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Challenging Worry

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-20 11:42 PM

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Addiction

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-08 3:54 PM

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Browse through 411.749 posts in 47.054 threads.

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11 years ago 0 177 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Fear of Vomiting and Panic Attacks

Hi everyone,
 
I have had a fear of vomiting my whole life, which became worse once I started experiencing panic attacks. In the ast year, I have thrown up several times, some with obvious explanations (such as when I broke my arm) and others I'm not so sure of. Is it possible that the vomiting may be caused by a panic attack, or from the anxiety in general?
I know those times I did throw up I was extremely anxious, but I'm not sure whether feeling nauseous caused the anxiety or feeling anxious caused the vomiting?
I have had many panic attacks in which I haven't vomited but I'm really confused. Does anyone know anything about this?

Thank you
 
11 years ago 0 177 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Anybody seeing "ghosts"

I get them too! One time a teacher said something and it reminded me of something traumatic that happened a few months before then. It was instantaneous, it was like I was back there again- I could see myself in that room again, see the people I was with in that situation and even feel those same feelings all over again. I walked out of the class crying, I wasn't necessarily anxious, but more shaken and upset.

I've never actually thought about calling them 'ghosts' before, that's an interesting way to look at it. I usually call them flashbacks or 'unpleasant memories' haha.

But the main thing with your situation is you don't have to worry about that colleague anymore, they're no longer a part of your life- just as it should be!

Kaitlyn
11 years ago 0 177 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
How can I stop?

Hi Shansi,
 
I've quite often had days like this, they are absolutely terrible. The things I've found help the most is doing something you enjoy, I usually watch my favourite TV shows or another DVD, do some drawing or a puzzle of some sort. Once you start to get into it, the anxiety starts to fade away.

Another thing that may help is to take a step back, think about what it is that's making you this anxious, like the music gig. Bring it all into your consciousness, write it down or talk to someone about it. When you write it down, you can work through it more rationally instead of predicting the worst.

Hope this helps,
Kaitie995
 
11 years ago 0 177 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I survived my graduation from high school!

Hi everyone,
 
Just wanted to share my exciting experience! My high school formal was last night and I managed to make it through the night, even though I had several panic attacks. It was the most amazing night and all my friends were so excited to see me because I've missed the past six months of school but I was able to graduate because I was an accelerated student and had done enough to achieve my Overall Postition and make it into university :D

I was so proud of myself, and wanted to show you all as proof that anything is possible :)

Kaitie995

P.S. sorry if some of the things I've said are a bit confusing, I'm from Australia ;)
 
11 years ago 0 177 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I survived my graduation from high school!

Thank you so much everyone! I love how supportive you are :)

And Matt, I will enjoy my summer (you did get the seasons right). Next step is to see if I can do my university studies on campus.

I probably wouldn't have been able to do it without my Mum, she's my main support person when I go out. And then when I saw my friends, it was like I was my old self again.

As for the panic attacks, the only thing I can suggest is to just let wash over you, there's nothing you can do to control it (unfortunately). No matter how much I just wanted to escape, and as much as I hated the fact Mum wouldn't let me, the best thing to do is stay there.

Kaitie995
11 years ago 0 177 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I´ve suffered from PTSD for nearly 3 years after sexual assult....

Hi AbbyRose,
 
What a terrible experience! And this is from someone you considered as a friend. It is totally understandable that you would start to lose trust in people, especially as the police didn't believe you- of course they could have used DNA evidence.

You don't have to feel guilty about the same thing happening to another girl, you're not responsible for this man's actions. Also, the police should have taken your statement more seriously as they are the ones who are supposed to make him realise the consequences of his actions. I know overcoming these feelings is easier said than done, but with the right support you will get there.

As for being unable to go out, you have come to the right place. Section 4 deals with exposure work and will help you take those gradual steps to gaining control again, and the best part is that you can do it at your own pace. The relaxation session may be helpful for your insomnia, and I always find playing calming music while in bed helps too- who doesn't love listening to the sounds of the ocean? There are also natural remedies available too.
Anti-depressants take about a month for the full effects to show, and finding the right dosage can be difficult too. I don't know how it works in America, but in Australia you need a referral from your GP to see a psychologist or psychiatrist. I think seeing a psychologist would be hugely beneficial for you, as they can help you process what has happened and teach you techniques to help with speaking to strangers and learn to trust people again.

Hope this helps,
Kaitie995
11 years ago 0 177 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Quote of the Day Part Two

I found a quote the other day that I thought we could all relate to.
 
"Nothing binds you except your thoughts; nothing limits you except your fear; and nothing controls you except your beliefs."
-Marianne Williamson
11 years ago 0 177 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
How Embarrassing!

Gosh, when aren't I embarrassing myself! Haha
When I was 11, I used to take everything seriously and to heart, I would lay in bed thinking about what silly things I had done during the day and punish myself about it and this continued for years. It's only been in the past couple of years that I've learnt to laugh it off, and now that I'm more confident I'm a lot less awkward. You definitely learn these things as you get older.

Now for some embarrassing moments.. There was that time I believed bananas were only bendy in Queensland (where I live) because our nickname is apparently the 'banana benders' according to a tv show that had just started and all my friends watch it. A few days later my friend came to school with a banana that happened to be straight and she said, 'Look Kaitie, it's a banana from New South Wales!' Haha awkward..

There was also the time I broke my humurus (ironic much?) falling off a slide in a park when I playing with my little cousins.. Only thing is I was 16 at the time, and then had to go to school the next day with a sling and tell everyone what had happened, even my teachers (I tried to lie but no one believed me). I didn't get out of any work though, I still had to write with that hand!


Oh and Shari, like your nuts ;) haha
11 years ago 0 177 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Nightmares and Panic Attacks

For the past few months on a regular basis, I've been waking up in the middle of the night because I'm having a panic attack. I think it's as a result of a dream and I'm usually able to calm myself down once I'm fully awake. At 4:30 this morning, I woke up in a panic and kept thinking something about I'm going crazy and there was something else too but I don't remember it, and then for some reason I thought a spider had bitten me and I thought there were spiders crawling over me. This is by far the strangest one I've had, but the worst ones are when someone vomits in my dream. I'm am extremely afraid of vomiting, and when I wake up I can literally hear the sound of myself vomiting (I have thrown up quite a lot in the past year, which has resulted in the return of my panic disorder and agoraphobia). After the initial panic, I'm usually awake for a few hours until I fall asleep again. Another strange thing is that these vomiting panic attacks always happen at 3:30am, not every night but when they do, it's at this time.

I'm just wondering if anyone else gets these sorts of panic attacks, where you've been in a deep sleep and suddenly wake up half asleep and in a panic? Do you think there is any way to prevent them, or help when I'm really anxious after it happens?

Thank you,
Kaitie995
 
11 years ago 0 177 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Nightmares and Panic Attacks

Hi Shari and Davit,

Thank you, it's nice to know I'm not the only one, I thought I was going crazy. I think that will be helpful Shari, I might do some research too and find out the facts, knowing the physiology behind it will be a big help. I've noticed that heat makes them worse, as it does with all my panic attacks, so I'll be opening my window and turning the fan on too. I do puzzles too, it's a great way to unwind and it takes all your focus.

Yeah that's definitely something I need to work on, replacing the negatives with the positives and actually believing them. My anxiety has an answer for everything, and that's what it's holding on to. Once I can distance myself from it more, it won't have such a strong hold.

Thanks again for your reassurance :)
Kaitie