| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Atheist4Catholics |
Posted - 01/08/2005 : 12:31:42
Anyone else here get them? I got a really bad one last night that Xanax almost couldn't handle. I usually get mine during the winter when things are dark and overcast. I'm suspicious that they are due to a combination of lack of sunlight, cabin fever, and lack of exercise. Working at home only makes things worse! On top of that I have a head cold which adds to my feelings of being suffocated.
I also tend to get them at night. I'll be feeling fine as I'm falling asleep, but then when I reach a certain stage of sleep I suddenly wake up and feel claustrophobic and anxious. Usually if I bounce around the room and shake things off I can get through it, but sometimes (like last night) it sets in and I have to take a pill.
Another thing that sets me off is trying to relax after I've been working a lot on a project and finally finish it. When I start to wind down and watch a movie or something, I freak out!
Last night was the worst though, even after medication. I kept thinking that I didn't care about anyone or anything and that nothing was important enough for me to keep living for. I'm normally a very optimistic and relaxed person and am not prone to suicidal thoughts, so this really bothered me.
Aside from taking Xanax I plan on seeking psychological help and if necessary some sort of support group. I was wondering if anyone here has panic attacks and if they've found some ways to keep them at bay other than medication.
Will I ever reach 1000?
For more information on rock, visit www.timfranklin.net |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| VoVat |
Posted - 01/12/2005 : 19:22:34
quote:
Video Games are a splendid idea. I just got Elder Scrolls 3 which should eat up some time if I need it! I know what you mean about dealing with it when you're alone. Sometimes other people can be sources of stress or conflict and get you anxious just by being there.
But remember that video games can be a source of stress in and of themselves!
"Reunion? Shit union!" |
| kathryn |
Posted - 01/09/2005 : 08:23:32
Good luck, A4Cs. A lot of us have, in the true sense of the word,
suffered panic attacks. You can and will overcome them!
Feel free to email me.
 I still believe in the excellent joy of the Frank |
| Boxcar Waiting |
Posted - 01/09/2005 : 05:25:17
I had a spate of panic attacks last year after I got stuck in my car for 6 hours in the snow. They involved waking up in the night and shaking really badly, whilst having the same thoughts going round and round my head of really inane things (like Tommy Vercetti's mansion in Grand Theft Auto Vice City, of all things!). It was diagnosed as hyperventilation, and one of the cheap and cheerful remedies was to breath into a paper bag for a few moments, until the shaking subsided. This was to restore the CO2/Oxygen balance in my breathing. It was also mooted that I needed to show a little love to my aerobic system, heart and lungs etc...
I now make sure I have a walk for at least half an hour every day, or a bicycle ride. Since that period, touch cloth, I haven't had any further episodes. The walks also help me work through problems or ideas, so all in all they are a positive thing.
All the best with sorting it out!
EDIT - I've just looked up hyperventilation on Google, and the paper bag technique is no longer recommended. They seem to suggest breathing through pursed lips, as if blowing out a candle. |
| Atheist4Catholics |
Posted - 01/08/2005 : 20:35:57
Thanks guys.
Daisy, I'll check that book out for sure.
LBL - Video Games are a splendid idea. I just got Elder Scrolls 3 which should eat up some time if I need it! I know what you mean about dealing with it when you're alone. Sometimes other people can be sources of stress or conflict and get you anxious just by being there.
I have cut my caffeine back from two double lattes a day to a cup of Earl Grey over the last month. Boy, do I miss my lattes...
My Mom (a nurse) suggested I take a sleep study to see if I have a form of Narcolepsy or Sleep Apnea that's causing me to have trouble when I try to sleep. I'm nervous about going to bed tonight, but I feel a bit better today in general.
Will I ever reach 1000?
For more information on rock, visit www.timfranklin.net |
| Daisy Girl |
Posted - 01/08/2005 : 19:05:13
Quitting cigs and cutting way back on caff. also helped alot  |
| Little Black Francis |
Posted - 01/08/2005 : 13:14:32
I get them all the time and have had them for about 4 years. I finally stopped taking Xanax which started making them worse in my opinion and started taking Klonopin about 6 months ago and that really made a HUGE difference. I rarely get them anymore, usually only when I'm riding in a car. I've never been able to figure out what causes them or how to relieve them, so I'm not much help. What helps me is to do something like play a video game, or draw picture, or hand-write anything, or just anything menial and easy, it takes my mind off myself and helps regulate my breathing because I don't concentrate on every breath. I like quiet and dim lighting too. And then just wait it out. It's a lot easier to deal with when I am completely alone too. But that's me and I doubt I can be any help. But it seems to me you are taking the right actions to fix the problem. Best wishes.
Floops quesedillas zijn te vergelijken met het likken van fatsige Albert's aars nadat hij een fles laxeermiddel heeft leeggedronken. |
| Daisy Girl |
Posted - 01/08/2005 : 13:03:38
Panic attacks are really bad. I think you are definitely on the right track with seeking the help of a therapist. What has helped me is deep breathing and there is a really good book by Claire Weeks.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0451167228/qid=1105216582/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/102-7409903-5388109?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
As far as deep breathing goes... you probably want to learn from a yoga instructor or a therapist. It takes discipline and lots of practice-- but really for me by doing the deep breathing and with Claire Weeks's practice of accepting things, I can even do stuff that used to trigger panic attacks, now. But I also know that they can come back at any time, so I have to keep up with the deep breathing. I also know if they do come back like they have before,
Lots of people get these so, don't feel weird that you are getting them. It seems like for everyone, different things set them off.
Check out some of the celebrities that have it:
http://www.anxietysecrets.com/celebrities.htm
One of my really good friends has seasonal affective disorder. She gets more bummed out in the winter when she doesn’t get enough sun. I would definitely bring up all your symptoms with your therapist and they can help you.
Definately feel free to drop me a line or im me if you want to chat! |
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