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What are your A/P Triggers.....How do you deal with them ???

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Posted 10/6/2006 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
nono  Hi all just wondering here about the triggers you get causing A/P (or even if you dont get triggers)..........as well as how you cope and work thru it all ....I will start

For me MY A/P is triggered when

Someone shows up w/o calling first

Being taken for granted by many family members

Fear of losing anymore loved ones ( have lost my first hubby in 79 ..........son in 84..........Caits Dad in  2002 (not together ) grandma in 2004 and my Mom almost 8 mths ago

Knowing I will never see Mom again til I go to our Maker 

Routine is shot all to Hades ........that wrecks whole day

** These are only a few to start and I now am dealing with these things better by doing CBT,Meditation, Relaxation Techniques, Studying Reiki,Talking to my Elders on Reserve as well as going for long rides with tunes cranked and Nature walks ........

I have to sometimes take  a Valium or ativan but I am slowly taking less and less ........

Being able to come here to get things out helps soo much for me ...Thanks All

Healing Well and all you Peeps make me able to calm done and work thru these things ,by being on here volunteering and trying to help others my mind is taken off my problems and focused elsewhere

Having My Lil one and Sistas these last few months have made me so much more happier and able to see life differently

As well as seeing all the new members (old one coming back ) and the way all of you's support without hesitation each and every member .....I am proud to be part of this yeah

 

 

Mom/ Sista / Lyn

Luv to all and thanks for all you's do

 

 

 

 

 

Posted 10/6/2006 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
My bigger triggers are really crouded places like where you would get bumped alot by strangers like parades crowds NYC stadiums till you get to your seat. Also, modes of transportation where you cant easily escape (ie trains planes busses elevators). If that wasnt enough, publicly performing in any way where you are on stage or in a spot light any time when all eyes are on you.

Coping techniques:
Gaining control of my breathing and slowing it down (keeps the heart rate in check too)
Stepping away from the situation if I can and find a quiet place to remind myself im ok
Clinging to bf he makes me feel safe
Sitting in isle seats so I dont feel so cramped
Avoidance (bad I know)
Curling up in a ball with stuffies
Talking to friends who understand
I try and keep busy sorta so I dont have time to panic
Try to mentally prepare myself ahead of time if I know in advance.

Great thread Lyn I bet it will be useful for all and a bonding experiance as we remember we are not alone! Great work mom
Posted 10/6/2006 5:30 PM (GMT 0)

My biggest trigger is feeling sick or overtired.....especially if I feel nauseous.  Even if I know I'm not "sick", but for some reason I'm just feeling "off" it can trigger anxiety for me. 

I focus on prevention as much as possible.....avoiding these triggers like the plague!  I try really hard to get enough sleep, and I rarely try to stay awake longer than I know I should (i.e. If I've been up at 6am, I likely won't commit to doing anything that would require me to stay up until the wee hours of the morning, b/c I know I'll get overtired and the anxiety will start.)  I also avoid caffeine and alcohol, and stay as far away from contagiously sick people as possible!  (I wash my hands a lot.  Not to the point of being obsessive/compulsive, but a lot.)  I make sure to reduce my chance of getting food poisoning as much as possible....cooking stuff throughly, keeping counters and utensils clean, only eating at restaurants I'm comfortable with, and not ordering "risky" food.  (I think I get a little out of hand with this sometimes.)

Actually, it's interesting - yesterday I went to a coffee shop and ordered a decaf, but realized after drinking it that it had clearly been caffeinated.  I was jittery and edgy and couldn't concentrate all day, and it upset my stomach....and I was so worried I was going to have an anxiety attack at night (that's when they usually happen).....but I didn't!!!  I had trouble sleeping a little, but I was relaxed and no anxiety!!!!  Yippee!!!  (Perhaps I can add this to one of those happy threads......never done that yet.)

I have anxiety about crowded places too, but have usually managed to get myself out fast enough not to have a panic attack.  I had a mild one about two years ago in a crowded pub, but I just left.  I sit on aisles at the movie theatre and in airplanes, and I'm often on the edge of crowds at concerts, etc.  It's not very debilitating, thankfully.  As long as I manage it, it's ....well....manageable.

B.

Posted 10/6/2006 5:43 PM (GMT 0)

Hey guys, Great threat!

Some of my triggers are crowds, strange people that look at me too long (I get paranoid), finding out the store I shop at all the time has moved things around and I have to hunt things down (usually in and out), finding a scratch on my car, worrying my car has mechanical problems even though it is new (I know...crazy), my health, the health of my mom, and of course my cat Normandy (cant forget him!), going out to eat is hard as I over stress about germs and wont use public bathrooms.  This is just to name a few...

The last few months I have been able to get better about controlling my anxiety/panic.  Of course I have Xanax to take when I need to but I try real hard not to need it.  I avoid the busy times at the stores, grocery, mall and wal-mart.  I have gotten into a routine of walking every morning which has helped alot and gives me the time I need to sort out my thoughts..or just to be by myself and recently just joined the local healthplex (gym) at one of our hospitals.  There have still been times where it gets beyond my control but to know that I am not dying, and take deep breaths, close my eyes and concentrate on slowing my heart rate helps get through them a bit easier.

