Hi everyone, first post. Anxiety help?

[piscesgirl]

Hey everyone. This is my first post here... not ever... because I used to be a member here and it has been SO long that I can't even remember my old username.

But anyways, I'm here because for the past month or so I'd get random bouts of anxiety for no known reason.. I could be doing something I enjoy (painting, playing with my dog) and I'll feel nervous, out of breath, sweaty palms, shakey, dry mouth, dizzy/weak. and I'll go lay down on my bed watch TV for a few minutes and feel ok again...

The truth is there is no certain thing that triggers it but I have been under a lot of stress lately.

See, when it all started was when my parents left for vacation and I was at my house completely by myself during this summer. I wouldn't feel scared or anxious or anything at the thought of being by myself but it actually did start around this time. Maybe I was subconsciously afraid? I don't know.

Then whenever my parents came back my dog fell really ill all of the sudden. So sudden and she was so bad that I had to make the choice to put her down. This was after a $1,000 vet bill.

Now I'm about to start school and work again and with how anxious I've been feeling I just don't really know how to cope if I don't know the trigger of it.

I know I need to see someone professionally but that's out of the question for right now because I don't have anymore money to see a doctor, no health insurance or any of that.

So for the next couple of months I'm going to have to just deal with this myself as best I can.

I suppose I don't really know what I'm asking of you guys. Just to know I'm not alone? Stories? relaxation tips? Its happening more frequently and I'm worried

[littlemissmagpie]

Hey, I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with anxiety that badly. Sounds like you're having a bit of a rough time. Quite recently I've begun experiencing bad anxiety too and so I've been non-stop googling tips and advice! I'll share with you this breathing technique that helped me:
If you feel anxiety is getting bad or a panic attack is about to happen, try taking a deep breath for four seconds through your nose. Hold it for one or two seconds and then exhale gently through your mouth. It steadies your breathing and kind of stops your heart from racing so much. There is a lot of information out there on the web and hopefully it'll help you through. Hope things get better xxx

[bigmouth strikes - again]

I suffer from really bad anxiety and like you I don't really know what triggers it, but noticing the early signs of an attack helps me, I make a cup of tea and tell myself over and over positive things that I am able to do. Also eating something small helps me and not allowing myself to get overly tired helps, becuae lack of sleep or food really increases my anxiety.

[piscesgirl]

Thank you so much for those tips! I find they've helped me out a bit. When I feel one coming on I try and breathe evenly and it helps out a lot. I drank some tea last night and that helped me stay calm and be able to sleep :)

[piscesgirl]

I'm wondering how I'll do whenever it comes time for me to go to work since I can't just go and sit down and relax whenever I want to or go to drink some tea :/ I'm hoping whoever is my supervisor can be understanding with me.

[bigmouth strikes - again]

I do stop working when I feel on he edge. It is better to take preventative steps to stop it than have to calm down during an attack. I am always just really honest with my boss so she knows what I'm going through and luckily is very understanding. I make up for my impromptu cup of teas and walk abouts when I am feeling ok and make a point of working very hard and only stopping when I have to.