going crazy I think...

[thinkerbelle2018]

Hello, I just joined this community. I have been experiencing severe panic attacks among other things, during the day and often during sleep (even when I fall asleep happy I jolt up with these attacks). I am struggling and really trying to not to go completely crazy (which it feels like). On the outside I am a very together person and for various reasons there is no one I can really talk to about this and I am just lost and unsure what to do :(, would appreciate any tips on dealing with anxiety.

[Jeff1943]

Thinkerbelle, you are most welcome here, your panic attacks are a very common symptom of high anxiety, very few people on this forum haven't experienced them one time or another. They're not nice but they can't do you any real harm, they can't send you crazy and in time they will pass.

You're experiencing some anxiety disorder, you must have been going through a period of worry and stress recently to get yourself this way. Only you know what has been causing you this stress but the first thing is to neutralise the cause of the stress. This may involve putting yourself first for a change or taking ruthless action against the cause of your angst.

All this worry has caused your body to release fear and stress hormones that have made your nerves over sensitive and this is what is causing the panic attacks. But anxiety can't kill you, won't disable you and can't send you crazy - its powers are limited.

If you could stop flooding your body with fear hormones about the panic attacks it will give your nervous system a chance to recover and de-sensitise and when you achieve that stage the panic attacks will yield.

The best way I know to do this is to stop fighting the panic attacks, fighting just causes more stress and tension, your nervous system needs less not more of that.

So instead of fighting the PAs just accept them for the moment as calmly as you can and without responding with too much fear. Say to yourself: "Oh, I'm having another panic attack, I don't like it but I'm not going to fight it: I'm going to try accepting it instead. So what if I have a panic attack, had 'em before, but this time I'm just going to take it in my stride, let it run its course, carry on with what I'm doing, why not? Who cares?"

And by accepting the PAs instead of fighting them, getting on with what you're doing, accepting them 100% and totally, you stop flooding your nerves with fear hormones and they start to recover. And when they do that you're well on the way to recovery from panic attacks.

That's the story on panic attacks so take control of your own recovery and stop fearing and start accepting and you WILL recover, I assure you.