I need IDEAS!

[ThreeMusketeers]

Long story short...


I have been having severe panic attacks,about every 20 min or so. DH has to go out of town on buisness next week, so my dad who is still pretty young 55, is flying down to stay with dd and I. (he took a week of work, yes, he is a good dad! )

I work from home for a flower company.9-5 DD is in school 9-3:30.
I will be able to do some chatting btwn calls and work but no major entertaining.

My dad likes to stay busy. We live in a townhouse, so it's not like he can go putter in the yard, and he is not the loner type, so i don't see him going out into the unknown town and "looking around". Besides, I am pretty sure he is going to be staying with me to babysit my craziness. lol , it's been pretty bad latley.

I need to have something around the house for my dad to do. Any ideas????
I have things that can be fixed, but I don't really want to ask him to fix things on his vacation. I am looking for something anything ideas for things he can do to keep busy while visiting!

Please help!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I would just ask your dad what he wants to do. If he wants to fix the things around your house let him. If he wants to lay around and watch HGTV or read let him. Obviously he understand that he isn't coming to your house to be out on the town sight seeing everyday.

Do you have something like netflix or maybe a library card? I would take him to the library or order some movies ahead of time to keep him entertained while you are working.


PS...I know you know this but you have to have the anxiety helped. My mother lives with anxiety and I know it can litterally control your life. Please get some help for it. I hope things do get better for you.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I would just ask your dad what he wants to do. If he wants to fix the things around your house let him. If he wants to lay around and watch HGTV or read let him. Obviously he understand that he isn't coming to your house to be out on the town sight seeing everyday.

Do you have something like netflix or maybe a library card? I would take him to the library or order some movies ahead of time to keep him entertained while you are working.


PS...I know you know this but you have to have the anxiety helped. My mother lives with anxiety and I know it can litterally control your life. Please get some help for it. I hope things do get better for you.

You and your guy are so cute Tina! I love seeing the updated pics of you two!

I am taking Zoloft for the anxiety and of course i have the loveable xanex, but nothing seems to take it all away, and it comes on like a ton of bricks too, i can just be enjoying the day or writting this post and it just smacks me in the face.

 

[Nik's Mom]

First of all, I'm sorry about the anxiety attacks. I went through that before and it is not fun. Does your Dad like to watch movies or read? Maybe you can rent some movies or buy some books for him? Does he have a hobby that he likes?

 

[Nik's Mom]

Oh, I just thought of another thing. How about logging him into the Dis. We're a friendly bunch and will keep him busy for hours on end!

 

[clarabelle]

I like Tina's ideas. Movies, books, maybe have a box of chocolates in his room.
He knows what he is there for and won't expect much entertaining I imagine.

Does he like plants? My dad worked on my flower beds for me before.

I know you didn't post asking for anxiety advice -but if you are not in treatment I would get there yesterday! You don't have to suffer. If you are in some kind of treatment -tell them it isn't working!!!
This is nothing to be ashamed of. Get the help you need.

Have you tried any meditation? You can download guided meditation CDs from I -tunes. It might be worth a shot

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Thank you to all of you.

I like the downloaded itunes idea for meditation.


I think we will take him right to the library as soon as we pick him up.

I am sure I will keep him up late with my craziness, so he can sleep in late.

Hmmm...what are some other solitary things he can do? Although, I love the DIS idea, the computer is out since I will be on it for work all day. Hmm... books, movies, Any good TV drama's that I could rent for him at the library? He could watch the whole series. lol
We have a Wii, he seemed to like boomblocks when he was down last time, maybe he will play that?
He likes to tinker on things, i can't think of anything that he could tinker on though. ???

(thank you all for the support)


I think i haven't admitted to myself its anxiety yet. I still feel like something is SERIOUSLY wrong with me.

=(

I get all these muscle twitches, i feel like i am having a heart attack, (don't worry, i have been checked) I even wake up in the night having the attacks. It's awful.

Just awful.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Thank you to all of you.

I like the downloaded itunes idea for meditation.


I think we will take him right to the library as soon as we pick him up.

I am sure I will keep him up late with my craziness, so he can sleep in late.

Hmmm...what are some other solitary things he can do?

(thank you all for the support)


I think i haven't admitted to myself its anxiety yet. I still feel like something is SERIOUSLY wrong with me.

=(

I get all these muscle twitches, i feel like i am having a heart attack, (don't worry, i have been checked) I even wake up in the night having the attacks. It's awful.

Just awful.

Thank you for the compliment. Since we don't have children, I love to show off my husband to the world.

