Think i'm dealing with anxiety

LegacyUser

Hey lads,

I'v had this problem for the last few months and not sure what to do.

I'v had a problem breathing, I feel a horrible struggle trying to get air into the lungs.. ''Air- hunger'' as the doctor has described it. He gave me a few basic tests and confirmed I'v no asthma and I did very well in the lung capacity test. There are still more tests to come. He is sending me for blood tests and a scan next week.

He did mentioned that he suspects I may be dealing with anxiety and I was wondering if anyone here dealt with similar symptoms? I'm having these attacks very randomly and even jumped off the train the other morning going to college as I felt like I was gonna stop breathing infront of the packed train and it freaked me out. For the last few months I'v had 'episodes' like this but now I'm getting it a few times a day.


HELP!!!!

Lucy B

You poor thing. Thus used to happen to my mother years ago. Out of the blue she used get panic attacks where she couldn't breathe and wanted to just run away from wherever she was at the time. She used deep breathing and kind of meditating to help her. If I ever get panicky she would always tell meto do long slow deep breaths and close my eyes.
Also talking to somebody can help too. Somebody who will listen and give advice.
Hope things improve for you.

Rubberchikken

Go back to your gp for a regerral. Talking to someone will help.

How are things in college?

Teyla Emmagan

Could be panic attacks alright. But to be sure, you will have to wait for the results of the tests to rule out physical symptoms.

I've had a few (they're terrible), and I DON'T like crowds or packed spaces, so the train itself could be a trigger.

Until you get your results, just focus on avoiding situations that you might be uncomfortable in, and breathe, breathe, breathe. If it is panic, you can learn to control it.

LegacyUser

Lucy B: That's exactly what i'v had to do. it's been happening to me a few times a day at this stage. This afternoon i had to lock myself in my room and try relaxing myself as i was starting to feel very uncomfortable and struggled to breath without a few deep breaths.

Rubberchikken: Things in college are fine. Actually quite boring but no issues there atall.

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

Could be panic attacks alright. But to be sure, you will have to wait for the results of the tests to rule out physical symptoms.

I've had a few (they're terrible), and I DON'T like crowds or packed spaces, so the train itself could be a trigger.

Until you get your results, just focus on avoiding situations that you might be uncomfortable in, and breathe, breathe, breathe. If it is panic, you can learn to control it.

i'm terribly with small spaces and have had panic attacks before because of it. i'm having these ''episodes'' at home so i don't think the train can be blamed.




i'm off college for the next 2 weeks (mid term) so i really hope i have a diagnosis by then. i'm really stressed and freaked out.

BlueFairy

I used to have problems with panics like this, not so much any more.

Talking to your GP would be a good idea, there is a lot that you can do for help with anxiety. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will help you look at how you think and how to better manage your thoughts - it's highly recommended for anxiety issues.

If you have been checked out and there are no underlying health issues, then it's likely that it is simply your patterns of thinking that lead you into the panic. It's very possible to explore this and work your way out of it. CBT is a good step

Laois6556

I think you have to be on social welfare to get to see a HSE counsellor, the waiting list is quite long but it's free, if you qualify. Maybe try that and do the CBT as others have suggested, if that doesn't work you may need to take medication to help but that should be left a while until you try alternative options.
Other things you could try are deep breathing activities or guided relaxation. You can find videos for these on youtube. They can releive stress and anxiety from your muscles and mind, do it at night time before sleep or maybe before you have something you might feel nervous about. Good luck with it.

Teyla Emmagan

I have tried CBT for anxiety and found it useless (maybe it was the way it was explained to me/the counsellor), anyway, it just didn't work. My anxiety is really non specific, and the help I got was all about dealing with 'what happens when you start thinking about X'. And I'm all 'I'm not thinking about anything, just wired up and feeling mental'.

