My nerves are playing up!!-how can I calm down?

[fio2]

need some advice. As I said in the title my nerves are playing me up and I dont seem to be able to relax or put things into perspective at times. Alot of the time I am fine but some days I get worked up about things and dont seem to be able to calm my nerves, it is usually to do with my dd's hospital appointments etc. I think I am a bit depressed but not extremely depressed or anything. I have had a couple of panic attacks aswell and I am frightened of this happening again

Does anyone know of any remedies I could take to help me calm down when I am anxious. I dont want to toddle off to the doctors just yet before trying anything else. Do Kalms work or any others is St Johns wort?

Thanks to anyone who helps me today if poss, Im having a bad day already

[WideWebWitch]

fio2, sorry if I'm repeating anyone, I only skim read this thread. I'd add that exercise helped me a lot when I felt anxious. I didn't used to believe that it made any difference but once I started walking regularly I changed my mind, it really helped my anxiety. Also deep breathing - it's hard to panic if you're concentrating on breathing deelpy. Yoga also helped although I didn't keep it up for very long. On the SJW front, I tried it twice: the first time I think it made a huge difference and was very good for my low level depression (GP suggested it), the second time I self prescribed and had terrible nightmares so stopped after a couple of weeks. So the jury's out on SJW for me.

[fio2]

Just to thanks again to everyone for their help

lilibet thank you very much for the dvd I got it on saturday morning but havent had chance to watch it yet as I have one ill little girl at the moment I have also bought some Bach spray but havent felt anxious yet to use it! - suppose thats a good thing really

[boyandgirl]

Vitamin B6 can work really well for agitation rather than depression. I used it for a week or 10 days every month for several years and that way it helped with PMT as well. Unfortunately I don't remember the dose!

Pilates breathing is a good idea. Another relaxing technique is to visualise where the breath is going, and to give it a soothing colour. For example the breath is gently slipping in through your nose, down down down, filling your ribcage and all the way down to your waist, swirling gently round and up up up, until it gently wafts out of your mouth in a faint golden cloud. It sounds daft, but if you can lie down, or kneel yoga-style, and breath into every bit of your body filling yourself with your own golden cloud, for 5-10 minutes at a time. Then the memory of it helps and when you need a bit of instant tranquility one or two breaths with a quick visualisation works wonders.

Always have a paper bag with you, and if you find yourself going into a panic attack hold it firmly over your mouth and nose and breath in and out inside the bag for a minute or so. It's perfectly safe and very effective at stopping hyperventilation (which can trigger a flly-fledged panic attack). What happens is that by re-breathing your own air, you increase the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood and your body reacts to that by taking over your breathing to regulate it correctly.

ps - I do hope your bad day got a bit better...roll on the weekend?

[fio2]

Thank you everyone Your support and advice is really appreciated I am glad I am not the only one this happens too. My Mum always suffered with her nerves too, she had a very stresssful life, and I never thought it would happen to me too Your advice has been really helpful and I will try the rescue remedy as soon as I manage to get some.

Thanks again

[bunny2]

You have my sympathy Fio, I went through this a few years ago. The panic attacks were dreadful as was the constant anxiety and shaking hands. I did go straight to the gp and was referred immediately to a shrink who prescribed Prozac. It was upsetting to be sent to a shrink as I didnt think things were that bad but the Prozac worked miracles for me and the panic attacks stopped. Managing the general anxiety took longer but a combination of NO caffeine, Bachs Rescue Remedy and the Prozac eventually got my life back to normal. There are lots of different avenues of help, I hope you find the right one for you very soon.

[lilibet]

Don't mind at all, and I don't want any postage, loads of people have sent me things from mumsnet, there are so many lovely people on here, its nice to be able to do something back for someone. I'm contacting you thru the contact another talker bit.

[forestfly]

Not read this whole thread fio so i dont know if im repeating stuff. I had a few panic attacks lately but ive found loads of things that help. I burn oils have a hot bath and read crappy magazines. I have found some brilliant self help books,sounds a bit worrying i know, but there really good ones. I ring up people that best suit the mood im in, including health visitors teacher etc. aswell as friends and family. I go to a church and light a candle! I go on big walks (alone) somewhere beautifull up a hill or near water. I cry. I take my children out for dinner. I listen to inspiring music. I use rescue remedy. I dance. i get pissed. I go to a really physical exercise class or a really relaxing one. I scream, kick something. I shop, die my hair and eat ice cream xxxxxxxxx

[pupuce]

Me to big fan of rescue remedy
Lke WSM I wold not take SJW that "quickly"....

[colette]

Fio2 I find this thread really interesting as I know exactly what you mean. I think you have had some really good advice already.
The other thing that I have found really useful(although It is difficult to find the time) is yoga. Even if it is just 5 minutes in the morning it helps focus and calm you. Also watch your caffiene intake as caffiene(sp?) mimics the bodys stress response IMO.It easiest to cut back gradually . I am really interested in any other tips anyone has and I hope you feel a bit better Fio2.

