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Original poster

PLEASE help me.. :(

33 replies

beyonetheline · 21/09/2021 21:22

I don't know what to do.. I don't know where to turn.
I feel like I'm on the edge of a huge panic attack / mental breakdown.

I've had a lot of crap going on recently, it feels relentless. One thing after another:

  • car troubles
  • wedding planning
  • family problems
  • work piling the pressure onto me
  • weight and health getting me down

I can't breathe.. this evening, I can't actually breathe. I know that sounds dramatic, I mean I must be if I'm able to type this.
But my chest is SO tight. Each breath feels like effort to take. I feel like I just want to close my eyes, and I'm not sure right now that I'd like to wake up.
I can't talk. I can't eat, I can't drink. I've NEVER felt like this before.
It's like everything that is supposed to come naturally to me doesn't anymore.
It's effort to get into bed.. to have a shower.. to get ready for work.
I feel so lightheaded. I feel like the world is just spinning. I feel sick to my stomach, my stomach is whirling and I just can't stand for more than a few minutes without feeling like I'm going to fall to the floor. I haven't ever fainted before, but I think this must be how it feels?

Last night I woke myself up having a full blown anxiety attack. I was sweating, hyperventilating, my heart was racing. I remember waking DP to tell him I felt like I was about to faint.

I feel like I'm just on the edge of a cliff, and one more gust of wind will be enough to topple me over the edge.

I suffer with anxiety and slight depression. I haven't ever felt the physical effects that I am right now with my anxiety before.

Could this be stress..?! I don't know what this is, all I know is I want it to stop 😟

I don't really know what I'm asking for here. A hand hold, maybe? I just can't take much more of this feeling.

OP posts:
Original poster
beyonetheline · 21/09/2021 21:22

I'm so sorry for the rant. This is so much longer than I thought it was.
I'm so sorry it doesn't probably make much sense.

OP posts:
ooonicorn · 21/09/2021 21:26

It sounds like stress, possibly depression. That's how my depression makes me feel. Had a few episodes of it and that's the perfect description to me. Sorry I can't help but I know the feeling. Can you talk to anyone?

pinkcattydude · 21/09/2021 21:26

Breathe focus on breathing in and out nothing else feel your diaphragm expand hold it and then slowly let it out. It sounds like anxiety do you have access to help or doctors?

ChilliWillies · 21/09/2021 21:28

Definitely could be, but whatever it is, go and speak to your GP and get checked out, don’t just diagnose yourself. Also, the more you worry about anxiety, the more anxious you get (helpfully) so it’s better to go and talk to a professional to help you break the cycle.

Original poster
beyonetheline · 21/09/2021 21:28

Thank you both. I should be taking my medication for anxiety. I've been off it for around a year, I thought I was getting better.
It's only now life seems to be piling up around me that I wonder if I should begin then again.
I tried to call the GP today, but they couldn't prescribe me the medication since I've been off them for so long. They need to do a review first, but don't have availability for another 3 weeks. So I will be feeling like this for at least that long 😟

OP posts:
Original poster
beyonetheline · 21/09/2021 21:29

I'm sorry to have to come to this thread for support. Sometimes my DP is really able to get through to me and help me, and is great. But obviously he doesn't suffer like I do.. and he doesn't know how I feel. 😥

OP posts:
R0tational · 21/09/2021 21:30

Hey hey hey. You are safe right now in this moment.

Can you say...
5 things you can see
4 things you can touch
3 things you can hear
2 thing you can smell
1thing you can taste?

And breathe in for 5..... out for 10.... in for 5... out for ten..this tells your body everything is fine and you are safe. You are ok xxx

Original poster
beyonetheline · 21/09/2021 21:33

I've got into bed, I feel like I'm me but not in my own body.

OP posts:
R0tational · 21/09/2021 21:34

Can you park health and weight problems for now? Presumably if you just park the issue for a month or two you can pick it up when you are feeling stronger? As you are quite overwhelmed now (to say the least!) it might be one that you can pick up when you are feeling more resilient. Unless you are morbidly obese I am thinking this will be fine!

And wedding planning? Ooh, how lovely you are getting maarried to your partner - that is wonderful! Rememer you can scrap the wedding and simply go to a registry office if you want! You really can!

Can you detatch from family problems a little bit? Emotionally switch off? Clearly doing you no good at all and you need to protect yourself xx

cushioncovers · 21/09/2021 21:36

Phone your gp tomorrow and tell them you can't wait you need to get back on your medication so that you can get some rest and start to see things in a clearer way. You aren't alone a lot of us have been where you are and it will pass. Nothing stays the same forever. Be kind to yourself, try not to catastrophise things. But definitely make yourself a priority and phone your gp in the morning. Thanks

R0tational · 21/09/2021 21:36

You are completely safe. I am sorry you feel so bad :( I hooe you can get some sleep and you can get some help for yout anxiety.
I promise you will not feel like this forever. The blue sky is just there behind the clouds. It will pass. It's your anxiety that tells you otherwise.

ofwarren · 21/09/2021 21:37

I use videos on YouTube that talk you down from a panic attack. Ones like this

Original poster
beyonetheline · 21/09/2021 21:38

Thank you all so much, strangers being so kind to me has got me in tears!
I haven't ever felt this low and out of control before. It is like an out of body experience, I feel like I'm me, I'm here.. but the body I'm in isn't mine. I can't explain it 😟

OP posts:
mineofuselessinformation · 21/09/2021 21:40

OP, you need to contact the GP again and tell them this is urgent - that you can't function at the moment.
I hope you get it sorted. Thanks

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/09/2021 21:44

Your local mental health team might have a crisis number, or out of hours if you feel you might be heading for a breakdown.

