topic Overwhelming Anxitey in Anxiety

Overwhelming Anxitey

Country_chick — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:20:45 GMT

Hello all,

I have been having several anxiety attacks for the last few months after a rough year it’s all caught up with me.

I get sever chest pains, sometimes arm tingling and head pain this all builds up quickly and tends to die down quickly but I feel as if I’m dying during the instance. I have been to the ER in the past and all tests have come back fine. These things happen when I’m on my own most scary when I have been driving now I have huge anxiety around driving 🤦🏻‍♀️

I am just wondering is it normal for the pain to be dull and hang around post anxitey attack and feel so tierd afterwards. How do I deal with these pains? Why do they scare me so much?

Overwhelming Anxitey

Not_Batman — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 12:36:53 GMT

Hi country chick. Welcome. Post number 1 can be hard, but it is is awsome that you have had the courage to reach out.

ah anxiety, the fickle mistress. First, the chest pains with anxiety are completely normal. I have chest pains the majority of the time, its just a dull sensation, but gets worse if im stressed. The tiredness i used to get all the time post panic attack. If i had a panic attack i felt like i could sleep for a week. So again, completely normal feeling post attack.

when you have these pains, what other sensations do you get in your mind and body?

It sounds as though you are being triggered in these instances. tell me, have you had any bad experiences while you’ve been alone or while driving?

the way i have helped myself get past what i consider the worst of it is to seek medical assistance. This led to me being put on anti depressants, but most of all having some therapy with a psychologist, which taught me breathing, mindfulness, acceptance, cognition. I wont lie, it took quite a while, to learn and apply. But now i have the tools to cope.

Have you tried any of the above?

Not_Batman

Overwhelming Anxitey

Country_chick — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 22:13:29 GMT

Nothing has ever happened while driving I think it’s just the time when I stop and my thoughts can get out of control. During a panic attack I think I’m dying I have gotten a lot better at bringing my thoughts back to I am ok, this will pass.
I have seeked support from my gp but thinking I will push for further support.

I try breathing, meditation and yoga which I think have helped it’s just when I have a panic attack it takes time to get back on track

Overwhelming Anxitey

Not_Batman — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 23:17:36 GMT

Hi country chick.

Nice to har back from you. is there anything else going on in life that has you feeling less than superb?

If you feel you need some additional support, by all means ask your doctor for a mental health plan and referral to a specialist (psychiatrist/psychologist). Unfortunately its not always possible if finances are tight, but there are some other services.

what sort of mental health support is available near you?

you can always call places like lifeline on 131114. I have in the past. Im not ashamed at all, and nor should anyone. Lifeline also has a live chat that you can use.

the BB forums can help immensely too by giving support and reading how others have gone through similar things. The response is not always instant though, so you may nee to be patient.

When you have a panic attack, your mind goes into a kind of autopilot. There are strategies that you can learn to take back control. This will allow you to focus on your breathing, help to slow your heat rate,

I remember every one of my panic attacks. The last Bad one i had I couldn't solve a problem, which put me into panic mode. I knew what was coming, so I excused myself briefly, sat in the car and cried. Then forced myself to take control and, closed my eyes, and just focused on my breathing. Then when i was a little calmer, i reassured myself that i was ok.

Not_Batman