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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 86

"New" again!

Hi all,

I actually used this site a few years ago and it was so incredibly helpful. I have regained so much of my life back thanks to the exercises and help that I got from everyone.

I have a new challenge in my life - I have to go on an airplane in a few months and that has really re-triggered my panic. As a result, it has started worming its way back into old things that I used to panic about (stores, traffic, etc.). My goal is to use past successes so that I can manage my panic again and deal with the concern of that pesky plane flight I'll take! LOL

I know that this is a great place to come to, as I have mentioned, it was so life-changing in the past.

:-)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 86

101 things to do to avoid and challenge your anxiety...

Here are things that work for me:

4 - practice deep breathing

5 - think about all the little things that make me smile (the sound of rain on the roof, for example) and focus on those for a while

6 - do one thing that makes you uncomfortable and reward yourself handsomely for it!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 86

"New" again!

Thank-you Davit and Samantha

A past success?

Well, I used to have such intense panic attacks, that it got to the point that I couldn't go into ANY store for fear that I had to stand in line. I avoided restaurants, malls, theatres, and much of my driving. The lowest point was when I was pregnant and on a trip to my FAVOURITE place in the world - the Oregon Coast. I was hit with a horrible attack in a familiar store and had to leave my family so that I could go back to the hotel. I was distraught because this was the ultimate place where I was always happy and here was that darn panic monster ruining it for me.

So, I worked hard at systematically exposing myself to various situations. It took me months, but to make a long story short, each exposure proved to me that I wasn't going to pass out and throw up in front of a bunch of strangers! I can now go into malls and big box stores. I drive places that used to scare the poop out me. I go to events that I would have had to drag myself to.

It's not perfect, but when I look back on where I was 2 years ago, I see a HUGE difference. As you work through panic attacks, you learn what works for you and then you can use these techniques on subsequent attacks. As uncomfortable as it seems, push yourself a bit (every day or two), just out of that comfort zone and celebrate your successes tenfold. For example, if you make it through a panicky situation for ten minutes longer than last time...buy yourself something nice, call up a friend and tell them how proud you are, etc.

This is not an easy thing to overcome, so I think that when we are so used to feeling helpless and weak, we should realize that we are actually incredibly strong people because we are facing huge challenges and every success is major! Every little step forward leads to a huge distance in the long run.

Go team! LOL

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 86

Working w/ Panic Disorder

Hi AMJ,

Are there any windows at your work that you can gaze out of when you are feeling claustrophobic? Sometimes just looking at something different, rather than the confines of a workspace help.

Or do you have a laptop / computer? That way you can look at some pictures of things that calm you down and you can help yourself stay at work longer.

Good luck!!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 86

Hi All

Hi Cori,

You've come to the right place to feel supported. People on here "get it" and they are instantly supportive. When you read a lot of the posts on here, it's easy to see that you are definitely not alone in how you feel and that it is an attainable goal for you to feel more in control of your life.

Hang in there and good luck!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 86

"New" again!

True, Davit.

I am a lucky person because I have family and friends who are supportive, but I know that not everyone completely understands the struggle that panic attacks cause. That's why I came back here because I can connect so well to others' experiences and learn from others' successes.

You are definitely an inspiration!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 86

Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

It is truly amazing how much anxiety affects your physical well-being.

Because I had been dealing successfully with handling much of my panic in the past year, I found I had less headaches, my stomach was kinder, and I had more energy and focus. But, overnight, with my new big trigger (plane flight), everything has gone back to physical problems. I have a sore stomach; I have more restless nights (keep waking up from stressful dreams); headaches, stiff muscles, pains in my chest, fatigue and foggy head.

Of course, when we feel this way, we think there is something more wrong and then we panic more! Ah, what a lovely cycle! LOL.

That is why dealing with the anxiety, etc. is so important, not just to our mental well-being , but to our physical health, as well. When we gain successes, we feel better mentally and physically, so we heal double-fold.

When we avoid and crawl back inwards, we only perpetuate the cycle and that isn't fair to us. Keep working at it, everyone (I'll keep trying, too).

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 86

Myth #2: I'm going to lose control!

This is indeed a big thing for me, too. I find that my worst triggers are when I am with a crowd of strangers. I think: What if I have a panic attack? I will look really stupid and probably faint and throw up in front of everyone. How embarrassing. Of course, this just leads to me being worried about it and any bodily signal that I have, I fixate on it and start to get worried - snowball effect!

The closest that I ever came to "losing it" and looking really embarrassed was when I was on a skytrain. It was SUPER crowded and I barely had room to move (was standing up). I started to hyperventilate and had to get off that train NOW! I was fidgeting all over the place and finally started to tell my husband that "I have to get off. I can't do this." A guy next to us eyed me, but what I saw was not ridicule, but concern. The kindness in his eyes was very reassuring. Then at the next stop (the one I was sure I was going to flee at!), a transit officer got on. She asked everyone to move back. I told her that I HAD to be by the door because I was feeling claustrophobic. She said "okay" and chatted with me for a while. It really took my mind off of it and I rode that train all the way to my destination without getting off!

So, the lesson learned was that even if we DO end up looking "odd" to those around us, more often than not, people will not be repulsed or critical, but will actually want to help. They are sympathetic and probably have issues of their own. Think about it: if you saw someone who was obviously going through some distress, you would be willing to help. Most people are like this (well, one or two at least! :-) )

So, no - you are not going to lose control, even though it feels like it

Even if you "come close", you will not embarrass yourself. We all go through stuff as humans and all those people around us aren't perfect. They're working through things, too.

So, Tin Tin, you are not alone in feeling that way. It is such a derailing kind of feeling, for sure, but it will get better and each time you prove to yourself that you are not losing control, you are growing stronger, I feel.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 86

And the goal of the week goes to...

WOO HOO!

Go Lost_Soul!

These are great steps!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 86

HELLLOOO!! I am new... as you can see.

Hi Nazzababy,

No, those aren't 'weird' triggers at all! I'm sure many of us can relate quite easily (I know I can). That whole passing out when driving fear was the biggest trigger for me, too.

Seriously, this program is great for facing and dealing with that feeling and if you take baby steps, you'll be able to regain your confidence with driving. In the past year, I went from not being able to make a 10 minute trip into work because I developed such an intense fear of turning left or going through an intersection...I thought I was going to faint. Now I can actually go out of my way to drive in really "nasty" areas just to challenge the anxiety.

The big thing that works for me is the part where you challenge your thoughts. That, coupled with abdominal breathing (not upper chest, but expanding the belly when breathing) really really helps. Then as you gain some control, you distract yourself with something - looking a pretty tree, listening to music, etc.

So, hang in there...you are not alone and you can move forward!

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