Anxiety

[ashleybakerr01]

How do i calm down and control my anxiety attacks? I have been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety and a panic disorder. And in currently recovering from anorexia. I've been prescribed 10mg of Celexa which has actually been helpful. Only been on it for a little over 2 weeks now. Only side effects i have are heart palpitations here and there. The other day i had probably the worst panic attack i Think i ever had. I don't know how to over come them when they come on, and it happens randomly out of nowhere most times. All I can do is panic when they set in which i know does make it worse. It's the overwhelming feeling that im gonna die bc it gets hard to breathe, the burning feeling of my skin, and fuzzy feeling all over take over me. This may sound weird to some, but safe place has always been the bathroom...im not sure why. But sometimes I have to go and sit in the bathroom til it's over. Any advice would be greatly appreciated😩 it's so exhausting

[Agora1]

Hi ashleybakerr01, Welcome~

Once we experience a Panic Attack, it leaves that dreaded thought in the back of our mind and we go into Anticipational Anxiety. With this, we develop Free Floating Anxiety, meaning the flow of Adrenaline is like a pilot light ready to go off at any moment.

The bathroom may be your safe place because it is confined to a small space and blocks out a lot of stimulation that may be around you. During a Panic Attack, we can't handle noises, people around us. Our energy is put into the sensations that are going through our body as well as the thoughts in our mind.

Now that you know how anxiety works, the next step is getting control over it. Don't fight it. Accept the feeling as not harmful knowing it will pass shortly. Panic Attacks tend to come on more fierce than Anxiety attacks but last for a shorter time.

The key to control is Medication and Therapy to break the cycle of Panic/Fear as well as finding other tools/methods to use before you are in the throes of Panic.

Methods that prepare you in reducing your stress, must be practiced every day in the form of meditation/breathing, yoga, mindfulness etc. In other words anything that works in reducing your stress levels can help build up your reserve in getting through the adrenaline rise. Changing your way of breathing can lower the level of adrenaline and fear as well as relax your muscles and lower your blood pressure and h/r. In doing these steps before you need to, gives you the upper hand in winning over anxiety.

You will learn from the great people on this site. Take what you need and leave the rest. Knowing you are never alone. This is an amazing forum that has people who understand and most of all care. I'm so happy you are with us. xx

[ashleybakerr01 in reply to Agora1]

thank you so much for taking time to respond. I'm currently starting Celexa for my depression and anxiety. So far it's worked, other than the one breakthrough panic attack I had the other day. I had to go outside and sit in the cool air too restore my breathing. I've only been on it for a little over to weeks now, and it's helping a good bit.

[Agora1 in reply to ashleybakerr01]

I'm happy to hear that you are starting to feel good effects from Celexa. Allow maybe 4-6 weeks for it to reach full efficacy. If the dosage is raised during that time, allow a few more days.

I had severe Anxiety disorder as well as 5 years of Agoraphobia. The help with medication, therapy and then daily Meditation and changing my breathing pattern, i have gotten my life back again. It's an amazing feeling to once again have control over your emotions and daily life.

Reach out any time you need that extra hand for support. We are but a message away. Take care xx

[Viamar204B in reply to Agora1]

try YouTube videos from Dr Claire Weeks.

An expert on anxiety

[designguy]

Our natural reaction to anxiety is to fight it, resist it and try to control it all of which just makes it worse because it is really a paradox, the more you resist it the more it persists. Meds helped me but didn't eliminate my anxiety, it took learning what it really is and how to constructively deal with it to do that.

I found the DARE Anxiety book, youtube videos and phone app very helpful and the book "At last a life and beyond" by Paul David and the youtube videos of Dr. Claire Weekes.