Anxiety - help please.

LegacyUser

Hi People

Just thought I would post here for some feed back and to see if anyone has gone though what I have done since Sunday night.

From a young age I have gotten anxiety or panic attacks although I didn't know what they where until recently.

I had a chesty cough on Sunday evening, and had to take my inhaler quite a bit, about six times in a 24 hour period.

The Venolin has something in it, that can make you jumpy so I am told. Since Sunday I have had anxiety and one or two panic attacks that passed.

I am still very shakey now, and I dont feel like eating so have been taken complain. The not eating could be a bug as a child in my family has the same thing. I was at the doctor Monday, I got something for my chest steroids I think he gave me.

My chest is fine now thank God, however I am very shakey and worrying about the anxiety.

He gave me the number of a counselor. I hope this passes so I dont need to call the counselor. I dont really want to take any medication for it if I dont have too.

I was talking to some friends on IRC and they had the same thing it made me feel so much better knowing others had this sort of thing and that it would pass in time.

I got anxiety once every so often not much I use to panic like mad when I got it it normally lasted a few mins at the most.

The weekend for me was very stressfull, my father was on a binge, I got back with the girl friend and work has been crazy.

As anyone else had anything like this? Did it take long to pass?

I am MAN

I'm 19 and have had anxiety for 3 years, I've been down the emergency room convinced I was dying a number of times.

hmm Does it pass by itself? I would have to say not a hope, it's a serious condition that needs to be treated. Go for counselling first of all and see how that goes, I've taken a number of medications for it. If you only get them the odd time you can get prescribed xanax 0.25 which is a mild transquiliser that will give you relief although taking xanax daily isnt good.

Breathing into a bag helps ease the chest pain and numbness around the body because you breathe in the carbon minoxide that you breathe out when having a panic attack and this helps reduce the frightening feelings.

One thing you have to know that took me a long time to be able to say to myself is that IT CANNOT HARM YOU regardless of how bad and frightening it feels, it will pass(until the next one - rough but reality)

So you really need to go to your gp and get this sorted out whether its by counselling or medication or even both. It wont go away by just leaving it alone it's a serious condition than can become disabling and will.

good luck,

Mark.

ando

Hey,

I swear to god, I could have written that exact thing a few months ago. My Doctor told me I was suffering from GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) which means its 'Free floating', I can't put my hand on what is causing it, its just there. Some say it’s caused by the fear in the face of uncertainty, sometimes it’s the result of anticipating a negative outcome 'what if' thinking. It can also be caused by a build up of stress or emotions that you do not express and it can also be passed down through the family (my mother suffers from panic attacks)

The way I recovered from it without using drugs (although its still there, I have it under control) was basically doing the following:


First, Find some way of deep relaxation, either meditation, deep abdominal breeding or Progressive muscle relaxation which is basically tensing up your muscles for a few seconds, then letting them relax. You can find detailed descriptions of this using Google. I have tried all of them to a degree and found the breathing exercises were far better than any other form of getting into a form of deep relaxation. The following exercise is what I do whenever I feel the first symptoms of anxiety or panic, and within 5 minutes I am absolutely relaxed and fine:


Find somewhere quite

Breathe in a deep abdominal full breath
Hold Breath for 5 seconds, 1.2.3.4.5
Breathe out for 5 seconds, 1.2.3.4.5
Breathe 2 normal breaths

Breathe in a deep abdominal full breath
Hold Breath for 5 seconds, 1.2.3.4.5
Breathe out for 5 seconds, 1.2.3.4.5
Breathe 2 normal breaths

etc etc, until you feel totally relaxed.

It may take about 4 or 5 minutes until you are relaxed first time. It does work, it’s worked every time for me.



