Panic attacks

[Carrie_is_anxious]

I’ve been having horrible anxiety, and it just never stops for a week now I haven’t been able to come down... I try so hard! My heart is constantly pounding, and I just want it to stop!

[Tishfish]

Me to Carrie. I wish I could learn how to make it stop that is why I came here lol.

[Carrie_is_anxious in reply to Tishfish]

Sameee

[Tishfish in reply to Carrie_is_anxious]

My therapist mentioned 4-7-8 breathing today during our phone session. Its just a tip, but might work for one of us. Im was going to Google more about it. Thought about you guys on here. Maybe be you all should try googling it too. 4-7-8 breathing. Helps calm some people she says. Try it 3 times, so you dont feel light headed.

[Tishfish in reply to Tishfish]

Also helps to practice it all the time because if you rely on that technique just during panic attacks ur too freaked out to naturally do it. So practice it all the time im told. 😉

[Chep-Glo]

Me too Carrie, I just can't stop my heart beating and the many thoughts in my head

[zperry4]

Do you have good coping strategies for this? It helps to have and practice a routine of breathing and coming from it. I get this a lot of the time and I think you have to arm yourself with a lot of good tools. Also, learning more about your body’s response can help too.

[phoebe369]

Please give details on some tools. My tools are failing and I need new ones, I think that might be an issue with everyone here, I change my environment, walk outside, deep breaths, I take my temp and monitor my oxygen. I feel like that's alot of tools that are broken right now. I am working from home and had to spend 4 hours trying not to feel like I was about to die instead of working. I need more tools to put in my tool box.

[Agora1 in reply to phoebe369]

Hi phoebe369, Welcome to the support forum.

I read your profile and you mentioned you were not on medication and don't want to

be. And that's okay because there are many methods/tools that can be used to calm

the Mind/Body Connection. Our symptoms are triggered by our thoughts. We seem

to always be in "Alert" mode, ready to diagnose anything different in our bodies as

catastrophic. Once we think like that, it does nothing but escalate.

The way to have more control over anxiety and fears is by building your repertoire of

tools before you get to a panic point. This means you find something that you respond

to and then practice, practice, practice daily.

I started with the Dr. Claire Weekes' book "Hope & Help for Your Nerves". Excellent

book on the theory of Acceptance as being the key to lowering anxiety levels and eventually

having them lowered or disappear completely. (YouTube also has her videos)

I use Self Hypnosis, Mindfulness, Imagery, Biofeedback, Affirmations as well as calming

breaths in Meditation form. I wake up to my Meditation and Breathing first thing, then take

a "me time" respite break for 10 minute mid day and then once again before bedtime.

If the day is stressful, I turn to YouTube as my "go to" Meditation Guru. Type in whatever

you are dealing with from Headache to Situational Anxiety to Panic Attacks and you will find a video to calm you down.

I'm glad you are here with us. This is a safe, caring and understanding site that has many

wonderful people who are never judgmental and always ready to extend a helping hand. xx

[Tishfish in reply to Agora1]

That was so sweet. Thank you for writing all of that. I learned alot.

[Agora1]

Hi Carrie, it sound like you are in a vicious cycle of fear begets fear. This happens when

anxiety rises and we are unable to calm it down. The adrenaline levels stay high causing

the symptoms to persist. It's not really about trying hard but about letting go. Giving

your body a chance to naturally calm down. The book that I recommended to "phoebe"

is a good start for you to understand the more you fight the feeling, the more it persists.

Maybe you can have a look on YouTube at Dr. Claire Weekes videos.

Accepting the anxiety is not harmful, that by letting go, it will run it's course. Another

important thing with heart palps is making sure you are thoroughly hydrated. Water

is essential in allowing the heart to function properly. Giving you enough blood volume

as well as bringing more oxygen to your heart.

Have you called your doctor with regards to this lasting the last week? This is a stressful

time right now and many are fearful which is adding to anxiety already there. Wishing

you peace and calm. xx

[Carrie_is_anxious in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for the tips.. is well needed... I have been dwelling on why might my anxiety be so high... I have been in some worry because of my boyfriend, he hasn’t talked to me for two days and I have no clue where he’s at either... but also the fact I had a blackout anxiety attack.. and I’m scared next time I have one I’ll be alone and I’m afraid....

[Agora1 in reply to Carrie_is_anxious]

That is completely understood Carrie in that once we have a severe anxiety attack we

tend to stay in a state of apprehension. That may never happen to you again but your

"what if" fear keeps the adrenaline high. It is very rare in having a blackout anxiety. The

cause would be you hyperventilating causing you to fall down. It's the body's way in

allowing blood flow and oxygen to once again get to the brain. Also kicks in your breathing to a natural rhythm and flow.

Did you let your doctor or therapist know about this happening? I think it would help

alleviate some of your fear. Of course it's very worrying in not hearing from your boyfriend in a couple days. You're having Separation Anxiety as well. Is there anyone

else who can stay with you or check on you until you hear from him again? Is this unusual for him to not call you every so often or do you feel something is seriously wrong? Either way, there are some situations that we have no control over. We must

then learn to accept our response in a more healthy manner. I hope you hear something

soon. Meanwhile, please take care of yourself and know that we are here for you as well xx

[Spooky99 in reply to Carrie_is_anxious]

Hi! I read that after your attack you got worse. I had a really bad panic attack in my home in October. It took a couple months for me to feel ok. It really scared me that much, I didn’t want to go out. So don’t be hard on yourself. People on here give great advice !!!

