Anxiety

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I think you need to get to the route of the problem first.
If it is because the boyfriend is gone then I'd say it would be better to give some tough love but if its say work overwhelming her that's a different story.
Different triggers, different solutions.

Its hard to suggest things since I really don't know her but one thing that really helps me when I'm stressed no matter what the reason is watching ASMR videos.
If its a temporary anxiety like due to her boyfriend being gone that may be enough to calm her until he's back.
If its anxiety due to daily life overwhelming her then I'd say try that first but perhaps something like Xanax could help too.

 

[amberpi]

Clutter really bothers me as well. I never had a panic attack over it but it does increase my anxiety, for sure. (Not that I don't have some in my house!)

Oh, I've never had a panic attack over it, but it slowly just increases my anxiety. I'm actually on a pretty good spell of no panic attacks, I hope I didn't just jinx myself! One thing I stopped doing when I do have them is the breathing exercises, it'd make me more anxious that I couldn't get it right!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Oh, I've never had a panic attack over it, but it slowly just increases my anxiety. I'm actually on a pretty good spell of no panic attacks, I hope I didn't just jinx myself! One thing I stopped doing when I do have them is the breathing exercises, it'd make me more anxious that I couldn't get it right!

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply you did! Just referring to myself.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I have had anxiety and Depression all my life, but was only diagnosed in my 30s. I have anxiety attacks with crowds that are too much (think Disneyworld on Christmas Day), gatherings and parties, etc. My trigger is other people, so that makes it difficult to be on the planet because it's full of people, ya know?

I have been in therapy and that helped because my therapists have recommended regular meditation, which helps a lot. But just telling myself that it's okay was not enough. I was prescribed Ativan, which I take during an attack or when I need it to combat a fear (like flying). I don't use it like a crutch, but it's there for me as a possibility. But know that you can become dependent on it if you take it every day, which I know you and your daughter are trying to avoid.

 

[J'aime Paris]

I started meditation recently, and I love it!

I was having trouble sleeping, so I downloaded a free app onto my phone. It worked very well!

There are many categories you can find meditations for....anxiety, love, depression, wellness, diet, pain, etc.
Maybe your daughter could give it a try?

 

[Domo]

This is gonna sound convoluted, but it's important that the afflicted party knows that others acknowledge their pain. There's nothing worse than someone saying "it's just a phase" or "he/she is just down in the dumps/nervous/or worse, faking it. They need to verify their problem before they can tackle it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

ETA: As I just learned, you can go to any Labcorp/Quest Diagnostics type place and have any and every type of bloodwork done that you request without a doctor's referral as long as you're willing to pay OOP. I wish I had known this years ago when my health problems were at their worst. It would've saved me a lot of aggravation of having to plead with my doctor to get him to order certain types of bloodwork when he was already convinced my problems were just in my head.

Really, thanks for that info. My dd is sitting here confirming it. Very interesting....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not sure if she has clear triggers. Seems like when she thinks something is wrong, my head hurts, my stomach hurts that sends her into an episode. None of the episodes have lasted over a few minutes.

I will have to get a blood test done. That will send her right into a panic as she can't stand needles and/or doctors

I feel for you, really I do. My dd is extreme with needle phobia and has syncope in which she passes out. She is trying to beat it now since has to get more bloodwork.

I posted this on another thread, but my 21yodd finally got her lipid panel and her cholesterol was 990 and her triglycerides were 3905.

Hang in there.

 

[Snowflakey]

I'm also going to throw this out there, too. My DD20 just wrote a paper on research-based negative effects of social media on college age people. It was super interesting. She talked about how depression and anxiety rates in college age people are five times higher than they were in same age people during the depression era. The gist of it was this: social media highlights social status and popularity, and those who feel they don't measure up can feel subordinated and envious of others, which can lead to depression and anxiety; envy being the key to these feelings. Looking at others' postings and photos makes it seem like everyone else is out having a good time and someone only looking is not. Whereas posting photos themselves was found not to be associated with feelings of envy, because it gives them the sense that their lives are fun, too. Heavy social media use and having a high number of followers was also cited as causing more symptoms. Her conclusion was that "People need to realize that people post about the best parts of their lives and not the bad or negative parts, which can make others feel their lives aren't as good". I think it's important information for our young people today to realize, as their lives are consumed by social media. Things some of us can't imagine, like losing followers, or having a snap left open, can send some of these people into a complete tailspin. I think it's healthy for them to perhaps learn to put down their phones and to do things without them. All things to consider. (And OP I think it's also healthy for your DD to learn how to be strong and content with herself even if her boyfriend isn't around! That might be something she can talk to the therapist about.)

