Panic anxiety attacks thread

[reeay]

Ankh I think trying meds in combination with therapy (CBT) is the standard protocol and best option when meds are involved. Best to try it out to see if this option works well for you and your lifestyle. Meds can take 2 weeks + to begin to work and depending on the goodness-of-fit with your body and meds, effects may vary. Any other members in your family who have had similar experiences with anxiety/panic attacks/agoraphobia? Sometimes if other members in our family had same condition and had successful med treatment, the meds they took may possibly work well for us too. In any case, since you are a nurse you know that if you've started in meds to consult doc abt meds etc.,. Whatever works for our own life is possibly good option.

I have had anxiety issues before and managed using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and emotional freedom technique (EFT). Luckily I was training to use those methods for work and got to try it out for myself during the demonstrations lol. Remarkable progress in short period of time. Yeah like others said it does have something to do with past issues but really, it could be anything - something related to current triggers, something totally unrelated, anything really. My super anxiety over driving didn't make sense bc I've not had any critical events around driving or accidents. When I did EMDR, I traced it back to preschool time. Not related to driving. Learned about some major major themes that occur in life. The goal of EMDR and EFT is to lower emotional charge to help us process disturbing experiences... E.g., an episode of one attack that might scare you to point where you become anxious about stepping out of the home etc.,.

I also have had panic attacks at night, esp prior to sleep time. Now, I am very sensitive to the beginning signs so I can manage anxiety prior to it becoming full blown. Took me time to figure this out but like detecting migraines early on, I can do the same for anxiety and not escalate to full scale attack. Meditation prior to full blown (or escalated attack) helps... Same with migraines!

Am not a fan of CBT (cog beh therapy) but they are probably good for symptom management. If someone tells me that my thoughts are irrational I'd probably spend my time talking about my unconscious mind lol. Will recommend EMDR - usually used for conditions like PTSD but it can be effective for other anxiety conditions. EFT has similar effects and can be done alone. Lots of instruction vids online.

Depression is almost the same as anxiety, just two different ways we express ourselves (depression is internalizing and anxiety is more externalizing oriented illness). Some psychologist will say they can't even distinguish between depression and anxiety.

Hope all goes well... being "sick" isn't all that bad as people say lol I think it's a great starting point to doing major works. Last time I got really sick was when my dog died and bird flew away 12 hours later. I began hoarding venti Starbucks cups to fill my empty condo. That occasion I did 22-sessions of shadow work. Intense. I haven't recovered fully from my grief for all my loved ones but I have come far so that is promising got to know self really well. That was a treasured experience tho I would like my dog and bird back!

big hugs my sister

[Phoenix]

I got the impression to stop calling on Ra because of negative greeting.

One of the things I got when calling Ra in the evening was a dream that night that made my whole day depleted and angry. But, these things only allow you to know yourself better, in that instance my refusal to look seriously at the dream in the morning was my downfall, partly, because of mythologizing the bad guys into worse than they actually are and then not subconsciously not wanting to consider possibilities.

For me though, after a certain point you are getting greeted anyway, so it doesn't matter. Also I have this bad habit of reflexively calling negative entities that I deliberately cultivated the habit of calling Ra, to release my fear over the whole area.

Jesus has never worked well for me and I still don't know why. But I do call him in relation to protection.

[AnthroHeart]

Don't get me wrong, I used to do extensive work with who I thought was Ra, but it was 1/2 good and 1/2 bad the results. When working with Ra, I experienced the greatest fear I had ever known.

But assuming they were my social memory complex, I do work with them then, because I don't know the name of my social memory complex for sure, yet I work with them, and it seems to work better without names.

[isis]

dr. rye in the house

Last time I got really sick was when my dog died and bird flew away 12 hours later. I began hoarding venti Starbucks cups to fill my empty condo.

LOL

[AnthroHeart]

I buy venti starbucks drip coffee whenever I am at work. Which is usually one day a week. Other days I work from home and it's Folgers.

I have a presentation at work today that I'm quite nervous about. It's only going to be 15 mins or so, when we usually present for 30 mins.

[reeay]

For real... It was surreal bc I had no problem at school, at work - I was really productive.... When I came home to my empty nest I would just do nothing, feel nothing, and be surrounded by the Starbucks mermaid logo lol. It took a while to figure out something was so off bc I was functioning so well outside the home (better outside)... Orange ray melt down.