Of course it's stress, we can only take so much in this life.

TheZeppo · 21/09/2021 21:46

I was you at Xmas- completely fell apart over the holidays.

It gets better, it really, really can do! It was a hard slog but I’m feeling much more myself now.

Agree- call the doctor and tell them it can’t wait. Even if it’s just something to tide you over until your appointment.

And keep talking. Doesn’t matter if you repeat yourself (lord knows I did!)

christyt114 · 21/09/2021 21:49

Download the tapping solution app. I know it sounds strange but it really helps.

I was so stressed I couldn't breathe and after some tapping, felt much better.

It reduces your cortisol.

Here's what it looks like. I think it's free for a week or two so you can see if you get on with it.

PLEASE help me.. :(
riverpebbles · 21/09/2021 21:49

Your body is completely flooded with adrenaline and/or cortisol right now. It's a bit like being drunk - the chemicals are in your system now and you kind of have to ride it out until it passes. It will gradually go, but you will be knackered afterwards.

I don't know if that helps - I find a biological explanation helps me keep things like funny breathing and heart rate in perspective.

Smashingspinster · 21/09/2021 21:51

Yes this sounds like stress - a steady build up of lots of different things. As a PP said, youtube has some great videos to help when you are panicking. Counted breathing - in for 3, hold for 1, out for 5 can also help. Guided meditations/sleep stories on youtube or paid apps. Getselfhelp website has some great info on dealing with panic. Every county mental health team should have a 24 hour support line which you can access - they were supposed to be introduced in the next few years but some places brought that forward with Covid.

Above all remind yourself that you have coped with anxiety before and will cope again - it is just your anxiety telling you that you cant. Think of it as a helpful but misguided friend trying to protect you but massively over-reacting because that is what your anxiety system is doing. Sending you a virtual hug.

Sarahlou63 · 21/09/2021 21:53

You're shallow breathing - which causes all the physical sensations you are feeling.

Try this -

Also, to understand what's going on in your body right now -

FluffyWhiteBird · 21/09/2021 21:53

@beyonetheline

I've got into bed, I feel like I'm me but not in my own body.
This is nothing to worry about and will pass. It can't hurt you. Call in sick tomorrow and ask GP to sign you off work until you've had your meds review. Do quiet activities that bring you comfort and eat simple things like toast or soup. Keep drinking enough but avoid tea, coffee, cola, energy drinks and alcohol. Try fruit juice, water, herbal tea, squash. Take some light exercise, a walk in the park or some yoga perhaps. Watch your favourite film or read. Shower when you feel upto it, as long as you're clean once a day that's fine, just do enough so that you don't start feeling bad about yourself for being unwashed. You'll be ok.
EducatingArti · 21/09/2021 21:54

@beyonetheline

Thank you all so much, strangers being so kind to me has got me in tears! I haven't ever felt this low and out of control before. It is like an out of body experience, I feel like I'm me, I'm here.. but the body I'm in isn't mine. I can't explain it 😟
The feeling you describe is part of what is called dissociation and is part of our body and mind's defence against extreme anxiety. You detach from yourself a little bit in order to cope. It is quite a normal thing with anxiety, it isn't harmful in itself and will sort itself out as your anxiety vreduces.
Embroidery · 21/09/2021 21:54

Is someone with you.

Ger them to get some ice.
They need to rub the ice gently but firmly on your face around your forehead but down to your chin and around nose too. Until you say its too cold. It will bring you back.

It works miraculously.

AMALT · 21/09/2021 21:56

Sounds like such a horrible feeling. I hope things improve for you soon Flowers

Mantlemoose · 21/09/2021 21:57

:( some people have the physical effects of panic attacks (like what you're experiencing) and some don't but yes it is a panic attack. As @riverpebbles said, you just have to ride it out.

Sometimes I get this but not often, I know what you mean about not being in your own body, it makes me feel as if I'm sitting just to the side of myself - so hard to explain.

Hopefully you won't feel like this till your appointment in 3 weeks and you need to try to get things under control as best you can. This video might help with the hyperventilating www.happify.com/hd/how-straw-breathing-can-calm-you-down-and-tame-your-stress-response/

It's difficult but if you've just started going downhill nows the time to try to do as much as you can to help until you can see doc.

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