There isn't a reason for anxiety to show up. That's the bad part about them. You never know when they're going to hit. A lot of people wake up in the middle of the night because of them. Mine also come on a lot for no reason. They are very frustrating. Try not to concentrate on the anxiety when it happens. Think of something else that is pleasant or do something to get your mind off of it. Good luck and you're not alone in this.

I haven't been formaly diagnosed but I feel that I have anxiety most of the time and also occasional panic attacks. I tried keeping track of them for a while to see if I could identify certain triggers for them, but there was no concrete answer to what was causing them. I try deep breathing when it happens to me, and also like you going outside or just finding a space where I can be alone for a few minutes seems to help a little.

Thanks so much for giving your advice. I, too, know that these attacks come on out of the blue at times, sometimes there is a trigger and sometimes we can trigger it subconsciously and not even be aware of it. I have just been having an awful time with it and have found that family are not sympathetic to it for the most part. My husband is one if he doesn't see blood or a bone protruding, he can't understand that I am "sick".

Patti

Patti, you are not alone. I too suffer from anxiety/panic disorder since starting menopause.

I have tried different medications but the only thing they do is make me tired. I do find a low dosage of Buspar helps calm me down when I feel one coming on. I dont take it all the time, only when I feel an attack brewing.

I also tried to keep a journal on when and why the attacks occur, but I haven't found any relationship to what I am doing at the time when the attack happens. I could be talking on the phone, drying my hair, doing laundry, it doesnt matter.

I have been seeing a psychologist who specializes in panic/anxiety disorders and its helped a lot. He is now teaching me how to relax and clear my mind when an attack comes on. Like another poster (K9Linda) said, try not to concentrate on the anxiety.

Also, getting at least 7 hours sleep seems to help me as well. I do notice being sleep deprived does not help with the attacks.

I wish I had a special potion to cure these attacks but sadly I dont. I am curious to see what others have to say on how they control them.

Patti my husband is the same way, but God forbid he gets a little ache or pain or head cold.... then the whole world is supposed to stop lol. I hope you can find something to help you.

Can I join this group too!! haha Iam 44, perimenopause and the last year has been, well...lets just say I know what the "shadow of the valley of death" is like. My body crashed a year ago and I have been slowly climbing out of it. For me breathing...when I feel one coming on. Just slowing everything down and just taking long deep breaths till I feel better. Knowing that I am going to be okay too helps. When it first started it was so scary, now it is becoming old! That actually helps. I still don't like that I get lightheaded when I get excited. I am assuming it goes along with anxiety. Wondering if that has something to do with circulation and pre/menopause.

My primary symptoms for menopause, (or perimenopause) is anxiety. I don't get the classic hot flashes and night sweats. But this anxiety and general mood swings are tough. I take Lorazapam and I am finding myself upping my dosage. I found exercise helps, but, I don't make it a priority.

Whatever you are experiencing, consider getting some medication. It sure has been a life-saver for me.

I have panic disorder and have had increased PA's over the past year due to increased peri-menopausal symptoms. For me, the hormonal fluctuations seem to trigger the anxiety and PA's. The other night I woke up with night sweats and my heart just racing from a PA; then I started jerking and my teeth chattered so hard I thought my teeth would crack after I got up to go tinkle after the hot flash. I thought I was the only one who experienced anxiety and PA's due to peri-menopause, but I've talked to so many women who experience them together.

I went to drs thinking I had heart problems , because I would get out of the blue a rapid heart rate. OK now talking numbers I went from let's say 60 beats per minute to like 80 or 85. Anyway doctor put me on beta blocker without me first seeing a cardioligist. All i did was get sick from meds, very lightheaded and almost faint. It finally turned out with my own intuiton that I was getting what some women get with menopause. It can be accompanied by a Hot flash or flush. But, mine usually weren't. In addition I would bleed sometimes so heavy , I thought I would need to driven to emergency room. Thanks to my GYN and her associates I am doing much better now. I had a procedure done to stop the heavy periods, and am currently on HRT>hormones.

You gotta remember we're going through a whole hormone imbalance thing with menopause, and once one hormone is out of balance, ALL of them are, which can trigger problems with the nervous system. Try to relax more, take hot baths, get a massage (or ask your husband to give you one). You might want to take a high B-complex vitamin as well which is for stress. Hope this helps.

Philips314-Does the B complex really help. I am going to a wellness doctor on 1/14/08 to see what I can take for my stress, anxiety, etc with my symptoms. Do you have any other suggestions. DebbT

I have panic disorder. I had it as a child and then it went away and I got it back with menopause. There are alot of panic and anxiety fourms on the computer. I got help that way. It's all a question of flowing with them and not fearing them. Not easy. I have improved and I'm gonna see a terapist on friday.
They are horrible the attacks. UCK!

I have just started into perimenapause and found that I too, had panic attacks, breathing problems, heart palpataions. After 3 days in the hospital being tested for heart and lung problems, I found that I was all of the sudden allergic to red dye 40. I've never been allergic to any foods, but when I started looking for it and avoiding it. the panic attacks stopped..

I'm glad to have this group to bounce ideas off of....I've been having anxiety/panic attacks off and on, but I never connected them to menopause.
I've been without periods for almost two years, thought I'd have an easy transition, and then WHAM, the morning sweats/anxiety attacks hit. Not sure what to take, but I'm going to try natural remedies; vitamins, soy and get back to a regular exercise routine!

Hi, boy do I know what you're going through. After three weeks of no anxiety,bam,here I go again. It starts as soon as I wake up shaking ,palpitations,dry mouth. It increases then kind of subsides. I get this weird feeling in my arms from the elbows down. Then, everything goes away. By evening,I'm fine. It's been six days of misery. Hopefully number seven turn out to be the last one. This is starting to get oooold!!