I've never been a sufferer before, but lately (last year or two) i get these sudden 'attacks' out of nowhere. My chest tightens up like fuck, I can't breathe, I get this overwhelming feeling something is seriously wrong or about to go wrong (although I can't identify anything specific), and I can't focus on anything else. I just mentally (sometimes physically) pace around in my skull until it passes.
It's like all of a sudden I'm lost in an area totally unfamiliar. That kind of a feeling. Don't know where I am, dont' know where I came from, don't know where I was going, dont' see anybody I recognize, and don't see a way out. It's like standing a a metaphorical crossroads in the middle of space surrounded by pure darkness.
I know these fears are baseless and moot, which has kept them from getting worse or out of control, but that fact I'm having them at all is what's getting me nervous. I'm generally a very stable, happy person, with no real fears of anything (nothing out of the ordinary anyway). I've been under a lot of stress in the last year and a half as my life has gone to ruins twice but I've picked up and continued on kicking and screaming. Things aren't perfect now, but they are on the up (couldnt' possibly go further down).
Anyways... the reason I'm even posting is because of something I heard a doctor say in an interview recently that made me ponder if I should be talking to someone about this. She made a reference to how in society we have such a fear of seeking help (or when to) for mental issues that we always try to overcome issues by ourselves, usually doing a disservice to ourselves. But in reality, mental health is like physical health, and sometimes we need a little help to set things right, the mental equivelant of treating a broken leg.
Anyways... this anxiety issue is starting to affect my life so I think I should be talking to people who have experience with this type of thing. I know there's a couple Docs here, and I'm sure somebody here has had to deal with anxiety attacks before, any thoughts/suggestions?
Anybody here suffer from anxiety attacks?
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Freakaloin
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Freakaloin
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Freakaloin
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http://www.paxil.com/
thats what you want. couple it with a regular sleeping pattern for a month and you'll be good to go.
paxil is used sometimes as an anti-depressent though it's highly effective as an anti-anxiety drug.
thats what you want. couple it with a regular sleeping pattern for a month and you'll be good to go.
paxil is used sometimes as an anti-depressent though it's highly effective as an anti-anxiety drug.
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[xeno]Julios
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I"d avoid medication and only use it as a last resort. There are cognitive-behavioural therapies (CBT) that are proven very successful for anxiety. If you do seek help, be sure to ask for CBT before accepting any ssri's or benzos. Also look into mindfulness meditation.
When you have these anxiety attacks, sometimes focusing on the sensations can render them less "painful". Ride them out like a wave - so long as you surf them you're in better shape than being carried away undercurrent.. try not to get trapped into a positive feedback cycle where the attack scares you and this enhances the severity, which frightens you more, etc... maybe try to perceive the experience through a more humourous lens...try giggling next time your heart feels like it's gonna explode
Might want to keep a diary to document when these attacks occur - try to find behavioural/situational/thought patterns that precipitate the attacks. Sometimes it could be agoraphobic in nature - being in public spaces surrounded by many people - or it could be in a bus where you end up feeling trapped in...
Also, it can't hurt to do a bit of introspection, and see if there isn't some source of anxiety - fish around until you hit upon something painful in your consciousness, and even being aware of it can be a way of dealing with it. Good time to do this might be while you're lying down ready to go to sleep.
When you have these anxiety attacks, sometimes focusing on the sensations can render them less "painful". Ride them out like a wave - so long as you surf them you're in better shape than being carried away undercurrent.. try not to get trapped into a positive feedback cycle where the attack scares you and this enhances the severity, which frightens you more, etc... maybe try to perceive the experience through a more humourous lens...try giggling next time your heart feels like it's gonna explode
Might want to keep a diary to document when these attacks occur - try to find behavioural/situational/thought patterns that precipitate the attacks. Sometimes it could be agoraphobic in nature - being in public spaces surrounded by many people - or it could be in a bus where you end up feeling trapped in...
Also, it can't hurt to do a bit of introspection, and see if there isn't some source of anxiety - fish around until you hit upon something painful in your consciousness, and even being aware of it can be a way of dealing with it. Good time to do this might be while you're lying down ready to go to sleep.
Heh...it's all just chemicals, natural or not.Cool Blue wrote:Heh, I dont like pharmecueticals though.
I prefer natural remedies whenever possible.
Am I even right on diagnosing this issue? Sounds like it's enough that I maybe should go see a doctor.
Natural doesn't necessarily mean safe. Fucking infomercials and whatnot that will say shit like "Safe because its 100% natural" drive me nuts. There is a lot of natural shit that will kill you, and many natural substances can interefere with prescription medications.
Many prescription meds have structural analogues in nature.
Of course, all prescription meds aren't necessarily safe or benign either, but these folks that walk around touting their 'all natural' cures to everything under the sun are often times very misinformed.
Similar problem when supplements are sold and advertised as being 100% pure. I can remember trying, in vain, to explain to the juiced up bodybuilder behind the counter at GNC how expensive it would really be to buy a jar of creatine that was actually 100% creatine monohydrate only, but I don't think his knowledge of extraction and purification techniques was quite where it needed to be to understand.
But if you want to avoid medications - fix your diet, eliminate caffeine, avoid ingesting a lot of simple sugars, get adequate protein intake, sleep at least 8 hours a night on a fixed schedule, and EXERCISE - both cardio and weights.
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[xeno]Julios
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stay away from this shit with a 100 foot kryptonite pole tipped with a nuclear warhead.shadd_. wrote:http://www.paxil.com/
thats what you want. couple it with a regular sleeping pattern for a month and you'll be good to go.
paxil is used sometimes as an anti-depressent though it's highly effective as an anti-anxiety drug.
it's funny you mention that becuase I haven't been sleeping well, and couple days ago I told my buddy how I was getting to feel like Edward Norton in Fight Club, everything becoming a copy of a copy of a copy...shadd_. wrote:if it's bad enough, you'll go see a doctor. it's up to you.
sleep is #1 on your list. try getting 8 hours for 14 days straight.
