tension

LegacyUser

This has only starting happening in the last few months, but every so often I get this really nervous and tense feeling that i just can't shake.

It usually happens in college when I'm quite busy....I might not be particularly stressed or anything but I'll suddenly feel really panicky and nervous and will stay that way for a few hours. It's really freaking me out and more importantly it's beginning to affect my work as I can't concentrate at all when it happens.

Overheal

can you list out some of your concerns? Might help pin it down. For example: work, school, money, fun, friends, drinking, girlfriend, sex, room mates, housing, unemployed, projects, assignments, study, homework.....

:?:

ciano6

Have you heard about panic attacks? This started happening to me out four years ago and I thought I was going mad. I told no-one for three or four months and it got worse as like you, I dreaded the next one so much. Then, one day I was in Waterstones and I found a book about panic attacks. It was exactly what I was having and after some hard work and lifestyle changes and six months, I managed to control them completely.
If thats what is wrong with you, then don't worry as it is a natural, common and treatable thing. If I can help in any other way please ask.
Cian

lu22*

hey!
ive been havin panic attacks for about 4 years now, you will learn to control them, just make sure you read up plenty about them, and try to always remember that they actually cant harm you. when you talk to people about them you'll be suprised how many people it actually happens too!!

LadyJ

Sounds like a panic attack to me, or at least a mild one anyway. I get them pretty bad and it can be really awful. However, I was watching that show "How long will you live?" last week and the guy helped some 19 year old who suffered from panic attacks. She found that changing her diet, cutting down on alcohol, exercising and planning out a time management chart helped her quite a bit.

This may not help you but perhaps these things can reduce your stress levels somewhat. We all get overwhelmed with things from time to time but by planning ahead and eating right you will be able to feel more at ease and prepared for each day.

Bog Man

Sounds like a panic attack. Go to your GP and get yourself checked out, you can get a referral to an appropriate professional for help.

LegacyUser

I thought it could be panic attacks,but i always thought that it may be too subtle...like in my head panic attacks are where you hyperventilate and stuff??but thanks so much to everyone for their great advice.

Having given it some thought, I think I've been getting more stressed than I'd realised.There's been a lot of stuff going on in college and the fact that my BF lives quite far away has been getting me down recently.Think I'll take some of the posters advice and try to look after myself a bit more. Thanks again for all the advice.

Overheal

The last panick attack I had - I thought I OD'd on some painkillers for an ear infection. So I wiki'd the dosage and the toxicity and all manner of LIVER FAILURE LIVER FAILURE and yeah thats a panick attack for you.

Turns out I mis read the dose anyway - I was well under

The point I'm trying to get at with listing out the problems is that when I was in that attack it took me half an hour to realise "So, this is a Panic Attack" and then I basically spent the next hour and a half talking to myself to get me out of it. I'm sure with practise and frequent attacks you could learn how to bring the length of your attacks down from a few hours to a few minutes.

Just start by identitfying to yourself that this is a panic attack and then calmly ask yourself why you might be having a panick attack at this time and place.

Wibbs

Sounds like some flavour of panic attack alright. I had one once many moons ago, out of the blue. Was convinced I was having a heart attack. I mean convinced. Went to the hospital and everything. Of course when it was pointed out to me that it was a panic attack, I was all "don't be so damned stupid, my left ventricle has clearly exploded in my chest":D

Looking back I was under some low level stress at the time, but it was having an effect. It culminated in that attack. I had sort of a one after that, but much much less as I knew what it was then.

I would go to your GP, just to be sure and see what he or she reckons.

Popsicle

Definitely sounds like a mild panic attack or just plain old anxiety. Not all panic attacks involve hyperventilation. I have had plenty and never hyperventilate. For me, its more of a hot sensation rising from the pit of your stomach and for no reason you feel like you might go out of control, disassociate etc. But like several others said once you educate your self about panic attacks and can rationalise yourself through them, it gets better.

If you are anxious all the time, you should try some relaxation techniques. Also, don't be afraid to confide in someone. I felt better just by telling my friend, that if I start having an attack, I just need her to tell me all will be ok and its only a panic attack!! Its worse if you think you are in it all alone.

If it continues to bother you and gets a little too unmangeable, go see your GP.

Take care!

LegacyUser

Silove, Derick & Manicavasagor. Overcoming Panic. Constable & Robinson. Paperback £6.99.
Trickett, Shirley. Coping Successfully with Panic Attacks. Sheldon Press. Paperback £6.99.
Westbrook, David & Rouf, Khadija. Understanding Panic. Warnford Hospital, Oxford. Paperback £2.50
Butler, Gillian. Managing Anxiety. Warnford Hospital, Oxford. Paperback £2.50.
Fennell, Melanie & Butler, Gillian. Controlling Anxiety. Warnford Hospital, Oxford. Paperback £2.50.
Kennerly, Helen. Overcoming Anxiety. Constable & Robinson. Paperback £7.99.
Kennerly, Helen. Managing Anxiety (User Manual & Tape). Warnford Hospital, Oxford. Paperback £2.50.
Marks, Isaac. Living with Fear. McGraw Hill. Paperback £14.99.

LegacyUser

Popsicle wrote: »

For me, its more of a hot sensation rising from the pit of your stomach and for no reason you feel like you might go out of control, disassociate etc.

That's hit the nail on the head,exactly the way it happens to me.Over the last week I've had two mild "episodes",but am trying to relax and zone out when it happens,as this seems to hepl it end sooner.
Thanks again for all the great advice though,now that i know what i'm dealing with it'll make things easier hopefully!

Fletch123

That happens to me too eeep. Where you feel shaky and uncertain, and like you said, you can't shake it.

When things get bad for me I get my version of panic attacks- I get crippling stomach cramps which cause me to panic even more so.

It's good that you started thinking about the underlying reasons behind this feeling.

I recently started going to counseling and I've discovered a lot of issues that are probably contributing to this panic. They are situations that I've just accepted, but it wasn't until I started explaining the situation to the counselor that I realised what a huge amount of pressure I'm under.

Also, when I was in school a nun there offered me an 'alternative medicine' type therapy. It invoved magnets.. I'm not a believer but it did help as the therapy involved talking and thinking about the situation you are in.

Basically, maybe going to talk to a counselor might help you to discover the cause of these panics and also maybe some techniques to try and deal with it.

I hope it gets better for you, I understand how horrible it is! Try and talk it out with someone, you'd be suprised how helpful it can be!