Such debilitating anxiety

I have always suffered with some level of anxiety and panic attacks for as long as I can remember. I have mostly kept it under control with CBT and hypnotherapy. However, over the last year I have gotten myself to the point of despair, I am having 5-10 panic attacks EVERY single day. I am struggling to eat or sleep, I have lost a lot of weight and even when I am not in the midst of a panic attack I am on the constant edge of one. It's so difficult to function like this. All the anxiety seems to have settled in my stomach and I'm extremely nauseated from the moment I open my eyes to going to bed. The list of physical symptoms is endless and I'm absolutely convinced I have something seriously wrong with me. I'm currently living in the Middle East (UK citizen) with little to no mental health support here, my mum has flown over to try and help me. I would like to be able to get myself on the plane and home but realisticly I can barely manage to walk to the end of my own drive. This is like a living hell. Pls let me know if anyone have managed to find any relief without medicating? Or any advise in general. Many thanks

[Madrilean77]

Hi Gale2509,

I'm so sorry to hear you are feeling that way. I was like that as well a few months ago- my main symptoms being shortness of breath, constant lump in throat and choking feeling- and things got a lot better with Hypnotherapy. I know you mention you are living in the Middle East at the moment and there is little mental health support, but, have you tried booking a couple of sessions of online hypnotherapy via Skype so that, at least, you regain your confidence to board a plane and get back home? If you check the websites of many accredited UK Hypnotherapist you will see they offer Skype services.

I have always been scared of taking medication and could not see a way out of it until I started hypnosis right before a holiday to the US. The thought of being on a plane for eleven hours feeling the way I did terrified me. It was the best decision I have ever taken. I had a relapse a few days ago but, still, the panic was not as out of control as it used to be.

Hope this helps and you feel better soon. There is a way out without medication. Keep us posted.

Much love x

[Denny123456]

Hi! I've been here/currently going throughout this. I was on edge for months and months until I managed to calm myself down. Now I wake up daily with shortness of breath/right throat. The second I get out of bed I feel like I can't breathe. Even without panic attacks this occurs. But you've gotta work through it with yourself. You need to assure you're self that the 'what ifs' are only thoughts. And the thoughts cannot hurt you. As scary as they are. They're not going to harm you. You have a powerful mind, you can overcome any fear simply by repeating 'this is just a thought and I'm ok' focus your attention into something else. I know that's easier said than done but once you throw yourself into a project, be it cleaning, cooking or singing at the top of your lungs, you'll get there. I see a phsychotherapist and the best advice I've been given so far is to laugh at my anxiety. It's working. Laugh at it. Force yourself to mimic your thought into stupid voice and actually say them out loud. It helps: I hope you feel some peace soon! I'm here to talk if you need

[jessiejakes]

Hello Gale2509 why are you so against medication? Have you had bad experience ? When my anxiety was severe I took diazepam 2 mg and they really helped to take the edge of my symptoms and to calm them down so I could find a long term solution which was CBT .I had to wait months for here in the UK.(just shows you how many people are suffering with anxiety and other mental health issues) .would you not consider taking a couple of diazepam to get you on that plane home ! You could travel back with your mum ,then seek CBT treatment once your back in the UK.

[Hidden in reply to jessiejakes]

Hi Jessiejakes, I am certainly not against medication but I haven't been able to get any here, the doctor here suggested I go back to own country and source treatment for my 'problem'

[Hidden]

I'm feeling a little tearful, there hasn't been one person that has been able to say "I understand" that in itself is so soothing, thank you.

I'm almost 35 years old, a mother of 2 beautiful girls myself yet I feel like I'm the child being looked after by my mother. She is doing her absolute best and for that I'm enternally grateful but she doesn't understand and openly admits that. It must be very difficult for her to see me like this and really be powerless to do anything to help. My husband has completely withdrawn and finds me absolutely intolerable in this state and think that has been part of the issue - I'm afraid to panic in front of him, so what happens.....

Thank you so much for the advice on my thoughts - I am intrigued by the suggestion to laugh at my anxiety and will certainly give this a go - it's been such a long time since laughed about anything else so maybe I need to start with what I've got!

I will certainly look into hypnotherapy via skype also, I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner!

Thank you so much for responding to me, words couldn't possibly do my gratitude justice xxxxx

[NotToday in reply to Hidden]

Laughing does help. Smile, smile and smile some more... fake it if you have to. It will feel weord, but it's better to feel a smoke on your face than a frown. If you're naucious, try drinking a smoothie, rather than chewing food in order to get some nutrients in your body. That works for me.

[jessiejakes]

Gale2509 I'm sorry if I sound a bit hard to you ,but I can't see why medication shouldn't be used when anxiety is causing such terrible physical symptoms !!!! Unable to eat and sleep only adds to all the rest of the symptoms and this is when medication needs to be used to help calm the whole body down ! So you can address the anxiety full on .even Dr Claire weeks states in her book self help for nerves that she recommends medication for severe anxiety as she knows how delibitating it can be ! Sorry for the long speech ,but I think you would benefit from a short course of diazepam.

[jessiejakes]

Gale2509 I really do understand how you feel I'm sorry to hear your husband dosent understand ! As he knows you best and it would of been nice to have support from him and him give you a cuddle and tell you everything is going to be alright.my X husband couldn't understand why I got anxious hence the X husband lol.and although your mum dosent really understand it how lucky are you that your mother has traveled all that way to come and help support you .she must love you very much.tell your husband and your mum together just how this anxiety is making you feel just by telling them both will be a big relief and also make you feel better.

[kelli333]

I'm so sorry about your situation. I also endure several panic attacks a day and I understand. It's like a constant nightmare. Sometimes I just hold on to my teddy bear and rock back and forth.