What is happening to me

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2005
What is happening to me
7
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 8:47pm
Hi
I am new here. I experienced an anxiety/panic attack 10 months ago and I haven't come down yet. I am determined to do this without meds, but I see multiple therapists. I feel like I have sunk so deep into this I can't decipher what is real anymore. I am really concerned I am going crazy, even though I know on a certain level I am not. Everywhere I look I see anxiety, I am not hallucinating but I am very afraid that I might. This feeling of "unrealness" is running my life. Every moment I question reality, I don't trust anything. It is so hard to believe that this is anxiety. Is it? Has anyone really overcome this? Is it possible?
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 9:18pm

Hi there,


Welcome to the board.


First off, I ask you why you are against meds?


I had my 1st panic attack in April

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2005
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 9:53pm
Well, there are many reasons I have choosen not to take drugs( I have a prescription for ativan)... I don't like the way they make me feel( I feel trapped), but mostly because I really want to overcome this and not suppress it. I am open to anything that will help me though, even meds. I also have two children (one is 2 and one is 5), I have that feeling of "unrealness" even when I look at my children. I am so scared I don't know what to do, I can handle the physical parts of the anxiety...like the heart racing etc. but I can't handle this feeling of unrealness. I don't think I will ever get better which really sucks! I want to just ride this out and know that this isn't me. That these feelings have just been anxiety. It has been so long since I have felt "normal" I don't even know what I am wishing for. But, I just keep on going.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 10:02pm

WOW I can't tell you how many times I have said this....


"I can handle the physical parts of the anxiety...like the heart racing etc. but I can't handle this feeling of unrealness. "


You sound just like me. I feel the same way.. I just have to tell you that along with the lexapro and klonopin I am living a "normal" life. I was housebound for a few weeks, my heart would pound just going out in my yard for my kids to play.


I honestly believe that me being so scared of it makes it worse sometimes.. earlier I started to feel unreal at dinner but I didn't dwell on it.. I just kept eating and it went away.


My dh gave me a GREAT analogy tonight... I said that I was feeling a bit unreal (we know that being tired is a BIG trigger of mine) and he said its the same thing as when my kiddos are tired.. it effects them emotionally , same as me.. when I am tired it effects me emotionally.


Are you diagnosed? Have your Dr.'s rules out everything else?


Here are a few posts that may help you... the 2nd one was the 2st post that I had read on this board.


http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhpanic&msg=17512.1&ctx=128


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 10-04-2005 - 12:21am

Hello! It's a pleasure to have you in our caring community. You are NOT alone. I'm so glad Heather has shared the posts with you on the feelings of unreality. It is discombobulating & very scary. Even now, after having panic attacks for 35 years, I dislike that sensation & the thoughts that accompany it.


There are alternatives to taking meds. Meditation, belly breathing, yoga, massage, accupuncture, hypnosis, etc. have been successful for some folks. One needs to be motivated to practice these methods & have patience for them to work. We will support you in whatever choices you make.


For now, please post often with questions or concerns. Many are here willing to give you the help & support you need. Check out our chat schedule. Coping methods are exchanged there. You can learn to live a good life with anxiety. We care & want you to find that good life. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Tue, 10-04-2005 - 1:46am
Hi and WELCOME!!
It is anxiety! What you are feeling is disassociation
your mind is so stressed it is resting!! YOU are real
the things around you are real but it seems very not real!!
I KNOW the feeling- it is scary and soooo hard to live with.
Yes it comes and goes and you CAN get better!!
You are having anxiety about having anxiety---
to get over this you have to convince yourself that
if you do have a panic attack it will not hurt you!!
You already had one and lived! It is nasty and rotten but
will not hurt you- when you keep thinking about it your mind
is stressed and cannot deal with these thoughts!! Try to
change your reaction if you can--- I will be OK I will live
through this! I will get better etc.. this is self talk
negative self talk like I am going to go crazy needs to
be replaced with positive talk!! I am learning to do this
myself sometimes it is hard very hard to do but keep trying!!
There is NO reason why you can't get better!!
Chat with us tomorrow if you can!! Take care- Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2005
Tue, 10-04-2005 - 8:39am

I am so glad you posted. First off I would like to welcome you to the board. I am also very new to this board, I supposedly suffered my first panic attack Aug. 9 and I haven't been right since. I am with you the feeling of unreality is one of my biggest symptoms which then leads to the sweating/clamminess, shaking, sick to my stomach etc. I am still undergoing tests to determine if it is truly panic attacks b/c I also have a lot of burping every day, I tend to get that disconnected feeling, like I am going to pass out, and then I burp continous.

I am like you right now I am trying not to take meds, I am on Xanax but my dr. switched me to Celexa and the first day I took it I had 2 major attacks and intense burning, which led to an attack. So I have opted not to take it for the time being, I see a gastro dr. tomorrow.

I am hoping we both can find comfort from the people on this board, to help us get through whatever is going on. I have only been suffering for 2 months I know how you feel I don't know what normal is anymore. I also have a 6 year old and a 3 year old. so as you probably know it's difficult to get through the day watching a child.

I wish you the best of luck I hope you find the right support, treatment for you.
Karyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Wed, 10-05-2005 - 1:09am
Hello there, and WELCOME!
My name is shasta, and I am SO familar with the 'feelings of unreality' it is not fun at all. The only comfort I have is knowing I have this board to come to, where other folks are having the same obstacle. You are in the right place, and I know how unnerving the 'unreal' feelings are...I had that 'feeling' tonite even, and it is just awful.
The only things I have learned to deal with it is to tell myself 'shake it off' and then go and do something that 'occupies my mind' whether it be posting on the board, watching Tv, calling a friend, etc. I went to a new pdoc about 6 weeks ago, and am on Xanax and Zoloft, I do feel alot more upbeat and happier on the Zoloft, altho the anxious and unreal feelings remain, but my pdoc says that these feelings will improve immensely once we find an appropriate dose for me. I hope you can find some relief from these feelings, please know you are not alone, and keep us posted on how you are feeling,We Care!
hugs, shasta