anxiety....symptoms??? Please share to help me

[Candif]

I have been told everyone has different symptoms when it comes to anxiety and panic attacks. I have been coping with anxiety for 10 years now. Trial meds, therapy and settled on Xanax up to 3 times a day but I try to keep it to twice daily having been told this is a lifelong illness due to DNA, my father has suffered from panic attacks for over 20 years.

Can you share with me the symptoms you have experienced due to anxiety? I am in a deep research mode and would appreciate it greatly to hear about others experiences.

My anxiety starts with pressure and heat rising in my body, that's when I know its time to take meds. My first attacks were brutal, rising pressure and heat, over whelming fear to be safe, terrible nausea to the point of throwing up until I dry heaved, shaking all over my body and then extreme cold. Of course than the extreme fear of going thru this again, I had to calculate where hospitals where because at the beginning my only comfort was getting to the hospital which was the only place I felt safe and of course the fear of knowing or thinking this is the way it will be for the rest of my life.

I do have trigger points but most the time the anxiety comes on for no reason at all, I could be at work or just out and about. But my triggers at first were thunderstorms and tornadoes moved from Oregon to the south and had never experienced extreme weather, second trigger is my children's well being anytime I think they are in danger etc that will bring it on, but now it just comes on by itself no warning..

My biggest fear is that I have a condition that is never going away, so research mode is where I am at now. So if anyone can share their experience thank you in advance.

[smantharae]

Hi there. I’m so sorry to hear that you suffer from panic attacks. I do as well and I’ve been diagnosed with GAD. I tried meds, but they weren’t for me unfortunately. My symptoms are similar and I just have to suffer through until I can calm myself down. Sending positive thoughts to you!

[Candif in reply to smantharae]

Thank you very much...it really does help realizing you are not alone

[Wesley504]

Candif, I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles with panic. Mine began about 8 years ago. Symptoms included dizziness, weird "tunnel vision" sensations, general tension, lightheadedness, terrifying dread. Like many others, during the first attack I was certain I was dying by stroke or heart attack. This was very troubling for many reasons beyond the physical experiences, due mainly to having a job in which I must speak in front of large groups every week. I thought I was going crazy, and my negative thinking would spiral away with irrational worries that would plague me.

Here's what's helped me. First, simply learning about panic has been incredibly freeing. In many ways, panic is just an overactive alarm system that gets the mind and body worked up. But physically, panic attacks are not dangerous at all. Extremely uncomfortable and terrifying, yes. But dangerous? Science says no.

Next, while I had a few good experiences with therapists, it was getting a couple CBT workbooks that gave me my life back. I highly recommend finding a therapist who specializes in CBT, but even then, at some point you will most likely be asked to do some workbook homework yourself, so getting a book now and beginning to work on some of the exercises could be very helpful. There are also great websites. Be wary of any website promising quick cures for any amount of money.

I've also explored Acceptance and Commitment therapies along with some mindfulness approaches.

I also found incredibly encouraging the first hand success stories people would post about finding relief from anxiety and panic. These stories gave me courage and hope.

Seeking to live a healthy lifestyle also does wonders. Vigorous exercise, eating lots of fruits, veggies, with good proteins and whole grains, practicing relaxing or meditation, walking, sleeping...

I still have panicky moments on occasion, but I can pivot from them quickly, and overall, my life now is better for having gone through this journey. I never would have believed I would be able to say that, but here I am saying it. Hang in there, you're not alone.

[Pam037 in reply to Wesley504]

Thank you for sharing what worked for you. I feel encouraged.

[Candif]

Thank you very much!!!