Dealing with anxiety, panic attacks etc..

[glitchrock-buddha]

I second the vipassana experience.

Probably one of the toughest things I've ever done. I wanted to run away the whole time. It ended up being quite inspiring though.

[nolus]

one technique that helps me a lot is just saying "yes" more often. next time someone says "do you fancy doing .... or going to ..." then instead of thinking things like "oh they're just saying that to be nice" or "i probably won't fit in" and "they don't really like me" just say "yes", don't even think about it.

the worse that can happen is you have a boring night out instead of a boring night in. on the other hand you might meet interesting new people, get involved in new shared activities or projects, generally start to live and interact more with other people.

when life comes knocking - let it in.

[AndroidoParanoido]

i'd avoid seeking any form of personal 'advice' on this forum. I am sure there are more useful online places that might give you more focused and balanced advice. Good luck.

i was not looking for professional help advice, after 12 years i know almost everything about anxiety i just wanted to share some thoughts with some people that are supposed to like and enjoy the same things as mine...share experiences..etc.
Thanks a lot anyway

[diverdee]

I'll second (or third) whoever mentioned ditching drugs (if possible).
Depression & anxiety pretty much ruined my life (as it was).
Went down the drugs route, fluoxetine & beta blockers etc. - shich did help up to a point.
More importantly I rarely drink Alcohol now, hardly ever smoke weed or take other 'recreationals', drink shit loads of water, eat a very healthy diet (with supplements) & even though i'm nowhere near the fitness levels I was back in the day's before the depression put paid to them I try to at least bike 10 or so miles a day.
Healthy body = healthy mind?
Yoga & meditation are helpful as well.
Of course there can be chemical imbalances etc. that maybe only medication will help.
Trying all the healthy 'alternative' routes can't hurt anyways - made a difference for me, although I stil have problems.

[jackmazzotti]

this is a sermon on this subject from a pastor that i tremedous respect for

you may want to skip over the dramatization of the stressed out woman in the first quarter of it

http://www.vcflewiston.org/ra/082006.mp3

[Sales Dude McBoob]

Hello, i use this forum quiet often with another name and i have choosen another nickname to talk about something that bothers me really much...
I am really insecure about my music too...at the end it always seems crap to me thanks

1) It's perfectly natural to think that your own music is crap. So don't let that weigh into this. When you eventually have a better balance in your life (and you will ! ) you will be able to hear things more objectively. There will even be amazingly happy days when you are actually proud of your creations.

2) If things didn't work out with your last girlfirend, it okay. This is only going to benefit you in the future. There is nothing worse than sticking it out with someone you are not compatible with. When you find the right person everything in life is going to be more enjoyable. It's really difficult to have to go through a break-up. Ride it out for now and look forward to the stronger person you will be because of it.

3) I went through hard times like this when I was in my late twenties. I was living in Boston and I was depressed. I didn't like my work (I was waiting tables and temping at the time), I didn't have a girlfriend and I was lonesome, I lived in a house with 3 roommates and they were nice people but I didn't really feel at home in my home, most of my friends were in relationships and spent the most of their time with their girlfriends/boyfriends, and my band had broken up. I lived like this for a year and a half. It was an awful time for me. I went through a lot of pain and I didn't have anyone I could lean on for support. It was a very taxing time emotionally and mentally.

Ultimately I finally pulled myself out of that funk by moving. I saved up some money and moved to New York City. It was really a blessing for me. I had to start over and find new people for my life, but most people that move to NYC have to do this so it wasn't very difficult to establish a life here. I mean, in a sense, it's now 6 years later I'm still fighting to establish myself here. Life isn't easy, but, in this new city I was able to pull myself out of depression and my spirits have stayed boyant ever since.

Perhaps a move would help you too. I had lived in Boston for 9 years and changing my environment helped me enormously.

The one thing you should do without a doubt is exercise. Seriously. Get on the floor and do 3 sets of 60 stomach crunches and 3 sets of 15 push-ups before you read the next post. Put on a good record and get on it. Do this at least twice a week from now on. No excuses!

All the best,
Sam

[djadonis206]

Whao - I felt like I was reading my own handwriting

Uh, yeah - I feel that way all the time

My music sucks, no ones charting it, Carl Cox hasn't asked me to do a track for INTEC and everyone makes way better music than me

My girl told me I have a negative / bad attitude about everything <-- just so I can protect myself from being hurt by people and life

I got a pretty decent grade in my last class but since some girl got a 4 point I feel stupid and like I don't belong

alot of the problem is comparing my life to everyone elses - I mean Donalds blowing up, I'm not

then I stop and look at what I do have, even if it's not what I want

A girl who loves me, a home to lay my head down in everynight, a job that pays, the opportunity to even make music, a support system of family and friends who actually like me regardless, the opportunity to go to school, talent to do whatever I want (if if I believe I'm not good at anything) and I'm pretty good looking <--- that's what my old lady said to me last night while I was playing Grand Theft Auto and ignoring her

oh and I have 2 great labs who love me regardless


Still I think Jesus hates me for something I did in 5th grade, asshole!

