Anxiety/panic attacks uncontrollable

[bookworm-intovert-willowtree-ivy-animallover]

I have regularly been having panic attacks and my anxiety has really been rising and I don’t know why. I would like to know if anyone has a way to decrease the anxiety, I have tried stress fidgets but they don’t help at all. I also dance which can help a bit but not if I am in the middle of a panic attack. Has anyone got any strategies I could use?  

[Croix]

Dear bookworm-intovert-willowtree-ivy-animallover~

Well your name is unique:) however having panic attacks is not. They are truly horrible. The first time I had one I felt I was having a heart-attack, and lived in constant fear of them recurring, which they did. I did not know why they ocurred or why my anxiety went up and down as it did either.

My doctor told me these attacks are a symptom of anxiety and that was what needed treating. I'm glad to say the  attacks have gone and my anxiety is managble now

Whilst having an attack there are various things you can do, from breathing exercises to mindfulness with  one of the main comforts is being aware it is in fact a panic attack and you have been there before

There of course various treatment for anxiety and I'd strongly suggest you see your doctor in an extended consultation and say what has been happening, then see how you go from there.

Beyond Blue has a fair amout of information on anxiety

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety

Added to which htere is a very long thread pack full of information on what people have found helps

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/self-help-tips-for-managing-anxiety/m-p/50482

If you skim though this you may find much to help.

Croix

[HisOwn]

Hello Bookworm..I use to get regular panic attacks and what has worked for me is medication but also not trying to control the panic attacks - which sounds odd but it is apparently a technique that psychologists use.

It makes sense I guess because if we fear having panic attacks then this would obviously just add fuel to the fire. So in a nutshell what I use to do was deliberately not avoid places that I knew might trigger anxiety attacks- for me it is doctor's surgeries and public places. When I did this I did actually have a few panic attacks but I literally just deep breathed my way through them..rolled with the punches so to speak. 

I absolutely hated doing this at first but I persisted and slowly the panic attacks were less and less. 

I am also doing some CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) with a pyschologist to retrain my thoughts about life. 

I believe the medication does help too but it has definitely been a combination of all 3 things.

Hope this helps 🙏