Flared up anxiety

Marie547 · ‎19-12-2016

I have suffered with anxiety for a very long time. This year it has gotten to the point where I can have up to 3 panic attacks a day and at work I have to hide myself away in the bathroom to regain some composure.

It is such an awful feeling, I get to the point where I barely eat and my head feels fuzzy all the time. If it's not one thing I am worried about its another and I fear I keep putting myself in those situations that set me off so I try to avoids them. Which basically means I avoide living the life I want.

Tonight I have put myself into another panic and I have been like it all night. I'm not sure how to make it stop. I guess I am using this forum as another way to distract myself. I feel very scared of everything going on around me and I'm not really sure who I have to turn to.

I am new to this, and I don't often speak about my anxiety to anyone, rather keeping it to myself. But it has gotten to the point where I am not sure if I can handle it on my own anymore. just wondering if anyone has any advice or coping strategies that may help? I have tried many things, from exercise to mindfulness but at times like tonight they don't seem to relive any of the anxiety.

Shell76 · ‎19-12-2016

Hi Maree.

I dont have much in the way of tips. I will leave that up to tge experianced, kind and thoughful members

But i will say that you are in my thoughts and breathe lovely.

Shell xx

BballJ · ‎19-12-2016

Hi Marie547,

Firstly, welcome to the forums. You have come to the right place for support on this issue as many of us suffer from the same thing - I have suffered from anxiety for 10 years and it raised its ugly head this year and I was having mini panic attacks at no certain time for really no certain reason but I just get overwhelmed and had to leave wherever I was at. My first question for you is have you been to your GP to discuss your anxiety? or been to a psychologist - coping and living with anxiety requires you to fully understand your triggers and why they are triggers - I understand speaking about it, is hard and trust me I was the same and these forums and the many kind members helped me when I needed it the most. Talking helps alot with anxiety so hopefully you can keep expressing yourself and getting it out there. I use distractions when my anxiety is high - distractions are not a bad thing, using these forums is a great distraction also. One of my distractions is music, i listen to certain music genres and it helps calm me down. Mindfullness is another one which you said you use and a few members on here swear by - do you not find it useful?

Do you also have a support network, someone you can speak to (Friend, family) this always helps especially mid-panic attack - if you can call someone and just talk? Alternatively if you don't, there is the Beyond Blue helpline on 1300 22 4636 and they are there just to listen and give general advice where possible. I speak to my best mate when I'm feeling high anxiety, i don't even tell him but I call him just to chat and it takes my mind of it.

My best for you,

Jay

Marie547 · ‎20-12-2016

Hello Jay, thank you for your reply. I was very hesitant to use the forums at first but I am glad I have.

I have been to my GP and seen a counsellor to help work through the anxiety when it flared up middle of this year. But unfortunately it has come back again and I have never experienced a panic attack as bad the the one tonight. Normally mindfulness does help me a little although i haven't practiced it as much as I should, but tonight my usual coping mechanisms have failed me.

unfortunately I don't really have a big support network, i normally keep it to myself as I am worried I will just push people away. Many of my friends I have eventually lost touch with or talk to very infrequently.

BballJ · ‎20-12-2016

Hi Marie547,

I'm glad to hear you have seen a counsellor, maybe you need to look into seeing him/her again to discuss the flare up and why you usual coping mechanisms haven't worked, You don't need to go into detail but was what triggered this panic attack a new thing that you have never dealt with before or was it just a pile up of stuff?

I understand your worried about pushing people away but at the same time I am sure the people who care for you would love to know you are ok. Is there anyone you can perhaps try to chat to, or is it out of the question?

My best,

Jay

MsPurple · ‎21-12-2016

HI Marie

Unfortunately anxiety disorders can be like the beach. Sometimes the water is smooth, sometimes a few waves and others it can be really rough and hard to swim in. It is easier to swim in the smooth surf but in the rough surf it can make you feel like you are going to drown. The tools doctors, counselling and possibly medication (note only if the dr thinks it is appropriate, many don't need them) can help you handle the surf better even in the rough days. Now remember you will still experience rough surf, but with the tools and help it is kinda like they throw you a surf board so you feel as if you can handle the surf better and you don't feel like you are drowning. Unfortunately when they throw you the surf board they miss a few times. It can take a while to find the appropriate tools and strategies that work for you. This is normal and yes very frustrating.

It took me a while to find a psychiatrist I clicked with and felt comfortable with. For my GAD I was recommended medication (remember this is what I needed I'm not saying this is for you as only a Dr can decide this). I had been on the same one on and off again for a few years, but I never felt like it was working that well. My first psych kept at it for ages, then when I moved I had to find a new psych. She listened to me and changed it along with my counselling strategy and I have found it to be a lot more helpful. I still have bad days where anxiety and depression try to drown me, but the bad days are a lot more manageable then they used to be.

I recently moved to a new state and I am still trying to make friends up here. I a high school friend up here which is helpful (i finished school 6 years ago.. Since then I have moved from VIC to NSW for uni and now QLD). I started to make friends at the gym I recently joined. I joined the gym to help with my anxiety as well because sometimes sweating it out helps me. It also releases endorphins which help with depression too.

I hope this helps. We are all here to support each other 🙂 Welcome to the community. Also I do have dyslexia so sorry for the possible typos

Traveller73 · ‎27-12-2016

Keep going with the mindfulness. Distract yourself. A good book is 'The Happiness Trap'. With this book I learnt to just let the bad thoughts pass, give them less attention. I have had bad physical symptom anxiety (high heart rate, headaches and light headedness. It helps when I have an episode to think Its just anxiety and it will pass. And-it does. Most anxiety comes and goes, so you just have to distract yourself. Take up Tai Chi or Yoga or similar. Build up your 'relaxation bank'. From books I have read alot of anxiety comes from being stressed and everyone needs some rest and recreation time-Everyday. Lastly, talk to your friends, a sympathetic ear. Talking about it helps. I have rung Beyondblue helpline and they have given tips over the phone. Good luck. Keep attempting the mindfulness. It does work. Also your mind might wander back to bad thoughts, but its like retraining/refocussing your brain. Keep at it.

kanga_brumby · ‎27-12-2016

Marie547 during panic attacks that I have. I try meditation. Just try to clear my mind and try not to stress out over what has brought it on. It does work for me. Not easy but it does take practice. If it still stresses you out try your support network or your GP or mental health worker.

Sending good vibes Kanga.

Marie547 · ‎28-12-2016

Hello Jay,

It was a combination of both. I did something I have never done before and was a massive decision on my own. There was also a build up of things over the past month. I didn't realise how much everything was weighing me down until after the panic attack.

Unfortunately when I try to brings things up I normally get brushed off or made to feel like I am just being silly, a lot of the time that is probably the case. There is a close friend I can talk to, currently she is away on holidays which makes things hard but I trust her enough to understand.

Marie.

BballJ · ‎28-12-2016

Hi Marie,

It is always hard explaining this stuff to people as most don't understand, I guess it's why we have these forums and psychologists and doctors as they understand.

This big decision you made should be celebrated at the same time, with these mental conditions making a big decision is sometimes a major step to recovery, so maybe you need to try and see the positive in making this decision rather than viewing it as a negative, I know that is hard to do but again it's simply trying it each day.

My best,

Jay