New here

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
New here
10
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 10:32am
Hi all
Just wanted to say hi. I have a lot of personal experience with anxiety/panic. I'm finally getting to a point in my life where I'm understanding it and being able to get some control over it. I hope I'll be able to share some of my experiences with you all.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
In reply to: d_h_a_r_m_a
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 10:43am

Hi,


Welcome! It's nice to have you here... I look forward to getting to know you and getting you insight on anxiety and panic issues.


Do you have any advice or tips on how you have gotten to the point where you are able to understand your anxiety and accept it?


I have just been dx'd in April and am still having a hard time knowing that it won't hurt me...


I look forward to getting to know you...


Hugs,


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
In reply to: d_h_a_r_m_a
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 11:26am

Hi Heather
I've gone to therapy for MANY years. It's really hard to understand that the feelings won't hurt you but we have to recognize that that's just what they are...feelings and sometimes just thoughts.

My first experience with full blown panic was terrifying. I was driving alone from NY to MD and all of a sudden couldn't breathe. I started hyperventilating and getting tingly. Then my lips got numb and I thought I was going to pass out. I saw a bunch of construction workers and honked the horn to get their attention. They got me to a convenience store and called an ambulance. By the time the EMTs got there I was fine. I had no explanation for what happened and was terrified to continue driving. I managed to get where I was going and get back home but the feelings kept happening, especially when I was in the car.

I learned to recognize that my system was being overloaded by stress. Sometimes I knew where it stemmed from and other times I didn't. If I started to feel it coming on I would practice deep breathing and visualization to calm myself. In most instances, the feelings would pass and I would be ok. I have gone through this hundreds of times and it's just as scary each time.

Through educating myself on the disorder I know that I'm not having a heart attack or actually going to stop breathing, but that I need to slow down and gather my thoughts and slow my breathing and heart rate down through relaxation.

Does this help any?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
In reply to: d_h_a_r_m_a
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 11:31am

Yes it helps, Thank You!


I was wondering if ever get the disorentated, unreal feelings.. ?


That is my main symptom and that is what I have such a hard time with, I am afraid that I will go crazy... it is scarey. I see a therapist but she really says that all the work is on me... and their is really not much more that I can do for myself. She says that i am doing it all... I just have to work on accepting my dx for what it is and not something much more...

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
In reply to: d_h_a_r_m_a
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 11:35am

I've had feelings of unreality many times as well. I was actually diagnosed once with what they call depersonalization where everything seems unreal and sometimes you feel like you're having an out of body experience. That too is terrifying and I've thought many times that I was ready for the funny farm! Again, it's just your thoughts controlling you and it's really harmless. Unfortunately, that doesn't make it any less scary or real while you're experiencing it.

I had to learn not to give it too much validity. When it happens I tell myself "yes, I'm feeling kind of strange right now but I know it will pass. It's just a feeling and it can't hurt me." There's a lot of self-talk involved in overcoming this. I look at it as though I'm talking myself down off a ledge. Your therapist is right, we do have to do the bulk of the work. They can guide us and give us suggestions but we have to do it. It isn't always easy and it certainly isn't fun but it can be done.

Do you have a lot of stress in your life right now? Depersonalization happens to me when I'm undergoing a lot of change.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
In reply to: d_h_a_r_m_a
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 11:47am

yes I do have stress,

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
In reply to: d_h_a_r_m_a
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 11:50am
I had that problem when I was 16 (37 now) so I don't remember too much about it. I don't think you can really get 'stuck' in it but the anxiety it creates makes us feel like it will never go away. Sounds like you're on the right track to getting help and being diagnosed. Try not to worry too much about it and remember that it won't hurt you. There is light on the other side!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: d_h_a_r_m_a
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 12:03pm
Welcome! Nice to have you on the board. Please feel free to share your thoughts & concerns. Many of us are *old hands* @ anxiety & have learned new ways to cope much as you have. This sort of info is important to our newbies who're still uncertain about what is happening to them. Maybe you can add to our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. Check @ the top of this page for info pertinent to anxiety on iVillage, as well as our chats. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
In reply to: d_h_a_r_m_a
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 1:02pm
Thanks for the warm welcome! I love sharing my experiences because it lets others know they're not alone. Sometimes that in itself is a huge help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
In reply to: d_h_a_r_m_a
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 3:14pm
Hi Dharma!
I just wanted to welcome you to our warm & caring community. :0D
It sounds like you have a lot of experience to share with us, I look forward to getting to know you!
WELCOME!
hugs,
shasta
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
In reply to: d_h_a_r_m_a
Mon, 12-05-2005 - 3:16pm
Thanks Shasta!