Gut wrenching anxiety attacks....
 

Possible triggers for anxiety....






I just need a place to talk about it, I get so anxious and feel like its my stomach has no bottom and only lorazepam helps...I shake and my heart pounds in my chest and it can be triggered in any number of ways, it's awful, I was hoping maybe some of you can pass along some of your coping skills...HELP! :)

I have dizzying anxiety about alot of things. I'm slowly starting to develop acute agoraphobia because of it. I don't like being out of my home, or out driving. I only feel safe when I'm somewhere and staying there for a while.

My panic attacks are terrible. I feel like I can't breathe and I end up heaving and getting air out by coughing anything and everything up (I've coughed up blood before from trying to get air out so hard)

I HATE when everyone tells me to calm down, and slow my breathing. It gets me more worked up because I just get mad and frustrated cuz I can't just calm down and breathe. I can't communicate when I'm having a panic attack so I get even more worked up when people ask 'what's wrong, what do you need?' and I can't answer.

But the worst part is the pre-panic attack. The thought of getting a panic attack causes me to hyperventilate and it's agony just waiting for it to start. The pre-panic usually lasts for like 15-20 mins then I have the attack but when I was on ativan, it made that 20 min pre-panic stretch out into HOURS and I was litterally BEGGING for a panic attack that would never come.

The xanax I have now stops the pre-panic dead in its tracks which is good, but I still have anxiety that I'm going to have panic attacks. :(

OH me
 

I can relate to all of it. No one knew what was going on when I had full blown panic attacks when I was 13 in the 1960's. It was like a black cloud,or a eclipse would happen,then the attack.

You don't want to hear my description of these attacks.

In 1980,some people put rubber bands on there wrist and snapped it against their skin to divert a attack. Works for some. Mine was more acute.That's when the Phobia Clinic came into being.

Back to 1968,at a Military School,I started having them again. In 1969 they gave me Valium 10 Mg 4 times a day for years. My life was filled with dread,and I backed away from everyone. The clinic at the academy would not let me in. They thought that I was faking it to get out of the Academy.They gave me looks of shame,and aggravation. I was not faking anything. In the 70's I had more problems.

So many people misunderstood. So many judged me,and made big mistakes with me...One after another. This froze my life,and I have achieved nothing. I never married,no kids,no anything that I can say that I proudly achieved.

I'm sorry that I don't have good things to say. I struggle now with many difficulties,and complexes.

In my opinion,they still don't understand this. My dad,Mom,and sister never understood it. I don't understand it...It's like walking through a maize,and confusion is present. I ended up with no true friends. No one wants to be around me.

I have tried to find the cure,but this thing has only gone from one thing to another. I"M SORRY. I'm in broken pieces. Brokenfriend

MY Anxiety attacks
 

My anxiety attacks usually cause pain in my chest below my heart. It's been doing this for 15 years now. It starts in the center of my chest,and moves left to under my left ribs,and goes through my body to my back. I thought it was my heart at first,but it is not. It's anxiety that causes physical pain. BF

Possible Trigger Don't read if to sensitive
 

Trigger warning....Don't read if successible to others conditions.... Trigger warning...

I felt like my throat was closing in. I felt like I would choke. I felt a pins,and needles feeling. My heart would pound...my head would blank out...it was like a dark cloud of terror would move in on me. I'd lay down on a bed waiting for it to pass.

Then all of these phobias appeared. Soon I had dozens. Fear of elevators,going over bridges,getting a hair cut,sitting in the dental chair,eating with people,sitting in the auditorium,sitting in a movie theater,sitting in church,talking to people...etc.,etc...

