I'm starting an anxiety attack and need help!

I'm at work and I feel an attack coming on.  My head pressure is bad.  I'm shaky and ready to jump out of my skin.  Unfortunately I just had to take two sudafed because my sinus pressure and pain is bad too.  That's not going to help the shakiness.  I was ok this morning (well, ok for me!) and now I'm ready to flip out.  I took .5mg of xanax at 6:15AM and just took another one now.  I just know there is something horribly wrong with me.  I'm too afraid to ask for a MRI because when they tell me I have something really bad I will completely break down and they'll put me in the psych ward.  I need to get a grip and get it fast.  I'm really scared.

Special,

If your doctors are reassuring you that this is anxiety, it seems quite logical (in that regard), that you're experiencing the symptoms that you are. To the best of my knowledge, an MRI wouldn't be done simply at the request of the patient for anxiety, so there's that reassurance.

Accepting that these are symptoms of anxiety, and not some dreadful disease, is the first step. Remind yourself how many of these experiences you've already had, and here you are, still kicking,...these are familiar.

Anxiety isn't something "wrong," but it's something that can really get in the way of having a good day! It is what it is....it is uncomfortable,...it is annoying....as you've read here, among us, it is common. But honest, it isn't wrong. Our body produces cocktails of chemicals and hormones which affect how we experience our surroundings and situations.

Utilizing your medication as your doctor prescribed is a step. Practicing your coping skills is a step. Focus on mindfulness and breath-control,....those are all steps.

You're not alone on a branch. We're all here with you!





M.

Sit upright in your chair and force both of your shoulders down, towards the ground and hold for a count of 30. Do this a few times,...and do it periodically. Over time, repeating this helps to relax those muscles that cause you to squeeze your neck.

Do you know any traditional neck/shoulder stretches?




M.

Of course! :)

That's why we're here.

That you are feeling better after taking your Xanax is a very good indication that you're dealing with,....(ta-da!) just what you suspected....a panic attack!

No need to apologize for freaking out. We all experience these feelings, or we wouldn't all be posting on this forum. Right? Right. Got it? Good! Now you have a wonderful day and remember we're here for you!

:)





M.

There is no need to apologize. We are all here for the same reason and ready to help. I actually felt an anxiety attack coming on when I got to work this morning. After some deep breaths and taking my Ativan, I felt better within a half hour or so. Hope you are feeling better now.

Special before I retired I was tripping dayly had head pressure, even got a mri, when discussing this
with my doctor we were going over my med's and when is said Xanax he looked at me and said does it
seem to help, I said yes its the only thing that does, he said Larry to start with most brain tumors are
silent, no pain, second Xanax will block anxiety or panic, but not the symptoms of a brain tumor! Peace!

Larry ***

Thanks to all of you who helped me through this day. When the pressure/lightheaded feeling increased in my forehead my anxiety shot through the roof. I can't even say there's pain involved. It's not really a headache. It increases through the day. Some of it is a self fulling prophecy. I wake up in the morning expecting it and of course it's there. Right now I'm at the health club on the elliptical while I'm writing this. I'll do about 6 miles and then some weights. BTW it's not easy to type while peddling 6mph!!! I don't feel as though I'm going to fall off due to dizziness. Nor am I experiencing weakness. Except for the sweatband around my head to soak up my massive sweat (sorry TMI!!!) I can't say I feel more pressure than usual. Maybe even less. I get it more when I walk around work. Maybe because I'm walking around expecting it to happen. Usually when I get home at night it's almost gone. I typically don't feel the need for Advil or Xanax then but take it to be safe.
Larry: I can't say the Xanax relieves all the pressure but it helps a little. Perhaps because it relieves some of the tension in my neck and shoulders. So your brain tumor theory holds true. I wish I was in the mental state where I could get a MRI. But I know in my current condition I would more than likely have a breakdown. Especially if something was found!
I wish I knew how long it would take for the chiropractor and massage therapist to get rid of the neck tightness. I guess until I work things through with my therapist nothing is going to change. Without the support and continued encouragement of all of you that I will eventually come out on the other side of this if I keep up my therapies and treatments I know I would be in a much worse place. You guys are the best. And sorry for the long post. Sometimes it helps just to get things out. And sorry for the typos. Typing on an iPad while on an elliptical is tricky!

You should just be able to reply to the email I sent you.