Anxiety-

[OKRADLAK]

God, it is so bad that I was pacing in my kitchen.

I can't get it down.

What are some techniques any one has found to be helpful in the immediate short term?

I am trying to breathe and have music on.

The light of day is now just starting to show. So it is like,

"Come on, you can make it through the night.......I made it!!! and now it is like OH NO I have to make it through the entire day!" An entire day??

Now to get through the day and then try to get through another night. When really I can't face the next 15 minutes. I know, "It passes."

But it does not pass. I am fixed onto this like I am glued.

What a way to live. :(

Open to suggestions for getting through this day and reducing anxiety.

 

[anni]

Everyone is different, so what is helpful for one might not be for another, I know. I kind of have this at the moment-awful, isn't it? I'm looking forward to being able to go for a run today, for one thing, before we have to go face what's causing my own anxiety. I think for me it's not just the exertion but the rhythym and control which is helpful, plus tend to meditate when running so it's kind of condensed therapy.

I don't know if you're a reader? Over years of dealing with this cr*p I've just sort of accidently discovered that there are any number of books I like and will re-read as an escape. Perhaps it's the distraction, or going somewhere else in my head, I'm not sure but it frequently works. The books I choose are always pretty frivolous too, or else something I'm really interested in ( history geek ) so there's no suspense or horror content. It's always something I've read before, too, because it's like visiting somewhere familiar as silly as that sounds.

Please excuse if this wasn't at all helpful, but thought I'd at least offer what is helpful for me. Gosh I hope something 'works' for you today. It's just awful not being able to do anything with all that adrenaline rampaging around the system, I know.

Do take care of yourself, and wishing you peace,

Anni

 

[Tinyflame]

Hi OKRADLAK, not sure if this is helpful either, but continue to breathe, perhaps warm bath, a walk, sleep, to break (everything) down into small parts.
What anni said about 'expecting' this is sometimes inevitable helped me.
If you believe in anything (a Higher Power) to know they're there with you, thru it, but also regardless of beliefs to know that so are we here and pulling for you.
Even talk or write out your fear(s), post here.

((((OKRADLAK))))

 

[OKRADLAK]

Thank you guys.

Anni, I did love to run but my anxiety caused me to do it too much and I got neuropathy. VERY painful. So yes that was a balm sent from Heaven.If I could do that, it would help. I can't read much because of the anxiety, either.

I tried to swim but the people and chlorine, I got all messed up and came home worse frazzled.

June.......I used to believe, but not too much now. I do try but it's been a long time with the Great Silence In The Sky when I needed help so much. But I am not giving up.......

But I will try something. I appreciate the suggestions and WILL try something because I don't want to be a big Negative dot over here.

It is good to have some accountability and I will be accountable to you guys because you were kind enough to offer help!

I will check in tonight and let you know what I tried.....:)

 

[Tinyflame]

Best wishes OKRADLAK, I know you can do it! :tup:

P.S You are never a negative dot but sound like a sweet person, to me.

I'm sending flowers.. :inlove:
((((OKRADLAK))))

 

[AngelaMarie]

Moment by moment. Try not to focus on the whole day. Focus on one task at a time. Try to focus on things around you that are positive. Try to tell yourself that you have control and that it will pass. Sometimes a whole day is too much for me to deal with, so I decide to take it little by little. Breath, and love yourself, assure yourself.:)

 

[Adrienne12]

I know this all too well. There was a time when I couldn't make it through the day. It is the most frightening experience anyone can go through. What I do know is that it is not permanent. I promise you that. When the panic attacks were bad...I took each day minute by minute. I kept busy with chores and exercise in between attacks. And when they would wake me up in the night..I would pace and pray to God for it just to stop.

I am learning how to deal with them a little better each day. I tell myself I am not dying. I don't think about the future or worry about the things I have to do. I do them when I can and I try to stay focused on that minute. Fear is what feeds the panic attacks.

I am praying for you. I know you must feel alone. I knew other people had panic but I thought..their's cannot be as bad as mine or they would not be here. But then I realized that they just got sick of living like that. My heart goes out to you. Keep writing and coming back here. We are here for you.

 

[KP the nut]

((((OKRADLAK))))

I sit in a chair and concentrate on how my body is connected to the chair, how my feet are pressing on the floor, where my legs and back are resting. Then I breathe, slowly, slow the breathing down. In for four hold for 2 then out for four, I repeat it about 12 times. I also use a mantra, it changes depending on the situation but usually along the lines of 'it is OK, I am safe, I am here in my room'.

Also I will put some essential lemon oil on a tissue and breathe that.

Wishing you peace
Linking arms
Love
KP

 

[angel2write]

I'm currently in an anxiety state, too. This morning I tried hugging my children, going for a walk, talking with my husband, and now I'm on the forum looking for help. So far nothing has really gotten the anxiety to go down (I still feel like some kind of wild animal is trying to claw it's way out of my chest) but on the plus side, it's now noon and I'm still here.

I also like to read low-suspense books, knit and watch old TV shows on my computer, and eat or drink something sweet or cold, or something like hot tea that I find calming.

But really, I haven't found any solution for getting rid of the anxiety except identifying whatever it was that triggered the attack. Sometimes it will take me a couple of days, but if I can figure out what set it off, sometimes I can resolve it. There is no way out of this without walking right straight through it, one step at a time.

 

[freakofnurture]

I have tried to consciously relax, mentally going through all the muscle groups in my body (Jacobsen can be helpful here, too: tense all muscles for some seconds - as hard as feels comfortable - then let go; repeat) and telling myself that it's okay; there's no immediate danger; I can fight for myself if I must; I am allowed to feel okay; I can tense up again when it's necessary etc. It helps at least for a while.

Caring for yourself like you would for a frightened child might also be helpful. Put your arms around yourself, stroke your head and back, say calming things, give yourself something delicious to eat, look at some beautiful pictures etc.

 

[OKRADLAK]

These are all great suggestions that I am taking note of! As for today, I did what I said so I could come back and tell you guys!

I went to a kid in the family that has wanted me to play chess for a long time. I do not know, or did not know until today. He was SOOOOO happy that I wanted to play that he hugged me!

He beat me, that's for sure, but I caught on which I thought impossible. My head was POUNDING as he was explaining it and I was panicking to find a way out until I realized there was no where to go to get around the anxiety. It is true, you have to go through it, especially now that I can't run it off .Running it off was so great but unsustainable.

So I am just letting you friends know that I hunkered down and made myself accountable because I was not getting out of it alone.

Each new day is like a scary new thing, but I hope that I can learn ways and share ways so that one day all of us will be in better place. As corny as that sounds, man, wouldn't it be great?? :)

 

[Adrienne12]

A cure would be great. :). It's what we are all waiting for. The more you force yourself to do and get through...the stronger you become. Playing chess through it was an accomplishment. Made me smile for you.