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How did it start?

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How did it start?

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 420

Hello Missy Chrissy,

I was reading your post and I am understanding you to say you are feeling overwhelmed and trapped. Is this correct? If so I wonder if getting out of the house to walk or exercise might help with your anxiety and make you feel less trapped. I wonder if they have any parks in your area where you can go to walk with your daughter. Do you feel this might help you?

Red

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6252

MissyChrissy

I'm concerned about your weight loss. It could just be anxiety but have you been checked for celiac or gluten intolerance.

Oh and when you say your anxiety is aimed at your daughter I presume you are just worried for her health.

Davit.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 113

Hi MissyChrissy,

It sure does sound like you had a lot going on...what do you mean when you say your anxiety is directed at your daughter? What happens? Do you feel anxious becasue you have to watch her? What are you afraid of?

Sounds to me like you need a mini vacation, take some time for yourself to relax and just enjoy some you time, maybe share your thoughts with yuor husband, he could also help.

I hope all is well with you, let me know what has been happening.

Pat

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 10

Colleen -- do you have a hard time gaining weight also?

I'm also too low in weight, and the anxiety seems to be keeping me from gaining my weight back. I'm 5'9" and 118 lbs.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 10

Hi Pat,

Thanks for sharing your story.

My panic started 1 1/2 months ago. I had the flu back to back, the second flu being swine flu. My daughter gave them both to me.

While we both had swine flu, my husband went out of town to China. I was all alone, taking care of the both of us. It was by far the WORST flu I've ever experienced. I remember the day I had my first panic attack -- I was finishing a paper (for an online class), editing videos on my computer for Christmas presents, and watching my daughter all day. I was pushing myself that day -- I had so much to get done, and no one to help (I've moved recently, across country for my husband's work).

I sat on my bed exhausted at the end of the day, wanting to rest but my daughter was still awake. I remember feeling anxious that I still had to take care of her, when all I wanted to do was eat and sleep. Then BAM! it hit me. I thought I was having a heart attack. I called an ambulance, but I couldn't go with them because no one is allowed to ride in an ambulance with you. If I went, my daughter would have been picked up by a police officer and would have became property of state, or child services (is that the right term?) So, I called a far-away friend of my husband's who came from an hour away, who so kindly drove to my house, and then we all went to the hospital. The doctor said it was palpitations and mitral valve prolapse (but I've since seen a cardiologist, who says I don't have one... go figure).

I'm a stay-at-home mom, and I'm not sure but I think my anxiety is aimed towards my daughter. I'm in excruciating anxiety all day, and I also watch her all day. It's terrible -- I'm usually a very on-top-of-it mom, always caring, loving, doing everything. But not lately, I feel miserable all day every day.

When I was breastfeeding my daughter her first entire year, I lost too much weight for which also made me anxious. I am way too thin and attempting to gain weight. It's hard -- my stomach always hurts from my GERD and hiatal hernia.

But I remember feeling like she literally sucked the life from me. My body has been worn down since I stopped breastfeeding, but me and the hubby have been doing SO much (work work and work, moving, etc.) I didn't stop to take care of myself, and get back to good health. I also lost 6 pounds from the swine flu.

Anyhow -- Thanks for listening.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6252

Hi colleen

I live in the country too with two attack cats that will trip you and check your pockets for cat treats. My nearest neighbour is about two miles away. Oddly enough malls don't bother me unless people get too close. Ten people in a small house is a definite problem. I once had a panic attack in a shower, now is that stupid or what. Can't run outside screaming even if your neighbours are two miles away. To get back to crowds. Those people in a mall don't know you so they don't count. Not like the hallway in a school or an isle in a small town grocery store where people know you and might be watching you. I know it's dumb, but so are panic attacks. Ive been searching for a reason for panic attacks and can't seem to find any thing simple like alergys, food, medication, dust, although noise might be one. About the Celexa, it does sort of sneak up. It's almost time to see your doctor to adjust it up or down. No side effects?? Other people will want to know. There do seem to be a lot of questions about it. Might still be a while before you see full benefits. Good luck.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11212

Thank you for sharing princesspat.

As you can see many members can relate to your experiences. Keep working on the program and sharing your experiences.

Members, what worked for you when dealing with the fear of crowds?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 26

hi all

oddly, i find crowds comforting. i go to th mall, walmart, library or anywhere to ease anxiety. i live out in the country and my hubby isnt home most nights so i feel isolated and anxious. i'm not scared, i have a viscious dog, i just get anxiety and want to leave. its aweful/ sometimes i dont feel at ease anywhere, so i just mall walk to walk off the adreniline. that sux too cause then i lose more weight.

the celexa seems to be helping a tad bit davit. been almost 2 weeks. thanks

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 113

JGD84 and Davit thank you for taking the time to erad my story and to share yours. It is so comforting to know that someone out there, is like me and that I am not alone.

JGD84, it is so true about the media having a huge influence, I can think ofa dozen stories about people getting hurt in large crowds, at the movies, in protests. These stories are hard to get out of your mind once you hear them. And the fear of dying as you say, it so real at the time, that it is hard to even rationalize that it is just a fear....I think, this IS going to happen, I can't imagine any other way that it could end.

And Davit, you're too funny! I started out right giggling thinking of picturing those around me as naked, or as Disney dogs. I have never heard of this before, but I will be sure to try to, maybe it'll take my mind off things.

These are so helpful, if you are reading this please share your ideas and thoughts, I want to know what other think.

Pat

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6252

Hi.

Pretty much the same. This is interesting. When I was 4 or 5 I went to a birthday party and got picked on because I was the youngest and my older brother didn't want me there. Later in school I was a Catholic in a public school and we had to line up in the hallway twice a day. I used to get hot and puke. I used to get beat up a lot by the natives till my dad tought me to fight back. I hated school and crowds although I was so facinated by movies that I could go to them as long as I was in the dark. To this day I still start to sweat in crowds and have to send my mind off somewhere else to tolerate them. The thing is after I do this little mind exercise then quite often I can enjoy myself, but it does keep me from going to a lot of things by myself. If I go with someone else I'm usually distracted enough to tolerate it. But I still start to freak if I'm left alone. Some times I have to pretend I can't remember what I want to say and send my mind off some where else for a few seconds. I can do this because people think I'm old and batty. What really works is to visualize every body as different breeds of dogs. Disney type dogs. If that doesn't work think of them as naked. Now that can be funny, especially if there old and pompus. Thing is if you can some how get through the moment of panic then every thing clears up for a while. Now this isn't part of the program but it is similar to exposure exercises. It's all part of modifying the situation to fit you instead of being forced to fit the situation. You don't want to go through life hiding all the time. So every one out there, how do you cope???

Davit.

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