[xise]

For real... It was surreal bc I had no problem at school, at work - I was really productive....

Burying oneself in work and overvaluing work productivity is a means of distraction. In my opinion. You actually see this embraced (and even celebrated in some cases) on television and movies when a character has something traumatic happen to them, such as the death of a loved one. The boss often offers time off. The character often states something to the effect that they must work now more than ever. The boss replies that they understand. And so work is used to distract oneself from facing the catalytic experience.


And it may not necessarily apply to what you are talking about reeay, but I think it's relevant to the issues you touch upon so I wanted to mention it.

[AnthroHeart]

I never thought that death of a loved one would cause one to want to work more. If my dog died, I'd probably appreciate the time off.

[reeay]

For real... It was surreal bc I had no problem at school, at work - I was really productive....

Burying oneself in work and overvaluing work productivity is a means of distraction. In my opinion. You actually see this embraced (and even celebrated in some cases) on television and movies when a character has something traumatic happen to them, such as the death of a loved one. The boss often offers time off. The character often states something to the effect that they must work now more than ever. The boss replies that they understand. And so work is used to distract oneself from facing the catalytic experience.


And it may not necessarily apply to what you are talking about reeay, but I think it's relevant to the issues you touch upon so I wanted to mention it.

Yeah it's v. true. Kind of how manic episode can be great in bipolar while depressive episode can be a drag for some.

It's also attempting to keep some things under control bc other areas are totally out of control. I know productivity can distract but it can give some sense of stability. And be distracting. I think there are times when you can't ignore pain or catalyst anymore. - whether the psychological pain morphs into physical illness, hoarding, panic attacks... It can be like a wake up call to heal. Might depend on persons unique experience, tho.

[Adonai One]

After my first (and nearly only) anxiety attack at the age of 12, I quickly realized that there was nothing to attach oneself to in this reality. I found there was nothing that could dictate my reality, there was nothing that could tell me I should be unhappy. My anxiousness brought me to another stage of living; however, it is has been infinitely more manageable than worrying about how I should dictate the world. The paradigm changed to how I can better accept it ever-so gradually to where I am today.

I am now heralded as overly passive but at least I can smile in my passivity even in moments of pain. Since that day, I've felt immortal.

[Ankh]

You can always call Ra or Quo in these situations. Your higher self. The One Infinite Creator (or simply be with). Jesus. Everyone. Whatever floats your boat. .

I've tried that, but anxiety just gets worse during these attacks when I call for help. So I just try to focus on managing whatever it is I am doing at that moment.

Ankh I think trying meds in combination with therapy (CBT) is the standard protocol and best option when meds are involved. Best to try it out to see if this option works well for you and your lifestyle. Meds can take 2 weeks + to begin to work and depending on the goodness-of-fit with your body and meds, effects may vary. Any other members in your family who have had similar experiences with anxiety/panic attacks/agoraphobia? Sometimes if other members in our family had same condition and had successful med treatment, the meds they took may possibly work well for us too. In any case, since you are a nurse you know that if you've started in meds to consult doc abt meds etc.,. Whatever works for our own life is possibly good option.

Yeah, my mom has some problems and she takes pretty strong psych meds, way stronger than mine. But my doctor just called this morning and said that she doesn't want to continue prescribing tranquilizers to me, and that if I can't function than I should stay home from work sick. Yesterday that therpist called too who would do CBT for me, and she had really bad attitude too. I feel like none of them understand my problem, nor want to understand it. And they just push their way without listening to me, saying that "it's for my own good". BS!

I was thinking about this this whole night, and had sort of bad sleep because of that. I hate when people who are supposed to help you, think that they know better than you. And they are supposed to be healers!

And then of course that call from my doctor this morning didn't make it better. So I feel kind of down for the moment. My mom and my best friend told me that I need to switch to another doctor, and that they too have changed doctors hundred of times. You do it until you find a good one, who is willing to help you. Well, yeah, I totally agree with them. I am going to visit my doctor tomorrow as I already have this appointment with her, but as soon as I get home, I am going to switch her for another one.

It's just that this whole thing is extremely energy draining, and I already lose so much energy having these attacks every day. They are exhausting, and when things don't work out with your so called healers, it puts me down, and takes even more of my energy... :-/

Reeay, I have never heard about EMDR or EFT. I will definitely check this out and above all ask my (new or future to be) doctor about it! There is no point of asking this my current one. I am not going to stay with her, nor do I have any confidence in her as a healer or helper.

