topic New to Anxiety! in Anxiety

New to Anxiety!

Ready1 — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 11:06:11 GMT

HI, I am a 35 year old male and had what I thought was my first full blown panic attack a week and a half ago. I ended up in the ER and did bloods, Chest X-Ray and ECG and all came back clear. Since leaving the next morning I have felt extremely flat and cant get the fear that I am about to have another out of my mind. My doc prescribed some meds to help me sleep but really hasnt worked - I feel tired in the mornings and a little "hazy" for most of the day.

One thing that I have found weird is that when I am tired since then I get a sort of pins and needles feeling in my face and left arm - of course I tell myself its something more sinister and around it goes again! I can keep active, I still play Aussie Rules footy and have no issues when I am playing. Has anyone else had feelings like this?

While in the hospital the nurse sat with me and we worked out I have probably had this ongoing for some time and it s kind of like it has hit its peak and I am struggling to get right from here.

Any advice from any out there would be most welcome!

Thanks in advance!

New to Anxiety!

Lambo — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 11:38:45 GMT

Hi, You're not alone. I'm a healthy 19 year old female who goes to the gym and lives a healthy lifestyle. I suffer from panic attacks and use to get them almost daily. I am now on medication daily and finally worked up the courage to see someone about it. I am happy I am finally feel like I'm doing something constructive about it as I couldn't get through it on my own. I don't even understand it on my own. I begin on the 9th of July. My episodes as I call them feel like I am shaking as intensely as a fit. Lasting anywhere between a couple of seconds to minutes. Constantly tired and sleep has been broken and filled with nightmares.

New to Anxiety!

Ready1 — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 01:44:29 GMT

Hi all, since my first post things have calmed down slightly. I was feeling the pins and needles type feelings in my face, arms and hands but a good friend of mine also suffers from Anxiety and he gets this all the time and says it is actually quite common. I have found it only seems to come back when I am doing nothing and thinking about it - yesterday for example I was working in the garden all morning - went for a run/walk after and was fine but then this morning when things are less busy they come back. I am seeing my own doctor on Wednesday this week who I am hoping will be able to refer me to someone to talk with - I know all these things are in my head ( in the last week I have convinced myself I have all sorts of health issues) and I just want to know what is triggering this so I can work on fixing it! Im not so much concerned about anything other than my health - for as long as I can remember I have self diagnosed and not once have I been correct, which says something. Even as I type this out I start to feel marginally better.

As I mentioned in my first post anyone out there who has any advice as to how best cope I would love to hear it, at the minute I am not doing it all that well on my own! Got good support but think that it will wear thin - only so much reassurance someone can give!

New to Anxiety!

Struggler — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 05:50:34 GMT

Hi Ready1

Welcome to the forum and I am sorry your post hasn't been answered for ten days! I usually scroll down and reply to posts that are not answered instead of congregating in the popular threads.

I can only talk about my own experience. My anxiety is triggered by many stressors, argument with family, being treated badly at work, short of money etc. These are common stressors in their various degrees depending on the severity. When anxiety takes places, my chest feels very tight as though it contracts and it is scary. My legs feel as though needles keep stabbing them.

Because I can identify the cause I am able to do something about it. I am not working now so no more stressor from there.

Perhaps go back to your GP and ask for referral for a psychologist. He/she will help identify the root of your anxiety. Your GP might prescribe medication if he thinks it is appropriate.

You're right in saying we can't rely on just one person for support as it wears thin. Please post here again and other people will help also.

Struggler

New to Anxiety!

Ready1 — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 06:33:36 GMT

Hi Struggler - thanks for your reply.

I have been referred to a psychologist and have my first appointment next week. I get similar feelings when I get anxiety as you do - a sharp pain in my chest (more so to the left) and then pins and needles feelings in my hands and face. Had been clear of any heart issues from the hospital but doesn't stop the fear factor!