Very interesting! The thing is my DD is very strong and is managing just fine with boyfriend gone. She misses him is all. In fact, she has always been interested in becoming a police officer so

I feel for you, really I do. My dd is extreme with needle phobia and has syncope in which she passes out. She is trying to beat it now since has to get more bloodwork.

I posted this on another thread, but my 21yodd finally got her lipid panel and her cholesterol was 990 and her triglycerides were 3905.

Hang in there.

This is my DD too. She has passed out before at the doctors office for having a physical.

 

[Snowflakey]

This is gonna sound convoluted, but it's important that the afflicted party knows that others acknowledge their pain. There's nothing worse than someone saying "it's just a phase" or "he/she is just down in the dumps/nervous/or worse, faking it. They need to verify their problem before they can tackle it.

I couldn't agree more with you! Which is why I'm doing everything I can to get the knowledge so that I can support her as best I can. DH and her sister are doing the same. We are a team and when one hurts we all do.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This is my DD too. She has passed out before at the doctors office for having a physical.

I HATE that part but she is getting better with her system of breathing and Depends. (she has a lot of medical issues right now)

Last time her bowels let loose on the pass out, so she wears Depends as needed. Nobody knows and we call them super underwear, lol.

She also has taken control of the doctor's/nurses when in a "medical situation". She will ask to leave the room to catch her breath. It does not matter if it is a needle, procedure, blood pressure, etc. She is an equal opportunity passer outer.

 

[Christine]

Hey, TipsyTraveler and MysteryMachine: re: Labcorp or Quest. Where are you seeing that you can just go there and get whatever you want done? I've scoured the LabCorp site and I'm not seeing an option for that. What I do see is that I can buy lab orders online through a 3rd party, who will create the order and I take that to Labcorp. But am I missing something?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I couldn't agree more with you! Which is why I'm doing everything I can to get the knowledge so that I can support her as best I can. DH and her sister are doing the same. We are a team and when one hurts we all do.

Yep. Explains why we are all in pain.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hey, TipsyTraveler and MysteryMachine: re: Labcorp or Quest. Where are you seeing that you can just go there and get whatever you want done? I've scoured the LabCorp site and I'm not seeing an option for that. What I do see is that I can buy lab orders online through a 3rd party, who will create the order and I take that to Labcorp. But am I missing something?

My dd said you can walk in and get anything drawn you want, if you pay OOP.

I will ask them, since I have to go there this week.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Very interesting! The thing is my DD is very strong and is managing just fine with boyfriend gone. She misses him is all. In fact, she has always been interested in becoming a police officer so

That is what came out at me in the OP. She's been in a relationship since she was 15 and has been having anxiety since he's been gone, even asking you questions about what she should do about going to work if her legs were weak, etc. Not criticizing, just saying it's what came out at me. (You asked!) I don't know what their relationship is like, but you've also said you are her "safety". I can appreciate that because my DD and I are very close, too. But I guess what I'm trying to say is that the timing of these episodes may not be just coincidental. If she's used to depending on her boyfriend (even if she doesn't realize it), or you, then she may be becoming a little anxious when faced with making decisions on her own. No? Maybe? Just someting to think about and perhaps work on with the therapist.

Hello friends. Hoping some of you may be able to give some pointers on dealing with anxiety. This is for my DD. This all just started this summer. Well, I'm sure she has had it all her life but the anxiety attacks have started. She is 21. Out of the blue she is getting these episodes. Feel sick, hot, like she may pass out, worrying, etc. Happens at times when she is happy. It seems to go hand in hand when she starts to think about not feeling good (has a headache). She has seen her primary doctor who said it is anxiety and I agree.

She is in control as much as she can be. She knows it is her mind and that nothing can happen. However it still gets the best of her at times leaving her wiped out once it is done. She has had about 4 episodes - but I see her now worrying about things she never has. This morning she texted me saying "my legs are weak should I not go to work". She has never done this before and it breaks my heart.

I have no experience with this at all. I am her "safety" as we are very close. She has been in a relationship for almost 6 years now. They get along great however he is gone now for 3 months and I'm thinking this could be some of her anxiety - just not having him home.

I am in the process of making an appointment for her to speak to someone who specializes in anxiety.