Thank you so much everyone here, for your stories, and for your love and support!! Much love to you all here!

[norral]

hi Ankh

sorry to hear about your problem dear. u might want to try the bach flower essences . specifically mimulus for specific fears and aspen for vague fears. and larch for self confidence. also please be careful combining tranquilizers with alcohol the two together can have unexpected effects. here is a link to the description of the bach flower essences . feel well

bach flower remedy description

http://www.bachflower.com/original-bach-...ies/#olive

i am not saying those are the only ones u might benefit from but those are the ones that initially come to mind

[Shemaya]

Hi Ankh,

Just stopped by to try and help! You have lots of advice here...adding more to the mix.

I am a certified vestibular therapist. You are describing classic symptoms of a vestibular disorder. this is a physical problem and can be helped with exercises depending on the cause and severity, it can resolve. Has any of your doctors/ health providers suggested vestibular therapy?

Vestibular disorders can be caused by dysfunction or pathology in the inner ear or brain. It is a pretty common problem and can cause dizziness, vertigo, positional vertigo, imbalance and disequilibrium, anxiety, visual disturbances, high sensitivity to busy environments, fatigue and energy drain, and motion snsitivities.

Do you have any changes in hearing? Any history of migraines? Any episodes of severe vertigo with nausea and vomiting that lasted a day or two?

Tranquilizers are prescribed to calm the symptoms, but don't get to the route of the problem.

---

I think I read that pregnancy helped? Is that correct?

[reeay]

Yeah, my mom has some problems and she takes pretty strong psych meds, way stronger than mine. But my doctor just called this morning and said that she doesn't want to continue prescribing tranquilizers to me, and that if I can't function than I should stay home from work sick. Yesterday that therpist called too who would do CBT for me, and she had really bad attitude too. I feel like none of them understand my problem, nor want to understand it. And they just push their way without listening to me, saying that "it's for my own good". BS!

I was thinking about this this whole night, and had sort of bad sleep because of that. I hate when people who are supposed to help you, think that they know better than you. And they are supposed to be healers!

And then of course that call from my doctor this morning didn't make it better. So I feel kind of down for the moment. My mom and my best friend told me that I need to switch to another doctor, and that they too have changed doctors hundred of times. You do it until you find a good one, who is willing to help you. Well, yeah, I totally agree with them. I am going to visit my doctor tomorrow as I already have this appointment with her, but as soon as I get home, I am going to switch her for another one.

It's just that this whole thing is extremely energy draining, and I already lose so much energy having these attacks every day. They are exhausting, and when things don't work out with your so called healers, it puts me down, and takes even more of my energy... :-/

Reeay, I have never heard about EMDR or EFT. I will definitely check this out and above all ask my (new or future to be) doctor about it! There is no point of asking this my current one. I am not going to stay with her, nor do I have any confidence in her as a healer or helper.

Yeah I think that is critical - that we get along w/ people we're going to share emotionally intimate times with. My therapist was very eccentric and blunt type of guy but we got along lol and I needed that type of person to 'keep it real' for me. Research shows that therapeutic technique & therapists' skills does not necessarily contribute to people's recovery/treatment results as much as improved circumstances in people's lives ('placebo effect')+ good therapist/client relationship! bummer for therapists' egos lol jk.

Shemaya brings such a good point. Might be good to rule out any physiological issue so that there is no doubt that the diagnosis is correct and there is clarity on what is happening. e.g., Depression and bipolar disorder have been erroneously diagnosed for ages bc psychologists and psychiatrists did not rule out physiological conditions like thyroid problems, certain illnesses, and (rare) viral infections. However, it's possible to develop 'secondary depression' due to these illnesses that mask as psychological conditions.

If the diagnoses were incorrect the medication would not work and can have adverse affects to your health. If you have an opportunity to get a 'second opinion' and to do some research into other possible condition (like what Shemaya is suggesting) that might be beneficial. Anxiety does 'run' in families so it's possible that anxiety related conditions may be contributing factor but you'd want to know if indeed anxiety is the primary condition and not secondary to physical illness.

#1 priority is understanding condition well via getting most accurate picture of what is happening to you - physically, psychologically... the spiritual part you're adept at understanding .

