Need Advice Please

[Cassie35565]

About two years ago i went through a divorce that left me heartbroken and feeling destroyed, and after this divorce i began experiencing what i was told were panic or anxiety attacks. The first one was really scary because i had never felt anything like this before in my life, i had never even had anxiety before, and all of a sudden i had this huge attack where i felt like i couldn't breathe, my heart was racing, i felt like i had to get outside, i felt like i wanted to burst out in tears, i felt so disconnected from the world like i wasn't really in my body anymore, I did not even want to be with my children  because i felt disconnected from them and like they were not mine,i couldn't eat, i couldn't sleep for about three days, it was the scariest feeling ever, and ever since that first attack i seem to have problems with anxiety and panic attacks. What i don't understand is how i can go from feeling  totally normal and never having problems at all with anxiety to feeling far from normal and having problems with anxiety everyday. Is my divorce the trigger for this? My divorce was such a big change in my life and i thought that maybe my anxiety could be coming from this and my reaction to the divorce. I just hate feeling this way and having these problems and just wish i could feel normal again like i did before, because some days i feel like i am going completely crazy. I have noticed that i worry alot more about things now, and especially death. I am so terrified of dying for some reason that every little thing that doesn't feel right for example if i feel dizzy which i have more often now, i start freaking out and thinking i am about to die and i feel like crying because i hate feeling this way and living my life in fear of the one thing i know we can't escape. I feel like i can't talk to anyone because i feel like i am the only one feeling these things and i just wanna know that i am not. I have to admit though that the anxiety and panic attacks have calmed down some and they are no where as bad as the first one, because i have learned to deal with them and just breath through it. but i am still worrying way too much and i just feel like i am losing my mind sometimes.  I am dealing with this without meds, not because i am against them but because i just do not like taking them and hate the way they make you feel. Also i have heard that some cause suicidal thoughts and i do not want that. I just need some people to talk to who are going through what i am and who can help me through it and give me advice.

[mjjlove]

I am 13 years old and am going through the same exact thing....All I can say to help you is when you feel like your having a p.a (panic attack) to just sit down close your eyes and relax..or try to ignore it the best you can,yes,i know it is hard..i posted a bulletin here asking for help so thats all i can tell you for now...some people say

panicyl works?!? i cant take it because im too young but it is an all natural substance
that causes no suicidal thoughts,addiction,or headaches,heart racing,nightmares or any normal side effects from perscription drugs.. the link to it is :

naturalpanicattacktreatment.com thats where i saw it at...but if you find something that i can take or solve my anxiety pleaassee tell me !!

good luck with meds...and your life....ahah...that was kinda rude but

stay fit and chillax!

tessa

[Kat-attack]

Dear Cassie,  You have already done something to help yourself.  You posted your feelings and are looking for some answers.  It seems like that helps your sub-conscience to realize that you are going to be alright.  I bought some books a friends of mine recommended.  She had really bad anxiety attacks.  Just reading them helped.  They contain alot of alternative therapies.  And I did cut out chocolate.  That tells you how bad I was feeling.  But when I feel better I go back on eating it.  But I do notice that reading the books helps me feel like I'm getting some control.  My friends did alot of the chapters in the book with a Ph.D.  that specilised in this field- talk therapy is really helpful.  The book is "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook"  by Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D.  You will feel better!  Kathy

[Cassie35565]

I just wanna say thank you for all the advice and support i have gotten so far, and i really do appreciate it. I can't wait to hear what others have to say and i am really glad that i have people on here i can talk to. I have not been using talk therapy but will definitely consider it because talking to my family helps me alot  and i think that could be a great thing in the end. I would like to try to do this without meds, but will consider them also if it gets to the point where i can not handle it anymore on my own. Again thank you to everyone.

[JSGeare]

Your post has inspired me to write up a journal entry entitled, "On Death and Dying." I hope you'll give it a reading and advise me on any meaning for you, or any questions it may provoke. The fear of death is BIG among panic people, and I attempt to explain why this is so. In your particluar case, I think you will see how your turbulent emotional life plays pretty well into the context I've outlined. I sincerely hope you find it meaningful and helpful.

And, by the way, there is a big, rewarding, joyful life out here waiting for you.

[hope_for_more]

I'm so sorry you're going through this.  If you can get into some form of talk therapy try that.  If you don't want to use meds then please do make sure you are taking good care of yourself.  Get enough rest, eat really healthy food, take supplements and get regular exercise, it really can help and surely won't hurt.

I had a similar problem when my first marriage ended rather suddenly.  I won't go into details but it did settle down and go away eventually when my life was back on track.  It got better slowly though and took several years.   I didn't use any meds so don't know how it would have gone if I did and while I wasn't in any official talk therapy I had support from great family and friends and talked their ears off.  

I'm so sorry.

[cj29]

What you describe is classic for the anxiety and panic cycle.  In fact that is what happened to me...I feel fine then all of the sudden, out of nowhere, it starts up again.  This cycle can continue and cause significant stress and cause you to lose your identity.  Specific stressors, like your divorce, can exacerbate the feelings of anxiety and panic. Have you talked this through with a therapist? (i.e, counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist)  Medication is not for everyone, but in my experience they are a helpful tool combined with talk therapy.  I have been on Zoloft and it has really helped me; and I was EXTREMELY against any forms of medications in the beginning.  As long as you express your concerns and work it through with your doctor, I believe they can help; but having said that, if you don't want to use them then don't.  There are many people that do not use them and they turn out fine in the long run; it is more of a personal preference.

The most important thing to do, in my opinion, is to talk it through with a therapist.  You would be amazed how much progress you can make just by doing this!  Keep us posted.

[dmbfan07cb]

I know how you feel.  It definately sounds like anxiety and panic, you posted here two years ago with the same type of problem.  I have been suffering from this for years.  I have bad health anxiety, any small sensation I have, I completely blow it out of proportion and think I'm dying.  I will even know it's proposturous, but I will still think WHAT IF this is serious and i'm going to die.  I took prozac for a year and was fine, never had suicidal thoughts.  I am actually going back to the Doc to get back on it tomorrow.  It was a mistake for me to ever come off them, it really helped.  But alot of people can do it without medication and some cant.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE, I PROMISE!  If you ever need someone to talk to about it you can message me on here, I hope you get to feeling better.  

-Doug