NYGal: Trying

[Painter]

Somebody said to post on here when we are feeling shaky so here I am. The familiar tightening in my chest is starting. The thoughts turning to W and ow. The fear and panic. The doctor gave me an anti anxiety drug but then said not to take it at work because it will make me sleepy and dizzy. Great. So I can't take it now or I might crash my bicycle on my morning commute. But If I don't take it I might want to.

Have you tried the meds yet? I would try tonight and see how it affects you. The smallest dose of anti-anxiety meds do not necessarily make you drowsy.

Are you feeling any anger when you have anxiety? Turning it into fury and anger has helped me deal with anxiety when there was no other option. Best done alone in the car...

W is really the one who should feel shaky when she sees you. She should be ashamed of what she's done to you. OW should sink through the floor or burst into flames when she encounters you. (I don't think God does nearly enough smiting these days.)

Remember when you feel the anxiety that it is just a feeling that causes some physiological reactions in your body. Try to remain aware of how quickly those feelings can change. A normal anxiety attack usually doesn't last for more than 10 minutes.

Try to have on hand music that makes you feel happy, or movies that have always made you laugh. Clips from TV shows that entertain you - nature sounds that soothe you. Music from when you were between 15-25 can be especially powerful, I would create a playlist with your happiest memories from that time through music.

Also, when you feel it starting, see if you can focus quickly on something else. You have about 90 seconds from when the anxious feeling starts, to distract your brain before the physiological effect kicks in. It has to be something that is urgent, but I have experienced more than once how a phone call or a puking cat - or even H's lack of compassion and selfishness - can snap me out of a beginning panic attack.

I bet if you spilled a cup of coffee in your lap, you would forget the anxiety. NOT SAYING YOU SHOULD DO THAT. But it illustrates how transient feelings can be, and how we can distract ourselves.

Take care...