Stress Center Peer Support

I have recently started the program and ever since my panic attacks have almost disappeared! I still feel some feelings of anticipatory anxiety and experience some anxious thoughts but I have never had a full blown attack since starting the program! The only time I have anxiety and panic is when I try to attend church. It just bugs me to have to sit in church for 1 hour and I can't come and go as I please. I know I'm not trapped there and I can get up and leave at any time if I want to but it still bugs me. I want to go to church but I'm just so afraid! Does anyone experience this?

Congrats on working the program, just remeber there is usually as reason that causes our pain. I do hope you are able to research the learn why and what is at the root cause or causes.
Is there a reason you can not be calm for an hour? Maybe go to a class instead. If I felt as you explain then I would have to ask myself why am I there?

That is wonderful for you!!! I suffered a panick attack a few months ago, (my first ever) nd the anxiety left behind was unbearable. I tried different medications, such as Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Paxil, and now currently just taking Prozac. It took a few months of untolerable side effects caused from the witdrawal of the Klopin and Paxil (Which was TERRIBLE) then, once I switched to Prozac, I started to feel some relief. I honestly started to feel like 'myself' again. This feeling lasted about 2 weeks, then my anxiety level started to rise again. (it seemed out of no where.) I had two panic attacks in one day on Friday, my first ones since the inital one. It is now Sunday, and I am filled with overwhelming anxiety again. I am terrified that I will have to live this way forever; in this constant state of worry and anxiety. What has helped you most in your journey? I am trying to go through this program, I am just finding it hard to let go of my anxious thoughts long enough to concentrate on the information provided. Any and only encouragement and advice would be SO MUCH appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Cynthia

You should be proud of yourself for starting the program! Now you just need to apply the steps in it to your everyday life! I know at this point it seems impossible that you'll ever be "normal" again, but you're probably just around the corner from being yourself again! When you're having an anxiety attack you feel as if the world around you is going to collapse and something awful is going to happen to you, but the most important thing to remember is that the feelings and thoughts will ALWAYS pass! I have suffered through hundreds of anxiety attacks, and even in the most terrifying and intense ones, nothing has ever happened to me! I have this fear of passing out and I haven't ever done it in an attack! I know it's difficult to believe but no matter how intense the feelings are, you will be OK!! Just remember to do your breathing and find something funny to do or watch! Talking to someone about this is the best therapy!

Hello...it's nice to hear that you are doing great . I go to church a lot and I've often felt the way you did--at first I couldnt even go because It was so long since I had been in one. Then sometimes I would worry about what I was wearing and whether or not it was appropriate or if I looked bad or something. This would sometimes prevent me from going at all in the past until I got comfortable with it. (Now..I actually have to ask myself why I used to worry about what I was wearing). I think it's normal to feel like you cannot sit there...I know alot of people who don't even suffer from anxiety that find it difficult to sit in Church, even for 1 hour a week. I think you're OK..maybe it will go away with time.

I get those feelings as well, Panic Free. I haven't had full blown panic attacks, but I do get anxiety and I work on it by eating the right foods, keep posting here, listening to the CDs and visiting my Psychologist. I start to feel better as I get some exercise in and can't wait for warmer temps to work in my garden. Paislee

I thought I was the only one who panicked in church, of all places. When Lucinda talks about people being afraid of making a fool of themselves in front of others and feel as though they would faint...well...I would. Faint, that is. I didn't know it at the time, but I have hypoglycemia now and also when I was a child. Low blood sugar was a recipe for disaster for me. Back then, you had to fast for 12 hrs in order to receive Communion. So, the low blood sugars caused those physical feelings (dizziness, rapid heart beats) which eventually turned into panic attacks. To this day, I can still get myself into a semi panic attack, but when I identify why I am feeling the way I do, I can always figure out I ate the wrong thing or not enough. I find myself repeating one simple phrase..."this is only a fleeting thought...it will pass". Then I breath slowly and calmly. And if it is low blood sugar, I know I can get up and leave and deal with it by eating something. Not a big deal anymore. Thank the Lord!!! Hang in there. And thank you for sharing. Apparently, I wasn't alone.

me too, i don't get panic attacks anymore since i started the program.. its a miracle. i am still struggling of course with the agoraphobia/anxiety... but i feel better than before. these last couple of days have been hard but i feel like i am getting a little bit stronger about pulling myself out of those dark/crazy moments. i am happy for you! (us!!)

3-7-11

Hi!

I am pretty anxious (off and on) today, as my elderly parents are moving to hospice care. However, I spoke with Mom and that settle my nerves...both of them are unexpectedly compliant and positve.

But the real reason I am writing is to inquire as to whether you ever had a panic attack that caused you to feel very sleepy and actually momentarily pass out. A nap of one hour made me feel great and even though this all happened at the ER and I had to stay overnight at the hospital for observation, I am a bit concerned. The medical term for it is "Acute Delirum". Sounds worse than it is, but I almost fell asleep at the wheel.

I am very happy for you and wish my sister-in-law could take medicine and this course. She became borderline agoraphobic after just one anxiety attack in a department store about 20 years ago. Any suggestions for her? Thanks, Snootyboots

Well, I used to have anxiety in stores all the time and I still do sometimes, but I am able to get through it. Stress the importance to your sister about this program! And if she needs to take medicine to get out of the house or go places, then that's OK! Tell her that I had anxiety attacks where I thought that I was going to DIE! But I made it through every single one. Tell her that she has life to live! Try just doing little things with her that she is fearful of! Baby Steps! I do hope that this helps! Best Wishes,
PanicFree