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LucyP
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| Posted: June 23 2010 at 2:22pm | IP Logged
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I am having panic attacks. Today, for example, I had 2 - one at 2am, and another about 2pm. The one this afternoon lasted for hours. I just couldn't shake it. The primary trigger is a sudden overwhelming fear and horror of death, but I think depression/anxiety and recent stirring up of bad memories is the root cause.
I am terrified of the children seeing and making a connection to the trigger. This afternoon I was able to hide and call my mum, tell her what was happening and get her talking to me.
I think the issue is that usually when I start to get anxious, I "talk myself down", being rational about the risks etc, but that doesn't work with this trigger as it is certain that everyone I love and I will die, and so I am powerless to help myself, and that makes everything escalate.
I am an incredibly anxious, melancholic person and panic attacks have been a feature of my life but so much milder than this and controllable with self-talk, deep breathing, self-soothing etc. This is different. I feel like I am dying, that my heart will explode, can't breathe, sweat, feel like I am turning inside out and it goes on and on and on. It is at the point where I feel I am incapable of surviving another panic attack at this intensity. Which probably makes me more anxious and more likely to have one.
Has anyone got any tips for self-help or medications for panic attacks?
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: June 23 2010 at 2:45pm | IP Logged
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Isn't it panic attacks that can be helped by breathing into a paper bag?
It may be something you should go to a doctor for though. Perhaps if you can get some help with the depreesion/anxiety you'll be able to avoid the panic attacks too.
There are some things that you can do that will help with the depression/anxiety.. like good diet, good vitamins (especially B's), getting outside, getting some exercise.
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Gracesmom
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| Posted: June 23 2010 at 2:54pm | IP Logged
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Oh my! How scary!!
Not sure if it's true, but my sister in law was having bad panick attacks like that as well. She said the only thing that helped her was eating way better, especially cutting the sugar out of her diet.
I hope you find something that works!
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Donna Marie
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| Posted: June 23 2010 at 2:56pm | IP Logged
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For me, I had them because I was very magnesium depleted and had over active adrenals. I am currently in my 8th month of pregnancy and this is an issue that has plagued me for this and the last 4 pregnancies. My midwife has me take a liquid mg supplement of 400mg at the end of the afternoon and again right before bed. She tells me that she sees some women go through anxiety attacks when they wean a nursling.
I am taking a good pre-natal, cod liver oil, and other vitamins that help support my thyroid. I do not consume many simple carbs (like pasta or bread)..no desserts, no caffiene... The carbs I really do eat, but in combination with other things, are starchy veggies here and there. I started to drink raw milk and pastured eggs. I eat several small meals with protein all day and try and keep blood sugar level because that can also trigger attacks.
I have to focus on my body getting trace minerals in... one thing they also have me do which is related to my adrenaline issues is drink a warm cup of water with mineral-rich salt (like celtic sea salt or Real Salt) first thing in the A.M It did take a couple of weeks, but I felt much better over time. I also don't eat grains without them being soaked first. When the body tries to digest grains and they are not soaked first to lower their phytic acid content, the body uses a lot of valuable nutrients to help digest them making many people mineral deficient. For the time being, I rarely eat any gluten containing grains so that I can recover more quickly.
I did take a cortisol saliva test. I got it from my holistic health practitioner and it was a mail-away test. They were able to ck and see if my levels rose and fell where they were supposed to. Evidently, without me knowing it, I had hypothyroidism type II. My body makes the hormone and I test fine for it, but my body doesn't USE it and the adrenaline was trying to make up for it or some such thing. I am still trying to understand the whole thing. Really one thing was balancing on the other, affecting another...I got into a terrible cycle that I had to break.
I do know that I used to suffer TERRIBLY while pregnant and now the symptoms are barely present. Deo Gratias!
HTH!
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Anneof 5
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| Posted: June 24 2010 at 8:43am | IP Logged
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I really agree with what Donna Marie said, especially about keeping your blood sugar stable. I suffered from these a few years back but they improved greatly when I was careful about eating balanced meals/snacks more often. Try a small snack half an hour before bed (small piece of fruit with some almond butter or something similar) as those levels can bounce all over during the night as well. Good luck!
