strange thoughts in anxiety attacks?

By Marishka Thursday, March 11, 2010

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Hi all,

Well I have read some on this site now and know I am not alone which is nice. I have not read enough to hear what a lot of people think during anxiety and panic attacks except one post that talked about the thoughts and I completely relate. It talked about having (irrational)? fears like homelessness, being institutionalized, and dying....

I very much relate..

Mine start out pretty mild when the anxiety hits...just slight fear thoughts...then they increase and increase...

I just want to ask other people what are their worst horrible dread thoughts that come up during anxiety and panic attacks?

mine are the same as this persons and then added are ending up in prison, destitute, no one will help me and being sick, all my friends will leave me alone and family, being unable to ever work again and care for myself, losing all I have...OK, I know these are common right...just want to hear other's thoughts that come up...

plus, when I am in an anxiety state (attack)? mine last for days, or weeks sometimes...I call it 'triggered'....then every word or image that has a negative connotation for me brings me back to that panic thought, worst dread...like the image of a cop brings out this terror thought of prison or if I hear the word prison (I am a good person for heavens sake...why this fear!!?)...something not being a good fit for me means nothing good will happen for me ever again.....not fun!!

and what do you do?! I will have to read more still....sure it is probably talked about a lot...I am still just getting my feet wet on this site....

I am pretty sure a good cognitive behavioral therapist could help me...I have been looking and asking around and have not been able to find one...

thank you,

Marishka

Comments (7) | Add comment

Eileen Bailey, Health Guide

3/13/10 2:34pm

Marishka

I am glad some of the other posts on the site have helped you to understand that you are not alone. I am glad it has been helping you.

Please let me know how it is going in looking for a therapist to work with you on cognitive behavioral therapy. I would be interested in hearing about it.

Eileen

caring person

3/13/10 5:56pm

Mariska,

I hope your having a good day. I would like to assist you with your anxiety in some way. First, I would like you to let me know when you need help from me by placing a comment on one of my shareposts. This will give me an email alert and I will know to get back with you.

You were asking questions about what triggers anxiety, and what thoughts a person has when in anxiety. For me the thoughts are about the panic itself. I worry about losing contol of my anxiety and it will run away with me. I deal with this by first admitting that it's OK to be anxious. The world is not going to end even though it feels that way. I tell myself to think pleasant thoughts and try to relax. I might try to improve my environment by placing myself in a more restful or enjyable place. (Outside for fresh air, by the window or by the fire,etc)

My anxiety can be triggered by a situation (closed room with no windows,etc), or a health issue (body aches all over or fatigue, shortness of breadth, etc.) Actually, my health isn't bad and I am active(tennis 2-4times a week). Some physical symtoms are caused or enhanced by my anxiety.

I know I am rambling but hope there is some help here for you. Let me know what you think.

Kind wishes to you.

Caring Person

anne

3/15/10 12:06am

my screen name is annews and i am looking to connect with others. i am now slowly looking into naturalpathy (sp?) I am not getting a lot of relief from my psy drugs. and i have been on them since 91. the doc did add another one in 2000.

dewalt.17

3/14/10 3:23pm

Hello Marishka,

My screen name on here is dewalt17. I have racing thoughts some of which are dying being alone, as well as being locked up when in a panic attack. I have had them come in waves during a day or just feel very on edge almost sick for days on end. As mine became worse I saught help w/ mental health. I went through the county in which I live and found help, I was seen by a pshychiatrist and a councelor to talk with and have been going for 2 yrs. now. They will assess your financial ability to pay on a sliding scale or send you to an agency to help you w/ applying for assistance.

Hope this helps and please keep in touch.

Dewalt

frmeital

3/23/10 2:37pm

First of all, I think you have a lovely name! Second, you are most definately not alone. You won't believe how many people suffer like you through out the united states. I used to be one of them. My anxiety was more related to health, bit the symptoms were much like yours. The main thing I felt was that my racing awful thoughts are going to drive me crazy. I used to hide it from my loved ones because I was sure they will hospitalize me (it the psychiatric department). The second wave was usually me thinking that it's a matter of minutes 'till I die. I was "dying" with every panic attack. At some point I started to fear the fear itself (the cycle of fear began) and I couldn't fall asleep. In the middle of the night I had more attacks, I was much more afraid at the dark (since childhood).

When you wrote in your last paragraph that you are considering cognitive therapy, you took the words out of my mouth. This was my life-changing cure for anxiety attacks. I didn't go to a therapist, I just read a book and followed every word in it. Because of it I am now free of panic attacks.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with, and keep sharing with us..that's also a great therapy.

Again - you are not alone!

Take care and hang in there..:)

Your friend,

Meital

Merely Me, Health Guide

3/23/10 6:40pm

First of all I want to thank you, Marishka, for coming over from My Depression Connection and I hope the information and support on this site has been helpful. Secondly...wanted to know if you ever did find a good therapist. I know how hard that search can be. When you find a good one...they can be a life saver.

Thirdly...I am very happy to see you are receiving lots of support here but did want to re-state something which I wrote for the depression site about spam . Please beware of anyone who comes to our sites in order to solicit or promote goods or services. Never give out your private email address. And if anyone tries to contact you on the site in order to solicit you or spam you please let us know right away. I am becoming more and more concerned over people posing as members in order to spam the site. I care about you Marishka...and all our members and I will always do my best to make sure that your experience here is a good one.

If anyone has problems with spam on this site please do report it right away and here is how: Contact us .

Michel

3/24/10 2:10pm

Hey Marishka

Let me if you will give a crack at this

I know all to well how debilating these toughts can be

But lets take care of the basic's first

what are your sleep paterns, going to bed at the same hour will go a long way with anxiety.

Now what are your eating habits same thing applies here regular hours and good and healthy foods also will go a long way.

Having a good social circle is the upmost important you cant spend your days alone in Isolation this will have for effect that these invasive toughts will be more present by staying busy even if its reading a book in the park for a couple of hours will bring on pleasant toughts.

Shurely you have heard in the past to stay in the moment thats all fine and dandy but how does one do that well...you put yourself in situation where your mind will ask you to concentrate at the task at hand, the more you will lend yourself in these situation's the easier it gets, in my humble oppinion this wouldnt be a good time to start learning chakra's and the art of meditating as these call for a certain ammount of ''displine'' that you may not have at the moment.

But anything that you like should it be going for a long walk and actually making contact with the people you meet along the way that you can do, take a class of painting or photography, if you have a swiming pool near by thats great for your mind and body and who nose you might meet people that you like.

The library getting the picture here make yourself a list of things you want to fill your week with and actually stick by it the dividendes will be more than you hope for I assure you.

Doing some volunteer work will boost your selfestime, if you do these things you will not be living in anticipation you will be doing (action) combine with a good therapist and Physician for me is the key.

And also you can call on me

-Michel-

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