how does this work

[Kboogie]

I joined this because I have been getting panic attacks a lot recently and I’m currently having one . I was thinking this would be a good place to talk to other people having the same issue maybe give my people a break from hearing about my anxiety. How do I talk to other people first timer here

[Agora1]

Welcome Kboogie Just jump right in. There's always someone on line 24/7

ready to help. I suffered for years from Anxiety/Panic Attacks as well as Agoraphobia.

How are you feeling right now. Has it passed yet?? What are your symptoms? xx

[Kboogie in reply to Agora1]

it was a long day of anxiety with two major panic attack the last one lasted for 3 hours. This panic attack was just shaky couldn’t concentrate feeling like there was something wrong with me upset stomach headache elevated pulse accompanied by that terrible feeling that I would never feel better again . I’m starting to come out of it now . I’m completely exhausted but I have somethings I need to do that I couldn’t get to today . Really hoping tomorrow is better I have to work 🤗.

[Kboogie in reply to Kboogie]

I’ve been Suffering with this for almost 15 years on and off I really wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy

[Kboogie in reply to Kboogie]

did you say suffered like past tense . Do you no longer ? If so how ?

[Agora1 in reply to Kboogie]

Kboogie, I feel for you. Anxiety in itself can be so mentally and physically draining.

I lived the journey you are on right now. Know that it doesn't always have to be this

way. It sounds like the anxiety you are feeling all day is called "free floating anxiety"

The adrenaline never really tapers off but just floats up and down as thoughts go through

your mind. Once we get caught up in a trigger thought...BAM...our body goes into full

"fight or flight" stance. When that happens, the best thing we can do is not fight or

fear the symptoms. I understand how difficult that is to do when we feel as if we might

die. We have to lower that Adrenaline level in some way in order to disperse that feeling.

I feel that the best thing we can do is to learn as much as we can in how the Mind/Body

Connection can be a powerful source of control. Stopping the panic when first feeling

the effects of stress is an effective way to avoid the attack.

It takes practice to achieve this control but well worth the work.

As you continue to come on this site, read with an open mind how others relate their

journey with Panic Attacks and just plain ole Anxiety. You see, we learn from each other

because we all have felt that dread. Take what may work for you and discard the rest.

Each one of us reacts to medication as well as methods in reducing our stress differently.

For myself, I went from Benzo dependence, to finding other non addictive methods. My

choice in using Meditation and Breathing has made me overcome not only my

Agoraphobia but my anxiety as well. I now control my life. It is an amazing feeling which

can be done. Never, give up. It can and will happen for you. I'm happy you are here with

us. xx

[Kboogie in reply to Agora1]

have you ever heard of people having success with cbd to lower dependency on benzodiazepines? I have just ordered some and that owner of the company told me his wife used it for that but I never spoke to his wife and he is trying to sell a product . I just don’t want any bad interaction like if I start the cbd in The morning but still end up having a panic attack at work and need to take medication

[Agora1 in reply to Kboogie]

Kboogie, I'm sorry I have never taken CBD but not to worry, many on this forum

have and hopefully will answer your question. What's so great is that we each

contribute our own personal journey so you never have to feel alone.

Good Luck in getting the answer you need. xx

[Kboogie in reply to Agora1]

thanks for all your responses

[Kboogie in reply to Agora1]

do you have any recommendations for meditation books or videos focusing on anxiety ?

[Kboogie in reply to Kboogie]

I would just really love to find a way through this it’s stopped me from having kids and I would love to be on enough to do that

[Agora1 in reply to Kboogie]

Do I?? lol

My life changed so completely through Meditation that I would be more than

happy to get back to you with some ideas. My "go to" is YouTube. Over the years

I listened to different videos and chose the ones that had a soft spoken voice,

affirmations, self-hypnosis, mindfulness, relaxation, mind control, pain relief etc.

Let me get back to you with a few to start you off. Then it will be up to you to

find the voice that transforms you into a true peace and calm.

P.S. The Meditation must be done both morning upon awakening and evening before going to sleep. I even do a midafternoon session if the day is hectic. It takes at least 30 days for your mind to accept these changes. Once you get accustomed in responding to these changes, it will get easier for you to respond physically when stress or anxiety try to take over. With the proper breathing you can learn to overcome a panic attack by stopping it in midtrack. Be right back xx

[Agora1 in reply to Kboogie]

I'm back dear..Whenever I get into meditation, I fall deep into a peaceful state...

These are all on YouTube

"Mindfulness for Anxiety/Beginners Guide" I always feel it's just as important to listen to a structural video as to what Anxiety is all about. It helps us respond easier to meditation and breathing.

"Guided Meditation for Calm" by Michael Seeley

"5 Minute Quick Anxiety Reduction/Guided Mindfulness Meditation"

"So you're having an anxiety Attack'The Calm Down Meditation"

by Therapy in a Nutshell *this is a psychiatrist who has put out 30 free videos of help and support. She's good..

P.S. Michael Seeley as well as Jason Stephenson are speakers with low voices and softly spoken words of calm.

This is just the tip of the iceberg lol So many great Meditations

Wishing you a goodnight Will be on tomorrow. xx

[012703060610 in reply to Kboogie]

It may calm some of the withdrawal effects. I have had tried just CBD and in a prior state had medical card. I was able to nearly come off of all benzos quickly with full spectrum marijuana. I am not sure how pleasant it would have been if it were just CBD and no THC. BUT, it doesn't hurt to try since we all react differently. You would need to slowly taper your Benzo with CBD and then you may have success! If you have been on a Benzo for awhile, you won't want to stop cold turkey!

