hardrocker1
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2012
- Messages
- 46
Hello, I am bipolar and have panic and anxiety issues and also happen to be an RN, maybe I can give you some tips. I have a fear of heights so I take Dramamine about half an hour before boarding the plane and always get an aisle seat, thinking about looking out the window makes my palms sweaty, plus being in the aisle makes it easier for me to flee to the bathroom if need be.
I take deep breaths too, but what I do, is take a deep breath in and then count one one thousand, two one thousand, until I get to 5 before breathing out, in through the nose, out through the mouth, if I concentrate on counting, it clears my mind. I will also, in desperate situations, like lines in stores and probably lines for rides would be the same, I stare at the floor and recite the alphabet backwards. I have to concentrate to do that and it takes my mind off things around me, plus a lot of breathing, but slow, no hyperventilating.
I also like to think that others may feel the exact way I feel right then and so I watch people, sometimes I will focus on someone standing completely still and just keep my eyes on them and tell myself they are doing what I'm doing and this calms me, thinking I'm not alone.
I'm on bipolar meds and even though I'm a nurse, I'm against most benzodiazepines for anxiety. But, in this past year, with my son being dx'ed ADHD and evening times being the worst for the family dealing with his meltdowns, I told my psychiatrist I would try a low dose of Xanax. I don't take it everyday, just when I feel a panic attack coming on. It works within 15 min. of taking it and doesn't sedate me, but slows me down and calms me well. I wish I would've tried it sooner, it has really helped me immensely.
You said you are seeing a therapist, are you doing cognitive behavioral therapy? I did that for a year and it is a lifesaver if you do it consistently and get used to all your triggers and hot thoughts.
I went to the World back in 2005 and I remember sitting on benches and just concentrating on the scenery and sights around me when I needed a break. Although my family was with me, sometimes they were overly helpful and I had to politely tell them to go enjoy a ride and just let me sit alone for a while. It was a huge relief to be able to sit quietly on my own while I worked through my anxiety.
I wish you the best of luck, feel free to PM me if you'd like, I can tell you more about CBT if you want to know more about it.
Blessings, Michelle
I take deep breaths too, but what I do, is take a deep breath in and then count one one thousand, two one thousand, until I get to 5 before breathing out, in through the nose, out through the mouth, if I concentrate on counting, it clears my mind. I will also, in desperate situations, like lines in stores and probably lines for rides would be the same, I stare at the floor and recite the alphabet backwards. I have to concentrate to do that and it takes my mind off things around me, plus a lot of breathing, but slow, no hyperventilating.
I also like to think that others may feel the exact way I feel right then and so I watch people, sometimes I will focus on someone standing completely still and just keep my eyes on them and tell myself they are doing what I'm doing and this calms me, thinking I'm not alone.
I'm on bipolar meds and even though I'm a nurse, I'm against most benzodiazepines for anxiety. But, in this past year, with my son being dx'ed ADHD and evening times being the worst for the family dealing with his meltdowns, I told my psychiatrist I would try a low dose of Xanax. I don't take it everyday, just when I feel a panic attack coming on. It works within 15 min. of taking it and doesn't sedate me, but slows me down and calms me well. I wish I would've tried it sooner, it has really helped me immensely.
You said you are seeing a therapist, are you doing cognitive behavioral therapy? I did that for a year and it is a lifesaver if you do it consistently and get used to all your triggers and hot thoughts.
I went to the World back in 2005 and I remember sitting on benches and just concentrating on the scenery and sights around me when I needed a break. Although my family was with me, sometimes they were overly helpful and I had to politely tell them to go enjoy a ride and just let me sit alone for a while. It was a huge relief to be able to sit quietly on my own while I worked through my anxiety.
I wish you the best of luck, feel free to PM me if you'd like, I can tell you more about CBT if you want to know more about it.
Blessings, Michelle
