Incapacitated

I need a little help, are you a Lady or a Gentleman? It doesnt really matter just makes it easier to communicate. My name is Larry I am a 71 year old retired aerospace worker and I live in Texas, I suffered
with anxiety and panic for about 30 years. Don't get the idea that it was a total time of suffering I had many
days, months, and years of little or no trouble. In the early stages it seemed like I had anxiety all the time
and I was able to handle it pretty good, but when the Panic attacks hit from out of the blue that was another story. I had to take xanax to shut down the panic, most of the time I could handle the anxiety but sometimes
I would take a half of one just to have a decent day. over time I got stronger and the attacks were spreading out over time. Now about You, have you had a physical lately, been to ER, if so what did they tell you?
You see you need to rule out any medical problems, I know that you need help right now and I am going to
try. There are many things that will help, but if you curl up in a ball on the couch it will not help, if thats the case get up and do something constructive anything just do something that makes you use your muscles to accomplish it, when you do something look in the mirror and give yourself credit for doing something positive that needed doing. You can wash your face again and brush your teeth. then come back here and go to the resources on the first page and read through them these are all self help things and they are free, pick something out that you think might help. The next time you feel one jumping on you if its daylight go for a walk,"yes these things work". Do not think negative thoughts, make yourself think positive. This helps many people who are about to crash, count backwards from 100, do any kind of math in your head, once you realize that the only power PAD has is fear you can start doing things to DISTRACT yourself. You will not die from this condition no one in history has ever died from PAD put this in your head and do not let it out. Stay with us on this forum and dont worry we will not get Tired of you or your problem! Last You Will Get Well. Peace
Larry ***

Post Edited (lgm1942) : 10/14/2013 12:52:52 AM (GMT-6)

Larry,
I'm 20 yrs/old and I am a male. I have not had a psychical lately or seen any Doctor. I don't understand how a physical condition could cause me to feel anxious. Right now, I'm feeling a little better. But I fear I may have another panic attack. I decided to try going to sleep (I wasn't able to read your reply until this afternoon) and that was a horrible idea. It seemed to have made it worse for me. I was able to sleep for about 4 and a half hours last night, and haven't been able to since. Sometimes sleep just seems impossible. I was enjoying one of my hobbies when it started, and after I decided I wouldn't be able to sleep I had tried something else that I enjoy: No music, no sound, just a deck of cards. For some reason that was able to keep me atleast a little calmer then what I had been doing previously, which was sketching. Is there any reason that it started while I was doing something I enjoy and also slowed down while doing something else I enjoy? I don't understand any of it. I have noticed though, that I am more likely to experience a panic attack while alone, or late at night. But I wanted to thank you both for your thoughts and ideas. While I have been feeling a little better, I'm hoping they will keep the edge off it.

I agree with what you said about using our muscles to keep it at bay. I used to work out and I always felt good (Both physically and mentally) afterwards. I stopped because my eating habits have changed and I completely lost motivation. I think I will try getting back into some kind of routine, although I'm not sure if I can keep up on it. Generally, I think I am fairly healthy. I wouldn't say I'm healthy, but wouldn't say I'm unhealthy either. I'm thin, been an 8 year smoker (Trying to quit, haven't lit up for 9 days), don't exercise every day, and eat and drink healthily. But when these attacks start I feel unhealthy. My mind races, sometimes I think I convince myself of really odd things. For instance, I'm horribly afraid of ever having surgery. The thought of being 'under' and having the inside of my body exposed terrifies me. And I fear that some crazy thing will suddenly happen. Like my heart beats so fast during these attacks that if I can't slow it down I will have to for some reason under-go surgery. It's always really, really far fetched ideas. But as for the Xanax, I've never used it. I used to see a Psychiatrist and after trying different medicines he made the decision that I was improving the most with Seroquel. I would try talking to him and he would act like I had 1 million things wrong with me, I wasn't very comfortable telling him much. So I eventually had stopped taking that medicine and stopped going to appts. That was 4 years ago. I would like to consider finding another Doctor, but am not easily able to at the moment.