I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. I think everyone must experience these attacks in the early days and months I know I did and after ten months I still do on occasion.
I know this is so severe for some counseling and even meds are necessary for some relief.
I can tell you what helps me is working out and although not for everyone, smoking pot. It is legal here in Colorado and for me it very much takes the edge off.
Anxiety is one of the things we all must deal with and everyone handles it differently and as you mentioned the episodes do lessen at least they have for me.
Take care of yourself and peace to you.
~Pete

Deb, I'm so sorry for your loss. We're all here for you. I still have extreme anxiety attacks at almost 10 months. Sometimes they are debilitating. Today is the first day in a long time that I am not extremely anxious. I've prayed so hard for it to go away, as I feel it makes my grief so much harder to deal with.

I do take medication, and it does help. Exercise helps, but I always have my medication with me even when exercising. The attacks make me so shaky sometimes that I wouldn't be able to drive home safely. I hope yours go away soon.

Wishing you well,
Linda

Thank you, I like the idea of working out and will give it a try! Probably blows some of the adrenalin out. Hopefully, too, things will get better once the holidays are over. This seems like a really good group. Deb

I know how hard it is sometimes to do the everyday things and suddenly get overwhelmed with your loss. It has been four months since my husband died. It is getting better, however I still experience anxiety at times. Last night I went to dinner with some girlfriends, it was suppose to be an early dinner. But, the restaurant was busy and so we ended up looking around in the stores. By the time we were seated it was after 8:30, I knew my anxiety was building, I made it through dinner; but left before dessert. I don't know if it was the crowds of shoppers, the holiday decorations or because it was the first dinner with friends. Until now, I have only been socializing with family members and a couple of friends. I was so happy to get back home the safety of my home and my dogs. I think our anxiety is just a part of our journey. I do find that going for walks and getting some fresh air helps my mood. Hang in there, we are all here for you. Hugs, Jo

I don't think I have anxiety 'attacks'. but I have anxiety all the time- about my future,
about how I will ever get through this nightmare journey,
about what if I have to leave my home?

I am tired of everything!
I wish there was some way to skip all these stupid Steps.

Hi Deb, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, and only at 11 weeks. My John died 4 months ago. I know what you mean about anxiety attacks and they are very scary. It's just nerves all bundled up then makes us shaky and nervous. You need a body release. That happened to me to, at the grocery store. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, I couldn't breathe and thought I was having a heart attack. I panicked, left the groceries there, and called a cab to take me to the Emergency room at St. Joseph's Hospital. I was laying in there sobbing hysterically, couldn't stop. The doctor comes up, says what's the matter. I said "I'm having a 19th nervous breakdown, my husband, John, died." Well, he gave me Ativan to calm me down. Then the doctor told me "your husband wouldn't want to see you so upset crying, go out and walk, walk in the desert, walk anywhere, you don't need those miserable grief counseling sessions."

So, that's what I do, Deb, walk outside, if you can in warm weather. I live in Arizona, and walk, walk, walk in the warm sun, it's calming and soothing. Plus, I have been doing yoga and meditation for 3 years which helps tremendously. When I do yoga stretches, It is literally squeezing the emotional pain out of your tissues. It's a biological thing. Then I am calm. Or, on second thought, maybe I'll light up a joint and get stoned, too, like Pete does. It is also legal in Arizona. Take care, Deb. It will get better as each day goes by and you always have us here to help you.
Hugs and stoned, Nanette

I seriously want to know WHAT IS THE POINT?
what is the point in going on?
what is the point in all this?
why do I have to keep trying to go on and on and on? this is ALL stupid! every bit of this is painful. its never going to get better, and so what?

Hi Deb. I am so sorry for your loss.
I too suffered anxiety after loosing my husband. During the funeral, and everything that had to be done I stopped exercising, walking, meditating. Once I got back to doing those things it helped. Then each week since then I have challenged myself to accomplish one thing on my anxiety list a week. It is a long slow process, take it slow, use what ever works for you including medication and/or counseling. For me anything having to do with docs and hospitals is simply out of the question ..............for now. Being anywhere near those places would send me into a panic attack, so I am listening to me, and doing what works. Good luck, take it slow and listen to you! Hugs Katrina

Dear AfterMom, Try and relax. Is something really upsetting you right now, or did something happen to make you go in a downspin. You sound desperate. Don't give up hope, dear. I hope you don't have to leave your home, just try and take one day at a time. Did you take a walk outside today?. Take care, AfterMom. We are here with you.
Hugs, Nanette

AfterMom. I am so sorry that things are so bad for you, know that I am thinking of and praying for you. Only you can answer those questions, but I do believe there is a reason you are still here. Hugs Katrina

Deb, Its just 9 weeks since Erica died and I reccomend what most on this site say about exercise and walking, walking is best for me because it includes lots of exercise and i cant go far without going up a 1 in 5 If I can avoid medication I will and suggest unless desperate leave it alone, Erica was taking 32 pills a day, keeping yhe big Pharma happy and they all have side effects, Just try and keep busy and keep the cardio working hard, its amazing what this can do to help with mind and body.

Big Hug Peter

Nanette, yes I am sorry for butting in to someone else' topic. I have been getting overwhelmed with some big issues.
Thank you for replying.
and apologies.

I'm sorry for your loss its been almost 4 months since my husband passed. I had anxiety before he passed he had me quit my Jo and go to work with him. Since he's been gone the anxiety has taken over, I'm like you I worry if I will be able to keep our home. I was put on two antidepressants and ativan. I stopped the depression meds. I want to feel what I feel. I do take the ativan only when the anxiety is bad. I go outside walk around if its nice out. If its night I have found for me laying in front of a fan helps to calm me.