My head was filled with pressure,my throat in front was filled with pressure,my solar plexus was tight...now hurts...the back of my neck was stiff...sometimes up to my ears... tension would go down my legs... my eyes would shake...my head would shake...I would clam up and loose my ability to talk...I would be massively confused... My face would turn reddish,and heat up... All of this together was terrifying... I lived in dread

My symptoms almost came back later in life. They where not the same as the ones when I was a teenager. My heart would pound,and my head would blank out. I had terror,and felt like I was going to die. My head would shake side,to side. I'm going to stop here. This is bothering me. I have hated these feelings,and felt like I was the only one on earth who had this. Brokenfriend

I'm sorry
 

I think that I shouldn't have posted my panic attack symptoms. Sorry. It couldn't have done anyone any good. I just wanted to say that I've been through the worse of these attacks,and I can sympathize with anyone who's been through this. I've even woke up from sleep,and had panic attacks immediately. God help us,and may research help us. Am I the only one like this?

Pamster I understand.Take a deep breath. Breath into a paper bag. Read Isaiah 41:10 about Him strengthening,helping,and UPHOLDING you. These attacks will pass,and you will be OK. BF:hug:

i am looking for resources to help to talk about my anxiety. I was wondering if you knew of any live chat rooms other than just blogs and forums. thank you. i would love it if you could get back to me.

For a long time I lived with anxiety and panic attacks. For one whole year I only left my bedroom for showers and going to the doctor. What eventually helped me very much was having a few friends who were willing to listen to my irrational and emotional problems without complaining or judging me. Over a period of time, they slowly brought me out of my shell. I still have some anxiety, and sometimes take meds for it, but I can go to the mall and stroll through the crowds without any anxiety if I want to. I can introduce myself to perfect strangers without a second thought, and carry on a conversation with them.

Celestical, besides the chat rooms offered here on the site, I often chat with my friends on Yahoo chat. It's easy and it's private, and I've made a few friends who helped me through some pretty unpleasant problems.

Celestical,welcome to neurotalk
 

Idealist,thanks for the input. I haven't seen to much on here about chat rooms for people with anxiety,and panic attacks. Where can we all go?

I'm better,and have overcome some of my fears,but those anxiety pains in my chest still get to me.

I have other anxiety related problems that have sort of changed into different anxiety problems over the years. I have OCD,and may be Bipolar now. No fun. It seems to be a life long problem for me. Brokenfriend

Celestical
 

The Bipolar forum is popular,and you get quick responses.

Lets see if Idealist finds a chat room here.

He seems to know about some chat rooms here,and there. BF

Hi. I have had anxiety/depression/ocd for 12 years on and off. I had gotten to a better place after many inpatient stays at treatment centers for a combo of these issues and an eating disorder which is still good. Now face other health issues my anxiety is back in full force and depression but that usually goes with my pain level. So I have done every type of treatment ip residential,hospital,day patient,groups,outpatient therapy.There was one point I could barely leave my home from all my issues. A few ?'s have you looked into starting outpatient therapy and meds? If you call your local hospitals I know there are real time support groups of people suffering. What about family and friends in your real life to reach out to? I know for me I have to do a lot of self talk to calm myself down. I have to reach out to others when I don't want to. Try to find other outlets. I find the more I am around people and busy the better my anxiety is. That is why night time is so hard and why my chronic pain makes my anxiety worse. Some people find things like yoga and relaxation tapes help. You are not alone and if you want a buddy please email me.

Thank you daniella
 

I can relate to all that you say. Is your pain in your chest? That's where mine is. I didn't want to leave the house at one time also. I've been through so many stages,and periods where anxiety would come,and go. It's all a mystery to me. I've done what I've feared,and conquered many of these fears,but all of these other things happen,and create anxiety,and tie me in knots. It's hard to explain.

I'm about to get more therapy. I'm on Xanax,and Luvox. It only helps a little.

My family(Sister,and Dad) have lost patience. My dad doesn't want to hear my problems,and my sister has become a little hostile towards me. She hates my symptoms. I don't understand her. She hurts me verbally,and I've gone to Social Services. I have asked for their help. All my sister thinks about is money. She criticizes me coming,and going. She judges me,accuses me,and has developed a frigid attitude towards me.