Posted 10/6/2006 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
My trigger is when I start thinking of EVERYTHING...what I have to do, what I haven't done, our money situation, this house we are in (way too small), feeling cramped in and no way to get out, feeling cornered by someone or something, talking about my deepest most private thoughts (I don't do this, ever), it all seems to pile down on me at once and then I freak out. Crying, shaking, screaming, can't see, blurry vision, don't know what to do next. I get my stomach in my throat and butterflies. Just a feeling of pure dread. It's horrible. I had to go to my neuro's office about 1 1/2 months ago for an emergency visit because I couldn't work my way out of it, usually my meds will work. I happened to be driving, had a terrible migraine that nothing would touch and had my hubby and two step-kids in the car. I pulled over and ran out of the car. Scared them all to death. Scared me even worse. I think that was the worst one I've ever had.

 

Posted 10/6/2006 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I hear ya on that one Chelle I know I have terified both Howie and Cait as well as myself I felt like I was totally insane and could not get a grip it was on 401 hwy here in Ontario I jumped out (howie was driving)
truck had overheated and I dont know why but something just switched on and WHHAmm I felt like I was having an out of body experience as I could hear the screaming and it was me I could not stop til I started to shake so bad and sob like crazy.........it was like 37 degrees with a high humidex yet my whole body was freezing so bad I was so cold I will never ever forget that one ..........I use to be like you as well and keep everything in shut self off not eat sleep nothing not even talk (except for what hadto be said ) for days at a time....Then I would just blow a gasket and when I mean blow I am dead serious all and everything right down to telling Howie to leave ........it was bad
I finally realized I was really hurting Cait and Howie so much and hurting myself in the process I went o 88 lbs had to be tube fed was not good and I will never let that happen anymore.......I thru HW and peeps here am able now to let walls down and keep them down but always is at least a couple of small ones left up for my own reasons .........
I am glad you have been able to share it shows you are able to trust somewhat more than you did and you can talk about some things with us here
Kudos to you
Lyn
Posted 10/6/2006 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
*moment of frustration* did i foregt to mention work as a trigger?
Posted 10/6/2006 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
great thread sis! my triggers are driving, crowded places, as els said, someone looking at me too long ;) (makes me wanna cry wondering what they are thinking) one thing that really gets me is....if i stay home on my days off, i have a horrible time getting back into the public. So i try to at least run to the nearest store on time off. Being idle is really not good either, my mind tends to work in overdrive.....thinking the worst.
Meditation helps alot, i love to clean and turn up the music full blast, always calms me for some reason lol. Breathing exercises, and writing in my journal or maybe some poetry that our wonderful brownleaf talked me into trying. Keep up the good work all, we can get past this ;)
shell
Posted 10/6/2006 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
My triggers are:

* being in a crowded room with too many people

* being in a car and not being the driver with too many people (and not my safe person)

* malls (still haven't been in one in a long time, but will go to Wal-mart now)

* being in a room with anyone with the door locked or loud noises

* having to go too far from my house

* thinking too much and stressing out about simple things all at once

and how do I ride those anxious feelings out?  I haven't really gotten too far down the list on each trigger.  I'm taking babysteps with each one, and trying to figure out how to get comfortable in each situation.

 

Posted 10/7/2006 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
That's the best way to do it twiggy .....baby steps........
Posted 10/7/2006 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Excellent thread . .

My triggers are:
Elevators (I'd rather walk up six flights of stairs)
My friends' and family's illnesses (I worry to much about everyone)
Being alone or being with too many people
Doing something (anything) that I've never done before
Meeting new people

How I cope:
I come to m HW friends to vent
I cry
I try to relax and breathe
I get on the computer and do something unrelated. Time always seems to fly when I'm online
I go for a drive, never getting out of my car, and usually wind up near the water and people watch.
Posted 10/7/2006 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
the worst thing for me is realizing how fast time flies by. i start thinking about my kids getting older and not needing me anymore. then i start thinking about what will i do when i have no one else to take care of. how will i fill my days?
Posted 10/7/2006 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hey helpingme,
Your kids are always going to need you. For me, sometimes I still need my mommy and I'm 32 years old. Funny thing is, never understood where she was coming from until I moved out nd realized all she did for me. Only then did I ever thank her for putting up with me all those wacky years!
Posted 10/8/2006 6:56 AM (GMT 0)
Oh those nasty triggers...

~Illness~(mine or a family member's, close friend's)
~Any medical procedure, or emergency~
~Scary, tense, or highly emotional movies~
~Fatigue~
~Crowds, or feeling locked in or trapped~
~Family tension, confrontation~
~Feeling overwhelmed by having too much to do~

Aaahhh the coping mechanisms...