What I do find helps is exercise, lots and lots of exercise. For me, swimming (alone in the pool, so relaxing), or walking (alone in the fresh air, etc). The endorphins, and space it gives you just really helps. Also, a good Vitamin B complex (seriously), and not one from a chemist, go into a health food shop. No coffee, no stimulants (energy drinks etc), as much sleep as possible and just avoiding stressful situations. Hopefully your mid term break will sort you out and the time off will leave you feeling a lot better.

I can't tell your gender from your posts (though I think you're a guy), but I know my anxiety goes nuts when I'm hormonal (ovulating, PMS), so be aware of that too.

msdaisy7

You poor thing, there's nothing worse because you feel like you are going to die as a result of the panic and tight chest, what helped me was some CBT and listening to anxiety CDs, that's if that's what it is. my doc wouldn't put me on meds cause I was too young (mid 20s), she said that they just numb the physical reactions but don't get to the root of the problem. hope you get some answers soon!!

LegacyUser

sorry lads, this is becoming like a diary at this stage.

Today I went out with the family to a shopping centre. it was a bit of a journey in the car and all of a sudden i was getting the usual struggle to breath.. i was trapped in the car so i picked up a piece of paper and messed with it as it was the only thing stopping me from a full meltdown.. these blood tests can't get here quick enough lads.. i'd love to get medication but i'll see wat happens.. i'm more annoyed at this stage..


i'm a 22 year old male btw.....

Johnnykk

Hey, I am not offering a diagnosis here, I am not a medical professional. That said your situation sounds exactly like a 1.5 year period of panic I went through. I found it was triggered very subtly by my thoughts and I never realised, by the time the panic arose I was off trying to deal with it and there was no logic.

For me I used CBT which was great but the best thing I did was get a copy of "when Panic Attacks' by the late (sadly) Dr. Aine Tubridy. I read this several times and did the exercises in it (which are free to download from the wellbeing foundation website (Dublin). After a few months I had it all working well and I have not had panic since. I know how difficult it may be but you have the power to manage these and in my case the best thing I did was to breathe through the attack and not allow racing thoughts to be involved. I used to feel like I was going to die but really it was just adrenalin - once I got to realise it was adrenalin driven and understood the process of panic things improved radically. I wish you well, sounds awful to deal with but if you give it a few weeks you can overcome this.

CentimoSal

a panic attack is just like hitting your knee off the side of the table. there are things you can do to prevent that - like wearing loose clothing, walking a bit slower, practicing mindfulness, etc.

you mentioned a train - so were you expecting to be near a train. your mental state and tiredness levels all play a role. you have to be mentally sharp when traveling. i don't travel even with a slight hint of lethargy - even if it's for an interview for a dream job. i will not travel with a dulled mind.

also - pay little attention to all the distractions that people proclaim will make anxiety better - like worry beads, meds, breathing exercises etc; it's gonna happen whether you like it or not.

also - panic attacks are not dangerous. they last a few minutes, and are gone. it's basically an adrenalin rush / fight or flight response happening - but there' no danger like a grizzly bear or a mugger - so this worries people and makes them think they're mentally unstable. the unnatural response is to become a shut in and not participate in much outdoor activity, but it really doesn't have to be that way

LegacyUser

<Mod Snip: No need to quote entire post>

done my blood test today and the results are back next wednesday. after that i think i'll be sent for a scan, if all clear that should confirm it's anxiety issues..


other than hospital today i'v not really left the house but still feel slightly down and worried. i'm back in college on wednesday and i'm dreading it. last day of term i had my ''episode'' on the train so hopefully there will be no repeats:(

have to say though i'm not as panicky this week.. being honest last week I was terrified and couldnt get the panic feeling out of my head most of the week..

Johnnykk

Best of luck with your test results. If they are clear and anxiety is confirmed it will be a clear target to work towards and one which is very possible to reach. Good luck, stay with it.

LegacyUser

Well,

my blood test are all clear. doctor is 99% sure I'm suffering from anxiety now. Only thing he told me was to go back to him in 2 months time..

I was back in college today and got on very well. I didn't give the breathing problems a second thought all day, for the first time in weeks. I'm hoping things stay this way but doubt it.