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Anyone else suffer with anxiety or panic disorders

20 replies

Panicattheeverywhere · 16/06/2021 19:09

Just need a bit of comradery I suppose. I’ve always been a bit of a worrier but since Christmas I’ve just felt completely out of control.
I’ve constantly got a sort of panicked feeling in my stomach/ chest, pounding heart, feeling dizzy, like I’m about to do something scary but the tiggers for it seem to be completely benign. It will just come over me out of nowhere and it’ll take hours or days to go back to normal.

I spoke to my gp and I’ve got beta blockers and I take those but it still seems to happen.
It’s been a tough year as it had been for loads of people. The pandemic meant I didn’t return to work following maternity leave, a close family member was diagnosed with terminal cancer and myself and my husband were made redundant. I was doing okay in myself but then Christmas day it suddenly came over me and I’ve not been myself since. Is that normal? Nothing specific triggered it, we had a lovely quiet day, but it just suddenly came over me, all these horrible feelings and I basically convinced myself I was dying!
I was just hoping for a bit of reassurance that other people have been through it too and gotten back to who they were before.

OP posts:
partyatthepalace · 16/06/2021 21:58

I think there’s a lot of anxiety about.

It would be worth trying CBT i think, if you’ve been feeling like this since C’mas it needs some help. If you can pay it would be quicker. I would go back to your GP, talk about CBT and discuss a regular anxiety med like Sertraline, which with CBT should start to bring down the anxiety rather than just treat an attack of it.

Sunbird24 · 16/06/2021 22:13

Hi OP, it’s totally normal to feel anxious after all the things you’ve experienced. Do you have any grounding techniques for when the panicky feelings start to get overwhelming? You and DH can both learn them do that he can talk you through it when you’re struggling.
This site has a selection you can try: www.mindfueldaily.com/livewell/5-helpful-grounding-techniques-for-anxiety/

berylandcynthia · 16/06/2021 22:19

I could have written exactly your post in my early 20's ..I am now in my 50's
this book saved me...I don't say that lightly
www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Help-Your-Nerves-overcoming-stress-ebook/dp/B06Y5V8LNB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=self+help+for+your+nerves&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1623878118&sr=8-1
it will get better!

Interested in this thread?

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sunnysidegold · 16/06/2021 22:20

I have had this in the past but it has reared its head again.

Weirdly I was "alright" in lockdown but now I think everything has just hit me at once. My DH is unwell and I'm finding it harder to cope with everyday life. I went to my GP last week and started on beta blockers.

I think I feel very lonely too. I'm on a waiting list for counselling as that really helped me last time. Im being a lot kinder to myself these days too.

I think you've had lots of difficult things happen, and for them to happen at once, and in a pandemic, it's enough to send anyone anxious.

Hope things start looking up for you soon.

Nishky · 16/06/2021 22:22

I am using an app called Bloom- it’s not free but for me it’s worth every penny

berylandcynthia · 16/06/2021 22:22

The reviews on amazon, do not over exaggerate!

AmorFati · 16/06/2021 23:22

Hey panicattheeverywhere, it is totally possible to get back to yourself.

I have been through all this, and am now recovered, which I would never have dreamed was possible. I was so bad at my worst that I couldn't make it to the kitchen without having an attack, I had moments of dissociation, I developed a somatic disorder where my blood pressure would plummet when I stood up.

What I wish I really knew at the time, really absorbed, is that what causes this is stress, there is nothing wrong with you, you are having a natural reaction to prolonged stress, multiple awful things happening to you that are out of your control. We can adapt to stress we can control, we can handle things.

What 'cured' me was having the stress removed from my life (in my case a painful messy marriage breakdown - but suddenly I was free). I still had to work on repairing myself, but that was the turning point.

I hope something a lot nicer happens for you soon, that will lift your load of stress. In the meantime, do be very kind to yourself, mentally. Medication is to help ease the symptoms, but you are not what needs to be fixed, the situation is.

There are three things I learned that really helped me through the recovery stage, I had formed a lot of 'anxiety habits'. They might be useful to you now.

Number one is, if you have a negative voice in your head, don't try to argue with it. Paying it attention makes it stronger. Create a cheerleader voice to drown it out. Let it be your biggest fan. My biggest fan says silly stuff like "oh wow, look at AmorFati taking her iron supplement, she's amazing" and I love it.

