bad anxiety

[kayeyevee]

yo! so, last week I had a really bad panic attack that i really haven’t been able to recover from since. i’ve talked to two of my friends and it seemed to really help but as soon as I was no longer talking to them all the dread came back and I was back to feeling the way I was. I thought continuing to talk about what was going on would help but it seems like i’m running in circles. I really just want to go back to feeling the same way I did before or even better. It’s like after the panic attack everything doesn’t look the same to me and it’s like I randomly ended up in this familiar place. Now i’m scared to go to work, drive my car and going outside. how do I brush these off? The last time I had a panic attack like this was about 4 years ago.

[brokenlight]

I feel you kayeyevee...

I’m not sure you can brush the after affects off, but I hope they subside soon.

Please be gentle with yourself in your recovery process.

Best of luck!

[kayeyevee in reply to brokenlight]

yes! you’re so right. I don’t think i can brush it off however, i can embrace it and learn from it. thanks for telling me to be gentle with myself, i needed that reminder. let me know if you ever need to talk (:

[brokenlight in reply to kayeyevee]

Embracing it & learning from it... that’s perfect! ✨

Thank you so much! I appreciate that a lot.

Have a great day!

[Hidden]

Hey there,

These panic attacks aren't fun and I know how debilitating it can feel to be stuck waiting and dreading the next one. It's like Pandora's Box was opened. The best advice I can give is rationality. Has a panic attack ever killed you or anyone? Scared the crap out of you and made you feel like this and that was going to happen; absolutely.

I think the best thing you can do is allow it to happen. It'll come and go. Tension goes up, attack peaks, and then it goes away. When we actively fight the feelings, we're making it worse. This is your body's way of fight or flight and it's natural and normal. The best practice is to use deep breathing techniques, mindfulness, and CBT to lessen the severity. As you get better and toned with all of these, you'll begin to cope and manage better. When we fear and fight the panic, we are setting ourselves up to receive more stress that leads to anxiety and then panic...and then the attack.

If the attacks are making everyday life dysfunctional, it's time to see a doctor. An antidepressant that also helps anxiety and panic might help. Your doctor might opt for other options medicinally or refer you to a therapist. A therapist can help you learn coping practices and likely will use CBT in your treatment. You shouldn't have to feel like this every day and worry constantly. It's no way to live, but I have been through what you're experienced so I understand why you're fretting.

Deep breathing and mindfulness (hand in hand, very alike) both calm and relieve our nervous systems. Try practicing videos on YouTube or find an app for your phone. The guided sessions are great because a comfortable voice leads you through and provides rational common sense thought while we attempt to cope. If you catch the anxiousness early using the techniques, it's a tremendous step forward. Sometimes the things they say are so thought provoking that I've settled down over just the thought...."Wow, when I stop thinking about the thought and just let it be a thought and only that, I feel a lot better right now." As a former skeptic of these practices, I can say they actually work. My favorite app is 10% Happier though it costs money after a free trial. It does have free lessons, just not a very expansive library compared to the subscription.

You will get better and I promise if you try the above things, you'll begin to have more confidence in your ability to handle the panic. We don't fight it, we allow it space to come and go. We do not give it the floor, much of our thoughts, or its own time of day. It can stop by and then get the hell out. What it makes us feel will pass. When we fight it, it gets excited and hangs around like a crappy little goblin. A lot around here like Claire Weekes who says, basically, to float instead of trying to paddle and thrash in the "anxiety attack water". Definitely see a doctor for help or a referral for a therapist if needed. Once you have your anxiety tool belt assembled, the pest that it is will have a much harder time garnering any of your attention. I know all of this is easier said than done, so please be sure to allow yourself kindness during all of it. It's okay if you're frustrated, angry, or sad. Remember that you're deserving of peace and tranquility; you will get it because you are worthy of it. Best of luck and I hope you feel better soon. Let us know how everything goes and if you ever need more support or advice, we're all only a message away.

[kayeyevee in reply to Hidden]

omg, thank you so much!!! *gives virtual hug* this really changed my perspective about anxiety in general. at times i think of anxiety as something bad/negative and i think that’s what allows me to let it overcome my whole body and emotions. but it’s part of life and this experience, so thinking about it stopping by and leaving kinda gives me that push to keep going. i will defff reach out in the future. thank you again 😭

[justanote]

I understand how it is to feel trapped by your anxiety. Just take it one day at a time! You will find that each day will bring new healing and hope for the next. When you find yourself thinking scary thoughts and you don't have anyone to talk to, write them down. I have found that journaling my panicky thoughts and feelings is a good remedy. It helps to get them out of my head so I can sort through them logically. I have also spent time talking to God, even praying out loud. He knows what you need and has the ability to calm your mind and body. I'm praying for you!

[kayeyevee in reply to justanote]

you’re so very right! thank you for that change of perspective. i guess i was trying to run from my anxiety instead of facing it and letting it pass. i will try writing things down!

[kayeyevee in reply to justanote]

you’re so very right! thank you for that change of perspective. i guess i was trying to run from my anxiety instead of facing it and letting it pass. i will try writing things down!