Reducing Anxiety

[makani249]

So I had been doing well for about a month until yesterday when I had a complete melt down while driving. I forced myself to keep driving because I knew I was okay, but that impending doom feeling wasn't going to lift so I took .25 mg of Xanax. I know what the trigger was...I had a very uncomfortable heart palpitation that scared me senseless. After that it made it very hard for me to function. Anxiety is seriously impacting my life and I would like to know if anyone knows of anything that I can do to reduce it through self help. I think that it's really sad that I am a recent nursing graduate and I can't seem to calm down long enough to study, let alone take the NCLEX. (It's also one of my triggers) If someone had some helpful tips I am willing to try anything.

:@)

[makani249]

Thank you. :) It seems as if little things set me off. I just have now find ways to not let them get me started. I try to fight through the anxiety. Good luck to you in nursing school. I know that when I finished it was such a relief for me. I was a very determined student. :)

[jlroesner]

Hi makani!
I am a nursing student too.  I always wonder if my having anxiety will keep me from being successful and finishing school.  I can so relate to not being able to study!  God, it sets off panic attacks every time I open a book.  I'm scared to death of success and I'm scared to death of failure.  ARgh!  Anyway, enough about me.  You did so good!  Every accomplishment (like continuing to drive home) is a victory!  And all of us here know, just like you, with our minds that there is nothing wrong with our bodies, it's just we can't make our minds believe it!  I am a huge believer in meditation, like Allison.  We both love Jon Kabat-Zinn.  It's the only thing I've found to be helpful, aside from medication and therapy, after 20 something years of dealing with anxiety.  The results are not immediate, but they do come.  Hang in there, dear friend.  You are so not alone.

[makani249]

Thank you. I will have to try do yoga or meditation...I do remember that meditation calmed me.
I just some many health issues at the time and I am trying to get through them in one piece. One hour isn't a whole lot, so I will do that. Thank you for your kind words.

[Alisonj29]

Do not think its sad because you are a nursing student. Both of those words are stress in themselves. Being a nurse can be a stressful job, being a student can be very stressful. Anxiety is one of those things that can and will happen anytime, anywhere and when we least expect is. While driving is tough. Can you set aside atleast an hour for just you everyday? Spend it completely for yourself. Not work or studying. Exercise, learn how to meditate, take up yoga, read a good book. There are good books on Mindfulness by Jon Kabat Zinn. Take that time everyday and be completely positive. You are calm, you are happy, you are relaxed. Only repeat good things in your head, anxiety does not exist during that time.
If we can learn to re-train our brain on the positive and non fearful side we can eventually help alleviate the anxiety symptoms which will result in overall reduction of attacks. Dont let the one you had get you down. Forget completely about it. If you fear about it and dwell on it you will lead yourself into another attack. Think of that month you did well! That is awesome and you should be very very proud of yourself for that.
Hope this helps some. Hang in there, it will get better.