[Plenum]

And then of course that call from my doctor this morning didn't make it better. So I feel kind of down for the moment. My mom and my best friend told me that I need to switch to another doctor, and that they too have changed doctors hundred of times. You do it until you find a good one, who is willing to help you. Well, yeah, I totally agree with them. I am going to visit my doctor tomorrow as I already have this appointment with her, but as soon as I get home, I am going to switch her for another one.

It's just that this whole thing is extremely energy draining, and I already lose so much energy having these attacks every day. They are exhausting, and when things don't work out with your so called healers, it puts me down, and takes even more of my energy... :-/

when catalyst gets to the physical level, it can truly be exhausting to deal with.

there are so many possible components to untangle - the possible 'original cause' which may be mental, and due to a misunderstanding/belief pattern - then the actual proximate physical cause which may be amenable to medicinal/physical level treatments.

Then the actual condition creates issues in managing expectations with family/work, and creates its own 'level' of catalyst with which to navigate. And then there is differing types of advice/input from actual practitioners etc.

it's not an easy path to navigate, and I've been there myself with a difficult ailment. I fully appreciate the helplessness that might set in when you try everything, and nothing yields a solution.

full commiserations there Ankh.

Plenum

[Ankh]

Norral, thank you so much. Will check out that link! Much love.

Do you have any changes in hearing? Any history of migraines? Any episodes of severe vertigo with nausea and vomiting that lasted a day or two?

Tranquilizers are prescribed to calm the symptoms, but don't get to the route of the problem.

---

I think I read that pregnancy helped? Is that correct?

Heeey sweety, long time no see. Glad to see you here again!

My hearing is always a little bit worse than others I suppose due to many ear infections in my childhood which caused scars in my drumears. No history of migraines though. And dizziness I've had for over a year now, where some episodes were pretty severe with nausea, though no vomiting.

Yeah, pregnancy helped when I had these attacks last time, for about ten years ago. They lasted for about four years, and stopped as soon as I got pregnant. What does that mean?

reeay, thank you so much! You mentioned earlier that you are not a fan of CBT. Why?

Plenum, thank you, my brother. Much love.

[reeay]

reeay, thank you so much! You mentioned earlier that you are not a fan of CBT. Why?

In CBT, you'd be exploring ways anxiety is triggered and training self to use relaxation tools, or perhaps exploring belief systems that contribute to 'maladaptive' behaviors. Altho helpful and pretty neat in regards to gaining skills to manage symptoms, it doesn't go deeper than that. Other treatment modalities go deeper into unconscious materials that addresses one's relationship to self and with others, historical incidents that contributes to current situation, etc.,. etc.,. The difference is in managing symptoms or getting deeper into the root of issues. We can't necessarily get to the deepest root in 10-15 sessions bc our mind is rather complex but I think modalities like psychodynamic therapy, most current humanistic/attachment therapies like emotionally-focused therapy, and EMDR (which is cognitively oriented but it's also very 'unusual' method) bc they go deeper than symptom management. Symptoms are a result of deeper issues. We can choose to utilize symptoms management so that we may explore the deeper roots ourselves. We could choose modalities that address deeper roots while also learning how to self-sooth when distressed.

CBT is the most documented/researched and simplest form of therapy. You can buy workbooks on anxiety that use CBT methods. And, it the most readily available bc there are so many practitioners using this. Good therapists blend multiple modalities so they can help clients to achieve their treatment goals. If CBT is the only thing offered it's rather limited to lessening symptoms (which is what psychotherapy unfortunately is geared towards these days being a medicalized model). So it's all based on your needs and what you want to accomplish in therapy.

[Ankh]

Thank you so much, reeay!!

[Shemaya]

Do you have any changes in hearing? Any history of migraines? Any episodes of severe vertigo with nausea and vomiting that lasted a day or two?

Tranquilizers are prescribed to calm the symptoms, but don't get to the route of the problem.

---

I think I read that pregnancy helped? Is that correct?

Heeey sweety, long time no see. Glad to see you here again!

Great to see you too! Love!!

My hearing is always a little bit worse than others I suppose due to many ear infections in my childhood which caused scars in my drumears. No history of migraines though. And dizziness I've had for over a year now, where some episodes were pretty severe with nausea, though no vomiting.

Yeah, pregnancy helped when I had these attacks last time, for about ten years ago. They lasted for about four years, and stopped as soon as I got pregnant. What does that mean?

