Trying to stay afloat

[M0mof0sho]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this site. I stumbled on it after waking up at 2 am this morning with severe anxiety and doing some research into support groups. Hoping to see some benefits from being part of a mental health community.

[_j1971_]

HI, I also suffer from severe anxiety. I see a functional medicine doctor who has helped me tremendously. However, I still have panic attacks from time to time. I recently had a severe panic attack at 2 a.m. that landed me in the ER. Prior to that it had been 8 months since my last panic attack. Some of the things I've done to help with my panic/anxiety disorder have been GABA and Phos Serine. These are supplements my doctor recommended. The Phos Serine is tricky because you have to find the amount that is right for you. Currently, however, my panic has returned and I am having a hard time with daily life. I have what I believe is "panic nausea" which makes it incredibly difficult to function and take care of my family. I am feeling pretty desperate. I also found this support group during a google search and during a panic attack. It is nice to know we are not alone and do not have to suffer in silence.

[EmilyAnne9769]

Welcome to the club! I've only been here a few days but I have to admit it's really nice to know I'm surrounded by others that get depression and understand what a roller coaster it is. It's hard for people that don't have anxiety or depression to relate but here everyone's very accepting and understanding. I hope you have a good experience here. I'm here if you want to talk!

[pennymama]

I'm new here too. Hoping to find a community where it's not taboo to talk about real life. Nice to see that I'm not the only one up at 2 a.m. researching anxiety

[M0mof0sho in reply to pennymama]

Haha! It's not the best way to start a morning, but I'm glad I found this support group through my rapid researching. Going to try opening up on here.

[_j1971_]

Well I found out last week the cause of my most recent panic attack. My yearly blood work came back and my ferritin (iron stores) level was very low. I am now on an iron supplement and although it is going to take a while to build my stores up, I find comfort in knowing I am not crazy and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Once my ferritin levels go up all of my symptoms should improve including my panic disorder.

[Meeasy]

Here are some of my tools . These are suggestions that work for me Your results may vary

- excercise releases your brains natural anti anxiety/ depessant chemicals. Rigorous enough to get to heavy breathing and blood flow. It can be as simple as jogging in place or climbing stairs

- diet changes. Caffeine and sugar work against you

- meditation , I use podcasts and YouTube videos to find guided meditations, self hypnosis and inspirational self affirmation. Use the search bar. Get a podcast app

- stay connected, don't isolate. Find Meetup groups, forums, recovery , church, etc to express your feeling and get feedback

-Volunteer or support or encourage others is a good practice. doing things for others gets you out of ruminating about yourself.

- attitude of gratitude. As hard as it is, it could always be worse. I make gratitude list to remind myself of my blessings.

- write it down. Keep a journal, dig deep. Write letters to yourself, to god, your resentments, your fears, your inner child etc. be your own therapist. It's cheap

Avoid news, politics, and advertisements They all use fear to control your emotions

Avoid social media. Don't fall into the trap of comparing your insides with other people's outsides

Try Q96 brain supplements. Google it. I have not gotten dramatic results but I know people who have

With or without medication these tips have no negative side effects Good luck