ANXIETY ATTACK

[fabulous1]

Hi I am having severe anxiety attack and feel like I am going to die. I really need some reassurance that I will be ok. I try so hard with this not to ask for help but the fear is making me cry

[Janieliza]

You aren't going to die....honestly. please take a deep deep breath. Ready? In thro your nose 1...2...3...4 and out slowly thro your mouth 5...6...7...8. Do it again until you start to calm. Keep focusing and say this "I'm going to be alright...this will pass...im going to be alright....this will pass". You are going to be fine..its very frightening and yes of course you are scared. Don't ever not ask for help...esp here. We have all been in the same boat and know exactly how you feel. Pls let us know how you are...when you feel ok to do so. Take care...Janie

[fabulous1 in reply to Janieliza]

Thank you very much Janie. I cant stop crying it is such a struggle and so debilitating. I feel so unsafe and useless. Thank you for being there I wish I cd talk to you

[Sarah_brarian in reply to fabulous1]

Crying is just fine. It's a way to release the energy. Some days I just pop on my waterproof make up. 😉 You've got this. You are doing great.

[fabulous1 in reply to Sarah_brarian]

Thank you Sarah

[Janieliza in reply to fabulous1]

You can talk to me...anytime. if I'm here..ill always get back to you. Saying that I've just received a message sent days ago!! I wasn't notified so I'm abit miffed. You will be ok...i wouldn't tell you this if I didn't truly believe you wouldn't be. Panic attacks are terrifying. Absolutely horrific and i have on more than one occasion thought I was dying. Mind over matter is hard but it's possible lovely and you have to believe in yourself. You need someone...theres some wonderfully amazing ppl on here that will walk with you. We got you! J x

[fabulous1 in reply to Janieliza]

Thank you I am very grateful but very afraid

[Janieliza in reply to fabulous1]

Do you know what honey....it is scary but please please listen to me when I say to you...YOU AREN'T ALONE. with all of us here...you aren't going to go through this on your own. There isn't one of us that hasn't been frozen by this. There isn't one of us that hasnt known which way to turn and lastly...there isn't one of us that will let you do this on your own. This is like a little family and some(not all) families lean on each other and this is no different. You are scared, anxiety has a great way of pouncing when we least expect it. Let it knock...but you will one day learn not to let it in...and you will get there. What I do want you to do tho is focus on your breathing. Fear takes your breath away...so breath. Slowly and count...just keep that counting going. Keep writing on here...its actually fantastic therapy and will help you. Unlike ppl who haven't gone thro this..we have. We understand. Janie.

[fabulous1 in reply to Janieliza]

thankyou you are so lovely I am very tearful but very grateful for yr kind words. I cannot sleep been awake for hours thank you for being there

[fabulous1 in reply to Janieliza]

I am so tired but too scared to sleep incase I wake up worse ... I feel mighty pathetic

[Janieliza in reply to fabulous1]

Pathetic? No no no. You are most definitely not. What you are going thro is difficult and hard and it takes all our energy. Before you sleep at night I want you to make yourself comfortable. Get a drink of water and keep it by the bed. If you do happen to wake...sip it and do the breathing. Try not to think about having attacks, I know it's difficult, oh golly it is yes. I'm working from home tonight(I'm in the UK) so I'll be around if you do struggle. So remember someone will be here...that should help you settle. J

[fabulous1 in reply to Janieliza]

Thanjyou so much ... I am in Australia and its 3am still awake feeling very down now. Thank you again fr your words

[fabulous1 in reply to fabulous1]

I feel paralysed with fear

[fabulous1 in reply to Janieliza]

Janie I just want to thank you for all yr messages last night when I had a severe anxiety attack. I only slept 2 hours n woke feeling awful but so happy thinking about all the lovely kind messages I received. Thanks to all the other lovely people also. You are angels!♥XX

[Janieliza in reply to fabulous1]

Honestly there is no need to thank me but thank you. My only concern is that you are ok. And to hear from you fills me with joy. Anytime this happens...come on here, as you rightly say...theres so many wonderful people on here...including yourself. Take care xx

[fabulous1 in reply to Janieliza]

