New to anxiety

[Lostandconfused2]

I’ve had 2 anxiety/panic attacks within the span of 2 weeks, i lost my job today because they feel i can’t handle my stressful role any longer. I had the attack 4 days ago but i still have symptoms, i feel eardable, distant, chest heavy ness, i feel drained and i don’t want to leave my bed. I’m trying to find natural ways to help my anxiety because i don’t want to resort to meds. I’ve tried breathing exercises, aromatherapy, writing, herbal tea. Idk what else to do. Any suggestions?

[Noodledoodel]

Ask your gp to do a blood test looking a deficiency iron b12 vitD as these can cause anxiety symptoms also look at taking magnesium biglysonate and tryptophan or 5thp but not if your using any antidepressants download the headspace app or something similar meditating is food and some light exercise eat a good diet plenty veg fruit nuts seeds and make sure to drink plenty water

[Lostandconfused2 in reply to Noodledoodel]

Thank you so much. Really appreciate it

[Jeff1943]

You are no different to anybody else, either those here who are no strangers to anxiety attacks or those who have never experienced one.

If anybody is subjected to enough stress they will reach a point of anxiety overload and our nervous system starts to complain. The feelings you describe are a symptom of that complaint, your nerves have had enough.

So do not believe there is something 'weak' about you or that you are a 'failure'. Anybody else would respond the same way in the same circumstances.

I reckon you had a lucky escape when you lost your job. Your employer was st fault in directing too much stressful work your way and instead of supporting you when your health suffers laying you off instead. You are well rid of them.

You are suffering from nervous exhaustion, sleep all you want for a while but sleep the sleep of the just: you have nothing to reproach yourself for. Before long it will be time to arise from your bed and begin to look for another job. You have job skills, the will to succeed and experience: you have much to offer a future employer.

There is no need for you to fear panic attacks and feelings of anxiety: they are not nice but they can do you no permanent harm. And they are temporary. They are merely brief blips in your nervous system which has become over sensitive because of your recent ordeal. The way to handle these bad feelings is to simply accept them for the time being. Do not attempt to hide from them, let them come, agree to co-exist with them for the moment. That way you disarm them, by accepting them you prevent them from instilling more fear in you. Anxiety feeds on fear, by denying it that which it thrives on anxiety weakens and dies.

You cannot both accept anxiety and fear it, so choose acceptance and you will recover but you must give it time. As long as it takes. You will find you can continue to function even with attacks of anxiety: if you still feel weak imagine some unseen force directing you forward.

Fear is the enemy, your recovery depends on co-existing and accepting it for the time being: you win by sleeping with the enemy in a manner of speaking.

So here is your non-med prescription for recovery, it is a piece of paper containing six words: Face, Accept, Float, Let time pass.

Everything is going to be fine, you will emerge stronger and wiser from this, you will find a much better job: one where you can make your contribution and still retain your quiet mind.

[Lostandconfused2 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you so much, this made me feel so much better. God bless you

[Jeff1943 in reply to Lostandconfused2]

Lostandconfused2, the acceptance method for dealing with anxiety which the recommendations in my post are based on was first set out many years ago by a physician Doctor Claire Weekes in her first self-help book titled 'Self help for your nerves' u.k. edition and 'Hope and help for your nerves' u.s. edition. Both titles available new or used on Amazon and Ebay at modest cost. If you feel you need further help in overcoming your anxiety attacks I think you would find her book most helpful. Best wishes for a full recovery.

[Lostandconfused2 in reply to Jeff1943]

Will definitely look into it! Thank you

[pink83737 in reply to Jeff1943]

Jeff you are awesome! That is great advice 👍🏼

[urbetterthanthem]

I would argue that amount of sleep and quality of sleep is one of the biggest weapons in the war against anxiety. Seems like the worst anxiety days are when you are sleep deprived and run down. I have found tart cherry concentrate (natural source of melatonin) and I will sometimes dabble with one or two drops of a supplement melatonin to be helpful in giving me deeper REM sleep..meditation..hypnosis...calming relaxing music and binaural tones....A hot bath with a bit of epsom salt also will help you to relax in the evening...L theanine which is in decaf green tea is also helpful and calming in the evenings..getting exercise or doing work during the day and relaxing evenings leading up to sleep really help...aromatherapy or just pleasant relaxing smells like sandalwood..vanilla..lavender..etc for some people are very calming..I believe there is a level of stress and anxiety your body is at at any given time...There are things probably obvious to you which raise it and when it gets to be at a certain point you start really feeling effects like you describe...keep a lid on it and try not to let it get to that point!..things like yoga or exercise bands are great..i find with exercise it is so helpful but ONLY IF YOU CAN FAITHFULLY DO IT...anxiety isn't going to take a day off or a week off...so for exercise..do whatever you can do that you can stick with..even if you have to make it a ridiculously easy regimine...something which is continual is infinitely better than being macho superman for a few days and then back to nothing..the anxiety monster is laughing at you when you do that :))

[Lostandconfused2 in reply to urbetterthanthem]

Thank you for the advice! Definitely will try that!

