Anxiety Attacks.

[CoasterMatt]

I'm more used to causing anxiety than dealing with it

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by 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.

That almost describes my Monday morning. And, yeah, it helped. But sadly it wasn't a cure.

[mousepod]

I know other people have suggested something similar to this - here's what I do:
1. Separate all of your anxieties into two lists: manageable (things you have the ability to do something about), and unmanageable (things that you don't). 2. Throw out list #2.

I probably picked up the habit in some anonymous group about 20 years ago... Works pretty good for me. That, and a hot cup of tea.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by mousepod

I know other people have suggested something similar to this - here's what I do:
1. Separate all of your anxieties into two lists: manageable (things you have the ability to do something about), and unmanageable (things that you don't). 2. Throw out list #2.

I probably picked up the habit in some anonymous group about 20 years ago... Works pretty good for me. That, and a hot cup of tea.

Fortunately, I've already done that mentally. And List #1 is freaking me out less, now that I know I can go home for a month before securing my own place. Phew, phew, phew!

I just need to remind myself that moving back into my parent's house, only for a month, is a step back so that I may vault much further ahead.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

Fortunately, I've already done that mentally. And List #1 is freaking me out less, now that I know I can go home for a month before securing my own place. Phew, phew, phew!

I just need to remind myself that moving back into my parent's house, only for a month, is a step back so that I may vault much further ahead.

It's not a step back, it's a step forward that will enable you to fly further

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Game plan!

Definitely going to move home right before I go on my vacation, October 25th. Have spoken to the madre and padre, and I'm going to rent a very cheap storage unit to store all my stuff, and then I'm going to come back from vacation, find an apartment (since I won't be paying rent, I'll have all the money I'll need) and enlist the help of my friends to move my stuff into the new place.

The only drawback is that I will have a very long commute to work from my parent's house, but that's hold hat.

I may even try to get my driver's license, since they have an extra car right now (a junker) that I can use as practice.

We shall see. I'm now feeling more hopeful and happy. Should I have another freak out, I will take heed of all your wonderful advice. Thank you guys so much!

[katiesue]

It always feels so much better once you get a game plan going.

[Not Afraid]

I got here a bit late and I see LOADS of great advice! I do what MP does. I think we got the same toolbox.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

I just need to remind myself that moving back into my parent's house, only for a month, is a step back so that I may vault much further ahead.

Exactly. You need to pull the rubber band back before it can fling you forward.

You have had much great and apparently useful advice here, to which I will only add that you should remember that you have many loving friends here who are ready to help you, if needed.

[€uroMeinke]

Ditto on the breathing - but I might further suggest taking a few really deep breaths, by which I mean start by trying to expell as much air out of your lungs as possible and the then holding for a three-count, then take that deep breath and hold it for a three count as well. A couple of these can really ground you.

I'd also add you might want to try some relaxation/meditation exercises. An easy one I do is focusing on different muscle groups in your body, tensing the muscles (with an inhale) and then relaxing them (on the exhale). Ideally, you'd have a dark room, and a clean floor to lie down on. Start at your toes and work your way slowly up your body to your forhead. It's important to visualize each part of your body (some guided meditation might also work) as this keeps your mind focused on something else, and not on what it is that stresses you.

As you work through your body you may be surprised at the places you hold your stress. In the future, you can sit in your desk and think of those areas as you do a couple deep breaths. I don't know about anxiety attacks but this really helps to keep me grounded as work stress hits me during the day.