I am working in a job that can be quite stressful and I think can be the trigger but sometimes its not - a lot of my fears come from worry about my health (which is pretty good really). An example was yesterday I was sitting with a customer of mine who has a serious heart condition - I was feeling fine before. While listening to what he was going through, subconsciously I have thought what if that was me - then my chest gets sore, I get the pins and needles and I find it hard to catch my breath - I was lucky not to freak out too much as to have the customer notice, but I found it kind of interesting how my mind brought on these symptoms almost immediately. I am finding that since that first anxiety attack I am somewhat more aware of everything I feel in my body - almost like my senses are more sensitive!

Anyway - thanks again for your reply its really refreshing to read how others are struggling with almost identical thoughts and feelings. I am really looking forward to starting some sort of treatment to work through it!

New to Anxiety!

faeriedust88 — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 08:13:33 GMT

Hi Ready 1, when these things start to happen - I know it sounds simple, but take long deep breaths (this helps to calm the body) and if you have been checked by the docs, and you have the all clear, know that it is a symptom of anxiety that you are feeling and breath deeply to get through it. You sound like you enjoy your fitness, why not try yoga - your body may be holding too much tension from your job and working with lots of people - yoga is great for exercise and releasing tension and helps train your body to let go of tension.

Anyways - sounds like you are on the right path - good luck with your journey!

New to Anxiety!

Ready1 — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 12:56:37 GMT

Thanks for that, I am happy to give anything a go! Doc prescribed something right off the bat which really didn't help and in fact made me feel worse - been a bit better since not taking anything and really want to control all myself if I can. I do like to exercise but at the minute really lacking any motivation at all - when I do get to the gym or when I play footy I feel great after - its just the getting there that's proving difficult.

I am noticing that when I am tired or run down I get worse - drove around 1200kms this week for work and saw about 15 odd customers whilst doing so - was a big week and by the end was starting to get to me. Also plenty of driving alone means loads of thinking - sometimes this is the enemy - cant really zone out as I need to obviously concentrate on the road. Even though I have really only peaked in the past 4 weeks the deeper into it I look there have been signs for years now and I like most guys just push them aside - it feels really good to come here and put it all out there - Thanks to you all for listening!

New to Anxiety!

Struggler — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 14:07:43 GMT

Hi Ready1

You seem more upbeat in your last post and I am glad you feel comfortable posting here.

I can relate to what you said about feeling anxious, depressed and driving. Many years ago during my full blown depression, driving home, I was in deep thought oblivious to my surroundings. I ran through red light during peak hours. Luckily no one was physically hurt but I was badly shaken.

Another time, I had only two hours sleep due to depression and anxiety. The next morning I had to drive from Mt Isa, Queensland back to Adelaide. I felt drowsy and suddenly woke up, on the wrong side of the road. I quickly made a correction. It took me like forever to safely stop on the side of the road. Luckily it was an isolated road and no oncoming traffic at the time. I sat in my car for half an hour before getting back my composure. I didn't fear dying but dreaded ending up a vegetable. Actually death would have been better for me at the time.

So do be conscious about your condition when driving. Maybe listen to soothing music?

Struggler

New to Anxiety!

faeriedust88 — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 20:56:22 GMT

Hey Ready 1,

Yes, driving long distances on ur own can create too much time for u to start thinking and becoming anxious. This happens to me when I work on my own, at first I'm ok, I get all my things done for my shift and then when I have nothing to do it's like my mind starts searching for things to think about and as a result - I become anxious and can't wait to get out of that place for the day!

I just had a thought - maybe you could try a self help recording or download that u could listen to while driving - may be worth a try?

Take care.

New to Anxiety!

Ready1 — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 11:44:38 GMT

That's actually not a ad idea. I am open to anything. Today was a bad day - had some what normally is minor issues at work and have felt tense all day. Tried to run it out at footy training but no real luck - just feeling as though I'm about to explode! This never got o me like this before, I'm not a fan of feeling this way to be honest. I have ad pins and needles feeling in my face and hands all day - woke up this morning to issues at work and just continued the same all day. Add to this had my son in hospital last night (he is fine) but I'm just at the point where things seem to be crowding me and I'm always in demand, quite suffocating.

Anyway I guess we all have good and bad days!

New to Anxiety!

