Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Panic

MorningSadness00
MorningSadness00
So, last night, i was laying down in my bed listening to my music and then all of the sudden out of the blew, i started to get light headed and then i started to feel weightless and tingly. I sat up in my bed really fast, my heart was racing so hard. I tried calming myself down, it worked for about a minuet or so and then the light headedness and tingly and weightless feeling came back. My heart raced even faster and my intestines tensed up so much, i couldnt move because i had gas pains. It was terrifying. In my mind i thought i was going into shock because i was in so ,much pain. Which made the symptoms worse, i started sweating and i tried talking to myself out loud, telling myself i was okay over and over again. It scares me so much. I finally started counting from 1- 100 and counted all the way to almost 700... i finally calmed myself down and counted myself to sleep... it was TERRIBLE. I havent had a panic attack in about maybe a good 5 months. It hit me HARD. Im so afraid im going to have another and im also afraid this wasnt really a panic attack.... was that really a panic attack or something else.... im still panicky over it :((((
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sounds like a panic attack to me. I get bad ones like that from time to time. It's a terrifying feeling! I hate the lightheaded feeling, it's not fun. I'm sorry you had to experience that. You'll probably have that panic/edgy feeling for a few days. Those attacks can really shake you up. If you need anyone to talk to about panic attacks, feel free to message me I've had enough of them. Hope you start feeling better soon :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Morning it does sound like a panic attack mine can be gone for so long and then out of the blue bang i am having one do you take or have meds for them if not try the breathing exercises they work or me FIBROWITCH
deleted_user
deleted_user
It does sound like some of the panic attacks I have had as well sweetie. Do you have a doctor and medical insurance? First time I ever had such a PA I just knew I was dying and raced to the doctor. I remember being just astonished and appalled that anxiety could have the power to do all that and make me feel that way. I like the idea of the counting; perhaps I will try it sometime.
dazedanconfusedd
dazedanconfusedd
yea I like the idea of counting too! All my panic attacks are just like you explained. I get super, super hot and if my husband is not around I have to get to the kitchen or bathroom to get a wet rag or I feel like I will just pass out! Or I go by the AC unit and turn it on full blast till I can calm down! I have even fallen a couple of times because it happened when I was standing and it brought me to my knees or on my butt!

Anxiety had more power then we all know and it stinks! I hope you start feeling better soon! You may even find you may need meds for a while!

Big hugs
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have panic/anxiety disorder. I've been going to therapy for years and I've taken medication but what has helped the most is breathing exercises.

When you breathe, it is important to use your diaphragm. Inhale through your nose and use your abdomen to bring air into your lungs. As you inhale, your abdomen should expand out as your diaphragm moves down, and then let your chest expand.

Exhale through your mouth, relaxing your abdomen or gently pulling it in and then letting your chest fall naturally.

Inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 4 to 8 seconds (there are different inhale/exhale ratios) you just need to take slow deep breaths until you calm down or feel relaxed.

You should do the exercises as often as you can, even when your not having an attack. I try to do this at least 2 times a day, if I miss a day I usually have increased anxiety.

I wish you the best. I know how hard it is. Although I practice my breathing exercises, I still live with the disorder and it's still a struggle but it's not as scary as it was before I started the exercises. Good luck!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Morning, if it was out of the ordinary it wouldn't hurt to check it out w a doc, but it sounds like a panic attack. Way to go encouraging yourself. The counting is a great way to engage your higher centers in your brain...never had heard of that one before. Do you have any clue what may have triggered this episode? Anything about the music? I know that even certain kinds of seizures can be triggered by sounds or music (termed "audiogenic"), so I am sure panic can be triggered the same way. Did you have any stimulants like a lot of sugar or caffeine in your system? You did so well to being yourself down and actually be able to go into a sleep...reframe the situation and praise yourself for the positive way you handled it. Another thing my counselor says to do is to use your sense of touch to feel something, like your bedding to get tactile input and "ground" yourself while you diaphragm-breathe or encourage yourself in some way.