New to this..

[met2496]

Hey guys. I'm new here and hoping to find some support with this new issue called anxiety or panic. I don't want to dive in to pharmaceuticals yet. But my doctor tells me they will help. I am a really strong willed person, but over the past 6 months I have had many issues with my anxiety. I was bright and vibrant, always happy and jubilant. Now I don't even want to go out with my friends, I am scared to be in large crowds and I avoid any situation I feel would trigger an attack. I am a senior in college and am completing my internship that requires 480 contact hours. I am in an amazing relationship with a guy that helps tremendously when I have attacks. However, I do not know what triggers the attacks. I am trying to do a little more research into what anxiety and depression is. I just want a little feedback from people who have found activities they feel reduce their anxiety. I am wondering if this is just a phase I am going through with the overwhelming stress of my last semester in college. Sometimes I have no idea what is going on in my mind, I zone out and feel like I am not in the moment. I have talked to my doctor about this and she says it is just anxiety. However, it is very frightening when these issues happen. I have been trying holistic approaches such as calming tea, but those approaches are not working for me. Can anyone please give me some tips? I am open to any options.

[eywatters]

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. I'm new here too. I've been looking for a community to give and also find support. I'm a mom of three. I've experienced some anxiety and panic attacks when I was younger. More recently I've been through it again with my daughter, a senior in high school. I'm the type that dives into research when I encounter a problem, and we've found a lot of different modalities and things that have helped and not helped.

I found the genetic test to be really helpful in order to see some predispositions but also to know what medication NOT to take. Very helpful test needs to be through a dr. It's called Genomind. It can also show if you have some particular vitamin/mineral deficiencies that contribute to anxiety. There are also neurofeedback clinics that also help with looking at how your brain is wired and work to re-train your brain. We try to eat a clean diet, gluten free, mostly, because that runs in our family DNA.

Most importantly, I think it's valuable to understand that there are SO MANY factors contributing to anxiety. And it's a matter of finding what works for you. Think of it like trying to find your own, personal "trail of breadcrumbs" that leads you back to calm. Certainly cognitive therapy is helpful as well. For me personally, I found that bikram yoga helped completely change my brain. My daughter needs exercise to help her with anxiety. Some people with anxiety find that their brain is working at incredibly fast speeds, and just need that calming quiet.

As cliche as it may sound, being able to breathe, has had the most immediate effects in our family. Taking five minutes, even if you're in a class, to just breathe deeply, belly rising and falling, maybe 6 slow counts on the inhale, 6 on the exhale. This triggers the nervous system and can calm a fast brain. It can be helpful to find temporary relief.

[met2496 in reply to eywatters]

Thank you for being so helpful. Last night I went to the gym and exercised and it really did make me feel better. I also drank a healthy smoothie after and that was the cherry on top. I think the Genomind test would be great. I am adopted so I have no idea what runs in my family or what my genetic makeup is. The only information I have is that some people in my family (not sure if immediate or my larger family) have bipolar disorder, depression, and substance abuse issues.

All of this is really terrifying because everything was so "normal" (my version of normal) before this started. I never had to worry about when my next anxiety attack would be. I was truly happy and the "real me". However, now that I am aware of it I am taking the steps needed to address it. I have identified a few triggers and have done research on how to stay calm when I panic.

[eywatters in reply to met2496]

Excellent actions!

Everything starts with awareness. Because nothing changes if nothing changes. :). Let feelings and thoughts come into focus, come into your field of awareness, without judgment. Just notice. Get curious about them. That's walking a healing path.

And know this, (from a mom who's seen a lot of the anxiety path), it's really ok to not feel ok sometimes. It's really quite normal. Often the difference with someone with anxiety is that we think so much, so fast, and analyze things to death.

And don't forget to breathe.....

[met2496 in reply to eywatters]

Thank you!

[CatMom2022]

Hi there, I am new to this as well..

I am so sorry to hear that you are experiencing this, but we are all here to support each other, right? I am also a senior in college and interned at a large, demanding advertising agency this past summer- so I understand the stress of finishing college and the toll it can take. I was recently diagnosed with high functioning depression, major anxiety and OCD. Please reach out if you need someone to talk to..

[met2496 in reply to CatMom2022]

I am so sorry to hear that. I think that when all of these issues go on we tend to forget how great we are and how much potential we have. I know I have at least. The most important thing to remember is that we can be great and awesome with these mental disabilities. We are unique and sometimes life gets difficult. But it does for everyone. The way we respond to those difficulties are so important. Keeping your body, heart, and mind healthy is the most important. Thank you for responding. Please feel free to reach out to me if you ever need someone to talk to as well.