Any anxiety panic attack people

Leedash

Hi I've had nervous symptoms for years,but gradually over this year I've got worse,very bad nerves,panicky,feel tearful,shortness of breath,social out going getting worse,am on cardicor if anyone else has these ? Please need peoples opinions thank you

littlestar1981

Go back to your doctor, you can't get medical advice here.

You're taking a beta blocker which works for me, so maybe you just need a review of the dosage... and perhaps a referral for some kind of psychological therapy (though expect a wait on the NHS)

I really do feel for you as I've really struggle with panic and anxiety interspersed with depression for a while now, despite campaigns like Time To Change and the work of organisations like Mind and Rethink mental health still has huge stigmas as people just think we should stop being so soft and toughen up, but it's not as easy as that and people don't realise mental health issues can also be very debilitating and impact living significantly.

good luck x

DirtyDick

a) See a doctor.

b) Induce the symptoms in your "safe place" and see what happens... do you die, pass out? No. So why should it happen elsewhere?

lelole

(((Leedash)))

I am sorry to hear you are struggling with panic attacks and anxiety. It's something that is really common, but also something which people can be embarrassed to admit as little star says. It can have a massive impact on ones life, and can often make you feel like you are losing control. I have also experienced anxiety and panic attacks over the years and I totally understand how awful it is for you.

A visit to your doctor may well help, and it may be a dosage thing, but my personal opinion is that just like any other symptom this is your body reacting to things in it's environment. In effect anxiety and panic attacks are the symptoms of the fight or flight part of your brain being in operation more often than is ideal, as a result of it feeling under threat by events or experiences or even by thought patterns. Beta blockers just treat (partially) the symptoms, not the cause, and are not really a long term solution.

I should at this point claim some bias as I am a clinical hypnotherapy student. I am not sure how good your finances are but if you are able to afford it it, I know that solution focused hypnotherapy is particularly useful treatment for this kind of anxiety, you can find a good hypnotherapist in your area by looking at Afsfh or NCH.

I really hope you manage to find some help to resolve this horrible symptoms, be nice to yourself, and if you can manage to try and focus on the things you do well, and the things you enjoy as much as you can, it will help.

Take care, lelole

jollyanna

I've found the books written by Dr Claire Weekes (deceased) very helpful for understanding the way this can grip your entire being and tie you up in knots. Release from the cycle of fright can take quite a while and it certainly helps to have some reading to do while you work at it.
Hypnotherapy can be helpful (in my experience) but there are a lot of people out there who gain certificates for practise who will in fact, not be very proficient. If you have the good fortune to have a GP who might divulge the name of a hypnotherapist for you to approach, then it is worth considering.
Have you come across nomorepanic website ? It is quite long established and offers plentiful advice and a forum. Hope this helps.

Molly41

Im another who has derived a lot of support from No More Panic. I also practice Mindfulness techniques which have helped me more than anthing x

jenniewb

I get anxiety attacks alot. I would strongly advise therapy but I guess it depends on what works for you.

I am alone at home and the night times are when things are the hardest for me and normally result in me not being able to sleep.

I did a little searching and found one site explained things in a very physical clinical way which really did help me to understand and also focus on things like the hormone which makes me feel panic, shifing. It wasn't something I was aware of before but the way your hormones work isn't as fast as it could be (this is the same for all people not just anxiety sufferers!). When you get a thought which makes your glands produce things (hormones) and make you feel the phisical sensations of panic, (eg tight chest, heavy shoulders, feeling 'on-edge' etc etc) and these chemicals travel out via your blood stream. Even if you stop the thoughs the feelings still remain for a while longer because they travel slower then thoughts do and it can take up to half an hour to break out of one cycle. It ends up being a slow process of reducing the cycles over time rather then stopping after one cycle but its helpful to watch things getting better rather then thinking your on a losing streak because you can't stop them immediatly.

A website similar to the one I found most helpful at explaining this to me was:
http://nlppati.com/articles/end-panic-attacks.shtml I can't actually find the original site but this says the same stuff.

I'd advise reading it through as it really helped me. Its not trying to sell anything, its just explaining things to you so you know whats going on and it feels a little less frightning. I was never scared that the panic would kill me (some can feel this) but I was afraid the feelings would never end as they just went on and on.

And I would say also speak to your doctor, they can refer you for treatment and also offer medication (as would a specialist if you are referred to someone).

j.e.j.

I also recommend books by Dr Claire Weekes (though I think I may have said this on another thread of yours, so sorry if I am repeating myself here )

We can't really discuss about beta-blockers or medication on MSE forums - sometimes threads get closed or deleted if the board guide decides it constitutes asking for or giving medical advice, but I think there are other forums or sources of info on the net which are more geared up for this (see Martin's sticky at the top). Obviously with it being the internet just be a bit careful re. where and who you get the information from.

patchwork_cat

I recommend that you visit your Dr and you can take SSRI's with beta blockers or there are lots of medication that you can get.

Are you hyperventialting? Have you tried breathing into a paper bag or your hands? I have found that that helped a lot, but now I hold my breath when I feel I am overbreathing. Hyperventilation is an odd thing - you breath frequently and actually have too much oxygen this then affects the carbon dioxide in your blood and you get something called respiratory alkalosis. You ahve to correct this balance and take in less oxygen.

This is part of a cycle that includes increased heart rate etc. if you can slow your breathing it may help the rest of the symptoms. Crying is not always a bad thing.

Did I read that you have an underactive thyroid? Have you been tested for Hashimotos disease?

universalady_2

didn't want to read and run, but I'm in the same boat as you, I am finding Claire Weekes book " Peace for nervous suffering" excellent, plus I'm also having CBT, which is helping tremendously, it's a long road to recovery, but I'm getting there. You will too.

BTW, I refused to take any medication, it would only have masked the problem

lisawood78

Doctors. Asap.
Tell them everything.