Number two, we are not actually our thoughts, we are our actions. I was so caught up in my own head paying attention to every thought. Most thoughts are as significant as a running nose, or a sudden itch, or frankly, a fart. This really helped me get over my learned sit-in-bed-all-day paralysis. If you have an ideal you, and you do the thing she would do, then in that moment, you are her. Simple as that.
When I was sick, I was a bundle of anxious, contradictory, jumbled thoughts. Now I am well, I am my actions, feelings, and a strong narrative voice.

Number three seemed too simple to be true, but I tried it and it works - prolonged smiling. I go for a walk every day, and I listen to music, wear my sunglasses, and slap a big smile on. I smile at everyone I pass and say good morning! It felt fake the first couple of days, but - people smile back! I have "collected" some truly dazzling smiles. There's science that backs the idea that the act of smiling cheers you up, happy hormones and so on, it has been faster and more effective than any medication I ever took.

This has turned into a novel, sorry! I just wanted to be really clear that yes, you can get past this, and yes, you are still your own amazing self, not broken, this is a problem from the outside, it doesn't touch the core of you. Flowers

Spied · 16/06/2021 23:35

Horrible isn't it.
I went through a phase where I was convinced I was going to die every single day for about 18months. Every single hour of every day I spent in utter turmoil. Living hell.
I'm now doing much better ( cbt, self-care, beta- blockers and time.)
I do still have periods of panic that come out of nowhere. There doesn't have to be some 'event' (which those close to me can't seem to get there head around).
I try to see it as a release of energy. Makes it less scary.
I really recommend Paul David 'At last a life'.
It's another tool that really helped me.

LushHeaven · 17/06/2021 19:41

I am going through the same Sad. Mine seemed to start one day suddenly at the start of March, and since then it has really changed my life for the worse. I go through a week of feeling 'better', and then have a set back and have two weeks of feeling completely awful, unable to look after my children or myself. The school run is a huge trigger for me (where I had my first panic attack). I get the same symptoms as you. I have just had referral through for HiM, and have had two private counselling sessions in the meantime. They were helpful, and the counsellor said that as the panic attacks were random, it was past stresses or emotional trauma. Not helped by the fact that we are moving house soon and have some big changes coming up. I am taking heart from previous posters who say they have managed to come through it, because at the moment it is ruining my life.

WhatsErFace2020 · 17/06/2021 19:54

@AmorFati

Hey panicattheeverywhere, it is totally possible to get back to yourself.

I have been through all this, and am now recovered, which I would never have dreamed was possible. I was so bad at my worst that I couldn't make it to the kitchen without having an attack, I had moments of dissociation, I developed a somatic disorder where my blood pressure would plummet when I stood up.

What I wish I really knew at the time, really absorbed, is that what causes this is stress, there is nothing wrong with you, you are having a natural reaction to prolonged stress, multiple awful things happening to you that are out of your control. We can adapt to stress we can control, we can handle things.

What 'cured' me was having the stress removed from my life (in my case a painful messy marriage breakdown - but suddenly I was free). I still had to work on repairing myself, but that was the turning point.

I hope something a lot nicer happens for you soon, that will lift your load of stress. In the meantime, do be very kind to yourself, mentally. Medication is to help ease the symptoms, but you are not what needs to be fixed, the situation is.

There are three things I learned that really helped me through the recovery stage, I had formed a lot of 'anxiety habits'. They might be useful to you now.

Number one is, if you have a negative voice in your head, don't try to argue with it. Paying it attention makes it stronger. Create a cheerleader voice to drown it out. Let it be your biggest fan. My biggest fan says silly stuff like "oh wow, look at AmorFati taking her iron supplement, she's amazing" and I love it.

Number two, we are not actually our thoughts, we are our actions. I was so caught up in my own head paying attention to every thought. Most thoughts are as significant as a running nose, or a sudden itch, or frankly, a fart. This really helped me get over my learned sit-in-bed-all-day paralysis. If you have an ideal you, and you do the thing she would do, then in that moment, you are her. Simple as that.
When I was sick, I was a bundle of anxious, contradictory, jumbled thoughts. Now I am well, I am my actions, feelings, and a strong narrative voice.

