A slippery slope?

[AZ1970]

Hello everyone. I have been posting my journey the past few days. It started with a flashback on Wednesday, another on Thursday and a difficult therapy session on Thursday as well. I was feeling a bit better yesterday. This morning the hubby and I were having a tense conversation, but nothing too difficult. A few moments later I started shaking a bit and then went into a full blown panic attack. I haven't had one in over a year. Now I am a zombie. I feel like I did in my most depressed days, but it is not depression. I just don't want to talk to anyone, I cannot bring myself to run to the store. It's like my mind and body put a "We Are Closed" sign up. I can also tell I am not going to be able to handle any stress at all the next day or so. Does anyone else feel this drained after a panic attack?

[Agora1]

Definitely can feel drained after a panic attack, both mentally and physically.

It's quite a work out for the body and mind. Don't fear the feeling but go with

it and take it easy. It will pass. Honor your "closed sign" and have some

"me time" .. meditating and breathing deeply can help restore a balance. xx

[AZ1970 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you Agora1. You have some great suggestions.

[fauxartist]

it sounds like something has triggered you.... can you trace back to maybe what that is....and figure out what it is that you have done before to come out of this. I think sometimes I used to shut down when I just could not face something in my life that was from my past and the emotions were just too overwhelming, so my mind shut me down. I found in the early days of therapy when all my old can of worms I had were being opened up it was like old wounds being opened and it was just sometimes too painful, I had some pretty traumatic reactions to some things....but after a while....with monitoring and taking things a bit slower and gentler....I was able to better process my stuff....

[AZ1970 in reply to fauxartist]

Faux artist, you are exactly right. I’ve been doing 12 step work that triggered some flashbacks. I guess you have a point about taking things more slowly. Why do I keep expecting myself to handle more than I realistically can? I’ve done that all my life. Old habits die hard. I can’t retraumatize myself by pushing through the trauma. It comes down to self care and paying attention to what I need. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

[fauxartist in reply to AZ1970]

yeah....we want to be better yesterday...and there just aren't any 'good' quick fixes except super glue..... we have to pace ourselves at our own time, do what we are comfortable with....and we will eventually get to where we want to be...we are a work in progress...and that's the point....enjoy the journey.... take each baby step on board and absorb what it is your trying to do.....

I used to laugh a bit to myself at newcommers who would say...well I got all the 12 steps done...in like a week....what's next.... I say... go back to step one. It's not homework or a marathon that we are trying to get finished as quickly as we can, we are doing this for us..and for us to learn a better way to live our lives.

I would just say try and ease yourself back through where you were before this, and stop...... absorb..... release.... be gentle with you...you matter....and acknowledge each step and validate each revelation on your way.....it's all good