~Controlled breathing!~
~Progressive muscle relaxation~
~Prayer~
~Exercise~
~Taking time for myself (including posts and chats on HW!)
Posted 10/8/2006 8:53 AM (GMT 0)
These are fantastic............... the coping skills I mean ......the links between us are quite the same as well
Thanks all for participating
Lyn

  Being in big crowds

  feeling as though am being watched

  Rude rude ppl

  Two faced (or more ) ppl.....have a few in family

  Family confrontations

  Illness within family and self

  PPl with no EMPATHY

  Also afraid of the "empty nest "

Said I had a few more

Cope by CBT,relaxation ,meditation and meds lol

also you all here

  Surley after today there will be even more

have a great one all be well live love and laugh 

Posted 10/9/2006 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
BUmp for newbies and others lol
Posted 10/9/2006 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I have the horrible empty nest syndrom, and its going to catch up with me soon, im lucky enough to still have me kids here at the moment, but at 21 and 19.....im gonna be short 2 anytime now....thats a horrible big trigger for alot of us i bet ;)......:(
shell
Posted 10/9/2006 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hey shell...would you be interested in my sixteen year old? PLLEEAAASSEE? LOL!

Seriously though take care and hugs.
Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/9/2006 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
LOL sure thing scarey cat, no problems hehe i still have one thats 12, so got a ways to go, just hate the htought of loosing me girl. well and me boy, they keep me sane.......if you can believe that ;)
keep em coming, i dont wanna be alone lol (but then again, then how will i ever get a man.....but then again, do i need one?? hehe)
shell
Posted 10/9/2006 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
I cannot even begin to imagine my home with out Cait and her friends always here ...........
Family that know stress will trigger the pg and I am the one that ends up with huge sores for weeks because of it.Cait/ Howie  see me in such pain because of them
Family being hurt SPITEFULLY just because she knows she can do it.........
Family Holidays anymore (even when Mom was alive ) seems chaos has to be present all the time and w/o an invite from me always from same in law..........
Take care and Be well.......Mom /Sista /Lyn

Cope by crying alot .......Go inot bathroom so they dont see BUT they still know.

Talking to lil one and Sista's

Being here on the board

Cleaning already spotless house  ( ocd er)

Sceaming and yelling at no one in paticul untilllllllllllllll

Today I finally confonted person anout whle Thanksgiving being practiccally ruined

Went for a long walk with Howie and cait last night all around own

Deep breathing and relaxation techs well as meditation and driving back roads

Posted 10/10/2006 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
My biggest triggers are

Worrying about my sons asthma...CONTINUALLY during cold and flu season...and he has a nasty cold now...I am a wreck now sad

Driving

My own health..(another BIGGY)

Money

Worrying that people will hate me

Being in a room which I cannot see out

Closed doors

Worried about making a fool of myself in public because I am severly hard of hearing

And not getting housework done

Hmmm...Thats all I can think of for a second...LOL

Shelly

 

Posted 10/10/2006 6:37 AM (GMT 0)
my health and thinking about dying triggers my anxiety for sure hiv caused me worry for 5 months or 6 months and symptom surfing crushed me, finally tested negative and that took alot off my shoulders im gonna go back on lexapro. but xanax helps my anxiety alot when i wasn't prescribed it i drank chamomile tea which helped somewhat,but health really triggers it for me cause i think i have everything i do not want to die, also talking to god makes me feel better, i also been taking garlic and ester c seem like it may be helpin but i dunno still i will be nervous till i die just can't get bad thoughts out of my head, take care and god bless you
Posted 10/10/2006 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
My Cait has asthma as well but seems to be somewaht growing out of it ......I wish the same for your son....it can happen it really can
We A/P er's always are worried about our health IMO it is because we are more in tune with our bodies
I have little hearing in left ear very frustrating to say the least and if A/P is bad it gets worse
I have finally sdtopped worrying about what others think as nuch as I use too.........Doing CBT
Talking to my God as well ..........anywhere and anytime I feel the need
Please watch taking RX meds with natural ......sometimes can be interactions .....NOT always
NO one hates you ..........you have to love self as well
Be proud hold your head high this is an illness ..........
Fight it with all you have
Posted 10/10/2006 12:58 PM (GMT 0)

My biggest triggers can be something as little as the telephone ringing or someone knocking on the door when I'm not exspectng anyone. Crowded places, crying whinning kids in public places and parents ignore them grrrrrrrrrr. I'm not talking about babies here, thay upset me too but I can get past that by repeating to myself they are babies. Cashiers can send my anxiety way up real quick and I try really really hard to be patient but sometimes hubby asks me if I need to go ahead and go outside and I do. I don't blow up on people I hold it all in because I'm aware of what is going on inside myself and will vent and cry when hubby and I get into the car to head home.  I am so blessed I have him and he understands what I am going threw.

Bless you all I'm so happy were all here together.

Posted 10/10/2006 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Me too Panicky---Health and dying are my two big triggers also. Had all the test doc says i am fine. Have a pain or get to thinking "What if", "What if" and it puts me into a tail spin. Xanax helps but would really like not to be on meds. Empty nest is hard for me too I MISS MY KIDS. Never understood parents that said "Can't wait for my kids to leave home" always wanted mine with me. My kids have been gone anywhere form 7 to 12 years and I still sometimes find myself crying because I miss them. Wish I had loads of money so I could just travel between all 3 of them.

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