so much.

cmf

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 00:02:10 GMT

Hi,

I had my blood tests done and I am in perimenopause. For the first time in 25 years I am not anaemic, everything came back good buy my FSH was very high which calls out perimenopause.. I feel like crap. I haven't had my period this month but every day feel like its coming. I have so many hot flushes, am so tired and,, moody and swing between anxiety and depression. My stomach hurts, usual pmt symptoms which is what perimenopause is all about.I feel useless,not doing much for my kids just the basics as I cant function.

How long do I have go feel like this? I am taking something to regulate hormones so I should feel better but they need to kick in which takes time.

I hate everyone and everything at the moment. I'm a useless mum and just useless at everything.

cmf

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 03:35:32 GMT

My perimenopause has turned into permanent PMT. Oh goodness, its gonna be a long ride.

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

romantic_thi3f — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 23:20:57 GMT

Hi,

Thank you for posting again and I'm sorry to hear that you don't have good news. I know that perimenopause is not something that you want to hear but it would explain a lot of the moods and hormonal changes that your body has had to go through recently.

I have not gone through menopause so I'm not sure that I have much to offer here, but I can tell you that what you're feeling will not be consistent, and that I've heard it's quite normal for things to come and go. I also know that there are many different options and things to try as there are many people going through this.

I highly recommend that you try the Jean Hailes website as it has lots of suggestions and resources which I've linked below - https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-management

https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause

I'm also wondering if you've considered seeing a psychologist? They can be incredibly helpful in helping to manage some of the effects that this is happening for you and help to challenge some of the beliefs that you have. It's okay that you hate everything but you're not a useless mum. You're struggling and that's okay and you're not alone but that doesn't make you useless.

If you're open to this you can have a look more here - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-professional

Hope this helps

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

Music_Freak — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 09:38:54 GMT

I'm 36, so not of “that age” yet but I do find that my pms is just horrible depression more so than mood swings, irritability etc

I'm on the pill and only have periods every 3 months and this has helped.

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

SDW — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 03:04:07 GMT

Hi Can't Move Forward

Your description of mood swings, feelings etc resonate with me too. It is worse when I am premenstrual and during period and then as I come out the other side there seems to be bit more light. My head is full at the moment with thoughts, they don't go away, I work myself into a state. I have only joined the forum this week for that reason, I need to an outlet. I have for years drunk green tea, taken magnesium etc and it works, i am having trouble at the moment with heartbreak.

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 04:19:29 GMT

Hi SDW,

so sorry to hear of your heartbreak. Have you started a thread to reach out to others? You will find many wonderful people here. I too have been drinking green Tea and I take magnesium. Vitamin d and iron are also very important so I'm making an effort to keep them up.

this perimenopause is like constant pmt. I do find having a good walk or physical activity helps also, especially if the weather is good.

Hi Music Feak, thanks for your info too. I'm glad you have found something that brings you some relief.

cmf x

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

Music_Freak — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 06:24:06 GMT

Physical activity is good for so many things. I make sure I at least go outside with my cat for 10 or so minutes every day for vitamin D

Green leafy veg is good for iron, and of course red meat and pork, but I find veg is cheaper.

What's magnesium good for? I used to take evening primose oil tablets in my younger pre-med days and that did wonders. I'm not sure why though

PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter

CMF — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 07:55:52 GMT

Hey Music Freak,

magnesium is good for cramps and relaxing the muscles, which therefore helps with anxiety. I used evening primrose when I was younger too. Vitex agnus chastis is a plant and you can buy in tablet form. People swear by it as it regulates hormones and ovulation. My dr recommends it for people trying to get pregnant. Not sure how it goes with the pill though.

cmf