Okay, so, for as long as I can remember ( long before the SI began ) I have been experiencing these terrible 'attacks' that I have recently just labelled a panick / anxiety attack. The thing is, I dont know what to call them because I don't know how exactly to explain them. My very last hope, aside from seeking help, is that somebody on RYL ( my home of many years:) ) recognizes, and can relate to the same experiences...
- Lasting anywhere from ten minutes, to an hour in length.
- Racing heart beet
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness, light headedness
- Paranoia...Extreme.
- The strangest part ... it is as if I hear things different. Not that I hear voices, or other people...but as if everything I hear has been seperated in to individual sounds. Everything is intensified...clarified.
- I feel more alert, when in truth I know that I am probably not as accurate as I assume I am being.
I've kept a log of when these happen in the last few months... Ranging from daily, to once a week. None having similarities in the timing (work, homework, exam, watching tv, cleaning, etc.).
Please... If anybody knows something...let me know?
Otherwise, I have been looking into how and where professional help is available and the guidelines on informing guardians. I am 19, but with a family that expects nothing less than perfection from their 'bright, talented, university student'.
Thanks guys...
Love Always...
Angela*
Originally joined, December 2004, incase anybody remembers me from the old RYL.
angela, the things you describe do sound like a panic attack - i know you said there's no similarities in the timing and stuff, but do you find yourself thinking about anything in particular before an attack, or feeling yourself worrying? Normally there is some 'trigger' for an attack.
At 19 i really don't think anyone would have to inform your parents. I think talking to a counsellor would be a good place to start. Sometimes knowing you can talk to someone who won't judge really takes some of that pressure and anxiety away. And if you're worried before you get into anything, just ask them to explain their confidentiality stuff - normally they only report if you are a danger to yourself or others (cutting generally isn't reported unless it is extreme ie life-threatening).
I have had all those symptoms in a panic attack, some are caused by the emotions, and some are caused by the physical changes that your body goes though when you start to panic, such as dizzyiness and pins a needles because of you hyperventilating.
At 19, unless you are a danger to yourself, they wont tell anyone, and least of all your parents, they would probably refer you to a dr if they were concerned first.
You may have no similarities in timing that you can see, but I find that if your hyper alert, your body is already set up to panic at even the tiniest of triggers. Therefore my best advice is work on doing regular relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing, but counting to 7 for your breath in, and 11 for your breath out (I was taught this one its called 7/11 and if you cant breathe that slowly reduce the seconds, and work your way up to 7-11)
I have a little bit of twig in my coat which I fiddle with when I am out and about, it helps me focus on something other than my panicky feelings, so maybe get a bracelet or something to put in your pocket to feel and concentrate on when you start to have symptoms.
I hope this helped, anxiety is such a common problem, and there is lots of help available. Good luck with everything,, and PM me if you want to talk about anything xx (Im Marie,, nice to meet ya Angela :])
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Yes, I experience all of that when I get a panic attack. The symptoms are less intense for me now as I've done lots of work on understanding the triggers, and being able to reassure myself and stabilise my breathing. Focusing on the out breath can really help.
I think this is definately anxiety, i get all these symptoms too, especially the paranoia which seems to get worse the more anxious i am.
There are lots of techniques you can learn, talking to someone seems to me the best place to start. At 19 they wouldn't be able to tell your parents without your permission, only your gp if you were a serious threat to yourself.
surprising mystery - i really like your suggestion about keeping something in your pocket to focus on, might try that!
Hope things get better xx
"Because you don't notice the light without a bit of shadow. Everything has both dark and light. You have to play with it until you get it exactly right."
YES! They describe me exactly, sometimes when it's really bad it feels like my head's in a clamp with pressure each side.
I get really paranoid and notice everything around me, people passing talking amongst their selves, people hanging around, my mind goes into over-drive and i feel convinced they can tell I'm anxious or they must think i look like a right nut case, like there's a huge spotlight on me and everyone's staring.
My heart races and i feel like i can hear it (you know like in horror movies when they have the heartbeat sound effect). Sometimes when it's extreme my knees feel weak and my eyesight goes fuzzy like static on a TV.
