Anxiety is stopping me from what I love
Over the past year I had my first real panic attack. I went to the ER thinking I was dying.. found out it was a panic attack induced by a energy drink. I was home alone with this happen. Fast forward to months later I’m so scared to be home alone. I don’t want it to happen again. A few weeks ago I had yet another panic attack in the car by myself. I had to call my mom to come get me. Now I’m scared to drive by myself. Any recommendations for me? Truly has been a tough year and I’m ready to feel normal again!!!
Panic attacks suck. I've been going through one all morning and I just want it to go away!
For me, most of the time I know why I'm having an attack - like this morning. When this is happening, I just try to lose myself in busywork - nothing that I have to think too much about, but something that distracts me. Even if it's just playing a game on my phone.
When the panic attack comes out of nowhere - yeah, they're horrid. I've been in the middle of the grocery store and soooo embarassed because you just have to act normal and get through quickly. When I was younger - and as I think about it now, I didn't realize at the time I was having panic attacks - but I was driving home at night down the road and I freaked out. I literally slammed on the brakes in the middle of the road and wanted to turn around and go back to my friend's house instead of continuing home. But, I was horribly embarassed about it, so I just started moving again.
In my panic moments when I'm alone, I talk to myself. Out loud. I ask myself why I'm feeling the way I do. And if I know, I ask myself why I'm freaking out about it. Like today, I know the reason. It's about my son's grades. (I have an issue with grades that I hate and it always makes me sick). Now, we just started the new semester. But I know he bombed a math test. Now, when I see the gradebook online, that bombed test shows his overall grade for the class as terrible. Like failing. So that makes me panic about - how will he feel about it? What is his teacher doing about it and why doesn't she help more? What if he doesn't graduate? - Seriously, it snowballs with me. And if this was halfway into the semester, I could see why I'd be worried. But my brain won't tell me "hey - it's just the first week, and this is the only grade in the gradebook - you shouldn't freak out."
So I have to talk to myself. Talk myself down. I have to dig deep to find the logical part of me that knows everything is going to be okay. And then I have to give myself some actions to take to ease back from the panic attack. For the grades thing, maybe I stop checking grades online. Maybe I talk to my son about the grades. Maybe I talk to other moms who have the same issue.
Talking to other people is always great for me (which is why I start talking with myself first, if no one is around). Talking to other people - or posting here - it just makes me feel less alone.
In those initial moments of panic, it's all about grounding yourself for a few seconds (I breathe, or sometimes I just count), and then starting a conversation with yourself or someone else if you can. At least, it helps me to do these things enough so I can get moving again, even if I still feel scared.
Thank you so much for that advice! I know exactly how you feel, especially the grocery store or driving. I’m sure there’s a lesson out of why we feel this way! I just wish I can fast forward and feel fearless again! Wishing you all the luck! Xoxo
@lovelyma4
Hi, thanks for sharing! I'm sorry that this year has been rough for you already 
I'm trying to learn more about anxiety as I was experiencing it but not as extreme as you have.
I have learned that my work stress was causing me anxieties at night, hindering my sleep. I wish I could drink energy drink like you, but my doctor told me to drink more water (because I was experiencing palpitations). If I do drink energy drinks, I'll have to dilute it with water.
Have you talked to your doctor about it?
I'm also wondering what might have triggered your anxieties in the car -is it still energy drinks?
Hi I hope all is well with you! Thank your for your concern. I usually don’t drink caffeine, not coffee or energy drink person. I was studying for an exam last feb and I decided to stupidly drink one on an empty stomach. At the end of the day my heart started to race and light headed ness. I was just so unsure because this has never happened to me before. My parents weren’t home and I was so scared I was going to pass out by myself. I’ve been to the doctors and they’re almost positive it is indeed anxiety. I was prescribed Xanax as needed and offered to try Cymbalta. I’m not a medication person so I am nervous to try the Cymbalta. I have been using CBD oil and it does seem to help me sleep through the night and be more relaxed. It’s just getting back to driving and being alone. I’m almost positive it’s just the FEAR of having a panic attack alone again which then causes me to panic. I’m trying to work on being back independent and adventurous. Im in my 20s ready to be fun again lol. Thanks for listening!
@lovelyma4
You are most welcome! I hope that you make the most of every decade 
Panic attacks are definitely terrible but you aren’t alone and it’s really good that you have people to reach out to and rely on. If I were in your position, I would seek some kind of professional therapeutic or medical help so that you can make sure these panic attacks don’t happen again and so you can continue to live your life to its best.
Greetings lovelyma4, I hope that you are feeling better day by day. The suggestions are great! I have been suffering with more frequent panic attacks recently and I am so happy to have found this site! I am happy share my experiences as well. Have you tried the Calm app? It’s really helpful when you are experiencing a panic attack and when you feel one coming on. Also really good to meditate during your day. Helps at night too! I just started using CalmiGo and this has really helped me during times of early symptoms of an attack. No drugs only calming scents and slow breathing techniques. Great to have as your ‘go to’ in times of need! Prayer is always a plus! Hope that this helps🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Panic attacks really suck. They can seem to come out of the blue — and sometimes they do, but in my experience there are usually triggers. Finding out what those triggers are can help you feel more in control, and also gives you a chance to see it coming and care for yourself. I have been prescribed some meds that helped, so if this is long term and debilitating for you, I recommend seeing your health care provider and/or a therapist. It’s been such a tough year for so many of us. I have had panic and anxiety attacks for years but it was only in January that I landed in the ER for one. The nurse in the ER was so nice and told me they’ve been seeing a lot of young adults like myself come in with panic and anxiety this year, it’s been hard on so many in different ways.
@lovelyma4
I get you, panic attacks are awful and it is hard once they are bad and occur in places that we have to be in. It is hard to find the courage to put ourselves back in the situations that we had the panic attacks in out of fear that another one will occur. It may not be straight away but you are capable of fighting this and continuing. You are doing amazing <3
Same thing... Fear of being alone, going to the "trigger" places, no need for triggers little stress can lead to heart race... I just need to know is it worth and right to fight my fear? I can overstep my fears but if its safe 100%! But if there is more good ways to deal with this, I just need to know, how?
@lovelyma4 Try reaching out to a listener,here at 7cups.