Aa
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Hi all, I am a long time sufferer of anxiety and panic. I control it with medication and a little therapy. I am looking for support. Today I took my daughter to the fair and had a huge breakthrough panic attack. It was blazing hot out and I left and brought my sad little girl home! I tool some Ativan which I rarely take, but I feel like an awful mother. Does anyone else get a breakthrough attack. I keep telling myself it doesn't mean I am going back to chronic anxiety. Thanks or listening.
Thank you all so much! Nursegirl you really hit home with me on the traveling tips. No matter how well I deal with my anxiety, traveling is still a rough one!
"I have a fear of traveling, even though I do travel the what if leading up to it is brutal."
This is a VERY common fear/issue among people with anxiety, especially panic. ANYTHING that takes us away from our comfort zone and "safe place" (usually home) causes us immense anxiety, and like you said, the anticipatory anxiety can be a BEAR. I know that if we'll have a vacation planned, I'll worry about it the moment I know about it, up til the moment we leave. It's awful.
Of course, usually, once we're on the road, or have reached our destination, I feel much better, but it can be rough without a doubt. Definitely utilize your PRN anxiety med for situations like that. When we travel anywhere, I usually take my Ativan about 45 min before we're leaving and let my hubby drive the first leg of the trip. Also, anything that causes distraction is great too, portable DVD player with your favorite funny movie or sitcom episodes, crossword/word search books, games on a smart phone. When I get engrossed in those things, my anxiety level comes down a lot.
No matter how long we deal with anxiety, there are some things that stay with us no matter what we do. For me, traveling is a biggie. I can manage it well and have learned various ways to cope of course through the years, but honestly, even when my panic disorder is WELL managed, I still struggle with that at least to some extent.
You seem to have a lot of great insight into your anxiety, and it sounds like you have a good plan, trying an increase in your Paxil, and doing some more work in therapy to help better arm yourself with coping mechanisms. I also recommend picking up a book or two about anxiety.
They can be so helpful, and there are some great self help books on the subject. The one book I think should be a MUST for anyone dealing with anxiety is "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" by Edmund Bourne. It's set up very much like a text book, which allows for a lot of "hands on" work that is very very helpful! I'll post a link to a health page I also created listing a bunch of resources. You can look through there and see if any books may interest you. Knowledge is power!
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Mental%20Health/Anxiety-and-Panic-Resources--Books--Websites--Self-Help-Programs/show/1285?cid=60
Best to you, keep posting!!
This is a VERY common fear/issue among people with anxiety, especially panic. ANYTHING that takes us away from our comfort zone and "safe place" (usually home) causes us immense anxiety, and like you said, the anticipatory anxiety can be a BEAR. I know that if we'll have a vacation planned, I'll worry about it the moment I know about it, up til the moment we leave. It's awful.
Of course, usually, once we're on the road, or have reached our destination, I feel much better, but it can be rough without a doubt. Definitely utilize your PRN anxiety med for situations like that. When we travel anywhere, I usually take my Ativan about 45 min before we're leaving and let my hubby drive the first leg of the trip. Also, anything that causes distraction is great too, portable DVD player with your favorite funny movie or sitcom episodes, crossword/word search books, games on a smart phone. When I get engrossed in those things, my anxiety level comes down a lot.
No matter how long we deal with anxiety, there are some things that stay with us no matter what we do. For me, traveling is a biggie. I can manage it well and have learned various ways to cope of course through the years, but honestly, even when my panic disorder is WELL managed, I still struggle with that at least to some extent.
You seem to have a lot of great insight into your anxiety, and it sounds like you have a good plan, trying an increase in your Paxil, and doing some more work in therapy to help better arm yourself with coping mechanisms. I also recommend picking up a book or two about anxiety.
They can be so helpful, and there are some great self help books on the subject. The one book I think should be a MUST for anyone dealing with anxiety is "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" by Edmund Bourne. It's set up very much like a text book, which allows for a lot of "hands on" work that is very very helpful! I'll post a link to a health page I also created listing a bunch of resources. You can look through there and see if any books may interest you. Knowledge is power!
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Mental%20Health/Anxiety-and-Panic-Resources--Books--Websites--Self-Help-Programs/show/1285?cid=60
Best to you, keep posting!!
You say you fear traveling? Ask your doctor if it is okay for you to take Dramamine when you travel. It is FOR car sickness, so may help you. Blessings - Blu
Thank you both so much! I take Paxil and I have Ativan for those rare occasions I need something. Paxil has been a saving grace although I feel about 90% better, my doctor wants me to up my dose by 10mg to feel my best. It's nice to talk with people who understand. I am looking into more therapy to help better my coping strategies and live my best life. I have a fear of traveling, even though I do travel the what if leading up to it is brutal.
Hi there. I want to welcome you to medhelp too. I'm glad you found this forum as blu says. I agree with her post.
Anxiety is a disorder and panic attacks are horrible. Anyone who has suffered them knows that. The unpredictability of when one will hit is very hard.
I'm glad you've sought some treatment for this. There are antidepressants that have generalized anxiety indications as well as panic. Is this the type you are taking? That is really the best thing to take on a day to day basis. some docs will then prescribe a short term fix for an attack that you would just take occasionally. And I can't say enough about adding talk therapy to this mix. They can help with triggers, coping mechanisms, life style strategies.
that is really the tried and true way to conquer anxiety and panic disorder. I do wish you the best and many here have suffered the same as you and can offer what has worked for them as well as just support and virtual hugs for the bad days. peace
Anxiety is a disorder and panic attacks are horrible. Anyone who has suffered them knows that. The unpredictability of when one will hit is very hard.
I'm glad you've sought some treatment for this. There are antidepressants that have generalized anxiety indications as well as panic. Is this the type you are taking? That is really the best thing to take on a day to day basis. some docs will then prescribe a short term fix for an attack that you would just take occasionally. And I can't say enough about adding talk therapy to this mix. They can help with triggers, coping mechanisms, life style strategies.
that is really the tried and true way to conquer anxiety and panic disorder. I do wish you the best and many here have suffered the same as you and can offer what has worked for them as well as just support and virtual hugs for the bad days. peace
Hi, Sydney. You came to the right place! I have the same as you, plus some other things as well, and control these with medication and coping skills. I have had break through attacks. They are worse than a 'regular' attack, I think. You are not a bad mommy. You did what you had to do for yourself, something every parent has to do sometimes in order to BE that good parent. When I have a breakthrough attack, one that I can't control (sometimes I am able to calm myself without help) I have emergency medication I can take. Horse tranquilizers, I call them. They knock me out for hours in about 20 minutes, and forget driving or doing anything else. So, I only do this in a REAL emergency, and have only had to do this twice in the past few months. Welcome to MedHelp, Sydney. Blessings - Blu
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