Terrified

[deer_in_headlights]

Terrified. Adrenaline levels are very high.
I'm in difficulty.

I'm also amazed that adrenaline can keep pouring into the system for long durations. It should only last for a brief time, then the body is supposed to go back into a healthy homeostasis. To have adrenaline kicked up into high levels for days is incredibly wearing and draining...

Several emergencies hitting at once, cascading into nearly more than I can handle.
I used to specialize in emergency response, help and resolution... Now I struggle with the remnants of that earlier skill, and paralysis.

My trauma therapists are away right now, so I need to remember my training, otherwise will continue to slide rapidly down the cliff face, and I must not allow that to happen.

In a crisis, it can be difficult to remember even the basics for retaining a sense of balance, keeping responsive - rather than reactive, taking care of and nurturing myself in the midst of chaos and urgency, finding healing Peace.

Please feel free to join this thread with reminders of anxiety reducers that you personally find helpful for easing and dealing with fear, anxiety and panic attacks...

Helps:
1. Breathe

 

[Nighthawk]

Extended panic attacks are something I have almost grown to live with. At the moment there is no way out of them but to come down. Once I hit the ground it becomes a question to were I have been. Sorry I am more than likely not helping.
Things I have tried.
1. Breathe
2. Breathe deeper
3. Ice
4. Talking to people on the forum

I am here deer_in_headlights if you need or want to talk, pm me. I know were you are if I can try to help you I would like to.

NH

 

[intothelight]

Hi Deer,

Extended panic attacks are horrible, and I understand when you say they can last for days, as I have experienced the same thing.

One thing that helped was swimming or bicycling (spin bike in the winter). The aerobic activity burned the adrenaline and helped me to feel better for several hours. Now I use daily exercise as a preventative measure.

NH also had really good advice. Sometimes just "talking" to someone can help diffuse the worst of the anxiety.

Wishing you peace.

(((hugs))
Debbie

 

[AdamAnt]

Don't forget to eat DIH, plenty of water and vitamins if you have 'em...stress will drain you of nutrients that your body needs to get through this...has a bit to do with how we feel emotionally too!

 

[Jestadud]

I have a great tape (or download, or maybe mp3 or whatever they call it nowadays) that teaches you how to check for tension in muscles that most of us don't even know exist, once you learn of it's existence it teaches you how to relax them.

Can you find something like this?

 

[deer_in_headlights]

You are all so wonderful! Thank you!!!

Sending love, appreciation, hugs to you all! ((((((((Nighthawlk)))))))))), (((((((((((Debbie))))))))))), ((((((((((((((AdamAnt))))))))))),
(((((((((((Jestasweetheart)))))))))))!

Your advice and being with me is doing good things for my spirit.

Thank you, Nighthawlk for your gracious reply and invitation to pm you. I will happily do so. I'm slow (on a mobile and still in emergency mode). Anticipate the next few days to be rough, so coming online when I can to pm you and see everyone here will be powerful and steadying. Just please don't be stressed, I don't wish to be a drain, only good in your life.

Debbie, thank you. My fried brain forgot that exercise is very helpful for this. (It amazes me how adrenaline shifts us out of human cognitive brain and into primitive trying to survive states). Thank you for your encouragement to talk here. My natural tendency is to isolate (and then really spiral downward). Knowing that there are good people here who know and understand what this feels like helps at a deep level I can't express. I'm putting your ideas into practice (and writing all these ideas down so I can remember and practice them when offline).

AdamAnt: thank you!!!!! You reminded me of what my therapist wants me to remember when I'm in difficult states. As soon as I read your post, I immediately got some water (I don't remember having any, I was so dehydrated my lips and hands are cracking, and instead of drinking the last few days, I stayed dry and frantic). I drank down some dissolvable multivitamins. (I noticed weird visual problems disappeared when I did that. I think it's a B deficiency, and you're right, stress really burns up vitamins.)

I haven't been able to eat much, but will try to get some food down...