[Hollings]

I'm having terrible anxiety too I live alone but am used to a much busier life I'm a child minder and it's so quiet here. Also I cant see my grown up daughters and my grandchildren apart from on facetime . We've just got to try and hang on in here its SO hard I know. Take care

[Vikie350]

I'm there with you. Scared of everything at this point. It's a scary time especially for those of us with anxiety. Aside from meds, there are a few vids on YouTube that actually help a little. There are also free numbers now for help that enable you to speak to a psychologist. It's worth it, I've done it.

[belladonna00 in reply to Vikie350]

I feel as if my coping mechanisms have become less effective as I use them so often now. My anxiety wants to take control of me multiple times a day and it’s getting harder to fight off. I would love to know the numbers that enable to you speak with a psychologist, if you still have them. Thank you!

[Tikirob]

Hi and damn this is a hard time for being an anxious person. All I can say that it’s a hard time for anyone and for anxious people like us this is like a flood.

[Epsom1 in reply to Tikirob]

True it's felt flood-like in recent weeks. I was calm about things but today I had a surge of anxiety I think it was triggered by listening to too many news reports, I'm going to try and quarantine myself from the news for a few days and make my living room a kind of makeshift meditation retreat, I did that this evening and it helped a bit watching a mediation video on YouTube with images of beautiful landscapes, I wish us all well ,☮️☀️♥️🌈

[AngryFlower]

Same too Carrie however I’ve downloaded an app called Sanvello and it’s actually helping. No, my anxiety has not totally gone away but it does help me manage it better. They’ve currently removed the cost of their in app purchases during the coronavirus outbreak and there’s a specific meditation for panic attacks which you might find useful.

[blondie79]

My anxiety has been worse as well. Everyone is working from home except for me, and that makes me nervous. My CNP left the practice so I am on between doctors now. My family doesn't understand so it makes it hard. I work for a psychiatrist and my coworker doesn't even understand. She just says I should just let things roll off my back. Gosh I wish it was that easy.

[uniquediamond]

Hey carrie! Trust me I know how you feel, as I'm sure 99% of everyone on here knows how it feels. I wanted to say, that everytime I start to feel like this, I pray. I pray very loud, sometimes in my head or speak it, either way I'm talking myself down and then I get a sense of peace. Not everyone prays, and nor do I force anyone to do so, but it doesn't hurt to try ❤

Also I wanted to share, I did some research on CBD now I know it's not for everyone, me on the other hand I can't have anything that has a high rate of THC due to it making my anxiety worse, so I stick with the low numbers 1.7 THC and 17.5 CBD. I also bought Alsten hemp oil 100% natural and it doesn't have any THC or CBD but the reviews are incredible! They have it listed at the top (health oil) if you have Amazon or Ebay you can buy it there, it was around 13.00 dollars and you just put a few drops in water or juice and drink it. I hope this helps you or someone that reads this! Remember this to shall pass ❤ hugs!

[Carrie_is_anxious in reply to uniquediamond]

Omg thank you.. I do pray lots! I ask my creator to guide me and support me through these hard times, as well as smudging with sage and sweet grass.. I find it helps a lot when I smudge... I use to look at marijuana to help me.. but after awhile it gave me anxiety so I’m too scared to even go anywhere near thc... but I understand cbs does help relax.. and I have really wanted to try it... mu boyfriend told me he would pick some up... looking forward to using it, because sometimes I get to the point where i feel to overwhelmed to even calm myself and I just break down...

[uniquediamond in reply to Carrie_is_anxious]

Your very welcome! Keep me posted if it works for you! Don't forget to breath and smile. Sometimes that's the best medicine 😁

[kvolm2016]

Hey Carrie, as you can tell from all the comments, EVERYONE is feeling varying degrees of anxiousness and fear in these current circumstances. There literally are many, many coping strategies: breathing, focus, sensory. If those that you have been relying on are not working as effectively during this time, definitely do the research and try some new ones.

Were you able to connect with your boyfriend yet?

[Carrie_is_anxious in reply to kvolm2016]

Yes.. sadly he was drinking... although ig he just turn legal drinking age (19) he was drinking for two days because he was heart broken... we haven’t been doing too well relationship wise and that’s another reason why I was worried... I’m also very clingy and became very attached to him... but he also didn’t have wifi, where he was staying... but he has wifi now... it’s all good

[kvolm2016 in reply to Carrie_is_anxious]

glad to hear that you did talk with him but sorry that things have been difficult for the 2 of you. How long have you been together? Is it a new issue that you are dealing with or is it something that has been an ongoing problem?

[Carrie_is_anxious in reply to kvolm2016]

We have been together for 6 months.... and we have been having some jealousy problems and trust issues... and it’s really hard to work together... I’m trying to fix it on my end as well as him... guess we’ll keep trying

[kvolm2016 in reply to Carrie_is_anxious]

glad to hear that both of you are working on making yourselves and your relationship better. I'm sure you are still getting to know each other in lots of areas since it has only been 6 months. But if it feels like it is always a struggle and always hard work to maintain the relationship, would you consider that maybe this is not a relationship worth continuing?

[Carrie_is_anxious in reply to kvolm2016]

Yea but I’m not ready to let go.... that’s why it’s so hard, I don’t want to give up on something that could work... but I have no clue yet....

[kvolm2016 in reply to Carrie_is_anxious]

What do you think the evidence will be that he is worth the work? What will he need to do, say or change? Or what do you think the deciding factors will be for you to know that you are ready to let go?