As for SSRIs, they are a double-edged sword like most medications and drugs. There are a number of people have been able to take control of their life again using these types of drugs. But they do have a potential dark side.
Funny - anecdotal evidence is frequently used by practioners and advocates of things like homeopathy and other forms of natural or 'alternative' medicines, but they won't listen to anecdotal evidence for the benefits of prescribed medications.
Funny - anecdotal evidence is frequently used by practioners and advocates of things like homeopathy and other forms of natural or 'alternative' medicines, but they won't listen to anecdotal evidence for the benefits of prescribed medications.
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[xeno]Julios
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I have nothing against SSRI's per se. I believe they have their place in therapy.
It is the current climate of their usage that is what I have issue with. They are literally being handed out like fucking candies (i know it's a cliche but it's true), even in the face of research that shows that CBT would be a more logical option to try BEFORE taking the step toward medication.
It is the current climate of their usage that is what I have issue with. They are literally being handed out like fucking candies (i know it's a cliche but it's true), even in the face of research that shows that CBT would be a more logical option to try BEFORE taking the step toward medication.
Sorry Jules, I should have specified that the comment wasn't directed at you. It was a broader statement based on my observations/experiences with people who have an almost religious devotion to 'natural' and 'alternative' remedies as opposed to anything 'traditional.'
I agree, the climate today - prescribing pills left and right for anything and everything is not good. And I would also agree with you that SSRI's are overprescribed - often as a first resort instead of a last resort, and often in the absence of positive lifestyle changes.
I agree, the climate today - prescribing pills left and right for anything and everything is not good. And I would also agree with you that SSRI's are overprescribed - often as a first resort instead of a last resort, and often in the absence of positive lifestyle changes.
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[xeno]Julios
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aye - i was just coverin me bases with that last post
also a note about natural vs synthetic - I agree with you to a large extent - there are many "natural" substances out there that are harmful. But I have noticed a pattern:
things that are natural tend to taste better, have fewer or less serious side effects, and are healthier.
But this should only be taken as a general heuristic.
an example of ssri's would be synthetic ssri's vs st john's wart. The latter is natural and has been shown in a recent study to be as effective in some measures against depression, as the synthetic counterparts; yet does not have the same range of negative side effects.
But to me, the ultimate "natural" is that inspired by one's own minid - that is, substance free.
also a note about natural vs synthetic - I agree with you to a large extent - there are many "natural" substances out there that are harmful. But I have noticed a pattern:
things that are natural tend to taste better, have fewer or less serious side effects, and are healthier.
But this should only be taken as a general heuristic.
an example of ssri's would be synthetic ssri's vs st john's wart. The latter is natural and has been shown in a recent study to be as effective in some measures against depression, as the synthetic counterparts; yet does not have the same range of negative side effects.
But to me, the ultimate "natural" is that inspired by one's own minid - that is, substance free.
Last edited by [xeno]Julios on Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
i knew you were not getting enough sleep. if youre dealing with high stress you need rest.Cool Blue wrote:it's funny you mention that becuase I haven't been sleeping well, and couple days ago I told my buddy how I was getting to feel like Edward Norton in Fight Club, everything becoming a copy of a copy of a copy...shadd_. wrote:if it's bad enough, you'll go see a doctor. it's up to you.
sleep is #1 on your list. try getting 8 hours for 14 days straight.
what do you think makes soldiers go nuts during combat? high stress no rest.
ta keep it real if you wanna mealow out with some natural shit drink "camomile tea WITH VALERIAN ROOT"
make sure it has valerian root though...
http://www.1001herbs.com/valerian/
make sure it has valerian root though...
http://www.1001herbs.com/valerian/
tnf, it's not so much the 'chemicals' I mind, with pharmecueticals, bu the lack of proper natural catalysts to aid digestion and absorbtion.
I liken this to the same reason it's better to get your vitamins and minerals from natural forms, instead of taking a supplement. True in that at their core, minerals is minerals and vitamins is vitamins, but the body won't absorb as effectively the manufactured pills as it would say, the same fruits and veggies juiced.
I liken this to the same reason it's better to get your vitamins and minerals from natural forms, instead of taking a supplement. True in that at their core, minerals is minerals and vitamins is vitamins, but the body won't absorb as effectively the manufactured pills as it would say, the same fruits and veggies juiced.
why is that? do you have personal experience with it? you have a person here who was concerned enough to post about his problem on a message board. that to me says it is serious enough to not rule out any therapy he may need.[xeno]Julios wrote:stay away from this shit with a 100 foot kryptonite pole tipped with a nuclear warhead.shadd_. wrote:http://www.paxil.com/
thats what you want. couple it with a regular sleeping pattern for a month and you'll be good to go.
paxil is used sometimes as an anti-depressent though it's highly effective as an anti-anxiety drug.
the picture on that paxil site would be enough to put me off - that lass looks like she's probably tooled up.
sleep is really important, get lots. and making sure you're eating properly - socialise frequently - like going to the pub or cinema, that sort of thing. if you smoke weed, then start smoking a lot less, at least until the attacks stop. used to live in a shared house with someone that had panic attacks and those were the things that sorted her out.
sleep is really important, get lots. and making sure you're eating properly - socialise frequently - like going to the pub or cinema, that sort of thing. if you smoke weed, then start smoking a lot less, at least until the attacks stop. used to live in a shared house with someone that had panic attacks and those were the things that sorted her out.