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Mary's daughter
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| Posted: June 24 2010 at 9:16am | IP Logged
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I would suggest finding a good, Catholic therapist for help. Blood sugar, thyroid, electrolyte imbalance, poor diet can all contribute to that anxious feeling but you have linked your feelings to depression, bad memories, and overwhelming thoughts. A therapist can help you sort out all of these things. It's okay to need and ask for help.
Praying for you,
Stephanie
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Belle
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| Posted: June 24 2010 at 4:54pm | IP Logged
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Another thing, try burning some neroli in an oil burner....it is said to help stave off anxiety. I burn it when my Dh is away. Probably only a placebo affect ( and personally I have only ever had one full blown panic attack), but I do feel calmer when I do. (Also, makes my house smell pretty  )
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: June 24 2010 at 5:07pm | IP Logged
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Blood sugar issues and hyperthyroid are two major causes for panic attacks, i found recently while researching for a friend who was having the exact same symptoms you describe. I have found for myself that a health issue and certain difficult issues from past can gang up at times to be overwhelming like you described. Such as on a day where I don't feel well, especially when really tired, I find that at those times is when bothersome thoughts cause me the most anxiety. If I get a good nights sleep, then I most always feel better about it the next day. And also the Rosary really helps me to find peace as I try to get to sleep when something is bothering me. I guess my main point here is that yes it may be past circumstances or current thoughts causing the anxiety, but it could also be started into a panic attack at the same time by a physical cause in union with the thoughts, i.e. low blood sugar, thyroid attack, etc. So finding out if there is a physical problem may help bring the thoughts back to a a managable level?
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LucyP
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| Posted: June 25 2010 at 10:38am | IP Logged
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Thank you so much ladies. After reading your input and getting advice from my mum and my husband, and planning to talk to my priest to address some specific issues I have, I feel happier and calmer about dealing with this.
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: June 28 2010 at 10:36pm | IP Logged
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LucyP wrote:
| Thank you so much ladies. After reading your input and getting advice from my mum and my husband, and planning to talk to my priest to address some specific issues I have, I feel happier and calmer about dealing with this. |
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I'm so glad that you are going to take good care of yourself, Lucy  .
Please make sure to get a thorough physical first thing, if possible. Like others have said, many women find help with panic attacks by treating physical problems. Be ready to share details about the attacks (how many, how often) and that you are experiencing anxiety symptoms that are escalating, persistent, irrational, and overwhelming—and that interfere with daily life.
If your care provider suggests to relieve anxiety symptoms with medication, which may happen on the first visit, do take the time to consider learning about it. Medications can be highly effective and helpful - among the most efficient, effective, and common of mental health medications.
Once you have dealt with the medical end, consider working with a care provider who has expertice in anxiety and/or post-trauma healing. If you are unable to find a Catholic/Christian expert, please still give an expert a chance to show that he/she is respectful of the faith of their clients. My dh (who works in mental health) works with experts of many faiths and would recommend them because of their expertice. You might also want to check out this topic on how we think.
Since you have already shared that you will be talking with your priest, I will just add - good for you!
LucyP wrote:
I think the issue is that usually when I start to get anxious, I "talk myself down", being rational about the risks etc, but that doesn't work with this trigger ...and that makes everything escalate.
...I feel I am incapable of surviving another panic attack at this intensity. Which probably makes me more anxious and more likely to have one.
Has anyone got any tips for self-help or medications for panic attacks? |
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Lucy, you are right. You need to find a way to break this cycle. You may need to find a more powerful tool/s to deal with the real intensity. From your description, self-help and natural approaches (such as those you describe, diet adjustments, exercise, etc.) are unlikely to be the big tool you need, being considered helpful adjuncts and/or part of a more complete approach. This isn't to discourage, but to encourage. We all need proper tools to do a job right!
Lucy, you are a special lady. I'm praying for your protection, health, and a straight path to help. May you be blessed with hope, persistence, and peace .
Love,
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Topic: Panic attacks?
