Hey everyone,
I felt it necessary to share my story with all of you so that good can come from my experiences. I want to help you. I am a twenty-year-old female. I am not going to hash out my past, but let’s just say it’s been without many true struggles. I experience panic attacks and have been for the past two years. I cannot explain what has brought them on exactly; it may have been a mixture of marijuana, genes, a type A personality, and living in NYC. Who knows. It doesn’t matter.
The reason I am sharing my story is so that if any of you are experiencing this debilitating condition, please know that you are not alone. I want to share with you ways that I have dealt with it. First let me tell you what symptoms I experience—chest pains, chest tightening, immediate urge for bowel movement, hot flashes, chills, dissociation from the mind, breathing difficulty, fear of impending doom, questions flooding the mind—“Should I call 911?” “Am I having a heart attack?” “What is wrong with me?” “I am not in control?” “I don’t treat my body good enough, I eat too many unhealthy foods, and drink too much alcohol” “Am I dying?” “People will think I am going crazy if I tell them how I feel.” It’s definitely not a comfortable state of living; in fact it can be pure hell. Many people who have not been through it don’t understand. I try not to get mad at them because if I would probably act the same towards someone like me.
Here are some tidbits of advice that have helped me: asking for help from a higher power, meditation, the Linden Method (check it out on YouTube or Google it), distraction with books, the internet, TV, calling a close friend, going outside and getting air, drinking water, and movement, like going on a walk or doing yoga. Yoga helps me because it involves deep breathing. Also, think positive thoughts and get yourself into a higher vibration of energy (fear is a low vibration). Fear is an understandable reaction, but try to tell yourself that you are okay ... breath deep.
If you have panic attacks or even anticipatory anxiety please don’t hesitate to email me. You are absolutely not alone. I have been there and sometimes still go there.
Love,
Caroline (not related to this Web site “DivineCaroline”)