Pax66 — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 10:42:59 GMT

Hi all,

I too am new to anxiety I was only diagnosed around 4 weeks ago, when funny enough I was out with friends and went to a theme park while there I climbed up a flight of stairs to get to the top and frozze not from fear of heights and that's never been an issue but I started sweet and breath very fast and shallow, I couldnt breath and had panicked real bad.

Now every day is a struggle to get up and go to work social life there isn't one im 47 and just really dont care anymore I love my family but really don't think people understand

New to Anxiety!

faeriedust88 — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 08:53:03 GMT

Hi Ready 1,

Yes, you're right - we all have bad days - some have more than others - sometimes bad days don't have to be bad days but the way we react to and handle stress makes them bad days. It is important to look after your nervous system and take some "me" time aswell, time that you allocate weekly to doing something that makes you happy - something that fills up your happiness bucket.

When was the last time that you did something for you - something for you and you only?

I get the impression that you work alot and are often on the road? And then it sounds as if you have a family to look after as well?

When our body is holding onto stress and tension it takes only the smallest things to tip us over the edge and anxiety rises. I think you would benefit from doing progressive muscle relaxation, try to do this daily - you can even do while you are driving long distances - may help you in 2 ways -

1.to keep your mind occupied

2.to train your body to let go of tension and naturally relax itself

if you google inner voyage guided meditation youtube - a great progressive muscle relaxation will come up - I encourage you to try it.

Also, google - inner voyage and holistic human development - they have some great free relaxation resources (you can find them if you scroll down on the left hand side of their webpage)

Do you take any vitamins and minerals?

I hope you are travelling well. Take care. 🙂

New to Anxiety!

faeriedust88 — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 09:02:38 GMT

Hi Pax66,

I really feel for you, what you have described here sounds terrible - I myself would've had a panick attack as well I think - I can't do theme park rides and there is no way in hell I could do something as scary as the giant drop - I definitely think I would have a heart attack first. I hope you are ok.

If you have a good look around on this site - you will notice that there are alot of caring people here who are willing to share their own unique stories and offer advice.

I hope you are well.

🙂

New to Anxiety!

Ready1 — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:18:48 GMT

Hi all, just wanted to update on where I am at at the minute. Had my first therapy session last week, was positive but today I am having trouble. The Psychologist said she will work on my sleep patterns along with what seems to be some health anxiety along with generalised anxiety.

My current state is I cant believe that all that I am feeling is in my head - i am still getting this pins and needles feeling in my left side of my face and have found my left eye and lower lip has been sort of flickering or twitching. The pins and needles are still coming in my left hand and every now and then I get a sharp pain in my left side of my chest - closer to my armpit than my heart. Its like a merry go round - I feel these things and then I fear the worst - my jaw hurts at times and I find that I am biting down so hard on my teeth without even noticing.

Each time I feel these things I think I am having a heart attack or a stroke - now stupid thing is it would be the longest heart attack or stroke ever - i know this but cant believe my mind is bringing this all on!

The psychologist did also say that having had the panic attack only 5 weeks back I would be in a panic state still - she is right I am nervous that another is going to happen and I have zero control over it!

another bad day for me that I am hoping will start to improve!

New to Anxiety!

Ready1 — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 08:57:40 GMT

Hi all - been to the psychologist twice now and not overly happy with my progress but I am also not expecting any miracles - was having a good run until the past few days where everything seems to be back to how it was before. Trying to keep some sort of journal to work out what is triggering these feelings but I cant pin point anything. Last night for no real reason I started to feel a sharp pain in my chest (close to my left armpit really) and my left arm had the pins and needles again - a work mate told me that he puts headphones on and goes for a walk - which seemed to help last night but its not always possible to do this, especially with myself and my wife working full time and two young children - getting time for me is near impossible! As before I am really tired and run down which is always an issue - last night I had convinced myself I was in the early stages of a heart attack when I started feeling these things - of course I wasn't but at the time it is really scary. When this happens I tend to feel alone - no one really to talk to and rarely happens when anyone else is around, walking/running did help but this was more of a way to convince myself I wasn't having a heart attack - which did work some last night - but then I get home and struggle to get to sleep and the pattern goes around again today. Really struggling at the minute - thanks for taking the time to listen.