Edit* I'm starting to get comfortable with my beats as of late though - It's starting to sound like I want it to - but I'm no DJ PREACH or BEN SIMS <--> when I'm shoulder to shoulder with those cats on the production tip I'll be happy

[dpel]

fuck all those haters and good riddance to that awful cunt- you're better off.
smoke a fatty, or whatever, fuck her hot friends and most importantly,
play some shows/make some music. don't think about if it's good, just do it, only worry about the process, and being a good person in general. some people will like it, some won't.
no matter what you do. that's life.
that's how i deal, anyway.
now i'm married to a quality person and tour.
good things happen if you chill out and let them.
.02
cheers

here here.
up until recently i've been the "sensitive type" always trying to find the logical
and sensible solutions to my problems etc. you'll chase your tail perpetually.
but DK is right. grow a thicker skin, enjoy life while you can. life is too short.
pack up, move or travel for a year. let go of your convensions.

life is whatever you make of it. there is no manual. as long as your healthy and happy.
best wishes.
dpel

[blakflag]

First, know that you're not alone. I have suffered from the same anxiety/depressive disorder that you have. I've aso been through shrinks, pills, codependence etc.

Just let it it be known to yourself that you're NOT a loser, give yourself a BREAK, and take some time to acknowledge your pain. I made the mistake for many years of believing that my pain was "just in my head" etc. But pain is pain. It came from someplace and it has to get let out before it gets better. Better to let it out in a safe manner than go postal in the office or something.

I also agree with the advice to exercise, watch your diet etc. The mind and body experiences are totally linked. I'm finally coping better by exercising and Im losing weight to boot!

And if you have to answer why you have this "fucked up condition"... well better to think of yourself as "extra unique". That's what Van Gogh was, and thousands of other artists. Just extra unique. Comes with the territory.


PS You know what most people are who don't have self-critical thoughts about their work? ANSWER: too incompetant to know better. This means you're probably above the curve!

[knotkranky]

Hello, i use this forum quiet often with another name and i have choosen another nickname to talk about something that bothers me really much...i would like to know how some of you people (and i know we are a lot out there) are dealing with anxiety problems, panic attacks and general low self-esteem...
I am 30 now, i have started to have this problems a the age of 18 and it has been my worst experience in all my life...the sensation of not to being able to control your toughts and to be afraid to do everything (go out, meeting people , making relations etc) was too crushing at that time...i began a psychological therapy and i am still there now, after having done it with 3 different shrinks in different parts of my life, and i have gone through all the antidepressant, anxiety killers meds etc.too...i have reached some goals in life...i gratuated in political sciences...i had my girlfriends and relations, i did my gigs and everything....but there is always something telling me that i am "wrong"...in the wrong place in the wrong time...not being able to enjoy life and its little things...always too much focalized on my problems...naturally this is not happening without a cause, i had a quiet disturbed childhood, my father sometimes beated me...went away from my house for another girl, and my mother was multiple sclerosis ill, so her beaviour has always been harsh and selfish for this reason too...but on the outside we were a "normal" family...i have been insulted so many times by my parents...
Now, i have been dumped with my girlfriend...sure things were not going well, and sure she was not understandin me at some levels (i am talking also about interestes etc.) also if she has tryed to be really supportive with me so we had to break up...she said that sometimes i was too hard to deal with and that i did not give here the right attentions being the lazy fuck that i am....now she says to me that she is meeting another guy and i had a bad crush on me...my anxiety level has reached high levels again...
Anyone has experienced this kind of things???
I am really insecure about my music too...at the end it always seems crap to me thanks

This works wonders.

http://www.emofree.com/

[sgx]

I've got a question myself.

I don't have these issues, my older brother does. I'm 22, he's 25. He's always been the more quiet, geeky one. About a year and a half ago he failed out of grad school for Physics. I'm pretty sure he had a depression problem before that (didn't have a lot of friends, wasn't very outgoing, etc) but I think this bummed him out a lot. He basically sat on his ass at my parents' house doing nothing for a year and a half. He started going to a shrink and taking antidepressants after my parents forced him, but he seems the same. (I live at home for the time being now too - graduated with my Bachelors a few months ago and got a good web design job - just saving a few bucks before I get an apartment and starting paying rent in a couple months here).

He doesn't like to talk to people. Whenever you try to start a conversation with him, he answers yes or no to yes or no questions or "i dunno" to other questions and says nothing more. He never elaborates. He doens't start conversations. He doesn't have his own friends so he often follows me around to gatherings I have with friends from highschool I have left in the area that he sort of knows. He never says anything there either. At least he leaves the house I guess. He sleeps all day if my mom or dad are not around to wake him up.

He has no drive to do ANYTHING. Basically he does what other people suggest he does if its easy enough. He didn't go out looking for a job or anything while he was sitting around, and he didn't reapply to another grad school. My dad suggested he go back to grad school for atmospheric sciences (which is my dad's profession) and my bro was like "i dunno, ok i guess." I think he's not comfortable doing anything he hasn't done before like - get a real job - live somewhere other than on campus or at home - go out make friends, etc. So the going back to school route is just the safest next step. I have no idea if that's what he wants to be doing or what.

