Can anyone hold my hand through an anxiety attack?

[ifyoulikepinacolada]

I feel like a total wimp posting but don’t want to bother my friends and family! I’m hormonal and stressed and just got in from a lovely day to be hit with a walloping great anxiety attack; I’m all teary and shaky and panicky and just don’t feel like myself at all.

I know it’ll pass but if anyone has any words of wisdom, puppy pictures, or bad jokes, please send them my way?

It will pass.
How are you feeling now?
I try and breathe in the shape of a rectangle - it slows my breathing down until it passes, which it will.

Slow your breathing...deep breaths and long slow breath out. Do that a few times, then look around you. What can you smell....can you see something blue...something gold...focus on a sound you can hear...now listen again is there a quieter sound you can hear?? Instead of distracting your brain, try and calm it

Do you like pina colada?? Is there an interesting story about you after a few of them?

Yes also the 5 4 3 2 1 thing - focus on 5 things you can hear, 4 things you can see, 3 you can feel etc etc... can help focus your mind on something other than panicking

Can you tell us about your lovely day?
Would love to hear what made it lovely.

Oh you poor love
Try this - breathe in for as long as it takes you read this message, and then breathe out for as long as it takes you to read this message....

Oh yes I'd like to hear about lovely days as well

You’re all being so lovely it’s making me cry more thank you! It’s ridiculous. This is so unlike me.

I’m doing some very slow rectangular breathing (I do loads of yoga so v practised at that) and trying to clean my bedroom which always makes me feel a bit more in control.

I took the day off work and spent it with my mum for her birthday; such a lovely time mooching around town, champagne with lunch etc. And then I got home and this! For NO REASON!

I do like pina coladas but think I may lay off the booze for a couple of weeks - only had a couple of glasses today but don’t think they’re helping my poor brain this evening!

54321 is good, I usually find if I start with 5 things I can feel, and describe them to myself as I go, the panic starts to ease more quickly than with anything else.

It sucks when they hit you for seemingly no reason especially if you've had a lovely day or are feeling relaxed. It's not silly at all, and I hope it passes soon.

I try making circles with my shoulders x
I find I have to concentrate on the rhythm which makes my breathing automatically slow down x
Sounds crazy looks crazier but usually helps x

How are you feeling now?

H

Thank you guys, so much

I’m teary and shaky but i’m ok, i’m in bed with a cat on my lap concentrating on my breathing! Ugh. What an evening. I feel like I need to have a huge massive sobbing session or something but it’s all just simmering away if that makes sense?

Thank you all so much

Glad you are ok, pinacolada,

Cat on lap sounds good, soothing. I sometimes need a really big cry after an intense anxiety attack, it's like it marks the very end of it. Hope you get some sleep, you must be exhausted.

Unmumsnetty ((hug)) for you.

My new foster kitten. Does that help?

Be proud of yourself for getting through that. You are amazing. Hopefully you're sleeping now and you'll feel rested and better in the morning

Everyone else has given good advice and I can't top that but I too have panic attacks so know how horrible they are.
Sympathy to you .

Costacoffeeplease, gorgeous kitten! I like good coffee too :-).

Gorgeous kitten costa! What’s s/he called?!

Thank you so much. I’m very drained today but it all feels better in daylight :)

She hasn’t got a name yet, I thought her new family could name her