What is your number 1 hardest symptom to get rid off?

The_Prodigy_Son · Post by **The_Prodigy_Son** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:16 am

The first time I experienced a panic attack was on May 26, 2008, bought on by a number of extremely stressful circumstances. I must confess, what a terrifying experience the panic attack was. I could not function for 3 weeks, and stayed in bed. I had alot of generalized anxiety and just hearing the wrong words on a television programme would cause me to freak out and intensify the anxious feelings. I have not had another panic attack since the first panic attack and the anxious body sensations such as: a racing heart etc, have completely gone. I do not get them at all, due to I no longer fear either one of them anymore.

My problem is I still get the fuzzy head feeling, where as my brain feels loose within my head. Also occasionally I would experience a feeling of having difficulties breathing.

These two symptoms I would say are definitely my hardest symptoms to rid myself of and are very annoying. Although I do not feel anxious, these symptoms just seem to be automatic. Possibly it's my nervous system still going through the recovery stages. Any ideas? Also please post your most challenging and hardest symptoms to overcome.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:48 am

Hi,
well, my strange range of "head sensations" have lingered on/off for 3 - 4 months now, REALLY frustrating me and intermittenly concerning me. sometimes, i practice my skills well, and sometimes i don't. But just so you know, it has been told to me thru these forums adn with my private coach, that adrenaline can last a while if your body keeps sqirting it thru your system with "scary, negative thinking"
From what i understand , it can take a while to dissipate if you keep making it. The stress hormones are powerful. Does anyone else agree?

Carolyn Dickman · Post by **Carolyn Dickman** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:14 am

I agree LMN. Thank you for that info!! My hardest physical symptom to get rid of is shortness of breath maybe, though there are so many i have. . and feeling floaty. My hardest mood symptoms are feelings i will go crazy and that i will stop breathing/swallowing. Though it tomorrow an old symptom i used to get may come back. I hate how when i am feeling better (still not great) that I make myself feel bad again because i think to myself that this feeling wont last and that I'll just feel bad again. That us actually the BIG thing i need to work on because if i didn't have that . . well i might be happy and content

oh but anxiety cant have that, right? I think too much is my big problem, and not even about good things. . Just negative bringing me down things and what ifs. So much wasted thinking and time. Its hard to interrupt that cycle. Especially when i already let it get too far and than Its almost impossible for me to stop it. I have to let it run its course by then and wait it out and hope I don't bring myself down again with worries.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:30 am

The Prodigy Son- You are right - Once you stop fearing the sensations brought on by panic you stop having the attacks. This is exactly what happened to me. I used to hyperventilate when I would start a panic attack and of course the fear created more panic, and it snowballed like crazy. Once I stopped fearing them I stopped having them, and have not had a panic attack in years.

LMM- I agree these hormones are incredibly powerful. So powerful and intense that I truly believe we can become addicted to them. When my anxiety levels went down and I became much more calm and relaxed I thought there was something wrong. I wasn't used to feeling that calm without all the adrenaline "squirting thru my system" as you put it. I think I was so used to that adrenaline high I wasn't sure how to act anymore. I believe I went thru a withdrawal period from the adrenaline and now I would not trade that adrenaline rush for my calmness for anything in the world. I may not get as much done during the day - but so what - I don't want to rush thru life anymore. The things I accomplish now are more focused and deliberate.

epa · Post by **epa** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:41 pm

Once I stopped fearing them I stopped having them, and have not had a panic attack in years.

Thanks Prodigy Son for saying something so vivid...reading the line above was an eye opener, for me! So much so, that when I started to feel as though symptoms of heightened anxiety were coming on, I told those feelings/sensations, "you don't scare me" and it was as if immediately they disappeared! So much of my self-imposed limitations are the consequence of "what if-ing I have a PA"...I desperately try to carry on, regardless...and it's so good to know that I now have another very effective tool!
Thanks for sharing!

hope4peace · Post by **hope4peace** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:25 am

For a long time, my worst symptom was the heart palpitations, tachycardia, and so forth. But, I have been able to get that under control. Of course, once I did that, my symptoms shifted . . . I have had burning sensations and "icy hot" sensations in various parts of my body, but not so much anymore. So, let's move on to the next symptom . .. I have been troubled off and on with a discomfort on the side of my neck. Sometimes it has been on the right side, sometimes (and now) on the left. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it just feels a little heavy. I know I have a lot of tension in the back of my neck, and sometimes I have noticed the discomfort during a time of nausea, so perhaps it is caused by acid reflux. I have had many tests done already this year and I have been healthy. Yet, I keep wondering what they missed! I am thinking it is anxiety/stress related, for when I wake up in the morning, I don't feel it until I start thinking about it. But, I do still plan to see a neurologist at some point just to make sure it isn't anything neurological. I think my biggest fear went from heart attack to now MS (my mother has it and my father died from it). I just wish I could have ONE day symptom - free! I hope my body will realize that it is anxiety and will no longer give me symptoms. I want my life back! I'm tired of worrying.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:14 am

This is my first time posting on this site. My number 1 symptom is the anticipatory anxiety and then the panic when I am alone. I read what was posted about not being afraid of the symptoms but my thoughts and then the feelings that come along with all that anticipatory anxiety is the worst. For some reason I cannot shake the fear of having anxiety or panic when I am alone.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 12:11 pm

Hi Petra,

Being alone or travelling alone used to bring about my strongest panic attacks. I would travel by myself to escape my problems and get some perspective, but the being alone would land me with huge panic attacks. What has really worked for me is knowing that within 15 minutes it will all be over and positive self-talk. I haven't had a panic attack since I started talking myself down from panic attacks right when I noticed the first signs. I challenge all of the negative thinking in my head and realize how ridiculous I am being. Ex. No, everyone is not staring at me. My worst crime was instigating a panic attack by thinking my boyfriend was dead because he hadn't called me when he was supposed to. It sounds ridiculous now, but in the moment it is hard not to react to this thought. By positive self-talk I came to realize that there was a slim to nil chance my boyfriend was dead in a ditch somewhere and when he did call it was exhilerating. I'm glad I don't have to deal with that anymore. Hang in there. It takes a lot of practice.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 12:25 pm

My worst sensation is the nausea anxiety creates. This causes me to not be able to eat, then the acid problems, have developed ulcers in the past, severe wt loss, etc. It used to be the weird "skipped beat" heart thing (PVC) but I have learned its not lethal and I'm healthy so I ignore it. But nausea is hard to ignore when its 24/7 and wt loss is scary....so this I find that I can't float through or erase....this will be my biggest hurdle because if the anxiety stops, so does the nausea, but they feed on eachother. Make sense????

Faith_TX · Post by **Faith_TX** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 12:29 pm

My worst crime was instigating a panic attack by thinking my boyfriend was dead because he hadn't called me when he was supposed to.

Gosh, I can relate to this one. I will drive myself crazy thinking these thoughts like this. God forbid if I call or text and he (my husband) does not return my call immediately, I am positive that something awful has happened to him. And yes, I also realize how ridiculous all of this anxiety stuff is. I am doing so much better than I was 3 weeks ago, it is truly amazing!! I am chaning for the better daily.

My biggest fear that I have not conquered yet, is traveling far away from my house. I know I have to do this soon, but I am scared silly. Yes, I have the tools to stop the panic, but I second guess whether I am strong enough to do so when I "pick the day" to travel 30 minutes away in the busy city, and walk inside the mall!!! Scares me to death just thinking about it.