I'm sorry for talking about that,but it hurts me so much. BF

Brokenfriend, It is ok to talk about it. That is part of the healing process. I think something I have realized in therapy and family therapy is that you can't change others or make them understand. You can use your voice and tell them how you feel hurt or what you need though even if they don't listen. I have lost many family/friends due to my issues and even now with my pn/rsd I have that. My mom though has stuck by me through it all. So I try to focus on the supports I do have. Also you can build a family so to speak through friends. I know some of my close friends are from my treatments. That is why I encourage in person support groups. Have you looked into that?
My pain rsd/pn is in my legs inner ankle/foot/calf. I am a little confused or do you mean my anxiety feeling? I get this jittery nervous and breathing issue. A lot of my ocd and ed stemmed from anxiety.
Just remember that through the hard times you have had better. That helps me get through the hard ones.

Thank you daniella
 

I have lost all of my friends little,by little. They just stop contacting me,and little,by little I didn't hear from them anymore. This blows me away. My family doesn't want me around.

I use to live in a capital city of a state. I went to support groups,prayer groups,and church. Everything stoped at once. They tore down the apartments where I lived,and could afford,and my sister said I could move up near them. So I resigned from this dead end job where they where using me to do the dirty work,which I didn't mind after awhile. Then my sister started attacking me,and making mountains out of mole hills. I'm in this rural area where there are no support groups,and etc. I feel cut off from society,because I'm so far out in the country(Rural Area).

I shouldn't be talking like this. I stop hearing from everyone. I don't know what to do. The anxiety causes there to be a pain in my chest,and it goes through my body to by back. My thoughts are tormenting at times. I'm very alone in these problems. I'm going to Social Services for help. I don't know what to do. I could talk on,and on. I just wish that I felt safe,and loved, but I'm not. BF

I think you should be proud of yourself for reaching out to social service. I hope you can find help and support. Is there a way you can move to an area not so isolated? I have heard of programs where they house people with a roomate who have similar issues and help them get back on there feet. Can you work? May I ask what state you live in? I know how lonely this can feel. Also how frustrating it is to live in a society where people don't understand. It can get better though and truly I thought at one time it couldn't. Really before my pn and rsd I was on the right road and was rebuilding my life from mental issues.

I have anxiety attacks, thankfully not too often tho.

I do tai chi so that is calming to me but hard to do in a crowded mall. :) But along with tai chi I learned a little qigong along with this and use that for relaxation when in public. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong

daniella
 

My sister,and brother in law have a place for me to stay currently,but I see them less,and less. I drove over there after church yesterday,and my brother in law didn't let me in. He politely told me he was busy,but I know that they don't want me around.

My sister has a way of countering,or saying the opposite of everything that I say. You should hear it. I don't think that she is aware of how much she does it. She has to be right,and/or have the dominance. I tried to let her know that we are on the same plain,but she has to have the last word,and puts herself above me,and is not pleased about anything that I enjoy,opinions,hobbies,spending of my own money,or anything. It's awful. She makes me feal guilt,put down,and all kinds of negative things,and I don't think that she is aware of it. I try to tell her,and she says I'm lecturing her. I cannot reason with her. It's terrible. They have let me stay in a old home that they own,so it's not all bad.

I'm currently living on whats left of my 401K. I have a lawyer,and am waiting for my Social Security hearing. This has been terrible. They denied me two times. They do that to everyone. All of my lives saving are almost gone. I've been waiting for 1 1/2 years.

I developed so much anxiety at work,and during the move,that it has gone over my head. I got a job here,and people made fun of me,because I was slower then them. I have OCD,and couldn't help it. I have to press against the OCD,and I have a mental processing problem. Sometimes people can talk to me and I cannot follow what they are saying. It's some sort of learning disability,but it has nothing to do with my intelligence.