I've talked about her breathing while an episode is happening. I guess is there anything else I can do or suggest? Someone suggested taking Natures Tonic - it dissolves under the tongue when you feel an attack coming on.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Whoa, I just have to say here - not sure it's a great idea to walk into a lab and have whatever drawn you think you need drawn. I mean, there may be a rare circumstance where that makes sense (like with someone who posted recently about rechecking LFTs or something before he had them re-drawn for a work policy), but generally, it would probably cause a lot of chaos and needless worry to have random labs drawn because you think you need to have them drawn. Let your doctor - who fully and completely understands the big picture - handle what labs they think you need to have drawn, IMO.

 

[Christine]

That is what came out at me in the OP. She's been in a relationship since she was 15 and has been having anxiety since he's been gone, even asking you questions about what she should do about going to work if her legs were weak, etc. Not criticizing, just saying it's what came out at me. (You asked!) I don't know what their relationship is like, but you've also said you are her "safety". I can appreciate that because my DD and I are very close, too. But I guess what I'm trying to say is that the timing of these episodes may not be just coincidental. If she's used to depending on her boyfriend (even if she doesn't realize it), or you, then she may be becoming a little anxious when faced with making decisions on her own. No? Maybe? Just someting to think about and perhaps work on with the therapist.

Not the OP, but Pea-n-Me, I think this is very insightful. It seems like the OP's daughter has had a huge safety net in the form of a boyfriend (and a mom) and she may be unconsciously feeling the effects of that "instability" right now.

I know upthread I discussed my own daughter and her issues, which started in college. As I said, hers hit when she's getting ready to do something fun...the more interesting aspect of it is that when she was living at home with me for about a year, it almost totally went away. It seems to bother her more living on her own. I think living on her own (be it college or now in her own apartment) as a little bit more stress to her life than when she's living at home with that safety net. Just some food for thought...

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I HATE that part but she is getting better with her system of breathing and Depends. (she has a lot of medical issues right now)

Last time her bowels let loose on the pass out, so she wears Depends as needed. Nobody knows and we call them super underwear, lol.

She also has taken control of the doctor's/nurses when in a "medical situation". She will ask to leave the room to catch her breath. It does not matter if it is a needle, procedure, blood pressure, etc. She is an equal opportunity passer outer.

I wish I could work with her.

 

[Christine]

Whoa, I just have to say here - not sure it's a great idea to walk into a lab and have whatever drawn you think you need drawn. I mean, there may be a rare circumstance where that makes sense (like with someone who posted recently about rechecking LFTs or something before he had them re-drawn for a work policy), but generally, it would probably cause a lot of chaos and needless worry to have random labs drawn because you think you need to have them drawn. Let your doctor - who fully and completely understands the big picture - handle what labs they think you need to have drawn, IMO.

I have been unsuccessful in finding a PCP that takes me seriously. Honestly, the *one* guy I can go to in my area is very nice but he has botched a few things, most recently the cardiac profile I wanted drawn. One time I asked my GYN to draw a Vitamin D test and he ordered the wrong Vitamin D test (yes, there is one that is not appropriate to use). Many years ago, my PCP refused to draw a ferritin when I was borderline anemic and I had to ask my endocrinologist to do it. It's just ridiculous. I'm tired of trying to convince these people to do something. For instance, right now I have a suspicion that I could have a minor nutritional deficiency. I may not, but I have some symptoms. When I brought it up at my last visit, my PCP rolled his eyes and said that I looked great. Well, I'd really like to have a nutritional panel done and I may just do it on my own. I know the answer is to "find a better doctor" but that's easier said than done where I am. If could have found one, I'd have been there already.

 

[Snowflakey]

That is what came out at me in the OP. She's been in a relationship since she was 15 and has been having anxiety since he's been gone, even asking you questions about what she should do about going to work if her legs were weak, etc. Not criticizing, just saying it's what came out at me. (You asked!) I don't know what their relationship is like, but you've also said you are her "safety". I can appreciate that because my DD and I are very close, too. But I guess what I'm trying to say is that the timing of these episodes may not be just coincidental. If she's used to depending on her boyfriend (even if she doesn't realize it), or you, then she may be becoming a little anxious when faced with making decisions on her own. No? Maybe? Just someting to think about and perhaps work on with the therapist.

Good insights! I know she is missing her boyfriend however she doesn't rely on him - she calls the shots in the relationship for the most part there is a reason this is happening but I'm not sure it is because her boyfriend is gone. He is gone like this every year. She is very strong and makes decisions on her own without the need of help from anyone - that's for sure. In fact, she keeps toying with the thought of wanting to be a police officer. She's gone on several "ride a long" in our community. So she is definitely a tough nut!!