Terrible Anxiety Attack Last Night....

Sentinel

I've been dealing with so much stuff lately, and thinking that I was "doing alright". I'm not on any medication. I have had emotional issues due to times of severe stress years ago, and took medication, but the main thing is, I worked through all of that. I've been at a very good place, so when this hit me last night, it shocked me. It was different from a panic attack, where there is the feeling that I can't breathe. This was just an intense feeling of lack of control over things in my life. A feeling of desperateness and uneasiness, which alarmed me. Just so much inside my head going round and round, and no solution.

For some problems there just is no answer I guess. I think I need to accept that, and stop trying to fit into everyone's projected "mold" for my behavior and reactions. Easier said than done.

I believe it has to do with two issues. First with the latest family tensions over the issues of abandonment and rejection surfacing, after mom is shunning me again, I can't seem to get back to that good place I have been in. Family members seem to be on different levels as to how to deal with "her". Then, in our area, we have a "Serial Sniper", who is picking off people at random, zeroing in on them, and killing them. It's up to seven confirmed cases. This is in the area where I live. It has suddenly become dangerous to go about normal activities, and yet, how can you possibly see someone from as far away as 650 ft. with a highpowered scope rifle? It's a very helpless feeling.

Last night I could not sleep. I laid awake, with so much going on in my head, and feelings of great despair, worry, fear and uneasiness. Yet, I could not seem to actually pinpoint the issue. I felt so out of control, like I could die and there were so many unresolved issues yet to be worked out. I got up, went downstairs, walked around and drank some water, did some yoga breathing exercises, said my pleadings to the Universal Creators, and then finally was able to get to sleep around two, which only gave me four hours of sleep.

Today I am zonked, but I have so much to do in the office. I don't want to alarm my husband unecessarily, as he is going through some things himself. But, this does concern me. For months I have been sleeping really well and coping well. And now this.

I want to believe it's just a one-time occurance, yet, I want to be objective and not cover over something that might need attention. I don't want to be medicated. But, I don't want my ulcers to act up again, and I need my sleep. You can probably tell right now, how much I am worried about things. Does anyone have any suggestions for natural remedies, other than what I've already done?

I would appreciate any help here.

Thank You,

Sentinel/Karen

outoftheorg

Hi Sentinel

I don't have anxiety or panic attacks but I have found that kava/kava root or extract is a good sleep aid. Also a good work out before going to bed will help.

When things like the sniper in your area occur, it is normal to have some measure of anxiety. It helps me to reason with myself about the situation. The chances of something happening to you or your family are statisticly very low. We all face danger of some sort in every thing we do and we are not even very aware of it. Try to place the present situation in the same catagory as the danger of driving a car. It is dangerous, but we accept the risks and go on with our life.

Hope this helps. At times like this it is good to ponder the good things in life.

Outoftheorg

ugg

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Karen))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

scootergirl

I use to suffer from panic/anxiety attacks. It was an terrible feeling.......I can totally empathize with you. I went to a doctor and he prescribed Xanax for me. I used it for awhile until I could learn to control my attacks. For me it was learning how to momentarily detach, control my breathing and relax. It took me awhile before I was successful. I remember the day that I took the Xanax out of my purse and put it in the cupboard. Then I remember the day I took it out of the cupboard and flushed it down the toilet. Baby steps......I know you don't want to be medicated, but that was what I had to do.

Sentinel

Thank you for your replies and the big hug from ugg. I take to heart what everyone has said, and everything said is very true.

I will look into that kava/kava natural sleep aid. I want to try the natural route before going to the doctor as I know he would probably want to put me on something. I've been on medication years ago, but would prefer not to do that if at all possible. I do know that sometimes, we do have to take these medications short term.

Of course you are correct when you speak about the odds of being hit by a sniper's bullet being very rare. I'm sure none of the folks killed were worrying about dying like that, but then they didn't know they had that to fear. We can get killed in a car or hit crossing the street, that's true. These people were killed doing everyday things, shopping, filling up at a gas station, going to school, preparing to cross a street, and mowing grass. I think with everything going on with me, I felt that to die unexpectedly, with unresolved issues, would be a sad thing for those left behind. It just added to everything else.

Thank you for caring.

Karen

SPAZnik

((((((Sentinel)))))))

Deep breaths.

Positive affirmations: "I will get some restful sleep tonight."

Stop watching the news for a while. (they will catch the bad guy soon)

Get some exercise.

No caffeine after noon, or cut it out altogether.

In my experience, herbal tea containing Kava Kava is very soothing. They sell it at my local grocery store or you could try a herbal store. Not much is needed. If you can't find any, lemme know and i would be happy to send you some.

Good Luck Sentinel, we're rootin' for ya! :)

SPAZ

Sentinel

Hi Spaz,

Thanks so much for your caring concern. Right now I need all the hugs I can get.

Just as you suggested, the one thing that finally got me to sleep last night in the wee morning hours was the repeating of those positive affirmations. I kept saying to myself under my breathe, "I'm okay. This will pass. In the morning light all will be fine. This is only temperary." I believe I fell asleep finally out of sheer exhaustion.

I'm about to go up to bed now. I appreciate the offer to send me some kava kava. Let me see if I can locate some first. We do have a couple health food stores not that far away. Although, with these "shootings", I am not out and about like I have been. I'm always looking over my shoulder, as we are being directed to stay alert to our surroundings.

Today, while at work, I purposely kept the radio station OFF the news. Your suggestion was a good one, to just stop watching/listening to the news. That way it isn't pounded into my head so much. The news media sometimes does not know when to quit.

Karen

SPAZnik

ok, i will unlock my email for a bit so you can send me a note with yer address
if u decide u want me to send you the stuff.

sweet dreamz to ya.

SPAZ

Dia

My heart goes out to you and all those living where you are.

Keep in mind, you could get shot by a sniper. Or you could get hit by a bus. Or anywhere, anytime, a plane could fall out of the sky and obliterate you).

As a panic sufferer, I keep an article on my wall about a shopping mall that exploded when a water heater blew up inside. (How do you prepare for that????!)

You just never know.

Some things are just not worth worrying about.

There's nothing to do but do your best day by day.

Are there any loose ends that need to be tidied up for you to be prepared for 'the end'? Guardianship, setting down a will, etc. I'm sorry if this seems morbid, but it can also give you peace of mind.

A wonderful book which you might find enjoyable right now is called, 'The Gift of Fear' by Gavin DeBecker.

He would also say, 'Don't watch the local news' Because it's like having somebody banging on your windows screaming, 'Your life is in danger! You must listen to me!'

And THAT'S the 'normal' local news - when we're NOT faced with the things you currently are.

Our hearts are with you all.

Englishman

I posted this a while back. Maybe it will be useful.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=26881&site=3&page=1

Englishman.

Terrible Anxiety Attack Last Night....

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