[urbetterthanthem in reply to Lostandconfused2]

this may also be taboo a bit but keeping an eye out for a significant other through the course of your life is also a wise anxiety move for some people..support animals are as well..loving family (blood related or otherwise) Professionals in psychiatry and psychology don't want to admit it but affection...physical contact..love and caring people in your life..can have a massive and sometimes all curing effect on ALL kinds of mental health..people spend time in mental hospitals where they are barred from relations witht he opposite sex..they are separated from their pets..and their family..There are many extremely anxious women and men out there that benefit massively from the comfortof their husband or wife...So although we can control if we get a therapy pet..and we can't control if we are married or if our family is loving and close..We can and should pursue these people in our lives because they provie an added boost in our battle against anxiety or any mental illness...and conversely AVOIDING people that have the opposite effect on us is a wise choice...

[kosmo_20]

For anxiety, I use a magnesium supplement called Magtein that crosses the blood/brain barrier (BBB). It's also known as magnesium L-Threonate. It helps chill me out. You should also research Gaba, a neurotransmitter that helps put the brakes on an anxious brain. Try different supplements. Everyone responds differently. I also recommend aerobic exercise. Get your heart rate up. It's a real mood lifter. 30+ minutes a week-a minimum of 3-4 days a week. Get a fitness tracker to track your exercise, sleep and heart rate. Try lots of things, then stick with what works. Also, diet matters. Avoid caffeine. Good luck! You will get better. Just keep trying.

[Blake96 in reply to kosmo_20]

im working on cutting out caffeine as i know that isnt helping with my DP/DR ... its tough but im trying

[Lostandconfused2 in reply to kosmo_20]

Thank you!

[urbetterthanthem in reply to kosmo_20]

taurine also helps to sooth the nervous system and b12 is beneficial as well...

also inositol has a calming effect as it is involved in the production and action of neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit messages between nerve cells) like serotonin and acetylcholine. People who are depressed have been found to have lower levels of inositol than normal....L-theanine and melatonin are great as well..which you can get in decaf green tea and tart cherries respectively...

[iconoclasts]

Can you tell us where you're based, please? If you're in the US, it would be stupid of me trying to advise anything that is applicable in the UK only, etc.

[Lostandconfused2 in reply to iconoclasts]

Yes I’m in the US

[iconoclasts]

I would advise you to look into mindfulness. It is useful for us to rediscover our own grounding, distinguishing what matters from unhelpful distractions and noise.

I don't know your circumstances but would advise you to try, and see what happened as a blessing in disguise. You get to know your true friends - "fair-weather" ones fall away, the real ones stick/rally around you. If you're gay, being in closet is too stressful. Start living your life - you would not believe how liberating that is, and how much stress it took to pretend you're something else.

Once you're strong enough to look for another job, you'll get to do a job you really wanted to do, but weren't able because of circumstances. If you're an animal lover, perhaps you get to work for your local shelter, if you're an avid reader, perhaps you'll get to work with your local adult literacy project, etc.

If I were you, I would also review your own finances. Make sure you prioritise spending into essential (such as mortgage repayments, state and/or local taxes), nice-to-have, and non-essential. Stop "keeping up with the Joneses" by remodelling your house, renewing your car every two years, etc. In the grand scheme of things, it's petty, unimportant, too stressful.

Cancel subscriptions for things you're not really using/enjoying anymore. Look into shopping around for your utilities (electricity, water), groceries (making lists, couponing). I've been in the similar situation in England, and could not believe what sort of saving was achieved once I looked into this.

Not everything worth doing needs money. If you're into reading, visit your local Library. If you're into fitness, use your local park or a forest as your gym. If you want to eat well for not too much money, go shopping shortly before your grocer's/supermarket closes.

Don't forget to be kind to yourself - reward yourself by having a piece of your favourite chocolate. Or by going to cinema once in a while. Or by going on vacation. If you're always dreamed of researching your family tree, take up an Ancestry.com subscription.

Take care, and let us know how you get on.

[Lostandconfused2 in reply to iconoclasts]

Thank you very much!

[iconoclasts]

Just to explain re: talking about UK - reputable employers here would always try to accommodate their employees after they had a major health issue.

One of my friends, who worked for a telecom company, got moved to a less stressful position for same pay as he had before. My other half (working for train company) got treated similarly well after he had cancer: truly less stressful position for same pay.

Perhaps you should speak to your local Advocacy/civil rights counselling group such as thd ACLU to see whether at least some protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act would apply to you.

Good luck, buddy. Do let us know how you get on.