Horrible anxiety in the morning

[Montanna_1997]

My anxiety is ruining my work life and social life. I’m constantly having panic attacks in the morning before work. I try my absolute hardest to make things seem less anxious but it’s not working. I had a moment this morning where I got to work but had a break down and was sent home. Now I’m left feeling lazy and silly. I want to get my life back because of course I cannot keep avoiding going to work because I NEED money to pay things. I have had a job since I was 14 and always been completely fine with going... I would have my bad days but be able to handle them. Has anyone been through this before or experienced this feeling? If so, how did you cope with it?

[M99]

Hi Montanna,

I'm sorry to hear of your frequent panic attacks. This sounds pretty serious, have you considered seeking professional help from mental health experts or counsellors? Sounds like you have been preserving quite well in terms of upholding your responsibilities at work, however it seems like the panic attacks are increasingly becoming more frequent and affecting your work and social life.

Does something in particular trigger your panic attacks or feelings of anxiousness? I have had a similar experience where I was constantly anxious and on edge, when exposed to the trigger or after having accumulated enough distress I would go into a panic attacks where physiologically I felt like I couldn't breathe. I understand that mental health issues such as anxiety and panic attacks can really transpire through physiological responses and be of an immediate threat to your life.

For me what I found helpful in reducing my panic attacks was addressing the underlying anxiety and distressed notions that often drove them. During such times, it is also important you seek out social and emotional support. I understand do to your panic attacks this has hindered your social life. May I ask in what way it is affecting you?

Cheers

[InhaleExhale]

Dear Montanna 1997,

You are not lazy or silly.

You are going through a rough time; you are struggling with panic attacks which are terrifying and exhausting.

It sounds like you’ve been experiencing this for a while previous but the symptoms are worse now than before. Is this right? So many people have been through and live with anxiety, you’re not alone. Is there anything you have done previously that has helped you to cope? I can suggest a few things but it might be better to know what you have already tried.

I’m sorry you are going through this.

InhaleExhale.

[Montanna_1997]

I have been seeking help for a little while but unfortunately feel as if I’m not coping still 😞

I haven’t figured out what my trigger is yet either. It’s like I constantly worry about going to work, being away from my home. I just feel very uncomfortable and scared to always be in work. It really isn’t working out because I obviously need to earn money 😞 it’s honestly like I woke up one day and just couldn’t take working anymore. It was so weird. I have always been able to cope fine... we all get those feelings of not going to work sometimes but mine all of a sudden became like a snowball and every day it’s just getting worse. Picking up more and more anxiety each day I have to go in.

i just really want to be able to cope with going to work and stop thinking about it when I get home. I have all these ideas of how to make my anxiety better but to do it is another thing for me 😞 I can’t seem to do it anymore. My panic attacks feel super heavy on my chest, heart pounding, sweating, dark thoughts. 😞

thank you so much for your reply!

[Montanna_1997]

Yes the symptoms are definitely worse now that ever before 😞 I actually haven’t figured out anything to help me cope to be honest! I’m definitely willing to try anything you can suggest!

thank you so much for your reply

[SarahZ]

Hello Montanna1997,

Thanks so much for reaching out. I'm really sorry to hear that you have been experiencing frequent panic attacks. You definitely are not lazy or silly and you should never feel like you are - panic attacks are very exhausting and difficult to deal with. You are exceptionally strong having held it out for so long.

I find this article linked below quite helpful in terms of managing anxiety, specifically point number 8: "Get to know you anxiety" might be beneficial as you try and pin point where your anxiety is potentially stemming from. Would you say you enjoy your current occupation/ work environment?

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/treatments-for-anxiety/anxiety-management-strategies

Your panic attacks do, however, sound quite serious, so I would really recommend seeking some professional support. You can get in touch with one of the health professionals here who are super friendly and can offer some great advice, support, and even directions for getting a referral.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support

Please keep us updated if you feel up to it.

Wishing you all the best and sending you positive thoughts!

[M99]

Hi Montanna,

Glad to hear you're back! I see, coping is always difficult but I'm glad you have taken the step forwards through seeking help. I hope you are able to continue that support of help as during difficult types further aid can be so beneficial. However, I see you are still struggling and thats okay. I want to assure you that you are not alone in this and there are people who are able to help and support you through this.

I see, sometimes identifying a particular source of trigger isn't easy because at times there is no particular cause rather it's a collective of concerns relating to various things. I see one of your primary concerns is related to work and some of the stress associated with it. How is your work environment and do you enjoy what you are doing?

Thats okay Montanna, I can understand how some days you feel fine and then the next all of your suppressed emotions and anxieties can just snowball into one overwhelming ball. This can be stressful and extremely overwhelming. Perhaps it is not the snowball we have to look at but the small snow flakes that accumulate to make it such a big stressor. Apart from work, what other aspects seem to make you feel stressed and anxious?

I think some helpful methods to cope is:

1. Relaxation breathing: taking 3 deep inhales and exhales when you feel your emotions and anxiety are almost at it's climax can offset the peak. Through relaxing your breathing, you can relax your muscles, tension and blood flow.

2. Expressing your emotions: writing down or talking to your friend about your concerns or emotions can help alleviate some of the stress and reduce accumulation of anxiety.

3. Hobbies: participating in physical exercise or other enjoyable activities can help you use your anxious and stress energy through allowing a physical outlet.

[InhaleExhale]

Hi Montanna 1997,

I can definitely recommend the tips suggested by M99. A few others might be:

- Try a meditation app; smiling mind or calm
- Tell others how you are feeling. Friends and family that you trust.
- Find and visit professionals that you trust regularly. GP, psychologist, counsellor etc.
- Get creative! Paint, knit, read or cook.
- Yoga or pilates

Does any of this sound appealing? I’d love to know if you have tried anything in the past 24hrs and how you have been. How do you find your job?

InhaleExhale.

[florenciomix]

Anxiety destroys man. I also went through anxiety and understood that something worse than anxiety could not exist. Panic attacks are also an element of anxiety.