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Anxiety disorder triggered by a tragic event :(

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Posted 1/13/2013 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Well i found out in therapy that my anxiety disorder was triggered by the death of someone close to me last year. I didn't realize that it had a huge affect on me until i discuss it to my therapist. I realized my difficulties breathing occurred after that and my random panic attacks to. Its amazing how life events can affect you like that. The scary thing is when that person died close to me I almost felt numb like i couldn't cry it was like my emotions died and i felt so disconnected from reality, I thought her death didn't affect me but it affected me subconsciously and now am too much in touch with reality. I always was an anxious person but my anxiety became abnormal after she died. I miss her and life never was the same since that happen, my grandmother meant the world to me and when she passed family gatherings wasnt the same anymore..Hearing my mommy cry all the time day in and day out took a toll on me too :( :(. I just wanted to share with you'll what caused my anxiety disorder and was wondering:
Did anything triggered your anxiety disorder?
If not did your therapist or doctor was able to tell you why you have an anxiety disorder?
Posted 1/13/2013 6:06 PM (GMT 0)

LoveGod364 said...
Did anything triggered your anxiety disorder?

Yes, the anxiety I have been having for the last seven months is directly related to my being diagnosed with a heart condition. And the present increase in my anxiety level over the last few days is triggered by the fact that I have to fly to Taiwan tomorrow. And my fear of flying stems from the loss of my sister in a plane crash in Antarctica in 1979. Before that I loved to fly and had even made several sport parachute jumps. It’s truly amazing how the subconscious works.
Posted 1/13/2013 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
L.G.

I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother's passing. Of course this is going to affect anyone...and for those who are predisposed to anxiety...well you see how it can be a definite trigger for our anxiety.

For me it was two-fold. Tension between my daughter and my second husband...and a trust issue between my husband and I combined to trigger me.

I hope that as you continue to heal and move forward in your treatment, that you will feel less pain and anxiety.

Good memories of your grandmother and the good feelings of managing your A/P will soon replace the things that are presently bothering you.

Keep posting with us, and we will be here to understand and care!

S.C.
Posted 1/13/2013 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Oslooskar,

I am sorry to hear about your sister, and the resulting fear of flying that it has caused for you.

I am cheering you on as you prepare for your trip! I think that you are incredibly brave for facing your fear and challenges that you do!

I wish you a calm and enjoyable trip. Let us know how it goes when you can post again okay?

S.C.
Posted 1/14/2013 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
I've always been an anxious, high strung person...but when four of my sisters passed away within a three year span...two passed within a month of each other...my anxiety escalated to a point that made me feel like I was dying. I could not mourn one sister before the other passed. It's been almost four years now since the last one left us.

I have one sister left and she's having a very hard time...she's very dependant on Klonopin and is having a hard time with it. I took Ativan for seven months but have weaned off it...I suffered very harsh withdrawal but it's all better now.

I still suffer from anxiety but the attacks are not as frequent as they were when we were losing our sisters and the attacks are not as debilitating. I used to end up in the ER when having anxiety attacks...it's been a long time since that's happened. I am not taking any drugs at this time...I am a praying person and that is seeing me through. I don't want to leave the impression that I think drugs are not good...I think there is a time for drugs and should be used as needed.

I am praying for healing for everyone. Take care...
Joni
Posted 1/16/2013 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
LoveGod364,
Thank you for your post. As a mother, grandmother and great-aunt, I hope I will be loved and missed as much as your grandmother. She sounds wonderful. You are very lucky to have such a wonderful ancestor.

I know there are many people on this site whose anxiety triggers are health issues. If this is you, then please stop reading. What I have is very, very rare and no one should imagine that they could possibly have these problems.

Your second subject is one I am finding fascinating. Some people have situation triggers, or potential inherited predilections, others have biological triggers such as changing hormones or vitamin/mineral deficiencies or physical illnesses and many of us have a combination of one or more of these. I am sure I missed a few areas of current research.

The more I learn about anxiety and panic, the more I learn about the important cross connections between mind and body. My latest diagnosis is neuropsychiatric hypersensitivity. A small portion of people with my last surgery end up with this diagnosis. It means the nerve endings in an artificially created digestive organ have become oversensitive to pain. Needless to say this creates anxiety because I never know when or why the pain will hit.

Before that my anxiety probably started after a rape and attempted murder when I was a little girl. I did not know anxiety/panic was a medical condition. i just thought I was strange. The symptoms became stronger after the 2007 .com crash. Financial ruin tends to freak one out. At that time, a therapist did point out the basis for my triggers. Unfortunately, this was long before cbt was developed and I was not given any long-term effective tools other than drugs.

I also have overwhelming periods of depression that correlate with a vitamin D deficiency that keeps dropping to less then 4. A healthy athlete should have a level around 60. I am starting Vitamin D infusions soon to see if I can reach and maintain a healthy level.

At first I tried months of opiates and it did nothing for my abdominal pain. Then I tried a combination of an anxiety med and low dose antidepressant. The pain is not completely gone but I can function again! However, my anxiety and depression are almost but not quite overwhelming. I fight daily not to let it run my life. I start cognitive behavioral therapy soon. I pray this will help increase my quality of life.

Every time i think I have fought and reached a good quality of life with a chronic illness, I get hit by another diagnosis.

Last time I tried to regain control over my body by completing a half marathon. The people I trained with were wonderful but I just do not think I really love running. I think 20 miles a week is good cross training but it does not make me feel fulfilled.

This time I am tempted to train to climb a 12,500 foot mountain. I have met a wonderful family group that does a 12,500er per year. I used to climb in high school and college and loved it.
Because I am in such bad shape the training and education will take 6 months which just happens to be when their next climb is planned.
I hope I will be healthy enough physically and mentally to meet that challenge.

Just because I am crazy and sick doesn't mean I can't have fun!
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