Today I had a bad anxiety/panic attack. I thought I was recovering from my daughters wedding quite well, and we did a bit of shopping this morning - but walking back to the car I felt really fatigued, so got in the car and then broke into a cold sweat and felt a bit dizzy. After about 15 minutes trying to calm down (which I did mostly) my wife drove us home, and I called 111. A nurse rang back quickly and referred me to my GP so I called them but as a single GP practice they had nobody available so asked me to visit the walk in centre - which in this area is now co-located with A&E (which helped to reassure me). They were very good, did blood pressure, ECG, listened to my heart, said I hadnāt had another stroke and then had a good chat with me about managing anxiety. I feel fine now (still a bit anxious) and have my second CBT session next week - so Iām hoping that will start to help. These episodes are really difficult.
Panic attacks can be really scary & you have to try & control your breathing when you get one. Sounds easy right? Itās anything but. The effects of fatigue can make you anxious but in time you should get to learn how it makes you feel & recognise the difference between something you need to worry about & something you donāt.
I had two panic attacks within the first 3 months after my stroke but have had them before years ago, so new the symptoms. Still scary though. They occurred overnight in the āsmall hoursā (always the worst time!) but tried to reason with myself - I was driving the next day on holiday and had only just started driving again so still quite nervous about it all.
CBT definetely helps.
Hey.
I suffer with anxiety.
Two different doctors - proper doctors, none of this mumbo jumbo stuff - have told me to have acupuncture. Iāve used it and it seems to works for me. Just an opinion to try it.
The attacks are very scary. Iāve never had them before, and Iām surprised how physical they are. I need to have some techniques to help, and to understand that Iām not having another stroke which is clearly my biggest fear. Iām really hoping the CBT works for me.
Shwmae Nigel, aye, panic attacks are a right nuisance. I have endured these even before stroke. They are harmless in so much as the symptoms donāt follow through with how they feel but they can be disruptive and create further anxiety. Indeed, if one has a panic attack about something, it can trigger future panics about having panics. Grounding is helpful and mind blanking, exposure to what is causing a panic can help overcome the fear. The yawn method can also work, for example, if I feel a panic coming, I say to myself, āHow tiresome another boring panic attack, I suppose I better wait for it to passā. Tactile things can also help, water on the face or an activity that distracts the mind and keeps the hands occupied. The last resort is medication which I do take now because panic attacks stayed with me after stroke but I went down that route because I felt I couldnāt face panic attacks on top of stroke symptoms. I wanted a break from managing them naturally.
Hello @Pinch. Part of the reason panic attacks are so scary is that they are not all in the mind- the physical affects are reinforcing that you have momentarily lost control. Recognise that the physical effects are part and parcel of the panic attack to help you rationalise it.
I experienced them before and after stroke for very different reasons, experience them occasionally still, but feel more enabled to handle them. I hope the CBT helps you find your coping strategies, Julia x
@Pinch
Sorry to hear you had a resurgence of the anxiety.
I thought Iād shared the physical effects picture w/ you? If not just search anxiety w/ the magnifying glass in this app
Iāve also posted about anxiety apps, strategies &c - but you can find them via Google
They are worth investigating.
Cu Thursday?
Either way glad your feeling better &
best wishes Simon
Just wondering, have you ever had your blood sugar checked. Only asking because I get similar symptoms when my blood sugar is low. I rarely get into that situation these days, but I did on Saturday. Fortunately Iād just got home so had plenty to take care of it, but I also carry glucose tablets while Iām out.
Had you eaten anything before shopping, did you eat while you were shopping? You donāt necessarily have to even be diabetic, low blood sugar from lack of food will do that to you. And youāre still in recovery from your stroke. That kind of recovery consumes a lot energy so you really need to keep on top of your food intake, donāt be skipping meals for the want of time and effort.
Diabetes is associated with both elevated anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders. There is evidence of a bi-directional association between anxiety and diabetes.
Thatās interesting. I did have a blood test recently, the nurse told me the list of what they were checking but I canāt remember if blood sugar was on it. Iām good at eating regularly and had eaten breakfast and we were just going home for lunch - but then I was too anxious to eat any! Iāll keep it in mind. Iāve never had any issue with blood sugar levels though.
Like I said, you donāt have to have an issue, but when anyoneās levels get to that low of point, they are the feelings you can get, your past the feeling of hunger by then and going into nausea and the thought of food is blehhā¦but thatās when you really need to get something inside you Half a dozen grapes, few square of chocolate, 3/5 glucose tablets, a couple of biscuits, anything to bring your BS up quick and get rid of that feeling. Worth giving it try next time you feel these things.
Half a dozen grapes, few square of chocolate, 3/5 glucose tablets, a couple of biscuits, anything to bring your BS up quick and get rid of that feeling. Worth giving it try next time you feel these things.