wellness wednesday - panic and anxiety
Aug 6th, 2008 by indigo-daisy
I had an anxiety attack this past week and It was the first I had experienced in several years.
There was a period in my life where I used to suffer from panic and anxiety quite often. To the point where once I had my husband call 911 as the feeling was so overwhelmingly heavy that I felt I had only minutes to live and was certain I was going to die. After I made them take me by ambulance to the hospital and they did every test they could on me finding nothing physically wrong, I realized that what I had just experienced was a full blown panic attack.
The doctors suggested I see a psychiatrist and after talking to a counselor for a few minutes, I decided that this was something I had to learn to heal myself.
What worked for me….
- make a list of things in my life causing me stress
- from that list, identify the things I can change
- start making the changes little by little
- do something every day no matter how small to remove the stress
- find some alone time to meditate or relax
- aromatherapy or scents that help you relax
- eliminate caffeine, drink herbal tea
- listening to classical music
- turn off the news
- read self help books
- avoid junk food, eat lots of fruits and vegetables
- keep hydrated, drink lots of water
- get a good nights sleep
- If there isn’t anything you can do about a situation, let it go
When I had the next panic attack, I realized what it was, and that I wasn’t going to die. So I just took a few deep breaths, said a prayer and rode it out.
Now and then I suffer from mild anxiety, a heavy feeling in the chest and like your body has had too much caffeine, very jittery. It is very uncomfortable as you don’t feel you have much control. So I have a cup of tea, close my eyes for a few minutes, light a candle and listen to some classical music. Within about 15 to 20 minutes it usually does the trick.
Oh my!, how scary that must’ve been!!
I can honestly say, while I’ve been in situations that have caused panic, I’ve never experienced panic or anxiety to the degree you have. Hope they continue to get fewer and farther between for you.
Besides this past weekend, I haven’t had an anxiety attack in several years. I have addressed my issues head on and took the steps I needed to take. I kind of know what triggered this one, and I am mad at myself for allowing stress to take over. I am happy though that I have learned that I do have a certain amount of control when it comes to healing myself.
this sounds terrifying Indigo, i hope they get fewer and further between too, but how powerful that you worked out these strategies to deal with them when they happen, more power to ya
How real these episodes feel Indigo, your post sent me back in time a little. I would liken an anxiety attack to a senses overload, so real and tangible.
Dont be mad at yourself, I think we all let life catch up with us & your now armed with a basket of knowledge….I like your list, I should print it out and tape it to the computer monitor…
that’s gotta be scary. good thing you can recognize it and you’ve learned to deal with them.
Drink some tea! Pop in that classical music!
That’s a good list, good for everyone, with or without panic attacks. I don’t think anyone gets through life without some version of this anxiety. They are often ignored or not recognized for what they are, until one day wse think we’re dying. They certainly alert us that its time to take another look and slow things down. Sending you calm, peaceful energy.
The problem with medicating panic is that you can perpetute the cycle of anxiety and avoidance. Far better to learn the skills you need to manage anxiety without pharmaceuticals if you can.
I appreciate how scary such an attack can be. Your coping strategies are superb. My thoughts are with you.
I really don’t get them much anymore and I haven’t had a panic attack in quite a while, however, I now can emphasize with people that do get them. Unless you have experienced it yourself it is really hard to explain. And as CotW says, I think we over medicate these days and if one can learn to manage the problem without drugs, you are so much better off in the long run.