Recent anxiety attack

[Ree85]

4 weeks ago I had my first massive anxiety attack. I have always worried and over thought about things but this particular time really hit me hard.

i was wondering what are some way that everyone copes with anxiety. I'm also looking for ppl who are going through a similar thing to talk to more often

I'm seeing a therapist which I'm due for my second apt this week. Some days are great where others days are just horrible. My husband doesn't understand at all

[Fairywings]

Hi there lovely and welcome. I'm so sorry you had to endure the nature of this monster we all here call anxiety. To help me get thru i talk to my anxieties and ask them to leave and that they r not welcome. I know this may sound a bit odd but it works. As I call it fight this monster in ur head with all ur might. This does take a little practice but once u get the hang of it ur anxieties become weaker over time in which they r no longer controlling ur mind u r controlling ur mind. I would also advise to distract urself with the things ub enjoy doing in life and when you feel it creeping up on u bc that's it's nature start writing all ur feelings out on paper its better than keeping them locked away. I'm glad that you are linked in with a therapist and im sorry ur hubby doesn't understand where ur coming from. If u can get him to sit in on one of ur sessions that way he is exposed to the emotions and feeling that r trapping your mind from moving forward with life. If this isn't an option write him a letter and let him read it absorb the info in his own time and space but I think it would be good for him to go along to one of ur sessions so he can also learn how to support you when ur having a hard time xx it was nice to have spoken with you please do keep in touch with us xx Venessa

[Starwolf]

Hi Ree, welcome to the forums.

Anxiety attacks can be very scary indeed. The fear they cause contributes to reinforcing them so it can become a self-perpetuating, vicious circle. Their irrational aspect makes it difficult for sufferers to understand, even more so for those around us. Feeling isolated and misunderstood adds to the distress.

Well done for taking the proactive approach. The decision to reach out and see a therapist shows your courage and determination to manage this painful situation. This positive attitude will be a precious ally.

Due to ignorance of what anxiety really is, those who witness it feel out of their depth so they often end up being unhelpful, shrugging it off or withdrawing. It doesn't mean they don't care. Information given by professional outsiders often helps resolve this issue. Written info also helps. If you scroll down to the bottom of this page, you will find you can order informative leaflets free of charge (from the Get Support section).

There are techniques to help you over those anxious times. You can for example google Relaxed Breathing and Relaxed Body Scan. Practice of mindfulness is a useful tool...and a good distraction as it focuses the mind elsewhere. Taming the runaway mind is not easy. Calm persistence is the key. In the long run, it is well worth the effort it requires.

Meanwhile, please do not hesitate to keep posting here ...a good therapy in itself. It is a safe haven where you will not be judged or misunderstood. A journey along this path is more pleasant in good company. Good to have you with us.

[BballJ]

Hi Ree85,

Welcome to the forums.

I can relate heavily with you as i suffer from anxiety and find not many of the people close to me understand how bad it actually is and do shrug it off and don't fully get it. I have had the anxiety attacks before, been in hospital on my first one as i had no idea what it was and i was young. After 10 years of shrugging of anxiety, putting it into the back of my mind and trying to ignore it, after 10 years it finally fully got me and i had to do something about it, i wasnt sleeping, eating, i had no desire to work, among other things but i am finally getting help and started to see a psychologist who is already giving me great tools and talking through things which is helping. The GP put me on medication, which i started taking but went off them recently but i did notice they were helping.

Anxiety is nasty but talking about it really helps, especially in these forums with people like myself who really do understand what you're going through so please post back as many times as you wish, we are all here to help.

My best for you.

Jay

[Moonstruck]

Good morning all....I am not making much sense at the moment.....excuse any typos...I can feel a mini panic attack coming on.../can you have mini ones? Guess I mean I feel really stressed, about to get on a plane and visit family that I love....but always hoping hoping weekend plans go well, everyone is happy, all goes smoothly etc. why can't I just let it be???

A former partner of mine is picking me up for the Airport lift....he rang out of the blue and offered, so that's good. Someone has to take me after all. But I am so nervous about what to say to him, talk about, I didn't get to say, explain, all I wanted to..this is my only chance! I have something so important to clarify with him. It's been bugging me for the past few months. I am so scared of seeing him again. he used to practically worship me and I have broken his heart!

I don't want to get on a plane in tears, or feel sad all weekend with my family.....how can I get on top of this mini attack? Please help!

[BballJ]

Hi Moonstruck,

Sorry for the delay in replying to you, i just got on the forums now.

I also tend to get mini panic attacks about various things and the only way i can calm myself down is deep breathing and concentrating on that, and that only. In regards to your issue i think you need to look at this from a positive point of view, you said you broke this persons heart who is picking you up, which is apart of life unfortunately however i think the positive to look at here is the fact this person called you out of the blue and offered to pick you up as a kind gesture, we all have been faced with seeing someone from our past and always think what will we say to them, the easiest thing i can suggest is let it flow, i'm not sure how long its been since you have seen this person, but i'd talk about general stuff, pretend its a friend you haven't caught up with in a while and you just talk about what has been happening in your life, which you will probably find will lead you too this important thing you wish to clarify with them. Think of this as your chance to explain everything you feel you need to explain, not many people get this opportunity in their life and end up holding it inside so this again is a positive thing. I know it's always easier said than done but one thing my anxiety has taught me, it is to face things head on.

In the meantime, try and stay positive and think happy thoughts, think about the great weekend you will have with your family and how much fun you will have seeing everybody.

My best for you.

Jay

[Jamielee88]

Im in the same boat as you ree i know how u feel some days r better than others. Ide like to be talk buddies if u want as i dont have anyone really to talk to about it. Fairywings is good to talk to

[Cornstarch]

Hi Ree85 - Sorry to hear about your anxiety.

Anxiety is the absolute pits isn't it. I have been on the anxiety trajectory my entire life. To me anxiety feels like a schoolyard bully that circles the perimeter of the playground, never letting me know when they will pounce, but they always do. Just like rocking up to school where you know a bully resides and you never know what sort of a day you'll have - anxiety is the same. You'll never know what sort of a day you'll have.

I was such an ignorant fool. My panic attacks got up and left one day and here I was thinking it was a result of all of my "inner work". Good on me. I deserve a medal or something for "over-coming" them. That went on for a few years and I was of course relieved.

But guess what mate they are back. I know why they are back because I have now reached root causes but that certainly does not make them any easier to live with. I won't bore you with the tedious narrative.

I'm always astounded by how many women and young girls forget the power of hormones. Mine are always always always always always worse around certain times of the month. I also have 3 days a month where as a result of my un-balanced hormones I sleep at Taronga Zoo where I belong. I climb the fence, no-one's the wiser, it's quite snug really.

Everyone feels like a freak with anxiety. That's what anxiety is. The arousal doesn't match the context.

Good luck.

[Inner_strength]

Hi Ree85 ,

I'm feeling exactly the same as you at the moment , I've struggle with anxiety for half my life , I'll be fine for a while even years sometimes but then it rears its ugly head and BAM I feel like it all starts over again . I would love people to talk to who are going through the same thing

[Cornstarch]

What type of anxiety comes back? GAD or Panic or another type?

Just when we get proud and relived it's over the bully comes around the wall at the school canteen doesn't he/she