I saw where you mentioned taking zoloft but sometimes it's not working. After reading all this, I really want to tell you that I hope you get some help. I know it's difficult to admit but it has to be dealt with not just for you but for your family. Unfournately anxiety and depression does affect the whole family.

Now, I maybe off here but I think you moved not too long ago to an unfamiliar place. That can lead to an array of emotions good and bad and that can set in with the anxiety. I know I'm very nervous about our next move and a touch depressed thinking about leaving here after 7 years but that's normal.

There is a thread on the budget board about natural remedies for people that are experencing anxiety. I can't endorse them since I've never tried them but maybe it could be something to help you. Please do think about getting help. Control your anxiety, don't let it control you.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Thank you for the compliment. Since we don't have children, I love to show off my husband to the world.

I saw where you mentioned taking zoloft but sometimes it's not working. After reading all this, I really want to tell you that I hope you get some help. I know it's difficult to admit but it has to be dealt with not just for you but for your family. Unfournately anxiety and depression does affect the whole family.

Now, I maybe off here but I think you moved not too long ago to an unfamiliar place. That can lead to an array of emotions good and bad and that can set in with the anxiety. I know I'm very nervous about our next move and a touch depressed thinking about leaving here after 7 years but that's normal.

There is a thread on the budget board about natural remedies for people that are experencing anxiety. I can't endorse them since I've never tried them but maybe it could be something to help you. Please do think about getting help. Control your anxiety, don't let it control you.

lol, kind of scary how much your dis family knows your life.

Thank you for your wishes. I am seeing a doctor. Although, I guess i do need to see a psych. I am avoiding that trip. I was not depressed at all. The only depression I get is from the anxiety. And that comes and goes. (the depression from the anxiety, not the anxiety, the GAD seems to be with me all the time, the panic attacks come every 30 min or so and the depression hits at the end of the week and lasts a day or so b/c i am so fed up with all this crap) Maybe your right Tina, maybe things have effected me that I don't realize have???

 

[Disney Doll]

A psychiatrist will basically manage your med regime. A therapist will do the "talk" part of it. That isn't to say that the psychiatrist won't ever talk to you, but the bulk of the actual talking therapy is usually done by the therapist. It is important to do both in conjunction, and you will need to be patient while they change/adjust meds and doses to find the right "mix" for you.

If physical causes for your symptoms have been ruled out, then you need to start with the behavioral health side. You don't want this to rule your life, and there is no reason why it should!

I know there is a certain stigma attached to mental health, but to me, it's far better to get the proper help for a problem than it is to let it control your life. I am always amazed by the courage shown by people who do this.

Best wishes to you. You are in my thoughts.

 

[lovemygoofy]

lol, kind of scary how much your dis family knows your life.

Thank you for your wishes. I am seeing a doctor. Although, I guess i do need to see a psych. I am avoiding that trip. I was not depressed at all. The only depression I get is from the anxiety. And that comes and goes. (the depression from the anxiety, not the anxiety, the GAD seems to be with me all the time, the panic attacks come every 30 min or so and the depression hits at the end of the week and lasts a day or so b/c i am so fed up with all this crap) Maybe your right Tina, maybe things have effected me that I don't realize have???

I'm not claiming to be correct, not by a long shot. Unless you have always anxiety, usually at some point something triggers it. Honestly, I've had mild anxiety attacks for the last couple of months. Mine were triggered by my cousin's death. He passed away at 30. Realistically I know it was a whole lot of things causing this that I do not do but still freaks me out sometimes now. Odd isn't it?

My mom sees a therapist to help her through her anxiety and depression. She talks with her 2x a month and then sees another doctor once a month about her medicines. I understand there are many kinds of meds on the market and it maybe that you just haven't found the right one yet.

 

[Magic Mom]

I think i haven't admitted to myself its anxiety yet. I still feel like something is SERIOUSLY wrong with me.

=(

I get all these muscle twitches, i feel like i am having a heart attack, (don't worry, i have been checked) I even wake up in the night having the attacks. It's awful.

Just awful.

Please talk to you doctor about the twitching and the panic attacks. Not all anxiety medicine works for all people. You may want to work with you doctor on finding a medicine that works better for you. I had the same exact symptoms you describe (waking in the middle of the night, clenching chest, muscle twitching), and they have gone away 99% with the right meds. I also had a hard time admitting I had anxiety problems. I thought I was being weak, that I should just suck it up and get over it, but finally I had to admit I had a medical problem. Even now it is hard for me to talk about because I still feel some shame for not being "stronger" and able to handle it on my own. You can find help for this, and life can be100% better. You deserve that.

 

[clarabelle]

Does he like history or war stuff?
There are some good PBS specials that we have rented from netflix

let me know if you want titles