Number three seemed too simple to be true, but I tried it and it works - prolonged smiling. I go for a walk every day, and I listen to music, wear my sunglasses, and slap a big smile on. I smile at everyone I pass and say good morning! It felt fake the first couple of days, but - people smile back! I have "collected" some truly dazzling smiles. There's science that backs the idea that the act of smiling cheers you up, happy hormones and so on, it has been faster and more effective than any medication I ever took.

This has turned into a novel, sorry! I just wanted to be really clear that yes, you can get past this, and yes, you are still your own amazing self, not broken, this is a problem from the outside, it doesn't touch the core of you. Flowers

@AmorFati >> thank you so much for this!!! I particularly loved is the do something the ideal you would!! So simple I’ve never thought of it like that. Giving you my best SMILE right now ♥️♥️
SapatSea · 17/06/2021 20:48

Beta blockers don't work for everyone sometimes low dose Sertraline or Effexor work better. In most NHS regions you can now self refer for CBT (it may be phone call rather than in person). AmorFati has given you great advice.

AmorFati · 18/06/2021 03:03

Thank you @WhatsErFace2020, I will treasure it Grin

MistySkiesAfterRain · 18/06/2021 07:21

Panic/the negative voice is a clue to slow down and rest
Adopting a deal with this once policy- if a situation arises, rather than hide away I tell myself I am dealing with it once so my strategies are stronger
Allocate times for dealing with things and keeping lists - takes things out of my subconscious into the realm of action
Strength training and propreceptive training-something to do with stimulating the vague nerve
Yoga
Magnesium and epsom salt baths
Positive visualisation- visualing myself doing something well
Remind myself it could be worse!
Self encouraging talk- what would a friend say
Gradual change e.g. 4 mins exercise 1 day, 5 mins the next

Panicattheeverywhere · 21/06/2021 17:30

Thanks for all your advice, there’s quite a few things I can try, it’s nice to know I’m not alone and there are people who’ve come out the other side of this.
I’ve downloaded bloom and I’ll give that a go @Nishky Thankyou.
Sorry to hear you’re going through the same thing @LushHeaven it really can be debilitating at times.
@AmorFati that’s really helpful Thankyou, I’m in the process of building up my internal cheerleader voice, I’m not perfect at it but it does help.
I’ve had a few really good days and then the last couple of days have been quite difficult. I’m struggling with the anxiety of getting anxiety if that’s makes sense? The intensity of the physical symptoms are really what cause me the most issues, so when I feel light headed or there’s pressure behind my eyes I instantly start worrying about a brain tumour, if it’s neck pain I think cancer, chest pain or palpitations I think heart attack until the next niggle starts and I move onto the next thing. And obviously it’s an endless cycle with the anxiety symptoms feeding the anxiety and causing more physical symptoms.

I hope you feel better soon @sunnysidegold and your dh too. I feel like loneliness is a factor with me too, I feel like I’m so inwardly focused on my thoughts and normal body sensations and it spirals .

OP posts:
flightofthecrow · 21/06/2021 20:06

Yes, your anxious about getting anxious. ,vicious circle. you need to accept your panic attacks. ...
if you haven't already the book mentioned up thread self help for your nerves is what you need,

method. .face itm accept it, float through it and let time pass. it works

MistySkiesAfterRain · 22/06/2021 22:35

Yes I found that a huge thing, the more inward focused I am the worse it gets. Which is hard when outward stimulation is lacking.

LibertyMole · 22/06/2021 22:44

I would start with grounding techniques, as they will immediately reduce your anxiety during an attack.

CBT and all this stuff is a bit like talking through why you fell through some ice on a lake. It’s all very well, but you need to get out of the freezing water right now. Grounding will do that.

Annab1983 · 22/06/2021 23:05

Another recommendation for Weekes book Op as you sound just like me, that (and medication) has completely changed my life for the better!

Mumbea · 02/08/2022 18:42

Hey can I ask if you took medication to help aswell? And if so which ones? Thank you so much it’s so good to hear positive stories I’m struggling so badly right now with severe daily panic attacks and detached derealisation

Mumbea · 02/08/2022 18:43

Hey can I ask what medication helped you? Many thanks

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