Now the other thing that you need to do is cut out your negative self talk. You need to realize and hear yourself first. You may have never taught of this before, but you need to be able to sense what you are saying to yourself. Self talk is usually so automatic and subtle that you don’t notice it or the effect it has on your moods and feelings. You react without noticing. It only when you relax and look back on what you were saying to yourself that you can see the connection between self talk and your feelings. Anxious self talk is typically irrational but almost always sounds like the truth. Negative self talk can initiate or aggravate a panic attack. A panic attack often starts out with symptoms of increasing physiological arousal, such as rapid heart beat. There is nothing abnormal about being panicky, your body perceives a threat subconsciously or consciously and it’s the way it deals with it. It will pass, usually quickly but you can control it with positive self talk and relaxation exercises (see above, breathing). A panic attack might have been aborted or rendered much less intense had you made reassuring statements to yourself at the onset of your first symptoms... 'I'll let my body do its thing, this will pass' , 'this is just a burst of adrenaline'. You ain't born with negative self talk, you learn to think this way. You can learn to think more positively with supportive mental habits. Over time it will become better. It’s taken a few months but I feel I have relatively total control of that horrid feeling. I know how bad it can be

Another thing that is helpful is being active, physical exercise can help immensely. I joined the gym when I was in the middle of my condition, and over time it has helped a lot.


Also, reading up and learning about your condition is extremely helpful. Knowledge is power as they say. My Doc recommended me 'Living with Fear' by Isaac marks. It was good, it gives an intro to what was wrong with me and describes the difference between different types of anxiety. I then got another book which goes into far more detail and is even more helpful, 'The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook' Third Edition by Edmund J Bourne. I got it from Amazon.co.uk incase you want to know and its pretty much the best book you can get at the moment for anxiety treatment and self help. I don't recommend you use drugs m8, give the exercises and other things a chance.


Here is a website which I found quite helpful when I was suffering from it. A lot of other people with same problems go there, its a lot more common problem than you think


http://www.algy.com/anxiety


Hope this helps, any questions give me a buzz

ando

I am MAN wrote:

Breathing into a bag helps ease the chest pain and numbness around the body .

It sounds like you’re hyperventilating, could be because you’re normally breathing using you chest. You could try the abdominal breathing exercise or something similar, once or twice a day. Your body, over time will learn to breathe more deeply and less dependant on short shallow breaths which cause hyperventilation which will aggravate the panic/anxiety feelings. It’s all explained in detail in that book I was on about, the phobia workbook

LegacyUser

Many thanks for the advice guys, it has really cheered me up a lot knowing I am not alone.

I actually feel pretty ok this evening, and I was shaking this morning.

Talking does help, I hope it heads off this time around, I will arange to talk to someone.

Victor

I had two fairly severe anxiety attacks a few years ago, one where I trashed a van and the other my kitchen (breaking old jam jars much cheaper than windscreeens). It was like I was defending myself from attack without knowing what was attacking me. I had been on medication and the second one was induced by withdrawal from it. I say the film "28 days later" that day and the film was much less scary. :eek:

ven0m

I've had anxiety attacks for over 8 years & for the last two years I hadn't had one till last week, & last week I had two; & one was where I lost all feeling in my body & collapsed at a concert in London on Friday night.......

I know the reason mine are happening again is because my depression is coming back & some of my old habits are coming back too....

My panic attacks are usually accompanied by extreme restlessness & some pretty messed up thoughts running around my head as well as physical implications such as muscle seizures along with hyperventilation..... sudden paranoia also has featured sometimes when they've happened in the past.

I went to see a counsellor for two sessions (got fed up with it & left after two, stupid I know) 3 years ago to try sort my depression, substance abuse problems & to try deal with my suicidal feelings. Dunno how I got over it - but I had a depression free two years with no substance abuse, or anxiety attacks & their return in the last month has totally knocked me for six......

Dealing with a break up on top of that hasn't really added to it but it sure as heck hasn't helped.... close friends have told me it's time to see a pro & get it treated..... am just scare of opening up old wounds, cos some of them are just truly f**ked....


::: ven0mous :::

LegacyUser

Well I think I am getting better, yesterday evening I fealt kinda cured but I was up late as I am off work at the moment, and I was worrying last night about them coming back.

This morning I am very shakey, just out of bed. I am going to go out today and get some air.

I still am not hungry, last night I was I had some soup. My tummy feels a tiny bit off.

