Hello Jennessence. Welcome to the forum.

I'll second the notion that posting here was a good start. As much as I wish I could find a magic wand to wave my anxiety away, I haven't found it yet and sharing about the anxiety in a supportive environment remains my first step toward sorting the yaddahs behind the anxiety attacks. Hope it has helped you as well.

Welcome aboard.

Hi Simpson, I haven't checked the anxiety forum out yet. I'll definitely do that. I wish no one else knew what this feels like; it's so uncomfortable to be in a constant fight or flight state. I'm very grateful to have found DS; I've received a lot of support here and really appreciate it! Thanks so much!

Hi Arfie, there must not be a magic pill either... a magic wand would be much better though...lol. I feel like I'm wired like a rabbit! I have such an intense physiological response sometimes, it's ridiculous (heart beats out of my chest, can't breath even when I try to slow it, and I shake noticeably). Just going to class is causing a lot of anxiety. To make matters worse, I started having severe panic attacks during presentations, which have been noticeable. I had been doing so much better before this and it's frustrating not knowing how to turn it off.

But, it does help to share in a supportive environment, and I really appreciate everyone here! Thanks for the support and warm welcome!

One of my meditation visualizations for the physical effects of my strictly personal anxiety is a high voltage electrical grid. I'm the transformer who has to take the extreme voltages of the grid and tame them for the controlled voltages which power the household appliances. The yaddahs in the blahs of life are the forks in the electrical sockets. Ouchie yeowchie. . .

Have you played with breathing exercises? I, too, have problems breathing while under the influence of anxiety and "Just Breathe" might be as close to a magic wand as I have found.

Arfie, thanks for sharing some techniques you use. Your visualization of anxiety as electricity on a grid is a good analogy. I'll give that a try tonight.

I used to meditate all the time. I've been taught breathing exercises, biofeedback, and muscle relaxation mediation. I like one of the breathing exercise I learned at a preschool (they had actual pinwheels (spinning toys) with a flower taped to it), where the kids would "smell the flower, and blow the pinwheel." Those can be such good ways to reduce anxiety, especially just remembering to breathe, but what's upsetting is it's not working.

I think the problem is I haven't had time to slow down and process things after my mom got so sick. I have so much homework that I can't remember what all is due from week to week (I've used almost a 500 page ream of paper this semester and multiple ink cartridges).. But, it's not just me, I've heard countless classmates say they can't look ahead at assignments that it stresses them out, so they take one week at a time. People without anxiety disorders are stressed out all the time and having anxiety attacks.

The work is also high anxiety (public speaking, being evaluated teaching, writing and illustrating a children's book and learning I have to put it on the hover cam and read it to my college class once it's graded, which we weren't told we had to read it in class until after we turned it in). I would not have included onomatopoeia in my book if I knew that!!!

It's constant things like that; sudden surprises, like needing to present on the spot in every single class. For instance a couple weeks ago, we were assigned poems to read in front of the class. One girl was assigned a poem that read, ""O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!"

I felt really bad for her and was so grateful it wasn't me. You never know what to expect, and I'm seriously wondering if a couple professors in my major are masochists. Why would the professor choose that poem (which she got online poem database with lots of other options); what's being learned? Is it just for entertainment purposes to watch someone squirm? I thought it was cruel!!!

My sister just took off from work to help with family (but she has a 3 and 10 yr. old), who's been sick so I still need to be available to help, which I want to. It makes me feel guilty that I don't have time to spend with my mom (it stresses her needing my help, which makes me feel bad). But, I can't afford to drop out; I don't have enough financial aid to finish if I do. I'm hoping to somehow hold up til the end of the semester, but don't know how with it being this out of control for so long. I'm going to keep trying everything (I appreciate the suggestions), and hope it gets better.. Thanks again, sorry this is so long...

I am very sorry! I am very sorry! Right after reading what you’ve shared, I prayed for you and your mom and I can relate to many of the symptoms with which you are struggling. I am very sorry that you are dealing with so much! It seems that lots of people are struggling very hard with very big problems. How wonderful that you’ve gotten some good recommendations! In my case, I’ve been told by the many professionals with whom I’ve met throughout the years that walking outdoors is very beneficial and helpful, much more helpful than medications, in some cases. Fresh air and the regular physical activity can help us so much not only physically but emotionally and psychologically. I’ve tried it and I only wish I could keep it up all my life because it is very true that walking outdoors every day can help many of us for a lot of things. As you’ve already learned, some of the medications that we take for some of our problems produce side effects, and we can end up needing more medications to treat those side effects. Medications are a big blessing, in many cases. But doctors have also recommended counseling in addition to, and even better, at times, than the medications that we take. We all need that God helps us a lot. You are not alone! There are many things that are very helpful. I hope that God provides you lots of guidance about how to deal best with everything and how to help yourself. May God bless you a lot and your mom too!