Help

@Angelwolf8930 Hi Angel. I’ve been dealing with anxiety and depression for about 20 years now. I used to think that way about people thinking I’m a freak. Now I’d post it on a billboard and I wouldn’t care. 😊. Even to the friends and family members who didn’t understand I just explained it to them and for the most part they got it and were very supportive. Have you ever talked to a therapist/counselor/psychologist? What about medication? I’m reading two books right now that have helped me. Feeling Good is one and the other is The 10 best ever Anxiety Management Techniques. They both give some very good insight on anxiety and depression.

I hold ice in my hand. The body sees cold as pain, so I jars my brain

@Angelwolf8930

Coping techniques that work for me: taking a walk, doing a crossword, organizing, reading. Whatever distracts you enough to minimize the anxiety.

@Angelwolf8930

I use a breathing technique called the 4 square technique. I breathe in for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, breathe out for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, repeat until better. It does help. I also take the prescription medication propranolol. It's a beta blocker that blocks the physical symptoms of anxiety without the mind-altering effects of benzos like xanax.

@Angelwolf8930 Hello Angel! Sorry to hear you feel you're family can't know, that must be difficult for you. For me, before and during a panic attack, I try to remember to control my breathing and slow it down, as fast breathing increases the rate of panic attacks and gasping for breath only makes the process harder personally.

On a lighter note, I try to distract myself before by counting to a hundred as it's somewhat a challenge to keep your mind occupied for that long, and setting a simple challenge is a good way to take your mind off the attack, minimizing chances of having a full panic attack.

Hope this helps, I believe you can do this 😊