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momita

Posts: 584

Posted: 1 Jul 2009 05:59 PM
Subject: panic attacks

Has anyone else suffered from these? I've had probably the most stressful year of my life, and it is taking it's tole. A couple of months ago, I became so fatigued that I can barely function, gained weight without changing anything about the way I eat, and now I have been having panic attacks, especially at night, where I think I can't breathe and I feel like I'm going to die. Does anyone have any suggestions of self-help types of things I can do? I'm hyper-sensitive to most drugs, and don't really want to go that route. My dh is still unemployed, so there isn't much money, and no health insurance either. Anyway, I will quit whining now. Just looking for ideas. Thanks.

forman

Posts: 13023

Posted: 1 Jul 2009 06:07 PM
Subject: panic attacks

It is imparing your life so something needs to be done...U are NOT WHINING

I am not a dr...There is my disclaimer
but your symptoms sound like you may have some depression...does not mean that is all or that is necessarily the answer...You need to see someone...do you have a dr u trust already...?

How long since you have last been?

Have you had a blessing.....or maybe you need another one?

talk to the bishop....the church can help you...and there are things you can try that aren't too expensive.

I know some self help stuff...may not be the answer...but little things may help from getting alot worse...Tried relaxing things like yoga...walking...meditating...

thegreatesthugger

Posts: 1221

Posted: 2 Jul 2009 08:51 AM
Subject: panic attacks

I tried to PN you but could not...

Can you send me your personal email, mine is: amwilson82@hotmail.com

Hoping you are feeling better today..hugs..

penelopeanne

Posts: 1195

Posted: 2 Jul 2009 08:58 AM
Subject: panic attacks

I also tried to PN you. here is my mail: gailz42@gmail.com

busymomtoo

Posts: 148

Posted: 2 Jul 2009 11:47 AM
Subject: panic attacks

Those who pn ed you probably had more in depth ideas for you. And I agree with those who suggested that asking your bishop to help with getting you in with some counselling might be really helpful for you. But also, I have had a couple of panic attacks and have learned a couple of self-help things that really made a difference for me.

The first is to be aware that what you think about has a very real impact on your emotions and panic attacks aren't good for you so if you start to get panicky and anxious, you have to change what you are thinking about. I used to think that I as I was trying to fall asleep, I should think and think about how to solve whatever dilemma's I was dealing with at the moment. I have learned that when I'm going through something big and start feeling anxious and panicky, then I I have to start managing when I let myself think about it. For whatever reason, when I am trying to fall asleep I am more prone to anxiety. So I can't think about big problems at night. I have to wait until morning. Laying awake all night stressing does not help solve anything. So at night I try to think about mundane routine things like what do my kids have going on the next day. The minute I start thinking about THE PROBLEM, I make myself stop and think about something else, anything else. I had a counsellor teach me a relaxation technique. Try to breathe slowly and calmly. Then think of the most peaceful setting you can imagine. If you could be anywhere on earth in any circumstances you wanted to be, where would you be. Then you focus on that. You go through each of your senses and imagine what would it be like. The more minute detail you can imagine, the better. What colors would things be. What sounds would you hear. What smells would you smell. (Like imagine feeling the warmth of the sun shining down on you.) What people would be there? What would they be wearing? What would their voices sound like? Etc. It's a way of getting your brain out of fight or flight mode.

I also sometimes find it helpful to schedule a time to focus on a particular problem. For example, Tuesday morning I will focus on thus and such problem and try to figure out what I can do about it. Until then, I focus on other things and try not to think about it.

Living in denial isn't helpful and you have to make sure you try to solve things, but constantly thinking about problems and stressing about them isn't helpful either. Focusing on keeping a normal life going as much as you can, can help you have the reserves to deal with the problems. Teaching yourself to take some mental time away from problems helps you deal with them more effectively when you think about them again. So try to figure out when you are most likely to feel hopeful and supported and choose those times to try to figure out how to solve things. Maybe its in the morning. Maybe its when you have a friend or family member with you to talk about it. The rest of the time it helps me to focus on anything but the problems. . . routines, what are my blessings etc.

Sending you lots of good wishes that you can find some answers and some peace. Hope this is a little bit helpful. Busymom.

momita

Posts: 584

Posted: 2 Jul 2009 02:34 PM
Subject: panic attacks

penelopeanne, your pn came through and I've replied. Greatest hugger, I sent you my email. Thanks for everyone's help and ideas. I don't want to be this way...I've always been the strong one that everyone depends on and I'm not liking this very much.

floweraffair

Posts: 4814

Posted: 2 Jul 2009 06:22 PM
Subject: panic attacks

I have had them on and off for years.

I am really proud to say that it has been FOREVER since I had one! ;)
They can truly cripple your life. I finally took some medication that helped about 2.5 years ago and it was the right thing for me at the right time. I only took it for about 5 months but it really changed me and how I was able to react to life. I have not had to take it since;)
I am thinking of you! Lots of love!

strawberrypye

Posts: 207

Posted: 2 Jul 2009 06:34 PM
Subject: panic attacks

I really feel for you. About 4 years ago....for 5years I suffered from panic attacks to the point that they crippled me and I could not (would not ) leave my home. MOst of mine would come at nite..but alot of them came when I was away from home. Finally I found a dr. that would listen to me. I started studying up on this and found this very interesting. A good book that I found useful was by the author Lucinda Bassett. Title name is from Panic to Power. incredible book. She helps you with techniques and skills to help you over come anxiety and panic attacks. . I must say that I did have pills that I took...but I used them very sparingly...when I was losing control. The one person that listed doing something..like going to a happy spot..which I call finding my inner core. I have learned interesting breathing techniques that really help me in times of panic. I will pray for you. I know that it seems like this time for you will never end...but it does. I was given a blessing and it really helped. I hope the best for you. Let us know from time to time how you are doing and if you have found some way to cope. I wish that you had a good dr. that you could see. Also wish that it didnt cost so much. Sometimes Depression will bring this on also. Sometimes caffeine and chocolate make this worse. Also that time of the month was the worst for my panic attacks hormone flow created havoc with me. The internet also has some wonderful articles. Take care...listen to the other sisters they have such wondrful ideas too.