[ThomCat]

Fio - sorry to hear that love. I'm another one Rescue Remedy - in fact I might start carrying mine round with me again. Last time I used it I was in labour and God knows I could do with some calming down a lot of the time!
hope you feel better soon.
lots of love to you - TC xx

[sunchowder]

Fio2,I know just what you mean. I had to run out of my office for a while. Are you able to think of anything that would please you right now? (Ex. internet shopping, reading a chapter out of a new good book, chocolate, new box of crayons, good movie, delish take-away, looking at swans on the pond...) Sometimes I sit with no persective at all and try to be grateful for everyone and everything I have, etc. Breathing Fresh Air, thinking about the beach--anthing to try to be calm.

[fio2]

I just feel like one minute Im being a hard faced cow and the next Im an emotional wreck. I dont seem to have much of the inbetween at the moment.

[sunchowder]

fio2, the thing is that when you are very sensitive to the people and events around you, you are almost not "shielded" from the stress, do you know what I mean? So many people are masters at filtering through the crap and applying feeling and focus in a more prioritized way then I seem to be able to do on a day-in, day-out basis. It is as if this is spontaneous to their nature or they have learned to do it to survive and I just must have missed that survival class, you know? Let's keep the thread going for a while if we can, I can totally relate to what you are going through.

[fio2]

sunchowder I think you are right. I have had alot of traumatic events in a short space of time and um for as long as I can remember really. When I am really depressed I just want to sleep all the time but this is different.

As for me getting any time to myself, never

[fio2]

Thank you everyone for your replies I am feeling a bit better now, been for a long walk. Its just I feel okay one minute and then something will happen and I will just immediately get anxious and shaky. I have always been such a positive person and this is the first time I have been unable to control my nerves.

I think I will try the Bach rescue remedy and the camomile tea to begin with. If things dont improve after that I will have to go the GP. Thanks for all the advice mumsnet is so useful

lillibet are sure you dont mind sending me that cd? I would send you a cheque for the postage if it is still ok with you

[sunchowder]

Sorry FIO2, first sending you a big cyber hug! Everyone has posted such great advice along with lilibet's office to post you here DVD! What nice friends you have fio2! I totally agree with Bach Flower Remedy - The rescue remedy is fantastic, also 5 flower tea if you can find it at the chinese grocery. I must say that cranio-osteo therapy is fantastic for stress and the relationship between the stress and your physical body. I really believe in it. I suffer with dysthymia which is low level depression all the time. Then I usually go into aggitated type depressions which keep me moving as oppossed to the ones that make you want to sleep all day. The aggitated one will come on as my stress levels increase or if I have several emotionally traumatic events (your body sometimes can't tell the different between a trivial event and a traumatic event when you are already overwhelmed). Tell me how you are doing.

[lilibet]

I have a pilates DVD that I have never used, if you want to contact me I can send it to you. I have watched it a few times, but somehow that doesn't work! It was free with a magazine and is very good, its by the woman with the grey streak in her hair.

[Enid]

I think it is very effective for mild depression so I guess it must be quite strong, although from what I have read it works in a slightly different way to Seroxat/Prozac, it thins the 'fluid' that serotonin is carried by therefore making it easier for your brain to absorb it, whereas Seroxat/Prozac actually make you produce more serotonin (I think but am not medical in any way so do feel free to contradict me!).

[WSM]

In some people it has been shown to prooduce similar strength reactions as seroxat and prozac. I guess it must depend on your personal 'resistance' IYSWIM. Sorry, didn't mean to frighten you.

[Enid]

WSM, I really don't think SJW is as strong as Seroxat or Prozac, I have taken it in the past, stopped taking it suddenly and had no adverse side effects. Also they will sell it to you in France (at the pharmacy) quite happily without taking a full history. It is supposed to be a very gentle anti-depressant/anxiety remedy...isn't it??

[WSM]

Sorry Enid, I'm sure if it has been prescribed by a professional (GP/Therapist etc) then you are fine. You may well be fine if you are self prescribing but there is no guarantee that it'll do you more good than harm Seek advice if self prescribing.

[Enid]

Meant to say that I bought a hypnotherapy tape which was quite weird at first but helped me to breathe properly and calm down. Also I had counselling from my hv which helped. And lots of sleep. I still occasionally get quite anxious but know what to do to calm down now - basically try to relax, get plenty of sleep and eat properly.

[Jimjams]

Rescue remedy. Or go and see a homeopath. DH says homeopathy really helped his stress attacks.

[Enid]

Oh god I take st johns wort but didn't really think it was that strong...maybe I should stop taking it.