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Waves of Panic


10 years ago 0 6252 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Teebs

You are so close to getting control of this thing. 

Allowing the attack instead of fighting the anxiety is important because it is the only way you can shorten them till they stop. Fighting them makes you fear them and ultimately they become either constant or worse, longer even if they are fewer. This is where you start to say "oh your here again, go away". They might not right away but they will be shorter.
CBT is about being able to control something till it no longer has control and fades away. It is not about making it go away and never come back again. Using the tools that go with it is what does that. And you are doing that. So, see what I mean, you are so close. Keep at it.

Davit.
10 years ago 0 4027 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Teebs,
 
I think that my energy level is supplied in a great abundance so I can continue living, and it's up to me to harness and deploy that energy.  Too much of it can overwhelm me, so I can see why I suffer so much.
 
Another analogy is to a train, so that "Anxiety is like a tunnel, just drive through the tunnel, and you'll come out the other side".  This involves trust, so you might have to work with someone to learn this.
 
The other one is, "anxiety is anticipation holding its breath", and this might be a different way of looking at it.  If you like sports, a water analogy like "riding something out"  might help you more.
 
I'm glad you brought this up, since I'm having challenges with mom getting out, and forget my own experience.
 
I have a course starting tomorrow, and feel wired beyond belief the first day, so I can't sleep.  This subsides with time, and I can't afford the sleep disruptions, since I have competing activities which need to get done.  Part of me knows to schedule a massage before the class, but I'm such a tightwad on top of being a procrastinator and perfectionist(what a misnomer!).
 
All that energy hurts my ability to process...life...but I treasure the energy, since some people don't have it, or have less of it.
 
10 years ago 0 286 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Panic attacks, while they're the most miserable, seem to get the anxiety out of my system, so to speak. They happen, and then they subside and I begin to feel better.

When I'm using my tools to breathe into the fear that comes through anxiety - to face the anxiety head-on so to speak as I begin to feel anxious - I usually begin to experience some relief. I realize that while I'm feeling uncomfortable I'm really okay and safe and start to feel a little better without getting to a full-fledged panic attack. Then a bit later another "wave" of anxiety hits and I have to go through the whole process again.
 
Does anyone else experience this? It's almost like the anxiety attacks lasts longer when it doesn't become a full on panic attack. Part of me just wants it to be over as soon as possible, but is sitting with the anxious feelings, even if it makes them last longer, a part of facing them and, ultimately, overcoming them?


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