I've live in a Mid-Atlantic State. I've lived in this State all of my life. My anxiety became so bad that I had thoughts that where in a stage of tormenting disruption of thinking when I tried to sleep after work. I love work,but I'm having problems now. I mis work. I wish I could work. Work is life to me,and not working is getting to me too. I don't know what to do. I cannot stand,or handle pressure right now,and it's always been a problem. My Dad use to help me,but now he is 88 years old,and frail. He does not want to hear my problems,or help me anymore. I hardly ever hear from him anymore.

I'm going to get weekly therapy from Social Services soon,and I hope that it will work. A NP is trying to find the right dose,and combination of medications for me to take. I hope that all of this will help,and I hope that I get assistance from SSD. If I don't,I don't know what will happen. My sister has already told me that she won't support me,even though they are financially secure. I don't know why they moved me up here now. I confused. I'm at the mercy of SSD. I'm hurting ,and need the therapy. There are so many problems. My records of anxiety attacks go back to when I was about 13. These things are real,and I can't help it,and I'm scared. BF

Sorry
 

My problem is to complex. It's even weightier then what I wrote,and then some. I wish I could hibernate. I'm sorry for writing all of that. May God create situations to help me. I've been suffering for decades. Tired. BF

Ok first don't say sorry. You DESERVE to be well and voice your issues. I hear you and feel for you. It sounds like you have a plan to better yourself and I know after so long of suffering you want to be better today but it is a slow process. I know your anxiety and the feelings are real. Are there small goals that you can do? I think for me having small goals makes me feel better about myself and helps with the anxiety. I wonder if you have thought of going inpatient for this?

Thank you daniella
 

I don't have insurance

I've signed a contract with a Lawyer,and am waiting for the Social Security Hearing. This contract with the lawyer is binding.

At this point, I'm just trying to be as positive as I can,and don't want to loose what I have.

My Dad,and sister are becoming non-supportive. They just don't understand the simple basic problem in my illness. I get upset if they don't watch there words.

My sister said that she is not going to help support me because they can't afford it. Well my brother in law owns a Clinic,and is a Doctor,and they live on 10 acres of land,and live in a 750,000 thousand dollar house that they just built. They buy all kinds of things.

I don't want to make accusations,but if I was in their shoes,I'd want to help a immediate family member. I cannot help but noticing how the money word pops up continually.

If this SSD didn't take so long,things would be OK. I'm in to 1&1/2 year in the wait,with a lawyer,and a contract. I don't know what to do but wait. BF

Hey I am just wondering, have you ever considered Benign or Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension? Because doctors told me for months that I was having Anxiety and Panic symptoms but then was admitted to hospital because of swelling on my eyes and found out that I didn't have Anxiety, I had what I just asked that you may have. Benign or Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (BIH/IIH) can cause your heart to race and have palpitations, stiff neck, pressure in the head, funny eye things and eye disturbances and much more but those are the main signs. You also get pain down your arms and tingling in your legs and arms. Just a thought as I thought I had Anxiety but this was all the BIH/IIH. Although, because I had been stuffed around with thinking that I had Anxiety, I have now sadly because of that stuffing around, developed a little bit of Anxiety. Anyway, hope this helps in some way maybe.

Thank you Leemarie. I'll look this up on Google. Thank you for your help. Brokenfriend :hug::hug::hug:

Brokenfriend, I wish that I could reach through space and hold you with a heartfelt hug. Some of what you describe, I experience. It has gotten so bad that I'm having difficulty even posting online, a place where I finally found understanding and acceptance. I, too, live in a rural area -- I'd have to drive 30-60 miles to attend a support group! It's hard enough to get out of my house to a necessary doctor appt. . . .

I hope that you can find some peace,
reyn

Thank you reyn. It's a very difficult combination of problems. It affects me most of the time.:hug: Hugs to you too. I hope that you find help on this forum.

The Bipolar area is very popular,and people come there to talk daily. I'm so sorry that you are suffering,and I hope that you find some peace also. Brokenfriend:hug::hug: