I have been having several anxiety attacks the past couple weeks with everything going on with my family member and then just my family in general. When I have an anxiety attack it usually starts off with my head feeling like it is being squeezed in a vice and the my chest gets real tight and I can’t breathe. I usually am able to control them by breathing and going to a quite place but they have been lasting longer and longer. So this week I decided to do my sourced blog on anxiety.
Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state that is characterized by cognitive, somatic, emotional m and behavioral components. All these combine to make an unpleasant feeling, such as the tightening in my chest. It can typically be associated with uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry. Anxiety is a mood condition that often occurs without any obvious triggering stimulus. I can be sitting here watching television, fine and peachy, and then my chest starts tightening and I can’t breathe. It is distinguished from fear because fear there is a presence of an observed threat. Anxiety is the result of threats that are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable. Another way to look at anxiety is as a “future-oriented mood state in which one is ready or prepared to attempt to cope with upcoming negative events.” Future vs. present danger is a distinguishing factor between fear and anxiety. A small amount of anxiety is normal. It is a normal reaction to stress. It may help someone deal with a difficult situation, by prompting someone to cope with it. When it comes excessive, it may be classified as an anxiety disorder.
Some symptoms of anxiety is irrational fear or dread, muscle tension, headaches, jaw-clenching, teeth-grinding, insomnia, restlessness, and chest pain or pressure shortness of breath just to name a few. I, myself, suffer from all of these. I used to be able to control it by concentrating on my breathing, going t a quite place, and just relaxing. But that is getting harder and harder to do because when it is quiet and I am alone, my mind wonders even more. I am not a big fan of taking medication. I hardly ever even take Tylenol. But I really think I am going to have to seek help from a doctor on this one. Even it is just for a little while because it is starting to affect my loved ones and my work and school both.
Wish me luck. If anyone has any ideas on other ways to help I would greatly appreciate it.
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I suffered from horrible anxiety after some medical trauma I endured. I would get panic attacks as a result from my PTSD. There is nothing worse, and I completely feel for you. Mine usually started with tunnel vision and severe cotton mouth, that's how I could tell one was creeping up on me. Take care and try to avoid stress..even thought that may seem like an impossibility.
ReplyDeletePanic attacks suck. I've had them for a *long* time, and once I've fought through one, I'm pretty useless until I've had a full night's sleep.
ReplyDeleteI've found that plain, black coffee heads mine off--sometimes it stops them, sometimes it just postpones them until I've got time to deal with them. I've also found that muscle relaxers help to fully stop the attacks once they've started (my muscle relaxer of choice is either a good single malt Scotch, or a good 8+ year old bourbon).
I don't know if the first would help for you, but I'd warn you to be *very careful* of the second, especially if you have a family history of addictions. If you don't want to risk it, do talk to your doctor. Panic attacks can seriously damage your health.