Anxiety that I will become anxious and escalate to panic

[TJTJ]

Hello everyone. I've been suffering with anxiety this year. I have been diagnosed with OCD also. It all started when I got a new job. i have previously been a shift worker but now I'm required to start at 7am. I am obsessed with sleep and whether I will get any. I've had nights where I have been up all night with panic attacks with no sleep whatsoever. I will then go to work. I am now in a position where I am anxious daily. I get anxious that I will have a panic attack. So now I am having panic attacks more regularly. I am very concerned about what this will do to my job. I had some CBT about honestly I didn't benefit from the sessions as they were too far apart and I believe I would need something more intense. Does anyone have strategies on how to stop intense fear of a panic attack? I am getting more unwell and desperate.

[Croix]

Dear TJTJ~
Hi, thanks for posting, I think you are going to find it was a good idea, there are many here with similar problems that are happy to help. I cannot see your other 3 posts so I'll treat this one as if it is the first you made.

Panic attacks are truly horrible, as someone that has had anxiety disorders for many years (now much under control) I know them from personal experience. Having anxiety about attacks is par for the course too - in fact it's one of the symptoms. As you have discovered the anxiety feeds on itself, with one of the major things to stress about is – having panic attacks.

Similarly not getting enough sleep, particularly if your old sleep pattern had been changed by the new job will cause a hassle and an additional source of worry – a closed circle as when anxious about sleep you are not going to get much.

The first thing that is obvious is that whatever medical regime you are on at the moment is not working as you need. Therefor I’d suggest you go back to your GP and say this, setting out everything in detail. If you don’t think you can explain things in an orderly manner write them down at your leisure and then share the paper in the appointment – BTW don’t forget to book a long appointment.

Having your treatment reviewed is normal and to be expected. It may result in a change in therapy, medication or both.

A second thing would be to look at the information on Anxiety, OCD and Panic Attacks via The Facts menu above, it deals with cases, symptoms and treatments.

You asked about strategies: two things here, firstly there is an app to help control breathing during the onset of physical anxiety and stress symptoms, it comes from Reach Out, and although targeted at younger people is just as effective on adults:

http://au.reachout.com/reachout-breathe-app

There are others mentioned in The Facts for relaxation and mindfulness, including for Android.

In addition have a look on this Forum in the Anxiety section for the thread SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING ANXIETY which has a wealth of peoples’ experiences saying what helped them. I’d suggest you also browse the other threads in is section too for people with similar problems.

Anxiety disorders can respond well to correct timely treatment, I would not be discouraged because the first regime was not effective, but work with your doctor to find the right balance.

Please feel more than free to keep posting here, you will always be met with warmth and help.

My best wishes

Croix

[TJTJ]

Thank you so much for that detailed and lovely response. It's reassuring to see others who are going through this. I feel so alone at times.

I have just used that reach out app. I managed to get my heart rate down a little after one 3 minute session.

I have been to my GP (a new one) this week. She would like to change some of my medication and I am seeing a psychologist on Thursday. I am hoping it can help me.

I am so glad I posted on here. I already feel less alone. I hope we can all help each other somehow. What a supportive community.

[Croix]

Dear TJTJ~

Thank you for the thanks - its very much appreciated.

I'm pleased you are feeling less on your own and that the app is a help. Hopefully a new regime will go a long way, in time, to getting everything back on an even keel.

Please keep posting whenever you wish.

My best wishes,

Croix

[Serenity123]

Panic attacks and lack of sleep are awful and the fear of them is even worse. Anxiety is a seething monster, It lived in me for 30 years until I went to a Psychiatrist who prescribed the right medication. For me it was like magic as the worry, anxiety and intense distress melted away and were replaced with a calm and wonderful sense of well being. Then I worked on the CBT and started exercising. Regrettably last year I tried to change my meds after 16 years of calmness. Foolishly I thought a change might get rid of a few annoying side effects. The new meds didn't work and when I tried to go back onto my original meds they made me really sick and I lost 7kg. The doc changed meds again onto another that is not really working. My new meds are currently a work in progress.

The only reason I am telling you my story is to let you know there are solutions and I believe meds play a huge part. When you find the right meds....stay on them forever, don't change and have a good life.

regards

Jenny

[Croix]

Dear Jenny~

Thanks for posting , hearing your take on the matter is great, and I'm sorry you could not wind the clock back. Hopefully the meds situation will come together again for you - after all it did before.

I look forward to seeing you either with the odd post here and there or perhaps even with your own thread. (Having a thread is no big deal).

Many thanks,

Croix

[Serenity123]

Thanks for your understanding and kindness....it is really appreciated.

[BballJ]

Hi TJTJ,

Ahh sleeplessness and anxiety... one thing I know well. I've gone through a patch when I couldn't sleep and when I did, I would wake up at random hours with my heart racing, hot and cold flushes all from anxiety so I do know what you are talking about, mine was relieved after I started seeing a psychologist and got to the roots of my anxiety, you said you have done CBT, which I understand you didn't find useful but was it partly due to the person doing that with you and was/is there an option to have closer sessions to see the full effect?

Just a side note, when I cannot sleep at night, I get up for 5-10 minutes, walk into the kitchen and get a drink of water and stand there and stare aimlessly, I don't go on my phone or anything, I literally stand there and drink my water, it has calmed me down before when I have had a panic attack middle of the night, just a thought on something that worked for me, but I also do it when I toss and turn and stress about having to wake up early, it's like a little switch in your head that resets your brain so when you go back to bed you tend to fall asleep before you know it.

My best for you,

Jay