Anyways, I'm just wondering what I can do to help him. He gets a bit defensive when you try to suggest things like excercise, starting a hobby, talking to people more, telling him to get out of bed before 1 pm, etc. I haven't ever really pushed it and risked him being really annoyed. Should I get more involved or should I just let him work it out. Back in highschool I think I was on the verge of having some depression issues (probably did), but then I started making music and that really pulled me straight out of it. Writing music and other forms of creating really make me feel a sense of worth and I bet my life would be awful without it. My brother doesn't have that. He's like my dad the scientist and I'm like my mom the artist (or maybe he IS creative and just never followed that - our parents always pushed us towards the math and sciences in school).

Any tips? What would you guys with anxiety problems want your brother to do for you?

Sorry that was long...venting I guess. I've recently started finding my feelings going from sympathy to anger about the situation. It seems he doesn't do much to help himself.

[stew]

A change of scenary can work wonders; make a trip once in a while. The change of environment will set your mind on other things; allow some surprises in your life.
Cheers

WORD

do yourself some nice favours, treat you well.
Eat and drink healty, too.

I fully agree.

One more thing: Close the web browser, turn off your TV and go outside. Not just around the block to get a pack of smokes, but pack your backpack, hop on your bike and be away for three days or a week. You'll be amazed how much better you feel after a few days of fresh air, sunshine and excercise. This is what your body and mind were meant to do, not staring at your computer.

[njh]

i had panic attacks from age 18-20. decided to put myself on paxil because it was the only medicine out there for panic attacks.. since then i have not had one panic attack.
there are alot of side effects with paxil though. if you miss one day you feel like total crap like you are being zapped in the brain, have nightmares, and just cannot function without it.
when you do take it (and if you take to much) you get leg cramps and muscle spasms. also the sexual side effects are extreme. you can never climaxe the during sex if you have taken paxil that night. also if you are not really turned on you will not be getting an errection (like i said this is if you take to much of a dosage).
once you are on paxil you are pretty much on it for life. the withdrals of this drug are serious as heroin.
but the up side is no more panic attacks.
btw Everyone i know that has taken paxil always has the same side effects with it. these side effects are not like 1 out of 10 , its 1 out of 1.

[LOFA]

I started getting panic attacks when I first moved out of my hometown (nyc) for the beautiful but grey in the winter, Ithaca for my 2 year degree.

It first started when I quit smoking cigarettes.

it went away when I started again.

It came back when I quit again.

It got worse during the elections of 2000, while I was taking sociology.

It got EVEN worse when me and my long time ex broke up.

It got better when I started smoking again.

Then I moved here to PIttsburgh. It and the cigarettes are completely gone. It's been about 4.5 years since I quit too.

My theory is that reacting to a panic attack is not helpful. I feel they are natures way of reminding you that you have EXCESS energy, and that you are capable of channelling it into something to better your life. It's like your body is calling you out.

One quick solution is cleaning up or going for a run. Then, once you realize that challenging yourself by doing good things to better yourself wards off the panic attack, it becomes a self-improvement compulsion cycle instead. Soon you will find your health, your life and your self esteem are all much better and you will almost miss having natures little obstacle being around to challenge you.

Ultimately I feel that panic attacks are like training wheels to remind us we are not dead yet. Like alarms. My other theory is that later in life we don't get these warnings. We just get sick if we don't appreciate the opportunities we are given.

[macmurphy]

i had panic attacks from age 18-20. decided to put myself on paxil because it was the only medicine out there for panic attacks.. since then i have not had one panic attack.
there are alot of side effects with paxil though. if you miss one day you feel like total crap like you are being zapped in the brain, have nightmares, and just cannot function without it.
when you do take it (and if you take to much) you get leg cramps and muscle spasms. also the sexual side effects are extreme. you can never climaxe the during sex if you have taken paxil that night. also if you are not really turned on you will not be getting an errection (like i said this is if you take to much of a dosage).
once you are on paxil you are pretty much on it for life. the withdrals of this drug are serious as heroin.
but the up side is no more panic attacks.
btw Everyone i know that has taken paxil always has the same side effects with it. these side effects are not like 1 out of 10 , its 1 out of 1.

Paxil isn't the only med for panic attacks, njh. I was on Dothiepin for a while which helped stop my attacks. The only side effect was feeling slightly high, which wasn't really a problem! That was when i was 22-23. I'm now 32 and since then i've been on all manner of different pills, some good some awful. I guess it depends on the person taking the meds. Six years ago i was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and was told the panic attacks were linked to this. (i'm NOT saying anyone who has a panic attack is bi-polar).
After a coulple of years of my shrink an gp trying me on various combinations of meds we found some that work about 70% of the time. I now have maybe 2 or 3 panic attacks a year. I think you should stop taking the Paxil, it sounds awful! But see your doctor first and talk about the alternatives.

Be Good.