Anxiety

[MissScripture]

I used to get panic attacks fairly frequently. I haven't had one for a while, but walking and deep breaths like Mateo said, usually worked pretty well for me. (Although, if you're hyperventilating, be careful with the deep breath thing.) I also usually said a lot of Hail Marys while I was having panic attacks, because that was a lot of times the only prayer I could remember. It was getting to the point, though that I thought I might have to get some meds or at the very least talk to someone (which caused more anxiety. Lovely cycle, really). Things in my life calmed down, though, and I haven't had a panic attack since May. And I've also been learning that I don't have to be in control, which still scares me, but I'm getting better with it.

I'd say that if you're not eating and it's affecting you that badly, you should probably see a dr. However, since you're going on NCYC later this week, and you may not get there, I'd suggest trying to spend some time in Adoration or something, and praying a LOT and I will pray for you, too. Anxiety is not fun! And I know exactly what you mean about someone saying, "Don't worry" causing more anxiety!

[Ash Wednesday]

I have dealt with and received treatment for anxiety disorder for years now. I think a lot has been said that I would have said as well. Some therapy sessions can be helpful, though you mentioned your medical insurance situation before which might not fully cover for this in certain circumstances. HOWEVER I do know in my old diocese, they operated a child and family services center with counseling that accommodated for people that had limited insurance and coverage to pay for this sort of thing by using a sliding fee scale based on income -- so you might want to check and see what you are eligible for and what your parish and diocese can refer you to. And generally this sort of counseling only requires a few visits rather than constant regular counsel.

But even if this isn't an option -- you can STILL manage the anxiety through visualization exercises, relaxation techniques and very importantly -- bodily upkeep through diet and exercise. You're still a new mom, so I can imagine you have an awful lot on your plate with everything else in addition to it -- so I hope there are people around to help you out!

A couple of things: one technique I learned was to imagine myself as a leaf floating along on a small river or a stream. It was like a visualization of going with the flow -- accepting that I wasn't really in total control of my motion and at times it seemed unpredictable but overall it was all under control and my destination would still be the same -- that it will all work out.

Another thing the counselor taught me was when I was feeling anxious, to place my hand on my chest, palm open. There is something very soothing and calming about this action.

There was a book I read a while back called the Feeling Good handbook that dealt with cognitive behavioral therapy. It wasn't a spiritual book and a lot of it I didn't fully read to a great extent -- but it had some interesting points where you can learn to recognize your own thought patterns and learn to call yourself on it. For example learning to recognize when you are imagining possible worst case scenarios off into the future -- feeding into that anxiety -- instead of focusing on the present as we should. It's pretty remarkable how ensared we can become into our thought patterns without even thinking about it and how much it can really affect us in a negative way.

And of course there's always us as a sounding board to vent and just be reminded that everything's going to be all right....

[Lil Red]

[quote name='tgoldson' post='1414802' date='Nov 5 2007, 07:33 AM']It's the lack of control, then?

Due to unpleasant experiences in my childhood, I spent much of my life being a "control freak" of sorts.

You are not alone in this struggle. We can all pray for each other.[/quote]
this is probably part of the problem as well. that and being AROC (anal-retentive, obsessive-compulsive) to a certain extent.

[rachael]

[Azriel]

Can't say anything anyone else hasn't said. I, too, have been treated for anxiety disorder (GAD). If you need to talk, my PM box is always open.

One of my tricks was to consciously stop myself in the middle of a "what If" statement by imagining a stop sign in my mind.

The infinite web of what if - its a killer.

[alicemary]

It is very difficult to think that we are being controlled by our circumstances, and somewhere along the line we just have to say ENOUGH. I have had enough. Take some time for yourself, even a spare 15-20 minutes a day. Get that bath, have a cup of coffee(decaf) in peace, have the hubby watch the kids for that time.
Realize that you too have limits. Set strict limits. You don't have to volunteer to help the world right now. Concentrate on you and the family.
If your life stinks right now, accept that. Not every day is a great day. Not every acquaintance is a friend. We all go through bad times.
If your relligion gives you peace, then practice it. If it gives you scruples, back away for a short time. The Lord really does understand and loves you. Turn to Him.
Seek out a counselor. They have places all over that offer therapy on a sliding scale to what you can afford. You need to ventilate. Dont put this off, anxiety only increases.
Above all, stop pressuring yourself. Do the best you can, and just get through things you need to do for now.

