Anxiety

[wishuponastarforever]

Has anyone ever had an anxiety attack? What is it like? Do they build over time or just happen all of a sudden?

 

[Christine]

I have had panic attacks. They didn't start until I was in my mid-30s. Their symptoms vary. Sometimes they are mild, sometimes severe. Most of the time before they start I get a really weird sensation--I can't explain it but compare it to what migraine sufferers get--an aura that warns me it is coming. It's almost like a *doom* feeling. Then I will get shaky and will have trouble swallowing and just feel like I need to "run for cover." It differs for everyone though.

 

[kild]

Several years ago I had them. I had no warning they were about to hit. I also used to be a worry wart, bit no longer. I decided that it was not worth it and have been much happier ever since.

They made my heart rate go up, I would get dizzy, nauseous, and just feel pretty bad all around. It would last 5 - 10 mins.

 

[jeleebeene]

I have panic attacks every now and then, and for me, they can be sudden or a build up.

I have them in situations where I have to speak in front of people - if it is sprung on me, I freeze up and almost pass out. If I have warning, I dwell on it and have an attack usually right beforehand - and then I calm down enough, but hardly ever make it through. I even get them if I need to make a call, to say, an insurance company, a Dr. - some people would laugh at that, but those are things I dread.

There have been times, though, as to where I will get this feeling and my heart starts beating faster and I just feel like I'm caving in. And there wasn't a reasong behind the attack at all. Those, however, are less frequent.

I have gotten better, but still need to be careful. I was diagnosed with Severe Anxiety Disorder several years ago, but it is not near as bad as what it used to be.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Imagine a weight that starts in your chest and hits your throat so hard it feels like you can't breathe. Because you feel like you can't breath you start to try to breathe faster and more shallowly to better get oxygen causing you to hypervenilate. Your mind goes blank because of the panic.

It is really hard to describe a panic attack because I only remember not being able to breathe. I get them all the time which is why I take meds for them (DH and Remy call them my "crazy pills"). Alot of different things can set one off, mostly stress or fear. The worst attack was when we first moved to NY. I had never seen snow (I grew up in FL) and we had a "whiteout" condition. We had to go over this scary bridge and Dh was driving. Well, he drives fast and I couldn't see in front of us and I...well...I totally freaked out because I thought we'd get in a car accident and fall off the bridge. I hyperventilated and due to lack of oxygen I passed out. DH woke me up when we got home and I have never left my pills at home again. I also try to avoid driving in the snow.

Mine usually hit me pretty hard and fast, but i have had a few "sneak" up on me.

 

[4cruisin]

I used to get them a lot, usually while driving. Approaching and actually driving over bridges were terrible. It comes on as a feeling of apprehension and grows to the point of feeling completely out of control, feeling like you are going to die...sheesh...talk about a bad feeling. Through a lot of self help, I am now able to talk myself through one and can drive over a bridge with out freaking out, although I still get a mild feeling of apprehension.

Nancy

 

[Christine]

Exactly what is it with the bridges?

I have been driving over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge every year since I was 16 years old. About 2 years ago, I was driving to the beach for my annual trek and when I got 1/4th the way across I started to *feel* funny. All of a sudden my hands were gripping the wheel and I felt like I was going to drive over the side of the bridge. The feeling came out of nowhere. Now I have never feared bridges nor did I have an anticipatory anxiety or apprehension upon approaching the bridge. So what's the deal with bridges. Now I have a problem every time I go on that bridge.

 

[wishuponastarforever]

Thank you for the answers. I have an annual physical tomorrow so I'm glad for that.

I never experienced anything like this before last November.
That is when DH had a heart attack. The Doctor put in three splints on the right side and one in the left side. Thank God he is doing great.

That was the first time I started having heart palpitations and a strange over all feeling. I even seemed to have my focus go a little blury. I was tested for thyroid and the test came back OK.

It stopped after a month or so. Now I am losing my job due to my company down sizing - the same symtoms have appeared so I thought it may be anxiety.

I've always been a real Pollyanna and in my heart I know things will be fine - I just can't seem to stop having these symtoms.

Thanks - in some wierd way if I know this is anxiety - I think I will stop feeling as anxious????

 

[Christine]

Yes, once you accept in your mind that it is anxiety you definitely will feel better. I know that I can talk myself down now. I don't get the sheer terror anymore, but I'm not sure I'll ever be completely over them.