I've never experienced anxiety before..

[bandz88]

Hi there, im a senior in college, I graduate in a couple months and just recently (a couple days ago) ive been experiencing anxiety and panic attacks. I was home at my parents place for spring break, and I was perfectly fine. They only live a few hours away from me so I drove back into my apartment with grandparents and when they dropped me off, I walked into a completely empty apartment and just absolutely broke down. I started having major anxiety and panic attacks, and eventually I got sick. I wasn't okay but I pushed through it and went to school the next morning. the next day on dinner break, I broke down again when I was alone in my house and again after school I was alone and I called my parents having major panic attacks and I could not stop crying. luckily my grandparents stayed for a couple days and they came over with me and comforted me and tried to figure out what was happening and why I was getting so sick as well. this kept happening and did not get better. I ended up having to take time off school and go home again with my parents where again, I had more panic attacks and anxiety when I was alone. I went to the doctor and they doctor said I had the stomach flu and that me being so emotional was because I have sensitive personality and that I will get like this when I feel sick.. but why am I constantly having so much anxiety?? I used to be perfectly fine being alone..

[Hidden]

I can relate. I guess I was always the nervous type, but the anxiety slowly started to show up as I got older- more responsibility I guess?

Just as fast as it came on, you can squash it that fast as well. I’ve learned to stop it at the source. As soon as you buy into it, the snow ball affect starts.

My best advice is to train yourself to replace the stressor with something you enjoy and quick. I always make the positive something I wish to do in the future. I’ve begun to set goals and really seems to help.

Since you’ve never had anxiety before, this could just be a situational event and will pass soon.

Take care,

Bryan

[teemo1]

Hi there. My first bout with anxiety and panic was also in college, many years ago.

When you experience a panic attack, you first have an unpleasant thought or feeling. You then react to that thought or feeling with fear, and your brain, thinking that you are truly in danger, signals your body to release adrenaline. This feeling would be perfectly normal if a bear were chasing you, but when you are in your apartment and in no danger, the feeling seems terrifying because it is entirely out of context. And since you feel terrified, your brain releases more adrenaline. And so on and so on.

It's not something that happens to us. It's in fact something we, ourselves, do without realizing it. Understanding and accepting this is the first key to recovery.

The more you struggle and react and try to make the feeling go away, the more fuel you are giving it. Anxiety is a paradox.

And so the second key to recovery is learning to do the exact opposite: to relax and accept the fearful feeling. To do nothing, and just allow the feeling to be there. Try this, and see how much weaker the feeling of fear becomes. Let your muscles go limp and just accept, just float right through the feeling.

Every time you do so, you signal your brain that you are in no danger and do not need adrenaline. And so you are gradually re-training your brain to trigger adrenaline only when it is appropriate, and not when you are really in no danger. It takes time and patience and is a gradual process.

This is kind of a do-it-yourself acceptance therapy, and it's proven successful for countless anxiety sufferers, many of whom belong to this community.

For much more on this, I would start with reading some of this user's posts:

healthunlocked.com/user/beevee

And then taking a look at this website:

anxietynomore.co.uk/

And remember, you are not alone. We are here to help and support you!

[Zazzel]

It's not uncommon to have anxiety when graduating from college. It is a major life change. You will soon be out on your own and responsible for yourself. I'm sure you are really excited at the same time! Pair that with getting a cold or flu and it can cause panic and anxiety in someone who is sensitive as you said you are. If the doctor has ruled out any vitamin deficiencies or other ailments, I'm betting that's what it is.

You haven't mentioned what or how you feel about graduating. A trick to combat stress would be to list out all the fears (cons) and all the excitement (pros) on a piece of paper. Not saying to share with us, this is just for you. Then, look at the cons and see how you might start addressing them now so that you feel more in control. For instance, if you don't have a place to live, start researching areas you might like to live etc. Look at the pros and start visualizing them as happening in your mind so you fill your mind with positive thoughts of graduating. For instance, if you are excited to start a new job in a new city, start looking at all the things you want to do or visit in the new city and make a journal or Pinterest board of those things. This will help strengthen your immune system against anxiety through the upcoming months.

I get anxious sometimes before I get sick as well. In the past, I didn't connect the two things, but now, if I get overly anxious for no reason and I get the slightest feeling of tiredness, I know I am fighting something off. I've re-framed it to be a positive. My body is warning me that unless I take really good care of it in the next 24 to 48 hours, I'm going to get sick. That means extra sleep, lots of veggies and fruit, no added stressers like scary movies, and I take ziacam to build up my immunity.

Hope you feel better soon!

[sunandbutterfly]

So sorry for the way that you have been feeling. I understand what it is like for anxiety to suddenly appear in places where you were okay before. I am so glad that you were able to see the doctor and that your family has been so supportive.

Have you considered seeing a counselor or asking your physician for coping strategies when the anxiety becomes overwhelming? Also, does the college have a counseling/health department where you can find some helpful services?

Here are some additional resources that may be helpful for you: list.ly/list/2EUz-the-selfl....

Hope that helps! Know that you can get through this.