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[Dadoffour]

hi all, it had been recommended that I reach out to find a group like this. I’m hoping this is a good spot.

I have been battling anxiety for quite some time. Since March it has been at its worst. Tried some new meds and they have helped quite a bit! Honestly months went by with much success and happiness.

2 weeks ago I had a panic attack out of no where and now I have just been on the downward slide!

Are these set backs common? Does anyone have any suggestions.? I feel like I just get in a cycle of trying to think my way out of it all..

Much love and I hope you are doing well..

[Dolphin14]

Welcome to the group. You will find great support here.

I'm sorry to read you have had a set back. This is quite upsetting when we have been doing well for awhile.

Set backs can happen. I had gone years without a panic attack and this past year I had 3. I know what triggered them and I think knowing that helps me.

Do you have a therapist you can discuss this with? Looking back can you see anything that happened recently that may have sent you into panic?

Many of us have had this happen. We are here to support you. We understand and you are not alone

🐬

[Dadoffour in reply to Dolphin14]

Hi thank you for the response! I will try and help in anyway here I can.

I can’t specify what triggered me.. I have a lot of stress right now with work changes, we recently had our fourth kid (3 months now)..

I’ve noticed I will wake up super early and that my mornings are pretty bad but then it lessens throughout the day.

However, since I had it I keep looking over my shoulder and cannot stop thinking about it . I was seeing a therapist then things got good so I stopped.

I have an appointment for a couple weeks out! So I’m hopeful for that, as it did a lot of good.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Dadoffour]

A new baby .... number 4.... congratulations!

This is a definite stress added to whatever else is going on.

It's hard to not think you are going to have another panic attack. They can be so bad we stay on guard just waiting. You me mentioned early morning anxiety and work changes. There's another big stressor.

I'm glad you are going to get right back into therapy. Hopefully you can work through all this

Wishing you the best

🐬

[Agora1]

Hi Dadoffour. I'd like to Welcome you to a caring supportive community.

What you experienced 2 weeks ago is very common with anxiety. It is not

necessarily a set back but a signal that our over sensitized nervous system

wants our attention. Anything and everything can set us off with a trigger we

may not even realize stimulates the nervous system.

However, the best thing we can do is to let it go and continue forward. Once we

start dwelling on it, we end up going into anticipational anxiety wondering if and

when the next one will happen.

When we put ourselves in that position, we end up in a cycle of fear. I'm glad to

hear that your medications are helping,, that's good,. but the pill alone isn't the

full answer. You want to control the mind with positive thoughts and acceptance.

A good book by Dr Claire Weekes "Hope & Help for Your Nerves" can easily explain

the symptoms as well as how to address them when it happens. Her videos are also

on YouTube.

As you talk with others on this forum, you will see that you are far from being alone.

As for myself, I was a long time prisoner of fear from Anxiety and Agoraphobia but

no longer. I found ways to conquer those thoughts and feelings that brought me into

panic for what seemed like no reason. I meditate and do breathing exercises daily

that I have found works instantly faster than a pill.

We are here to support you through your journey. There are many of us like myself,

who have found the "key" to control letting our emotions get the best of us.

I'm happy you are here with us. xx

[Dadoffour in reply to Agora1]

Thank you! I’ve always wondered medication makes the recovery harder..

I am going to find that book and read it! I need to learn how to relax my fight or flight response! Seems like any breathing exercises or meditation I have done doesn’t do the trick! Just need to get out of my head for a while ugh

[Agora1 in reply to Dadoffour]

Hi Dadoffour, maybe you might want to take a look at Dr. Weekes' videos on YouTube

before buying the book and waiting for delivery.

I hope I didn't make you believe that medication makes the recovery harder because

it doesn't. I was on Xanax at the beginning to break that cycle of "fight or flight" *which

it did. Went on to Talk Therapy to address the root of my fears. Very important as

to what prompted the anxiety to rise.

As you search for tools/methods that help calm you down some......

Hang in there it didn't happen overnight and so we can't expect it to go

away overnight, xx

[Dadoffour in reply to Agora1]

Did you have random bouts of sadness too? I find myself getting emotional a bit today..

[Agora1 in reply to Dadoffour]

You know Dadoffour, it's interesting how we all react differently to something.

I cried tons but never felt sad. I cried because I was scared and wanted it to end.

My Fear was such a strong emotion but I never allowed it to depress me.

Just as I never even thought of myself as having a mental illness. Afterall, I knew

I was sane. I was able to rationalize the effects that the mind has on the body.

But I will say that having Dr. Claire Weekes theory on Anxiety was the basis of

my feeling this way. It's okay to get emotional, to release those fears, those

hormones. We are hurting in a way that no one else feels except us. I use to feel

alone in my struggles. Reach out to us. The more you talk about your feelings

with those who understand, the lighter your mind will feel. It's Okay :)xx

[Dadoffour in reply to Agora1]

I love your insights!

[Dadoffour in reply to Agora1]

Easiest way to change the way you think?

[mizzou7016]

absolutely the situations you described are common. Whether or not they set you back is completely up to you. I always tell anyone who will listen is the only time something is a real setback is when they completely quit trying. As long as you are trying to the best of your ability to do things.....i don't consider it a setback....get accomplished what you can and live to fight again tomorrow....

[Dadoffour]

I like that! Basically it is what you make it to be.. I just get so hung up inside my head. What ifs, worries etc.

[Nothing_but_books]

Morning panic is very common. Me too, I've had terrible episodes.

It helped me to do some research. I found out that before we even wake, our bodies start energizing us for the day. If we've got anxiety -- not so much if in my case -- our mind can interpret that blast of energy as panic.

I started thinking of my morning panic in a different way after that. It's strange, but when I was less terrified of the panic, it lost some power.

Now I think of morning panic as a monster who feeds on our fear. Helps a bit.

[Dadoffour in reply to Nothing_but_books]

I need to lose the fear then.. I wish I could get into my therapist sooner, won’t be until the 6th.

[Dadoffour]

Thank you!

[AnxiousSilver]

Welcome..

In my opinion, this is a good and supportive community.

[ghousrider]

hi good day yes i have panic attacks to age 59 i have a underline condtion called copd its my lung in the chest gone breathing problems , i have seen my mom & dad in coffins early in my childhood , it still places on my mine i have attacks in midle of night thinking i going through the fire to it not good all the best ghoust rider

[secrets22]

hello and welcome, you have come to the right place for support. I have suffered anxiety and depression for a long time, and like you i have tried many different meds, which have helped short term, but nothing which seems to have any lasting effects. It's a draining condition which seems to have no end and i seem to have ploughed through it, and i guess its needing to accept it. I really have no answer , but i wish you well.

[designguy]

Hello and welcome to the group, and yes setbacks are a common part of the healing process. One of the things that helped me with anxiety/panic was finding out what it really is and what is really happening and how to best deal with it. Anxiety is a paradox and the more you try to fight it or deny it the more it persists so the answer is to surrender to the feelings and sensations and densitize yourself to them and learn to never believe your anxious thoughts. I found the DARE Anxiety book and youtube videos very helpful, there are a some about setbacks and you might also check out the website/youtubes of Paige Pradko she has good clear advice and information also.