Many women are triggered into migraine episodes because of hormonal triggers, I have seen this quite a bit in my practice. A woman recently as soon as she stopped breast feeding, her dizzy symptoms returned. Stress is another trigger for migraine.

With migraine associated vertigo, it can present without a headache, painless. Instead, you may have symptoms of dizziness and vertigo, nausea, motion sensitivities of the head and eyes. Even after a migraine episode is over, you may have residual motion sensitivities because the sensory system is scrambled a bit. There is a sensory mismatch and the brain is unable to compensate quickly, it needs time to restore the necessary and normal neural pathways.

Because you had chronic inner ear issues when young you are predisposed to a "weakness" in your ears already, so you are more predisposed to a vestibular disorder. If you recall, the inner ear houses the vestibular system which is a balance/ equilibrium organ ( BTW, on the mind/spirit level, I also associate this with archetype 8 and 14, and also Archetype 2).

Panic and anxiety is highly correlated with vestibular disorders, the 2 go hand in hand. Busy, and over stimulating environments can be quite symptom provoking and leads to anxiety because naturally you don't want to cause more symptoms, but you have to live your life, working, shopping, providing and caring for your family etc

Vestibular rehabilitation (which is what I do) can be helpful to reprogram the brain, create/ and restore neural pathways, help the equilibrium system adapt and compensate. In the case of migraine as a cause ( I am not diagnosing you, just offering from my experience and what symptoms you are reporting!), it is best to do what you can to prevent episodes. Migraine is tough because usually neurologists just want to treat with meds, but if the cause is hormonal triggers, you really want to get your hormonal system balanced. I used herbal adaptogens for myself which I recommend rather than any type of hormonal replacement. An adaptogen will support your body's endocrine system, so that your body balances the system.

I think it would be helpful to see a vestibular rehab specialist and learn some exercises to help your sense of equilibrium and habituate your motion sensitivities. Also, if it was me, I'd go to a really good holistic health care provider who can evaluate test your hormone levels and help you get things balanced. If you go to a neurologist or MD ask them if they have treated vestibular migraine because here in the states the awareness about it is not universal. It is often misdiagnosed and not treated effectively. Again, I am not saying that is what you have, not diagnosing, but your symptom description really sounds like it could be.

I always advise my patients who struggle with these kinds of symptoms to take quiet time every day which you probably do, but I think it needs to be a priority. Low light, quiet time focused, relaxed and going inward to stillness, but not sleeping. This gives your nervous system an opportunity to balance from the busyness of the outside world.

Don't hesitate if you have questions, sweety, you can PM or find me on facebook, or here if you want!

[Ankh]

If you recall, the inner ear houses the vestibular system which is a balance/ equilibrium organ ( By the way, on the mind/spirit level, I also associate this with archetype 8 and 14, and also Archetype 2).

This is it I think! And I had contemplate this for a while. Balance/equilibrium organ...

My belief is that when a physical organ malfunction, the root cause is in the mind complex (except those who pre-incarnately chose a specific physical ailment). So I am always "translating" what this physical organ does in the body into its counterpart in the mind. So, my balance/equilibrium organ may not be functioning properly, which then may mean that there is an imbalance in the mind complex which now manifests itself through this? I've contemplated these thoughts before, and worked a little bit with them. But not enough I guess. I think that since my love of life increased, and my love for being in this place at this time got strong, this catalyst got more intense due to imbalances in the mind complex. For instance, when I go into those big places, I rush through these as a wind. I love the pulse, and I love this kind of stress, and I love the feeling of running through this energy. Except... that maybe this is not what I pre-planned perhaps... Or perhaps this is not how I wanted/want it to be... I don't know. But the fact is there, I can't do this rushing anymore.

I worked with this today, paying attention to this all, and noticed that when I relax and try not this catalyst to bother me, I smile to people and I talk to them, and maybe do what Ra referred to as "sharing love and light of the Infinite One"? And that I also stop "ignoring the mind/body/spirit complexes about myself"?

Either way, I am very grateful for this catalyst! I think that this catalyst is a road to unity with my other-selves around. Maybe it sounds like a well-used cliche, but there are no better words. As I said, my love for people and this planet increased, so maybe the imbalances in the light of this love, got sharper and stronger?

Thank you so much, Shemaya! I will take your suggestions to my new doctor when I am going to see her. I've done some research about what you said, and I think that I understand it now.