Talking about this seems to be really helping, it feels like I am improving and coming out of my rut.

ando

Yea I had loss of appetite aswell, I actually lost a bit of weight but your body will come round in time. I found going to the gym would get my appetite back and I would end up coming home eating half the house When your shakey, try the breating exercise, thats what its there for. Anxiety cannot exist in a calm body/mind.

Venom I have to agree with your friends, you should try get your problem seen to as it looks like your anxiety problem is caused by the mild depression. I'd try getting some coping skills for the anxiety attacks, either that or drugs to calm your system down when needed. Once your calm you can accurately challenge the cause of the depression.

Maybe I should go back to college and study psychology

ven0m

ando wrote:

Venom I have to agree with your friends, you should try get your problem seen to as it looks like your anxiety problem is caused by the mild depression. I'd try getting some coping skills for the anxiety attacks, either that or drugs to calm your system down when needed. Once your calm you can accurately challenge the cause of the depression.

yeah I know, it's making that first step that frightens the bejesus outta me!!! Cheers for the advice & the links u posted above, they are kinda helpful!!!


::: ven0mous :::

Zakalwe

I've suffered from extreme anxiety for years. I've been on anti-depressants since 1996 and carry xanax with me everywhere.

Here are some tips.

Don't fortunetell. This is where you worry about what may happen. In this frame of mind people always look at a worse case scenario and get anxious about what they have convinced themselves will happen. If you're worried about having a panic attack this gets the panic/anxiety into a self-feeding loop.

Attempt to think rationally. Analyse what you're thinking. Have you felt like this before? Did anything truly bad happen besides the attack itself? Did you have a heart attack and die etc.

Diaphragmatic Breathing. Place a hand on your stomach. Place one on your chest. Breath out slowly letting all your muscles relax if you can. Count to 5, and breath in. Here's the important part! Make sure your "stomach area" is inflating first before your chest area. Hold for a few seconds and let out. This can help you break out of shortness of breath or hyperventilation.

Distraction. Call a friend. Don't talk about the panic. Talk about everyday things such as what's planned for the weekend. Try counting backwards from some high number in 7s. 998, 991, 984 ..... Anything that will take your mind off of how you feel is good.

You may get the feeling you need to run or fight or both. This is natual and is your body's "fight or flight" response kicking in. The best thing to do is to sit down and attempt to relax. Distract yourself

There's a curve ( I forget the name of it offhand ) which shows that the body cannot sustain a level of panic indefinitely. It will taper off. Physiologically the body cannot keep itself in a panic state. You will calm down and the adrenaline will wear.

Nobody has EVER died from a panic attack. Nobody. It is important to remember this.

Passing out is extremely unlikely. When you're in a state of panic your blood pressure is high. To pass out you'll want the opposite.

Are you anxious about a particular thing? Are you procrastinating? Are you avoiding something because of your anxiety and worrying about it? The best thing to do is to get it over with and out of the way.

Lifestyle changes help. Get rid of the caffeine and cigarettes. Eat healthily. Try and get some decent sleep every night. Attempt to get some excercise. Hang out with your friends for a few pints ( but don't overdo the alcohol )

With time you WILL get better. You may need to see a GP or a psychologist or psychiatrist. I lapsed recently but have come back fighting. I'm not back to how I was in say, 2002 but I'm slowly but surely getting there.

tinkerbell

Guest-poster wrote:

The Venolin has something in it, that can make you jumpy so I am told. Since Sunday I have had anxiety and one or two panic attacks that passed.

Yah Ventolin can cause shakey-ness, etc. in some people. Whenever I have a cough, I get the Ventolin liquid (but I don't have asthma etc - it's coz I got pneumonia a few years ago), and it has no effect on me but when my mom took it for a cough, it made her shakey and the doctor said that this is a common side-effect of it, for some people, not all.