Thank you Janie I will. I would like to hug you .... sending you a huge hug from Australia. Yr so lovely for spending so much time reassuring me it was the best help xxxx

[Janieliza in reply to fabulous1]

And one back from the UK lovely...nothing wrong with virtual hugs..they do the same thing...well ish lol. Australia's a beautiful country and I've been once....a holiday I'll never forget. If you get reassurance then im a happy gal. Hugs xx

[fabulous1 in reply to Janieliza]

Cant believe I didnt end up in hospital lol how embarrassing I work in one so I prefer not to be a patient ever. Sending you sunshine from Aust xxx

[Janieliza in reply to fabulous1]

I'll take that sunshine thankyou...its freezing here. I know it's tempting to call for help and it doesn't matter if you do honey...they will always help and reassure you. If you can try the breathing next time....focus on your breathing..it may help. I'm heading out so have a lovely day. Speak soon. Xx

[fabulous1 in reply to Janieliza]

Have a fabulous day Janie cheers xxx

[Darryl Partner]

Janiliza speaks the truth with good advice

[Mindfulness4]

Hi!! I'm feeling the same exact way right now! I feel like I wanna call 911, I feel like I need to run somewhere for help. But they tell you not to because it strengthens the fear overtime but in the moment it just feels so terrible.

In 10 minutes your gonna wanna go party somewhere...ugh!

[fabulous1 in reply to Mindfulness4]

I hate that you feel like this too. It is very nice of you to reply while you yourself are feeling bad I am so close to callinh an ambulance feel very pathetic and stupid

[Mindfulness4 in reply to fabulous1]

Don’t feel that way. You’re not alone. You can message me if you want to talk further maybe we can help each other

[Sarah_brarian]

I know you're scared but try not to fight it. The more you resist, the worse it will become. Here are some things I do when I'm having a panic attack:

1) Remove myself from a crowded area (If possible I go outside or just to a restroom

2) I thank my body. I say, "Thank you for trying you protect me. I am safe. I am safe.

3) I carry lavender oil with me which helps to take a smell of

4) check my breathing, breathe in through the nose to a count of 4, hold for 3, exhale from the mouth for 4.

5) Try to distract myself - My twin sister taught me this trick - look for one of something, then two of something and so on.

6) Eventually the waves of panic will lessen and I like to watch this video clip. Since seeing Moana, I now call my anxiety "Hei Hei" for obvious reasons. 😉 youtu.be/Z0_NerqyZKo(Not working as expected?)

I am proud of you. You may not feel strong right now but you are amazingly powerful. Your body is just being a little Hei Hei. 🙂

[Mindfulness4 in reply to Sarah_brarian]

Your point of that of which you resist, persists. I actually love this video my therapist and mindfulness teacher sends to her clients. It is the prime example of that point, and what to do instead. youtube.com/watch?v=9l-YYqj...(Not working as expected?)

[Mindfulness4 in reply to Mindfulness4]

P.S the fly is anxiety/panic

[Sarah_brarian in reply to Mindfulness4]

I love that! What a brilliant visual analogy!

[fabulous1 in reply to Sarah_brarian]

Thank you for yr time so lovely of you to help

[fabulous1 in reply to Sarah_brarian]

Thank you Sarah for all your advice last night xx

[Jeff1943]

Excellent advice from Janie, fabulous1, read it at least twice. 'Anxiety attack' has never appeared as the cause of death on any death certificate and you will not be the first, believe me. Do the breathing in and out slowly through your mouth as it releases natural tranquillising hormones that will calm you down.

In future if you feel an anxiety or panic attack coming just let every muscle in your body go limp: your jaw, your arms, your legs, your body and imagine there's a muscle in your head and feel that go limp and relax too. Then just let the anxiety come while you stay limp, don't fight the feeling no matter how horrible, just accept it for the moment, let it rush past you and then recede.

You are like the Willow tree that bends with the wind rather than resisting it, you will come to no permanent harm. You will survive this and eventually recover your quiet mind, there are people here who will show you how, read what they have to say and always ask when you need help.

[Janieliza in reply to Jeff1943]

Well said Jeff. J