[Kboogie in reply to 012703060610]

I’ve been on lorazepam on and off for 15 years with breaks in between but this is one of my longest stretches . It started during covid and got increasingly worse about a year ago my dog got cancer and I started working at a very stressful job that was suppose to pay more to help pay for my dogs chemo . The job and the chemo didn’t work and I really haven’t been the same since . Currently I’m taking 2mg of lorazepam a day but I’m finding that it’s taking longer to work and I usually will white knuckle it during the day and wait till I’m at an 8 to take medication but I might be building a tolerance to it so that’s why I’m curious about the CBD . I really don’t like that I have to take something every day to “function “ .

[blueslite]

Hi Kboogie. Welcome! This is a good place to talk about your panic attacks. It's good to be able to talk to people who know exactly how you feel. I think that no one really understands them unless they've had one. I had them a few years back and now I manage to prevent them but I'm left with terrible anxiety, I'm afraid of everything, it's just not the extreme fear I felt with panic attacks and often with a panic attack I didn't know why I felt that really bad feeling of fear. How do you feel now? Sometimes chatting with people is a good distraction and that can work to make the attack go away.

[Kboogie in reply to blueslite]

I feel better and I totally get what your saying I never know why I’m having a panic attack or how to describe what I’m thinking but with anxiety there is a specific thing that is causing me to feel anxious for sure . Distractions do help . Talking on here seems to help . I have found that talking to people who don’t have panic attacks while I’m having a panic attack doesn’t do much to help . I try journaling and cold packs on my neck if I’m home when it hits. Sometimes I’m not at home and I find those ones are the hardest for me to keep under control. People looking at you and not being to destimulate myself at work is kinda the worst I typically immediately got to medication in those public situations . If I’m at home I try all the other things to stop it first. Medication is a last resort .

[blueslite in reply to Kboogie]

It's good to talk to those who get it. I'm glad talking here helped you some. Those who don't have panic attacks really don't know how to respond, they're kind of at a loss for what to say or do. I've seldom had an attack outside my house. I'm thankful for that. Like you, I feel that medication would be a last resort. I use herbal supplements to prevent the panic attacks but they don't help with the anxiety. And that's getting so bad that I'm considering medication for it.

[Kboogie in reply to blueslite]

medication can help for sure. It’s just that I find because I have anxiety I’m prone to being nervous about having to take medication just to function “normally” like working and being out in public stuff like that . I’m always worried about being addicted to something. I have taking anti depressants never found that sweet spot but they do help with stopping those low lows from occurring but they also stop their happy highs your kinda just extremely content. Which is definitely preferable to being extremely scared all the time

[blueslite in reply to Kboogie]

Medication does have it's good points. I'm considering asking for something for the anxiety. because it's really getting bad. But I understand what you mean about becoming addicted. Although being content is definitely tempting and preferable.

[Kboogie in reply to blueslite]

thank you for your response

[blueslite in reply to Kboogie]

You're welcome!

[Dolphin14]

Hi

I hadn't had a panic attack in years. I thought I would be able to use my coping skills and get anxiety under control before escalated

I had a full blown panic attack recently. I thought those days were gone. It's been > 6 years. I do know what triggered it. That's a major help if you can figure out your trigger.

Looks like you have received some great advice

Wishing you the best

🐬

[Kboogie in reply to Dolphin14]

I hope that we just a one off for you. What coping skills do you use ?

[Dolphin14 in reply to Kboogie]

Hi

I hope it was a one off.

I usually keep myself well grounded with meditation and exercise.

I've done a therapy called IFS for years. I can access my fear and work through it with certain steps. Unfortunately I couldn't get there that day.

My therapist reminded me my meds were a tool in my tool box. I wasn't looking at them that way. Lesson learned

[LilyAnnepuppy]

Welcome to this community. I’m glad this thread has helped you. I have had panic attacks in the past. And probably have more than I’m even aware of. I’m used to dealing with an ever present feeling of anxiety. Waiting for the second (or sixteenth) shoe to fall. I worry a lot and it affects my life.

Now that’s not to say that some of these feelings aren’t situational. I’ve got a lot on my plate. My therapist, psychiatrist, support group, medications, prayer and meditation work to keep myself on somewhat of an even keel. Those tools enable me to adjust to my major depression and anxiety disorder and live an okay day.

I hope you get what you need here.

[blackcat64013]

HI 👋 and welcome to your forum.Members put their thoughts, feelings and lived experiences on the site. Sometimes it's a feel good picture or quote.

Members are from around the world 🌎 so being in different time zones means there is usually someone logged in and may respond to your posts. You can like someone's post, follow a person a d of course, post yourself.

Best wishes from me in Australia 🇦🇺 🐈‍⬛

Cat 🐈‍⬛

[AnxiousSilver]

First and foremost, welcome.

Second, I'd give advice, but most of what I would say is already covered by others here.

.

Finally, I believe that this is a good and supportive community, and hopefully you feel the same.

[designguy]

There is a lt of good advice here and another thing you might consider is checking out the DARE Anxiety book and youtube videos for understanding what panic really is and how to constructively deal with it. Another good resource is the website and youtube videos of Paige Pradko. Knowing what is really going on and that you aren't crazy helps take the fear out of it.

[Renizzle2023]

Hi, I hope you have already found some helpful support here. I’m also pushing through anxiety and feelings of panic frequently, usually at work. I don’t call it panic attacks, because I don’t find it debilitating. For me it’s more like a nuisance, like going to work with a headache. It’s something I just have to breathe through and accept. It always passes. Hope you are feeling better today.

[Kboogie]

Thanks no debilitating panic attacks yet today and it’s 11pm so🤞🏼🤞🏼.