I was diagnosed with anxiety a few months ago. I didn’t even know that that’s what was going on until the doctor said it to me. Anyway, it’s gotten a lot worse in the last month. Things I’ve done every day my whole life are all of a sudden way too much for me. It really just all of a sudden hits. Fast heart, fidgeting, dizziness, worry, feeling like I’m going to pass out, panicking. It gets really bad.
How do I try and control it? I want to overcome it. Any advice? Does diet come in to it? Please help! It’s really getting me down
Help with sudden anxiety! Please
Help with sudden anxiety! Please
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression, Self Care, Health & Wellbeing
1 Replies
Once all other factors were ruled out (like heart issues and low blood pressure, low iron blah blah) and my symptoms didn’t resolve I found I need a mild anti anxiety medication (my dr chose diazepam). It was enough for me to get back on top of life and feel like I had some control over what was happening.
I went to therapy as well (not that I though I needed it) and realised that I just had a lot of stress. Normal dumb shit like busy with the kids, busy with work, busy with the house tasks, limited support, limited to down time I was just always go go go go.... throw in crappy sleep and it was just a recipe for disasters. I’m human not a robot.
Over time I looked at what I could change, was it important to have a clean house (well yes as it made my anxiety worse) BUT did it have to be the whole house? So the rooms I didn’t need to venture into often (kids rooms) I stopped cleaning every day.
Did I have to be at every school function and every appointment for everyone in the house, well no actually I didn’t but I wanted to so I changed what I went to and what I didn’t.
Did I have to accept extra work hours? Umm nope I mean the money was great but to the detriment of my own mental health, so I didn’t take on more than I felt I could (even though I wanted to) and no one thought worse of me for it.
Maybe explore the option of medication/therapy (either one or both) and take a look at what’s going on around you where you might be taking on more than you need to.
I’m no longer on medication all the time, but there are days where I still have a tablet to help keep me calm when my hearts racing or I’m fidgety or just feeling not right or when I know I’m going to be in a position where I’m likely to feel anxious. I look at what’s going on around me, sometimes I can put it down to a crap sleep or extra stress; other times no such luck and I’m like wondering why my anxiety wanted to f**k me up that day.
You’ll learn to manage it one way or another but you gotta listen to what your body is telling you too. Just breath and stay calm and let the attack pass the best you can. I try and do this *close my eyes* What can I smell? Breath in 6 seconds, breath out 6 seconds. What can I feel? Breath in 6 seconds, breath out 6 seconds What can I hear? Breath in 6 seconds, breath out 6 seconds. *open my eyes* what can I see?
Also a good book is 'Living With It', by Bev Aisbett. Have a read, when dealing with anxiety education is the key :)