Anxiety Attacks.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

I wish I could give you a good answer. The only things that seem to help me are time, and being distracted by something else (i.e. staying busy). Hang in there.

I *will* be busy, so maybe that's a plus. No time to panic, at least. Angst, yes. Panic, no. Thanks!

[innerSpaceman]

Regulating my breathing is all I need to get over an oncoming panick attack. By just paying attention to it, you tend to breath more deeply, more slowly ... this slows the heart rate, calms the nerves.

For more persistent anxiety .... I simply suffer it. No cure known to me.


BTW, if you're upcoming vacation is going to be your general life anxiety-reliever, I don't see how you could give it up. Postponement might be a neet idea though. (and if it's really going "back east," um, yeah, giving it up might be all the stress relief you need.)

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

I plan. And create solutions for my problem. Even if there is nothing I can do about it now, planning helps me. X amount away for this and put x amount away for that. I need to get wxy and z taken care of. I need to call these people and change these addresses. Etc...

Then I exercise. And zone out. Watching brain numbing TV or some mindless movie really helps me relax too.

I think exercise might help. The problem is the attacks are sort of hitting at times when I'm either supposed to be getting ready for work, or while I'm at work. Bah.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Prudence

And for coping and actually doing what needs to be done I make lists. Lots of lists. With entries like "eat lunch" so that I know some things will get crossed off and it's not just a list full of hard stuff.

I think lists and exercise are going to be the way to go. It's mostly manifesting itself as bowel discomfort, heart palpitations and slight breathlessness. So maybe some deep breaths are in order, as well.

I know I can handle what needs to be handled, and the lists should help me figure out HOW. Thanks!

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

I know you didn't ask for solutions, but as a man and an attorney, that's really all I know how to give. The solution is that unless you are going to forfeit a lot of money by doing so, postpone/cancel your vacation. Why, I have many pleasant memories of vacations/weekends that I've put off due to unexpected work explosions, the not-quite-so-unexpected death of my father, etc. You need time, and you need to save money to have a roof over your head (or so it seems from your tone). It's rare that one can actually remove a cause of anxiety. Here you can.

Can't, for mental reasons and fiscal ones. If I understand correctly, the flight (a birthday gift) isn't refundable. Also, I haven't had a vacation in two years, and part of this anxiety is the result of really needing to getaway. My parents can always help me in a pinch (I can bunk with them for a couple of weeks if I can't secure the place in the time planned). I'm sure some of this, in addition to the planning, is simply having to deal with the roommate situation while I'm figuring this all out. It's a sticky, sad situation, though it's not as terrible as I was expecting after breaking the news of my leaving to her.

Anyway, thanks. I do appreciate the advice. I'm sure that would be the easiest resolution, but it's not gonna happen.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

So, um, I guess I'm saying that I deal with the anxiety by completely forgetting about it afterwards. I suppose that doesn't help when it's still in front of you, as I'm learning myself right now as I feel totally unprepared for this move.

Coping with moves is supposed to be right below coping with death on the stress scale. I've had some close-call (how will I get packed in time?!?!?!) moves. I'll just have to plan a head and be packed well in advance. Good thing I've already started that phase.

Okay, I seem to be calming down a bit. You guys have been great. Really.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

BTW, if you're upcoming vacation is going to be your general life anxiety-reliever, I don't see how you could give it up. Postponement might be a neet idea though. (and if it's really going "back east," um, yeah, giving it up might be all the stress relief you need.)

I'm going to be staying in rural New Jersey, by a lake, peeping at leaves and reading books. One Halloween party gathering weekend with a bunch of friends, and then just my good friend R and I being lazy and doing not a whole heck of a lot. Not a stress to the wallet or the mind. And totally needed.

In the meantime, deep, deep breaths.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

I'm going to be staying in rural New Jersey, by a lake, peeping at leaves and reading books. One Halloween party gathering weekend with a bunch of friends, and then just my good friend R and I being lazy and doing not a whole heck of a lot. Not a stress to the wallet or the mind. And totally needed.

In the meantime, deep, deep breaths.

Yes, deep deep breaths! Also envisioning yourself in your bucolic New Jersey lake vacation can also help you relax and get a grip on the anxiety.

I agree (BtD?) with lists, they help a lot. I know all about needing a vacation and since I just crossed the great continental divide, moves can be stressful too. But, this is also where you call in your chits with friends to help you out, those you are comfy with, like help packing, etc. One box at a time and my big advice is, purge whatever you can! I found 3 boxes that I moved from CA to VA 7 years ago, still unpacked in a closet. Those got pitched pronto!

In the meantime, deep breaths and visualization lolling by the lake!

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

Coping with moves is supposed to be right below coping with death on the stress scale. I've had some close-call (how will I get packed in time?!?!?!) moves. I'll just have to plan a head and be packed well in advance. Good thing I've already started that phase.

True that. I feel like since I survived the move from hell (in which the house that we would be moving to wasn't available in time and the house we were in had already been given notice on) while nine months pregnant and planning a homebirth, there isn't anything short of death that could possibly be worse.

There were definitely anxiety attacks in that situation. I handled it mainly by freaking out a lot, crying, vomitting and pacing. Oh, then I made a plan. The plan helped probably the most.

[Kevy Baby]

A good escape from anxiety? Loud, rip your clothes off, head-board-banging, sweaty, waking up the neighbors, breaking furniture, make the cat freak out, pass out afterwards because you are hyperventilating, monkey sex.