New to Anxiety!

Ready1 — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 11:21:57 GMT

Having a really bad time at the minute, can't seem to shake the feeling that I am getting all my symptoms are from anxiety and not something more serious! When I keep busy I am ok but at the end of a long day I start to get the pins and needles in my face and left hands and feet - it's consuming me! I am having real trouble sleeping and each night when I do sleep it feels as though I am still awake even though I am not. Sometimes I am feeling like I am going to explode! I am really over it - I haven't been dealing with this for as long as others but I know it's been with me for such a long time I just haven't acknowledged it and now that I know it's there it's all I ever think about - I just want it to stop.

New to Anxiety!

AGrace — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 13:22:46 GMT

Hi ready1,

Sorry to hear that you're struggling. I was just reading some of your earlier posts and I see your going to a Psychologist and you've been trying to meditate and do exercise to ease your symptoms. Anxiety is such a pain but I try to practice making room for it. IIt's kind of like having a conversation with your anxiety. "Ok, so I'm noticing that I'm feeling anxious now. I can feel it in my arm, it feels like pins and needles, it runs from the top of my arm down to my hands, the pins and needles are constant, I can feel them more in the top of my arm..." So the key is to point out the facts without judgement. Quite often we get hooked on the symptoms and start to resist them, even if just in our mind "why do I feel like this, I wish it would go away, why does this keep happening..." Our resistance is a bit like the white elephant, once we hear it we cant think of anything else except the white elephant.

The other thing I practice is mindfulness. I was really skeptical of this at first but now I do it several times a day. Its about being present in the moment without judgement. You can do mindfulness of breath, breathing just deep enough that it requires your concentration, you can even do mindfulness while eating a minty. Focus on the size, colour, shape, texture, put it in your mouth and focus on the taste, the salivation, the feel on your tongue, the need to swallow. The good thing about mindfulness is that it's not about stopping thoughts, just notice them and bring your attention back. You can also do mindfulness for 1min or 30mins, whenever, wherever. Anxiety is a lot to do with worries about the future "what ifs". Mindfulness helps you practice being in the now.

It's worthwhile googling Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and googling Mindfulness. There are plenty of apps and downloads available.

AGrace

New to Anxiety!

faeriedust88 — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 04:46:47 GMT

Hi Grace,

I really enjoy reading the advice that you give. I was wondering what mindfulness sites/apps/books you use?

Thanks again,

🙂

New to Anxiety!

kidcrazy24 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 23:33:04 GMT

Hi, My name is Camrin, I suffer for social anxiety I have suffered from about the age of 15 but, I never really had a lot of friends growing up. But, I have recently had some of the same symptoms that you are describing. Sometimes I get so upset that I act on impulse and say things that I don't mean to say and I only say them because I am upset. My episodes can last from minutes to hours until I am completely calm again but I try very hard to not get to upset cause it makes my eyes become swollen and my train of though goes completely wacko.

New to Anxiety!

AGrace — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:45:22 GMT

Hi fairiedust - I love the name, it always makes me think of me nieces and smile:)

In terms of mindfulness I like listening to Tara Brach - she has a CD which you can download (it's not too expensive). She also does a lot of podcasts with Ted tv.

You can also google Jon Kabat-Zinn - He's a bit of a guru in the mindfulness department. He has books, CDs and also a lot of clips on youtube.

The happiness trap by Russ Harris is a good read. It more so looks at Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, but mindfulness does play a part in this form of therapy.

Smiling mind is an app you can download for Iphones, Ipads etc.and I think the android version of this is buddhify.

I like to have some on my phone only so that I can practice wherever. When you get used to the idea of the practice you can actually do it on your own without a guide.

One of the easiest things I find is to be mindful using the 5 senses. You can do this with your eyes open.

Find 5 things you can see and really pay attention to them (ie their colour, texture, size, shape), find 4 things you can hear, find 3 things you can touch/feel (this could even be wind or sun), find 2 things you can smell (a plant, or flower etc), find 1 thing you can taste (I keep mints in my bag for this).

Hope that's helpful:)