EvolutionHealth.care

Home
Members List
Member View
Posts created by MelJ

Advanced Search Form

Members List
Moderation Team
Member View
Posts created by MelJ

8 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

New to group, not to panic

Hi. I've had panic attacks for as long as I can remember. I can think back to being a young girl in junior high and having a panic attack before going to my Confirmation at church. It was not my first panic attack, but I can clearly identify when it happened.

For years and years I had panic attacks, but did not know there was a name for what I was feeling or that anyone else felt the same way.

I've noticed a correlation between an increase in my panic attacks and times of change such as after graduating from high school and after graduating from college. I saw something on television about panic attacks and learned I was not alone. I sought help immediately and started working with a therapist. I also started taking Prozac under the direction of a doctor. That was more than 20 years ago.

During the last year, I've experienced a lot of change at work, particularly for the past 6 months. I knew my stress level was high and that it was becoming increasingly difficult to cope with the changes, so I decided to seek help from a therapist again.

I also transitioned off of Prozac during the last 6 months because I didn't know if I really needed it or not. This is a question I had for lots of years, but hadn't been willing to explore because it meant stopping the medication. I finally decided to try it because I would prefer not to be on medication if I don't need it. About a month ago, I went back on Prozac because I knew my stress level was really high and that I was having difficulty sleeping -- which has been the case for the last 6 months thanks to the changes at work.

About ten days ago I had a panic attack at work and last week, I started to feel panicky again. It was a bit different this time because the anxiety did not seem to subside. I left work early and worked from home for the rest of the week. My anxiety level was incredibly high. It felt like my body went haywire. I could not get the anxiety to subside. I felt overwhelmed by it.

Has anyone else experienced an ongoing high level of anxiety like I've described? What has helped?

I tried breathing exercises, but they did not help. The anxious thought kept spinning around in my head, making me feel awful.

Thanks for your help!

8 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

New to group, not to panic

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. I appreciate your suggestions about exercise. I know I should do it more regularly for both my physical and mental health.

Thank you, again.

8 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

New to group, not to panic

Thanks, Ashley. I had a doctor's appointment today and he is modifying some of the medication. I hope to see some positive improvements in the next few days. I am starting to use some of the resources from this website and plan to incorporate the new tools with ones I've learned in the past.

I appreciate your response. If there are any specific things I should look at on this site, please let me know.

Melanie

8 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

New to group, not to panic

Thanks, medical student, for your reply. It is comforting to know I'm not alone in the way I feel. I agree that a good nights sleep is one of the things that can help me feel better.

Thank you again.

8 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

New to group, not to panic

Thanks, Ashley. I started the program last week with chapter one. I might go a bit slower than one per week. It depends on how I'm feeling.

Are there resources for help for dealing with generalized anxiety on this site? If not, are there other resources you can recommend?

Thanks again,

Melanie

8 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

Panic cycle and sleep problems

Hi Agua,

I'm having trouble falling asleep, too. It's been going on for about 6 months. This has been a very stressful time at work. In the past, I've tried yoga, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and visualization with varying degrees of success. The past couple weeks, however, have been particularly difficult, so I talked with my doctor and am trying some sleeping pills to see if that can help get me back in a better sleep pattern.

It sounds like you are able to sleep, but it takes a long time to fall asleep. I wonder if your body clock or natural sleep cycle is part of your challenge. A couple things that help me sleep are making sure the room is cool & dark, covering the clock so I don't see the time, and white noise--I use an air filter with a fan--or ear plugs.

Wishing you a restful night's sleep,

Melanie

8 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

Hello birds of a feather

Hello Prairie Daisy,

You are not alone in seeking answers and in trying to gain mastery over your anxiety. I wish I could say I've found all the answers, but that hasn't happened. I think it is a journey where we learn things along the way. Sometimes we get sidetracked before getting back on the path. There seem to be some helpful people and tools on this website that have been assisting me along the way. I hope you find the same.

Best,

Melanie

8 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

No Support

Hi Kendra,

You are lovable and worthwhile because of the caring and sensitivity you show in your writing. I've been feeling alone lately, too, and certainly don't have all the answers. I just wanted you to know you're not alone.

Melanie

8 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

Stressing about my job

I have worked at the same company for 20+years. It has been a stable place to work with lots of people who've been there as long or longer than me. The last 6 months have been incredibly stressful at work with lots of changes at the company. About a month ago, my anxiety and panic kicked into high gear. I had not been dealing with the physical symptoms as well as I should have (hindsight is 20/20).

I'm seeing a therapist and working with a psychiatrist to help get the anxiety back under control. I am on intermittent family medical leave because I thought I might only need to take occasional days off, mostly in conjunction with therapy or doctor appointments. Last week, after seeing my family doctor (making sure we rule out any other reasons for my insomnia and digestive issues), she suggested I take 6-8 weeks off of work to help me recover. I'm not sure if being disconnected from work will help or not.

I've been staying in touch regularly with my boss to keep her updated. Having to let her know each day if I am working from home has added to my stress level. She has been my boss since day 1, so we really know each other well. One of the challenges she faces is a physical disability that has put her in a wheelchair. She has never been tolerant of people taking sick days. Sometimes I think she is harder on others because she does not let her disability stop her from working.

We had a discussion about what I am planning to do regarding working and going forward. I have not yet solved the anxiety, insomnia or digestive issues, so my main thoughts have been on what is the best way to get better while still staying in the loop and being helpful at work.

I felt like she was pressuring me to make a decision - do you want to continue in your current job which has supervisory responsibilities or do you want to go back to your previous position or are you never going to be able to work again? This sent me on a downward spiral, partly because she was voicing some of the thoughts that have been running through my head. I'm trying to work through these questions as part of this program.

I understand and appreciate her desire to make plans. I think I want to return to my current position as soon as possible, once I'm feeling healthy. During the time lately when I feel like myself, the answer is a resounding yes. When my anxiety level rises, however, I start to question everything.

All I know is what we are doing now, taking it day by day, is not helping me. I thought that family medical leave was supposed to protect you as a worker, to allow you some time to get better. I am hoping we can come up with a mutually agreeable solution.

Thanks for reading my post and letting me vent.

Melanie

8 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

Stressing about my job

Thanks for your reply, Cardio Tech. I keep reminding myself that my health had to come first.

Melanie

today's top discussions:

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved