Really struggling with anxiety

[Lauren32]

Hi everyone

i am a 27 year old female and I am really struggling with anxiety lately! I have missed a lot of work and have instances where I've been in work and I just got up and left without telling anyone cause I felt like I was dying. I have ended up in the doctors and emergency room a number of times thinking I was dying. It's the physical symptoms that are so severe I struggle to believe it's just anxiety!. My heart feels like it's coming out of my chest I get breathless and feel like I'm not getting enough oxygen to my brain! The worst is feeling like I'm going insane like I literally feel like I'm losing my mind. How can I feel better??? I'm on and off medication but I struggle with the side effects! I think for the first few weeks it makes my anxiety worse! Does anyone have any coping mechanisms? Willing to try anything thank you in advance

[startingnew]

THOUGHT CHALLANGING

1. Pick the thought
2. Reality Test it
so ask questions such as 'my evidence FOR and AGAINST this thought' 'am i jumping to negative conclusions?' 'are my thoughts true in all cases all the time?'

3. Looks for alternative explanations
'are ther any other ways i could look at this situation?" 'what are the positives of this thought?'

4. Putting it into Perspective
'whats the best thing that can happen?'whats good about this situation?' will this mattter in a few years?'
5. Use Goal Directed Thinking
'is this thought helping me achieve my goals?' what can i do that will help solve this problem?' 'is there somethign i can learn from this situation to help me?'

[startingnew]

i have a heap of other coping strategies too

type in the BB search bar 'COPING STRATEGIES' its started by me and theres a few pages there with a heap of coping strategies

[Mirka]

I can totally relate! I quit my job is a state of anxiety last year. The physical symptoms are really unnerving – I get sweaty, shortness of breath, tightening of the chest/throat, increased heartbeat etc. Once when I was in the midst of one of these anxiety attacks, my friend told me about a strategy to try that did actually help. Identify and describe 10 things around you - out loud or in your head. Like literally look at a wattle bottle and describe it's shape, the colour of the label, how full is it etc. Do that with 10 things around you – and you will find that after you've finished, your anxiety has probably subsided a little. I hope this helps!