I'm scared this anxiety is here to stay-that things won't ever get better

[Renew11]

My anxiety has gotten significantly worse over the last month and a half. It's starting to majorly affect my everyday life.

At it's worst, when I'm in the middle of a panic episode, I feel like I'm gonna lose control of myself and end up in a mental institution. I feel like I might have to stop

[Zeal]

Hi Renew,

It's great that you are aware that your anxiety is a problem. Some people try to convince themselves otherwise. I advise making an appointment with your GP to discuss your situation and your symptoms. They may refer you to a psychologist or counsellor if they feel you need extra help.

Mental health units are not like the "institutions" people used to get admitted to. People with mental health problems are taken better care of now, and there is always help. If you don't have a General Practitioner that you've seen regularly before, you could look up a professional using the Beyond blue directory. Look under the first blue toolbar option (Get support), and select "Find a professional".

I hope you are able to seek help for your anxiety.

Best wishes,

SM

[PatT]

Hey Renew,

my best advice - speak to a GP. Panic attacks are rough, I completely empathise. It feels like the world is about to collapse and the walls are crumbling but there are avenues available. A doctor can refer you to a psych and put you on a mental health plan, which guarantees you visits at a small cost.

Just like SM said, mental institutions aren't like the ones you see in movies. I went into one last year for the first time and I was imagining all white walls, people in straight-jackets rolling around and someone roaming the halls telling me he was Jesus. But it was actually pretty nice - staff and patients are pretty good people, generally. Towards the end of my stay (6 weeks) I could say I was actually enjoying myself there. 

But from what you're saying it really sounds like you're having panic attacks and although they might seem like the end of the world, they do pass and they are manageable. Psychologists and psychiatrists can give you strategies to reduce the chance of them happening and turn it around when you feel one coming on. They can talk to you about your problems and help you figure stuff out.

Most of the time panic attacks are brought on by part of our brain not being able to rationalise or process something that seems daunting and it spirals out of control. We make it much bigger than it actually is but at the time we can't get to that conclusion by ourself. When it happens our heart rate increases, we might feel sick, we feel like we're going to snap or lose control of ourselves, we may feel faint or dizzy. These are all physiological responses because our body is telling us that we're in some sudden danger. 

In this situation the only thing we can do is slow down our breathing. The rest of the experience is due to our body telling us something bad is going to happen. If you can try to slow your breathing down next time, it's pretty certain that the severity of your panic attack will be heaps smaller. My advice - slow controlled breaths. Breathe in slowly for 5 seconds, then out for 3 seconds. Repeat the process. It's going to be hard as hell, but I can guarantee it will help.

Book an appointment with your GP as well. Remember, you're never alone in this.

Pat.

[pockets4health]

Hey Renew

Sorry to hear that you've been having a hard time but I think you've taken a step forward by coming on here. 

Panic attacks are awful, I myself have never had one as severe as the ones I think you have but I do have a close friend that experiences them often. The worst thing about anxiety is the feeling you have of no control, you don't know when it's going to come over you and so you spend all your time waiting and dreading it's arrival. I have been in a place where I thought it was never going to change but it absolutely can. Learning and understanding what causes your attacks will make it easier to avoid triggers. I think you already have a fairly good awareness of your own so seeing a psychologist or counsellor to learn strategies is a good way to start helping yourself to break this cycle.

As said above, mental health institutions aren't as bad as they used to be, definitely not like the movies and talking to someone about these attacks you're having doesn't mean you will automatically be sent to one. The breathing techniques mentioned above will help a lot but you can also find music you like, try to visualize your favourite place - anything that will allow you to slow your heart rate so that you can think clearly. 

Please let us know how it goes, I hope that you will be able to get help soon.

V

[Narniakid]

Hi Renew11!

Firstly, are you seeing a specialist or a psychologist? Are you on medication? If not, I strongly suggest you take a trip to your local GP who will pinpoint the root of your anxiety and find a suitable treatment.

Definately practice some breathing exercises - breathe in for 10 seconds, breathe out for 10 seconds, and repeat. It will slow down your heart rate when you feel a panic attack coming on. I also suggest keeping a diary with what happened in the day and how you felt about it, and perhaps a mood chart, that your doctor or psychologist can use to recognise your triggers and find patterned behaviour.

Remember that negative thoughts are just reactions to fear and anxiety thrives on avoidance. Have a read of the resources here on the website, give the hotline a call, and most of all, don't give up! You can get through this!

Crystal

[Patches27]

Hey, I don't have any tips but I can honestly tell you that it will get better. I used to deal with awful anxiety and depression when I was in school to the point where I couldn't even get to school. Every little sound made me feel anxious but once I saw a psychologist I felt better. 

It's a lot of self loving and sometimes you feel it won't get better but honestly it will. 

If you feel anxious it can help to watch something that makes you happy, whenever I'm anxious my partner puts on funny dog videos to help take my mind of it. Maybe give it a go. 

Good luck lovely, I KNOW you can do it xxx