LegacyUser

some very good advice here
also make sure your diet is healthy , cutting down on carbohydrates and sugar seems to help me be more relaxed

i used to take xanx when i felt very anxious now i just drink a cup of camomile tea which i find just as good and its alot safer
i dont know if you will find it as relaxing as i do but its worth a try

also while its good to talk to people about it and read up on it so you understand it better
make sure you dont become obsessed by it as thats what the fear lives off
zakalwe's point on distraction is good

so in summary the things that i have found that help me most are
distraction
breathing
diet

cajun_tiger

ventolin is probably the worst thing you could be on that and steroids...
i suffer really bad with them one time i got so bad that each time i passed out with them and at one point my mate had to restart my heart(luckily he's first aid trained)
i've been to the ER more times than i can remember, when i was having my daughter i went through a good number also. it seems to be triggered by anything (i also have a heart murmur.)

best thing to do when the shakes happen or dont wanna eat is sit down take deep breaths and either eat something small toast and a cup of tea with sugar. always works for me

LegacyUser

Guys thank you so much for your on going advice, I was out driving all day today, I have to say I didnt forget about it like last night.

However I just had a lie down and feel kinda relaxed now. Its worrying I have not eatten since Sunday, although the complain should sort me out and the soup I had last night.

I think I really just need to relax, I feel like I am coming out of the rut please God it goes soon.

I am planning a game of pitch and putt in the morning, with a friend that should get me some of the excerise.

This really is a horrible thing, I will be so happy when its gone. It will also be a turning point for me and some serious changes will be made in my life style.

My stomach feels sick now, I think thats down to this stress, I might see the girl friend tonight have not seen her since Sunday the house is cracking me up to be honest.

I will fill you in on how I am this evening. Thank you very much with your help and advice.

Oryx

Just a quick comment on the ventolin again, i was on it as a child and i got the most awful shakes, really upset me as a kid, but the doc didnt put any pass on it! Would not take it now for love nor money.

LegacyUser

The Ventolin is normally ok, but my cough was so bad I was taken 2 puffs every 3 hours. About 12 puffs in a day. my chest is fine now and I have not taken it in days.

tinkerbell

Guest-poster wrote:

However I just had a lie down and feel kinda relaxed now. Its worrying I have not eatten since Sunday, although the complain should sort me out and the soup I had last night.

EAT! You need to keep your food levels up. This is probably adding to the shakes.

LegacyUser

The complain should give me that. Although as soon as I feel hungry and my tummy is alright i will eat loads.

Uthur

I've had this for about three years now. It won't kill ya but it does mess
your life up pretty badly. If you don't do something about it it probably won't
go away by itself. Get yourself down to the nearest councellor/shrink and
you will get the help you need. You may have to take drugs that make your brain
go *Boiiiiinnnngggg* for a bit - but it will be worth it in the end. That's what I've
been doing anyhoo

Uthur

LegacyUser

I have had this since Sunday, its Friday now. I am going back to the doctor today to get something for it. Things cant go on like this.

I am just out of bed and am shaking.

ven0m

Guest-poster wrote:

I have had this since Sunday, its Friday now. I am going back to the doctor today to get something for it. Things cant go on like this.

I am just out of bed and am shaking.

That truly sucks, but visiting the Doc is a good place to start mate!!!

I know I've to get my own **** under control ASAP as the amount of pain killers & booze I'm going thru is getting to the point of being extremely worrying - nevermind the fact I ain't eating right neither & surviving on coffee, cigs & the aforementioned ..... think I should take some of my own advice & get my arse to a counsellor pronto..


::: ven0mous :::

fozzle

Wow, there's some really good advice here, I should take some of it myself. I suffer depression but I've never gotten much proffesional help for it, but I've been lucky enough that I've managed to get through the bad patches. I never realised that the anxiety I get could be a "real" thing too though, so I'm feeling reasured, I thought I was going mad. The only help I can give is to suggest trying to do something very rythmic or meditative when you're suffering anxiety. I have an african drum which I can spend hours on, it's great, it really helps calm me when I'm shakey and anxious, cos you can get really absorbed in it.

I hope you figure out a way to control this.
fozzle

Victor

Guest-poster wrote:

I have had this since Sunday, its Friday now. I am going back to the doctor today to get something for it.

Do. Not eating for that long is a bit unnatural. Are you getting enough fluids?

ven0m wrote:

pain killers & booze

No a good mix. Booze can make many pain killers useless.

LegacyUser

Victor wrote:

Do. Not eating for that long is a bit unnatural. .