You are such a great guy; I really appreciate your thoughtful, supportive, funny posts! Thank you for your help :-D

Jesta, is it ok if I can't call you a dud? You're wonderful in my eyes!
I know just what you're describing, thank you for reminding me! (I'm so embarrassed at forgetting something so important.)
I tried it right away, and was immediately aware of intense jaw pain. I think I've been clenching my jaw, unknowingly, for the past few days. (Hurts! Icky on the immediate sensation level, but good because now that I'm aware of it, I can do something about it.). Thank you! Reminds me to do what I'm just learning, somatic experiencing. Feeling the stresses and fear in my body, instead of numbing. This will help bring me back.

I am so grateful to you all. Thank you for being with me, for encouraging me, teaching me the crucial things I need to remember to survive. You're wonderful, treasured, loved....

I'm scared, but not alone now...
Thank you,
Love,
Deer

 

[BloomInWinter]

Glad to hear some of the adrenalization is stepping down for you. It sure is AWFUL! I just realized that in the past few weeks, I'm not having whole days of it now, just a day or two here and there. Am learning to intervene on myself sooner. It does get better...though hard to notice from the cliff face.

Sending you thoughts of calm, soothing strength and wishes for relaxation and 'switching off' - in the restful, mindful sense - for you and your brave child in you.

 

[deer_in_headlights]

((((((((((Bloominwinter))))))))))))

Thank you!

It's reassuring to see that it does get better.
You remind me that there will be better days ahead (I hope).
Your good wishes are taken to heart, and I'll try to feel rest, relaxation and mindfulness... And you're right, I forgot to comfort the terrified little child...

I love looking at flowers: they do so much for me, bringing me out of flashbacks, restoring a sense of beauty, comfort, peace.
Your name is perfect...
I'm looking at a powerful flower's message. ((((((((((Bloominwinter))))))))))))

 

[deer_in_headlights]

Hi,
Rough night, but would have been worse...
Difficult to type, seem to have a shake that doesn't go away. Not certain if it's from adrenaline, lack of food or sleep, exhaustion, cold.... Numbed to body again, physical pain awareness is just dern inconvenient to have right now.

I don't know if this is going to tear me apart or if it's going to be one heck of a stress inoculation!

I want to thank you for your prayers. In the midst of all this, I'm also seeing very obvious assistance, miracles of unseen and seen help and love. Helps me hold on.

Have several big decisions to make and afraid of screwing up. Admit to worrying rather than getting sleep, food,...
Gotta quit that! Coming here for a moment of connection, respite, infusion of much-needed courage.

I'm grateful you're here, grateful for this site.
Sending love and thanks,
Deer

 

[Redtail]

DIH,
Hang in there, these times can feel like they will last forever, I am there also, but know it will be over a sometime. If you are having trouble making time for nourishment and water, write it down on paper in a place you frequently pass, near the phone etc... At least it will remind you when your brain is running a mach 7.

-Breathe
-Breathe
-Breathe
-Breathe

 

[deer_in_headlights]

(((((((((((((((Redtail))))))))))))))))

Thank you! What beautiful encouragement and a great idea!
I just wrote it in big block letters on several sheets of paper, and will tape them up in various areas.

You show great wry humor with your description of mach 7 :-D how right you are!
(It's especially bad when the brain goes from straight mach 7 and mistakenly off-ramps into a hamster wheel... need evasive mental maneuvers to avoid that.)

Thank you for reminding me to breathe, again. (Your post caught me doing the shallow barely moving air style.)

I am so sorry and my heart is with you that you're going through this crud right now, too!!! :'''
What amazing, "real time" help you're giving in your own distress. I feel stunned and heart-touched beyond words with your reaching out to me in your great pain. (Tears... you're really touching a wound with healing...)

(((((((((((((Redtail))))))))))))))) !!

You are courageous and heroic, dear Sir!!!
With deep admiration, respect, gratitude, concern, and heartfelt prayers,
deer

 

[deer_in_headlights]

I am awed by the quality of people on this site!

What a healing, life-saving blessing.
I think sometimes our deepest pain and severe wounds allow great healing to pour forth as we share and walk together.

Anthony, Nicolette and Staff, and all the members... thank you for creating this safe, healing place where the wounded can come.

You are greatly appreciated, treasured, loved...
Thank you,
deer