Anxiety attacks

[Gamorasgran]

Does anyone have them when a, not anxious and b, not like racing heart/can't breathe?

I keep having these funny spells - basically feeling drenched with fear, de personalised, sometimes weird de ja vue feeling. They are short, less than a minute but leave me feeling tired and anxious after.

I had similar as a teen and occasionally as an adult but in the last couple of months they are getting much more frequent. Been to the Drs who says anxiety attack (and talked me through how it was unlikely to be a brain tumour bless them) but I still am not convinced it's just that.

I had one after yoga class yesterday so was pretty relaxed....

Gamorasgran like you I have health anxiety and the brain tumour scenario features often. I find that a visit to an optician helps as they would see if there was a problem in that area. I've always found them reassuring.

Hi @Gamorasgran have you been diagnosed with anxiety then and taken any treatment?

Thanks both - eye test done a couple of months ago ;)

Yes, long term anxiety sufferer. Had cbt, medication etc. Mostly controlled but can get triggered still on occasion

Yes I get them, both the standard panic attack can't breathe type and the other fear, feel detached from things, almost woozy, like everything is a bit off. They come out of nowhere and often when I'm relaxed.

@Gamorasgran ah ok, sorry for asking but I was just going to say it sounds like you need some treatment to cope with these. CBT is really good usually, have you tried topping up on it lately there's also a bunch of group session stuff that's awesome If you're into that stuff.

I suffered really bad with anxiety throughout my childhood and reached a tipping point when I was about 19, I am now 25 and had a lot of treatment and now much better and a mental health first aider. But I found out from a really senior therapist that I was originally diagnosed with the incorrect type of anxiety and that may have stumped my treatment. I was diagnosed with health anxiety originally but what actually happens is my anxiety is triggered this could be from anything even waking up in morning one day and feeling worried for now reason.

Because I had no reason to worry I would lock on to the first thing that came up so if I had a sore throat id convince myself I had throat cancer, if I had spent a lot this month id worry id become bankrupt even though there's no chance of that, my neighbour would make a sound and id immediately think they where going to start having raving parties every night.

So when I focused on general anxiety instead I managed to start nipping those thoughts before they went down a channel

Sorry for long post but just wonder if you can relate and maybe see if you can get treated specifically for another type of anxiety like health or something? Anxiety is so strong as I am sure you know, its made me believe I have the worst illnesses possible so definitely trust your doctor or at least see another doctor and if they're not conferenced try to cut the cycle of thinking there's something more wrong and focus on your mental health

Don't forget this is a bad time of year for mental health!

Nyan, that's actually reassuring. I only hear about the 'think I'm having a heart attack' version.

I think it would be good to rule out epilepsy.

Thanks dad, food for thought.

I did specifically raise epilepsy with the gp and he said he didn't think it sounded like that.

I may track them against hormones/tiredness/food for a month and go back.

Probably anxiety but some characteristics reminiscent of temporal lobe seizures. I’d be pressing for a neurology referral personally.

my work offer periodic health assessments from which they can make referrals under our private medical policy. I got the invite earlier this week luckily which I was going to ignore but I've made an appointment and flagged it as something I want to talk about.

If it is anxiety I need a bit of help with it and if it is something else I need to know. This way I deal with it without feeling guilt about abusing the nhs! Happy to abuse my work medical benefit

How old are you, op?

Mid 40s. Prime perimenopause meat

Mid 40s. Prime perimenopause meat

I truly believe that's the reason for your increased anxiety. I never had any anxiety issues until peri kicked in and it was awful. Antidepressants won't help you. HRT has been a lifesaver for me.

Just as a quick update I had my drs appointment today - because it was private via work it was an hour long and I got to go over loads in detail which great.

We talked through the epilepsy side of things a lot and whilst she did agree with my gp that it didn't ring alarm bells for her, we've agreed that I'll take a watch and wait approach for the next month and she will do a neurologist referral if I want. In the meantime I have to focus on the anxiety self care.

There definitely is a correlation with my anxiety and she threw out the peri menopause and thyroid link too. She said she's seen similar symptom sets before in my circumstances.

So feel a bit more in control - appreciate I'm v lucky to be able to access this support.

I'm glad you had a helpful consultation.