I am on two complains a day now, and drink lots of water. I told the doctor all the stuff today he set me up to see a conciler Wednesday.

When other people had this did it last so long?

Oryx

Im no expert, but youre really not eating enough. Anyone would get shaky on just two complans a day. It might not be helping your anxiety levels either. Have you ever had a problem with food and eating before?

LegacyUser

KatieK wrote:

Im no expert, but youre really not eating enough. Anyone would get shaky on just two complans a day. It might not be helping your anxiety levels either. Have you ever had a problem with food and eating before?

Not really, I am trying to relax now with a put of look when I relax I will get hungry again.

LegacyUser

Hi Guys,

It's nice to know I'm not alone. Though I am sorry to hear that you all have similar problems. I've suffered from severe anxiety for over 5 years and learned to cope and get through college without any support. It was a most hellish existence with little and often no relief which resluted in me hiding away and distancing myself fron friends.
I did used to party hard which acclerated the problem but didn't cause (or help!) it.
Anywho, after suffering silently and having a very joyless life, everything came to a head sometime after a parent was recovering from a near fatal illness.
The sheer exhaustion of looking after everyone and leading this intensly tense life with no relief ended up with me making a serious bid on my life. Fortunately I was found and am now, for the first time, getting serious professional help, doing much better, slowly coming off the medication I've been on for such a long time. Since it first started I'd done everything I could to help myself - self help, eating, giving up drink/drugs/etc, exercise. But it was too much for one person. My support network is still very selected, and I do find that my of my friends just simply don't understand the concept of severe depression. Part of the problem being, I stay away from social situations when down, so they see little of it. However, at last I am living a little and feeling better in myself.
I would seriously urge professional help. It will only work if you are honest wiht your threapist. It is your private business and no one need know unles syou tell them. Rememebr, you might not necessarily find the right therapist for you initially, so shop around until you find one that suits.
It is a case of helping yourself, yet drawing on the support that's available be it family/friends.

Victor

duvet wrote:

Though I am sorry to hear that you all have similar problems.

Everyone has some problem, of some kind. It's just that mental health issues are still considered taboo by some people. Fully 20% of the population will suffer from depression alone (nevermind anxiety and other problems), so it's not exactly a 'minority' health issue.

Think of it as a problem shared is a problem halved (yes I know thats a lie, but its a start ).

LegacyUser

Well I better update this as I am still going though this crap. Basically when I was at the Doctor Friday I got something to pick me up. He said to only take them when I fealt I needed them. He said they where like Valum.

Friday evening had a very restfull evening on the chair from about 7 pm till 2 am. Fealt relaxed first time in a while watch ed the late late etc..

Saturday I took one at 12, was kinda shakey went out for a drive eat some soup etc.. when I got back then some pasta. I fealt great!

I went out clubbing saturday didnt drink, thought I was cured.

Sunday fealt shakey for a lot of the day went to bed to lie down, took a pill at 6 took a while to get relaxed.

Why oh why is this happening to me.

I have to see this couciler guy Wednesday, I started working again today to get my mind of things think I am coping took at pill at 11 going to take one at 7.

Going to take the pills regularly now even though the Doctor said when I need them.

The jar says one twice a day.

parker larkin

okay, you do realise those pills are definitely not a solution and probably addictive.

Santa Claus

parker larkin wrote:

okay, you do realise those pills are definitely not a solution and probably addictive.

Parker, that's slight scare-mongering. Firstly he hasn't said what he's on so how would you know whether it's addictive or not. I went through a phase of being on a small dose of valium once a day for 3 months and didn't get addicted. There are many factors that lead to addiction to a med, such as your dosage etc..
And secondly, he's already set-up an appointment with a counsellor so he's being pro-active on this.

If the tablets help control the anxiety, then they are beneficial and making the guy worry about getting addicted to tablets isn't going to help him !


Guest-Poster,
One thing to watch out for though is that some tablets (i.e. valium) can affect your concentration so just remember that when driving (it normally warns on the label to avoid operating machinery or driving if that's the case...).

Also, why aren't you eating. You mentioned a child having a tummy bug and your stomach being upset, but are you unable to keep food down ?
I know from going through anxiety myself, that the stomach is often the first place you feel the anxiety.
At least try taking a bowl of soup or some toast as well as the complan.

If you have any questions feel free to PM.

Santa

Beruthiel

Guest-poster wrote:

Going to take the pills regularly now even though the Doctor said when I need them.

The jar says one twice a day.

I would suggest that you do not take them regularly but as the doctor said, when you NEED them
the reason I say that is, if you do it regularly, then come 7 o'clock you will just take one whither you need it or not and before you know it you could be depending on them,
be careful and when you see the counciller be sure to bring them and ask what he thinks
best of luck
a

Zakalwe

You're probably on alprazolam, commonly known as xanax. It's the benzodiazepine normally proscribed for panic disorder or general anxiety disorder.

Pay careful attention, because I do know what I'm talking about here.

Mixing your medication and alcohol is a bad idea. You'll feel drunker a lot easier, may suffer from memory loss and the alcohol will negate the good effects of the medication. Feeling crappy the day after imbibing one central nervous sytem depressant is normal. Feeling crappier after mixing two ( your medication and alcohol ) is normal too.

Your medication is for as needed purposes. do not try and second guess your doctor on this matter. I know the feeling of beautiful calm is alluring, but only take them when you can't cope. You will not get anywhere by giving in to this anxiety all the time and taking a sedative. You will need to face it head on to make any progress. Benzodiazepines are addictive and you will gain tolerance on them quickly necessatating higher doses.

Order this book now.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0452281326/qid=1102956344/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-6250044-3932662?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
It won't cure you, but it will help you understand what is going on and how you can approach it.


Your GP is not a clinical psychologist, cognitive behavioutal therapist or a psychiatrist. Ask for a referral to an expert. St Vincent's Hospital have great staff on hand for these very things. The doctor in charge is Dr. Moran.

parker larkin

I beg to differ Santa Claus. I'm certainly not in the habit of scaremongering. This person has already stated quite clearly that they aren't taking the tablets as prescribed. Yes they are a useful aid, and there is nothing wrong with that. But they do not solve the underlying problem. Or even begin to.
Medication for illnesses like these are most effective when combined with therapy and other methods, such as relaxation, of coping.
Also if you are going to use medication - and don't be afraid of the stigma attached to anti-deperessents etc, they are usually quite effective, helpful and safe if taken correctly - you must educate yourself. There is much information online and from your GP. In my experience some Doctors are often very happy to hand out prescriptions without really taking into consideration long term methods of helping oneself.
This is where the personal hard graft comes in. You know yourself, you know your body, but we all need a hand now and again.

ando

I have that book aswell but I found the Phobia workbook that I mentioned earlier better for fighting the anxiety

Edit: sorry I meant I have the yellow book on that link, Feeling Good by David D. Burns

BTW, I definatly recommend you get some book. You say 'why is this happening', the books WILL help you, depends how much effort you put in

LegacyUser

Hi folks

I was only given 15 pills, I will have to go back and see the doctor dont worry I am taken them as the Doctor says at the moment I need the two a day.

I took one when I woke up this morning as I was shakey as hell, I went to work. At half five I fealt shakey again and took the second. My plan now is to go for a walk then stay in front of the fire watching TV later that really relaxs me and seems to be my release for the day at the moment.

Thanks again for your help and feedback. I honestly dont think the pills I am on are strong they are .2 mg I dont want to name the pills as if I do and someone has had a bad time on them that will worry the **** out of me now that I have taken them.

I am hanging in there, the walk should do me good. I am very carefull with the tablets and am trying to get a lot of excercise now too.

Thanks Victor for your comments on the eatting, I have been eatting bits and pices since Friday and still taken the complain, its hard however when your not hungry.

I just have to keep thinking to myself I am going to get ov er this, I am going to get over this etc..

Thanks a heap guys, this is really a frightening time.

LegacyUser

I went for a long walk this evening at 9 have fealt great since, and got hungry again which I took advantage of .

parker larkin

That's good. Keep working on making yourself feel better