[Adrestia]

[quote name='Azriel' post='1414823' date='Nov 5 2007, 09:59 AM']One of my tricks was to consciously stop myself in the middle of a "what If" statement by imagining a stop sign in my mind.

The infinite web of what if - its a killer.[/quote]

[b]Word.[/b]

I'm going to print this and post it on my mirror.

File: Save.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Azriel' post='1414823' date='Nov 5 2007, 08:59 AM']One of my tricks was to consciously stop myself in the middle of a "what If" statement by imagining a stop sign in my mind.[/quote]
that's a good idea, i'll have to try it!

[Tony]

i have anxiety issues too.. but a good amount of them are worrying about doing/saying the wrong thing around someone.. so mine is more of a social anxiety

[CrossCuT]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1414735' date='Nov 4 2007, 11:50 PM']for some reason lately, every time i have something even remotely important, or something that happens that i can't control, i get really bad anxiety. my stomach gets into knots, sometimes i start to hyperventilate, i constantly worry, etc. for example, i have really bad anxiety about the NCYC trip later this week, i have to talk to a coworker tomorrow, i need to get stuff done before i go to NCYC, worried about Cecelia while i'm gone, etc. and my hubby tells me "oh don't worry" and it totally doesn't help. in fact, i usually get more anxious. and it really is hard to go to sleep.

any suggestions?[/quote]
[size=1]I am no stranger to anxiety!
It smells of elderberries.

I get the same signs that you have described too...stomach knots, worrying, my heart rate and temperature go up, confusion...lots of sucky stuff.

However I dont usually get anxiety from things in the future, most of it happens as Im exposed to different situations.
The best way for me to calm down is to remove myself of the situation and just try to breath and calm down.

If you are really seriouse about getting rid of it, you can always go to your doctor.
Its hard to really get through the anxiety sometimes.
Often you just have to ride it through and fair the best you can.
[/size]

[cmotherofpirl]

I have had this all my life as well.
Sometimes it helps to list every possible thing that can go wrong and then really think about what you would do in each situation and plan accordingly. Then when something goes wrong you can say "AHA, I planned for that."

As a mom when you go out you do it all the time - you take extra baby clothes extra diapers etc. Think of life in general as the same thing - you plan ahead, then make lemonade with all of lifes little lemons.
We cannot control the world, just get our little corner ready for it.

[corban711]

i pray a lot for people who suffer these attacks. my brother has suffered them in the past and he told me a few days ago that he can actually tell if people he meets suffer them as well. just something about their face, way they carry themselves, talk, etc. since he had them, he can see it in others. i'll pray for all of you that have to deal with this.

by the way, i have (fortunately) not had to suffer from anxiety/panic attacks to the extent talked about on here. i would have very, very mini versions of these things. i know that i like to imagine resting my head on His Sacred Heart, breathing deeply, slowly...and allowing my heart to be calmed by the steady rhythm of His Heart...i can also imagine myself as a little child in the arms of Mary holding her as tight as i can and just allowing her to hold me there whispering to me, calming me down. also, someone said before (sorry i can't remember who said it!) that putting an open hand on the chest has a very calming effect! SO TRUE! in one of the documentaries on Mother Teresa you see her do that with one of the sick people in their house in India and calms him down right away. ever since then I have discovered that helps me greatly to do that to myself. prayers!

Edited November 5, 2007 by corban711

[Noel's angel]

Goodness, yes. For about a year and a half, almost every time I went out of the house, I would get really anxious-dizzy spells, my heart beating quickly, the works. I resorted to staying at home. I'd only go out at night for a walk, or to my close friend's house.

If you're feeling anxious, break the cycle now. Don't let it become a real problem.

[friendofJPII]

Surrender and trust in Jesus. If you really trust in him, you won't be anxious. Medidate on the scriptures that talk about his care for us.

[CatherineM]

My brain injury makes me have trouble with the idea of giving up control. I'm constantly afraid I'm going to forget something. PTSD from the injuries makes it hard for me to be in big crowds without anxiety attacks, so going everywhere in town on crowded city buses can be challenging. I survive with my headphones on. Music is about the only thing that calms me down, and shuts out the scary stuff. When that voice in my head gets on my nerves too much telling me that I've forgotten something, I just say shut up to it, some times quite loudly.