Anxiety

[eliza]

I've started having it. And panic attacks (which I am over now, but still have to guard against). Anyone else panic-ridden and miserable? Let's be miserable together. :)

[capella]

I was. Before I quit teaching. The last week has been like heaven for me compared to what I was feeling before. Even with family melodrama around me half the week. It's like the anxiety has taken a train to another depot. For now. I know it will be back though. But I'm betting I will have more control over the useless worrysome thoughts than I had when I was dealing with constant work stress.

What is it that triggers your anxiety? For me it was work (obssessing over the state of our educational system) and money (obssessing over not having enough). Well, heck, both of those concerns have been wiped clean by a new job. :D Find what is triggering you and try to figure out a way to cope with it or change it. That's my best advice.

[ugarachel82]

Anxiety? I think I'm the queen of it. I'm anxious and pani-stricken over basically anything new to me..be it work, travel, new places, people, situations...I'm on medication and used to be in therapy but taking a break from that for now to cut costs. I'm up for being miserable together. :p

[Lizanne440]

I had my first, serious panic attack last October, which I believe was a result of being in an abusive relationship. The attack itselt was crippling. It took about a half hour to build up, then I thought I was having a heart attack I fell on the sidewalk and could not control any movements, hyperventilating and thought I was dying. It's hard to imagine if you've never had one. It was the most intense pain all over my body that I've ever felt in my life. But that's the fight or flight response, and my brain chose not to fight. I remember feeling such intense pain and so weak that I was about to give up, "I'm dying on my own sidewalk", I thought. Then my friend forced me to keep the deep breathing thing going and I came to. Needless to say, I left that boyfriend and have been working on my anxiety with the help of an anti-depressant and my own techniques. I also got a new job in therapy counseling a lady who has severe anxiety, ocd and paranoia! Incidentally, she has taught me a great deal about how to cope with anxiety problems.

[PenforPrez]

My therapist taught me the finer art of deep breathing to deal with panic. It's amazing how well it works. I try to shut out all sensory input (closing my eyes and plugging up my ears), and just breathe all the way in and all the way out several times. Amazing stuff.

After a few times of that, I hardly ever panic anymore. :)

Paul