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what do you do when you have anxity attacks?

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Posted 9/4/2008 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
This may have been asked befor, but what do you do when you have anxity attacks?I just went through a tough one, did some breathing, Took my lorazapam and waited,breathing till the pill hit. Is that all we can do? I'm affraid when the pill wears off I go through it again. Suggestions PLEASE!!

                                     eyes gennie

Posted 9/4/2008 11:30 PM (GMT 0)

Focus on your breathing. Take a couple of dozen belly breaths and just focus your mind on your inhaling and exhaling.

Leave the past in the past and let the future take care of itself. don't over-think what is going on. Just look around you and see where you are and know you are ok.

Welcome to our world, there are many of us and we are all here to help you.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Posted 9/5/2008 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
I jus try n distract my mind onto something if poss... if its really i lie down in a dark room n do breathing exercises n hopefully try to get som sleep. Sleep always helps. if tht doesn't work i tel myself its fine to worry so im going to take 10mins to worry bout things as hard as i can. I personally find having other ppl around only make the anxiety worse bcoz i start worrying how their reacting to my A/P.

Rite now long walks are keeping me calm n sane :P
Posted 9/5/2008 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for taking the time to answer. It's horried waiting for the pill to kick in...feels like hours. I do the breathing as wellas go to sleep and it helps....wish there was a trick to it.

                                smiles,

                                  gennie

Posted 9/6/2008 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
Gennie,

My attacks are a little different because they start after reflux makes me short of breath. I'm panicking because I'm afraid I'll suffocate. So what I do is talk out loud to myself, saying reassuring things about how I've been through this before, how it's never hurt me, how I'm okay, etc. The talking helps distract me from how my body is feeling physically, and I guess it also helps to shut out the negative self-talk that can spiral an attack ot of control.

percycat
Posted 9/6/2008 4:11 PM (GMT 0)

Gennie,

(((sorry))) for your attack. I was told once by a gorgeous person to look up and out when I panicked. It is so lonely in anxiety that we can often forget to move out of our own self at look at the sky, the trees, even the silly show on telly! Anything that can pull us out of panic, is someting we need to do, no matter how facile.

You are in control, not your meds. Keep tommorow away and try and stay where you need to be. Just for today

Hugs,

Meg

P.S. Thanks for sharing, you can click on the envelope next my name and chat anytime. :-)

Posted 9/7/2008 1:07 PM (GMT 0)

nervymeg said...
I was told once by a gorgeous person to look up and out when I panicked.


Learned something.
Posted 9/8/2008 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
This sounds really silly but it works for me.  I recite the multiplication tables...usually by the time i get to the fivsies or sixies I am calming down LOL
Posted 9/8/2008 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
MEG,

My therapist pointed out that counting while breathing is intended to help distract the mind. The multiplication tables likely do the same thing.

percycat
Posted 9/9/2008 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
I personally can't live without meds.. Tried to quit and cope with the problem on my own.. but it's a hell. However, I found some useful tips here: http://www.pillwatch.com/theme/depression.html So now it\s easier for me.. Hope you'll ifnd smth for yourself
Posted 9/9/2008 1:19 PM (GMT 0)

lizzaz

Good Morning and welcome to HealingWell.  I took a look at the site your recommended and thank you for sharing with us. I agree that repetitive self talk is a good way to calm down.

One of the best simple ways to deal with Anxiety is breathing. Simple things like inhale to your lungs full capacity, hold it, then exhale imagining all of the stress to leave your body with the air that is exhaled. Getting yourself to a quiet calm place is another way to help and be able to breathe. Imagining a beautiful scene in your mind, counting to 100, counting your breath and trying to slow it are all techniques that really do help.

We have a thread for "New Peeps" to do a intro about themselves.  Post as little or as much  as you would like.  Whatever makes you comfortable.

Again a warm welcome.

Kitt

 

Posted 9/10/2008 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
My councilor suggested one today, wiggle your toes. Haven't try it yet and I hope I can just go to bed without trying it too. :-)
Posted 9/10/2008 3:22 AM (GMT 0)

Lizzaz,

Welcome to Healingwell, it's nice to meet you turn

Buddha, Toe wiggling, that sounds grounding! I hope you don't need to try it either.

Another thing that works for me is saying "I have beaten this before and I will beat it again" over and over until I do, and I know I will continue to.

Hugs,

Meg

Posted 9/10/2008 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
When I suffer an anxiety attack....I have tried breathing, staying in the moment...etc., at the present time xanax has helped cope with my anxiety.   I feel frustrated at times with my condition.
Posted 9/10/2008 7:27 AM (GMT 0)

Jades,

Anxiety is such a frustrating thing to live with isn't it? Do you take the xanax on a regular basis or just when the panic hits?

Meg

Posted 9/10/2008 10:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for a warm wellcome :) !
And indeed anxiety is an awful thing to live with... and I agree with stkitt - just breathing, some silence, etc. may help. Thanks for the advice! however, looks like it requires some practice..
Posted 9/10/2008 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
lizzaz

We are glad to have you on board so know your very welcome.

Now you have another to practice, toe wiggling.  idea

Hope everyones day is happy.

Hugs

Kitt

Posted 9/10/2008 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the wonderful advice I really feel armed for the next attack.

Welcome lizzaz!!

Gennie

Posted 9/10/2008 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gennie i agree with everyone else.I usually do what some of the others mentioned above.I take deep breaths and say silently this too shall pass just the last one.Sometimes i keep saying it over and over! I also do what nervymeg mentioned when I'm driving.I glance at the sky and the trees,and just concentrate on the people and things around me! I will usually key in on something that snaps me out of it! Or if it gets to overwhelming i take a xanax! Panic attacks are horrible! Good luck to you honey!
Posted 9/11/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Gennie,

One of my phobia's is driving (I'm sure it's a common one).   I have found what helps me the most if I start having a bad anxiety attack (on the verge of panic) is pulling over on the side of the road.   I then take out a paper pad (I usually carry one with me) and start writing like crazy, even if my words do not make any sense.

I remember not that long ago, I was having a bad attack.  The writing helped after a few minutes, wow, I wrote some crazy things when I looked back at the paper.   I really don't understand why it helps, perhaps it's releasing or "transferring" all the anxiety I am feeling onto the paper...

Try it, what do you have to lose?  I know what works for one may not work for another...

Hugs to you,

Denise

Posted 9/12/2008 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
If I feel my anxiety is going to spiral into a panic attack, I take an ativan and continue doing whatever I am doing. I used to hold the pill in my hand for a miserable amount of time, finally take it, and then lay and wait for it to take effect. All that approach did was lead me deeper into a panic before I took the medication and then it seemed like hours of hell before it took effect because it was all I concentrated on. An example of my new approach: GAD sets in (keep plugging away), Panic sets in (keep talking, working, etc) and pop the pill (as if you are taking a breath mint) not missing a beat with the present activity and keep going. Before I know it I am back on track. My doctor once told me "Ativan for panic, is like aspirin for a headache". That is certainly how it works for me.

-Soul
Posted 9/13/2008 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Soul,

That is so great that you don't let your anxiety or panic interrupt what you're working on. I can do that sometimes, but, boy, do I feel afterwards like I wasn't really all there at the time - too much extra attention on whether the anxiety was going away or not.

percycat
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