Help with feelings of despair/panic

[Pheebs93]

Hey everyone,I had a bad (what I can only describe) as a panic episode yesterday.

I felt like I was loosing control or going crazy, the feelings of despair were terrifying.

I felt low afterwards and still feel low today, also felt panicked this morning when I got up.

I get physical symptoms too such as heart pounding, feeling sick, needing the loo ect. It's just awful, an awful awful feeling.

I should mention (I hope this is not to much information) but my period came yesterday morning, do you think hormones could be adding to my emotional troubles right now?

I'm so upset. I feel depressed. Can anyone help or give advice on how to manage these anxiety episodes?

Can anyone relate to that feeling? Or experiencing these?

I feel quite lonely with it.

Any guidance is very much appreciated.

Best wishes to you all

Pheebs x

[Hidden]

Hi. I can definitely relate to periods and worsened emotional pain. Panic attacks ARE awful. You aren't going crazy. I know how much it feels like it, but you're not. It's Awful to feel like we're losing control. My heart pounds and I get shaky. It's good to remember to breathe during this time. Deep breaths so that the brain gets plenty of oxygen. Something to also remember is that at times like these your emotional brain being over-stimulated. Do something calming. I get under my weighted blanket and play my game on my phone. If I feel safe enough to exit the bedroom, I go to the kitchen and make myself a cup of tea.I hope you're going to feel better soon.

[Pheebs93 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your kind response, I feel less alone with it.I'm sorry you have similar struggles, I find it really difficult to deal with, it's the most terrifying feeling and I also get the physical symptoms too which just add to the fear.

Thank you so much for the advice xx

[Hidden in reply to Pheebs93]

Glad I could help! You're welcome 😊

[Frankie24]

I went through all that you mentioned and even more scary physical symptoms. I constantly thought I was going to die or go completely insane. You will be fine. You have to keep reminding yourself of this . It was after much treatment and medication that I am able to lead a fairly normal life. I am Bipolar and that flairs it’s ugly head at times but I do pretty well with panic and anxiety. Have you considered meditation, yoga or learning breathing exercises which help to calm you ? I hope you feel better.

[Pheebs93 in reply to Frankie24]

Thank you so much for your kind reply frankie24, I'm very grateful to hear your story. It's the most awful feeling and I'm terrified of it. I feel anxious this morning, my brain is so foggy.I really need to practice meditation daily, sometimes my concentration is off so I find it difficult, and I've heard yoga is good so may give it a try.

What breathing exercises help you? I'm yet to find one that works for me.

Thank you so much for your kind advice, I really appreciate it xx

[Frankie24 in reply to Pheebs93]

Very basic, put your hands on your stomach and inhale deeply through your nose feeling your stomach rise. After you have inhaled as deeply as you can, exhale through your mouth until your stomach is completely flat. The exercise should be done slowly using mindfulness ( concentrating only on your breathing only ). I hope this helps. You might also look for help online by googling mindfulness exercises.

[designguy]

Hello Pheebs, here is my answer to a very similar question, hope you find this helpful:

What you are describing are the typical sensations of a panic attack which is caused by the surge of adrenalin in your body and prompted by your anxious thoughts that happen so fast you are most likely not even aware of them. Panic and anxiety can be caused by repressed emotions/trauma from your past and fears about your present or the future. They can also be caused or contributed to physically by your hormones, thyroid, adrenals, caffeine and poor diet.

Learning what they really are, why and how you have them and how to constructively deal with them is the key to healing them. You may even find medication helpful at least temporarily. What helped me was learning that anxiety/panic can't harm you and that it is a paradox, the more we resist it and struggle with it the more it persists so the solution is to surrender to the panicky sensations and don't believe the anxious thoughts and let the adrenalin flow through our body and dissipate. I found it relatively easy to get over the panic attacks but it took longer to resolve my anxiety. Anxiety is our bodies built in defense system that is basically malfunctioning now that you are an adult and no longer need protecting and you need to desensitize yourself to it.

I recommend the DARE Anxiety book and youtube videos for how to deal with panic/anxiety and the youtube videos of Dr. Claire Weekes and the book At Last a Life and Beyond by Paul David.

[Pheebs93 in reply to designguy]

thank you so much designguy, I'm so grateful for this, really grateful!

Honestly the panic attacks I'm having at the moment are so terrifying, it's that horrible despair feeling I find the most scary, feels like I'm loosing my mind, it's terrifying and I really felt alone with it so thank you for showing me that that is normal.

I find it really hard to sit with those feelings, I also get incredibly strong physical symptoms like my heart thudding, dizziness, sweating, breathlessness. But I know I must let them pass.

Thank you for the recommendation, I will certainly take a look.

Thank you!!

[designguy in reply to Pheebs93]

You're welcome, it can be very confusing and distressing when you don't know what is going on but learning what is really going on can help in understanding and taking away a lot of the fear. Once I knew that they couldn't really hurt me and it was just a burst of adrenalin flowing through my body I was able to white-knuckle it and let the strong feeling wash over me. It takes some time and practice to desensitize yourself and your body but you'll get over them with persistence. Hope the info helps you.

[Nona00]

I can definitely relate to you. I have physical symptoms with my anxiety and panic attacks. I just had a panic attack that stated about 7pm. Justcame out of it just before I found this community. I just had to find people that can relate to what this feels like. I have heart palpitations, dizziness,swearing, nausea, upset stomach, racing heart and other symptoms. When I have panic episodes sometimes I will be down for 2 days after.. almost like I'm feeling the after effects.It is so hard to get through everyday dealing with this. Just know you are not alone, I am hear to chat if you ever need an ear.

[Pianolady69]

I relate to your anxiety. I am already anxious about having to drive to my Dr's Appointment tomorrow.....I'm always worried that I'll have a panic attack....and I always have to have my anxiety meds with me....even if I don't take one,just knowing that they are there helps to relieve some of my anxiety. But I've been practicing Affirmation statements lately, it's taken me a while but I think, I'm hoping they will help me get to my Dr's appointment tomorrow. Keep writing or saying " This feeling will soon pass" . It's helpful for me to journal my thoughts down on paper. I'm new to this group. I hope I'm doing this correctly. You're not alone .....