What if the anxiety doesn't pass?

sleeplessMom · Post by **sleeplessMom** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:08 am

My anxiety and panicky feelings are very acute. It doesn't just last 15 minutes then go away. Well I suppose the all-out panic (which for me I just shake and cry and cry) passes but the knot of anxiety that causes my hands to shake is there all day. I have trouble with telling myself "It will go away. It always passes" when it doesn't.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:38 am

sleepless....its hard to believe sometimes because those body symptoms are sooo darn real. But they will go away they seem to get better but still linger because its still something that you focus on. It happens to me as well....I get on with the day and then realize that that knot is still in the stomach or the lump in the throat even though the panic has passed. Its ok.

Also check your diet and what you put into your body...are you cutting caffine out? that will cause you to shake. Do you eat sugary foods while still not in total control of your anxiety? Do you take medications even some over the counter medications can cause some extra symptoms like nervousness and shaking.....decongestants antihistamines. And I say this not to scare you from taking your medications...by all means take what you need but maybe you wont be so scared if you have a reason for the symptoms.

Im not sure where you live if the weather is warm or the weather is cold and dreary. I myself am in the cold and dreary and I always have a hard time in the winter.....the ability to go out and excersise and enjoy lifes simple pleasures is so much harder in the subzero weather. So focus on the fact that Spring will come its just around the corner....and the anxiety that lingers in your body is just pent up energy that you will release really soon.

Its tough I know....I struggle myself off and on with symptoms and thoughts but its going to be ok....once we realize that we wont magically be "cured" that its an ongoing process we will both begin to feel less let down and do much better.

Good luck Summer.
You will be ok.
Dodger

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:16 am

Dodger,
I know what you mean about the weather. Winter is always hard for me. I am an outside person, yet I live in Ohio so I am cooped up in the winter. Sometimes it's just hard to get out of bed when the sky is so dark and gray. Yesterday at least the sun was out but today it's gray and snowy. Yuck! I am trying to be positive but struggling today.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:45 am

I was exactly like you as far as the anxiety not passing. I felt like I must some how be different because those around me seemed so much more resilient, and therefore nothing could really work for me. I got this program, which is excellent, but the difference for me was 6 months of the SSRI, Lexapro. I got to feel relief from the never ending anxiety, what iffing, obsessive scary thinking, and panic. That respite meant I could focus on the program and really integrate it. I think the key to the program is the negative thinking. If you can acknowledge that you are a negative thinker, like I was and sometimes still am, and work to change that bad habit, you will be well on your way to the peace that you desire. Think about it, it's the negative thought that "the panic and anxiety won't pass" that's raising your anxiety level, creating body symptoms which causes more body symptoms, which then leads to panic. The panic's after effects are depression which then leads to more negative thinking. On and on...In order to break the cycle you have to stop the instigator: negative thinking. Whether you do it with meds, through sheer will and determination, or a combination of the two, that's your answer. By the way, it will pass. Even if you do nothing, it will pass. It just depends how much time you are willing to waste in the meantime. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't waste another precious minute.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:24 am

Dodger: thanks for your tips, but I am out of excuses! I don't do caffeine or sugar or alcohol. And I live in NC where we have a warm winter this year (sorry folks). I have not been great with the exercise but have walked 30 min/d for the past 4 days and will keep it up. I had forgotten that I have a familial resting tremor, barely noticeable most of the time but during severe anxiety I tremble like I have Parkinson's. Since I haven't had much sleep, I should expect my hands to be more trembly than usual. I guess it is another anxiety symptom of mine that is uncomfortable but I shouldn't over-react to. You all inspired me in chat room this morning...I have had a much better morning, little anxiety but that knot in the stomach you mentioned. Makes it hard to eat...and that is another thing that makes me shake - low blood sugar, so I am trying to keep snacking on healthy foods. It's so hard to be patient, isn't it?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:26 am

jugray: I hope your day got better. Mine did, so there is hope. If you had asked me at 7 a.m., I would have said I was expecting a disaster like yesterday. "Just because you have a bad night, doesn't mean you are going to have a bad day". Hang in there.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:28 am

tweaky1h: You are so right about breaking the cycle of negative thinking, and my biggest fear being that it won't end. It's so hard to reframe thoughts when you are in the middle of a panic, or the deep depression that (for me) follows. I am feeling surprisingly good this morning, and am practicing writing more positive thoughts during this respite.

sandy krahn · Post by **sandy krahn** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:30 am

I thought the same thing for many months. What if's can be our enemy! I started my day, as soon as I awoke, telling myself what i had to look forward to that day.

Oh, there's a new episode of Grey's Anatomy tonight.

I want to wear my favorite jeans today.

It's supposed to be warm today, I may go for a walk.

Just anything to look forward to can help get you out of bed.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:19 am

sleepmom,
it will get better as you get the skills and tools and use them...think positive and notnegative..
i know when i had panic and anxiety i did not eat much. i had no appeitie and now that i do not have all the panic, anxiety, agrophobia it makes for a wonderful day and night..keep on trusting GOD and keep on praying and there will be a break through for you..
i live in n.c as well and its over 70 here today. we will have good weather until sunday and it will be in the 30s lol.
take care and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers..GOD BLESSS..
DON
what would you do if you did get better...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:01 pm

lilsismj: This is a great suggestion. I have started to at least pick one thing to look forward to, and my family at dinner time started asking each to share what was the best part of their day. (I got some surprising answers from my kids -- my 7-year-old said his dinner salad was the best part of his day. It was a pretty good salad!). Helps keeps the focus on the positive.