Replies to This Discussion

StudentPermalink Reply by dinahmyte on December 8, 2010 at 7:43am

it's so nice to be around so many intelligent and enlightened people! sharing like this is another part of the healing process... and to have so many accepting people to encourage each other helps tremendously!!

enjoy your hoop sesh! i'll be there in spirit since i'm stuck inside a corporate office.. lol <3

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Umbrella on December 8, 2010 at 10:25am

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Saor in Aisce on December 8, 2010 at 7:06am

I have an anxiety disorder, actually you described it to a T. I do the exact same things you do. When I have an anxiety attack I can't think of anything other than "I can't do this!" my body shuts down and I get these shakes and I cry and then the hyperventalation starts! It sucks mama so I know here you're comming from. The blanking on tests I get from my ADD. I was on dual anti anxiety/ADD meds, a high dossage actually, and I was sooooo sluggish all the time. It made me super sick and if i didn't throw it up right after i had taken it i would randomly fall asleep in class. id be OUT! lol.

i've stopped the meds and only take them as needed. Idk what triggers your panic attacks tho. For me its time management. Im a fine arts major so when the end of the semester comes i freak out because in a week i have 3 large paintings, 5 prints, and a larger drawing due. When i feel myself starting to lose it i calm myself by taking deep breaths and sitting down and planning. Seeing a plan in front of me helps. Like monday I have 4 hours for painting and then 2 for printing, etc etc. For you Id say sit down and write down your study schedule and stick to it. Ull be surprised at how much more time you actually have to get things done then your paniced mind thought.

as far as test blanking ive never been one for studdying because no matter how hard i try i cant retain it because of the blanking. I am an avid morning studdier. because of my art im a visual learner so if i look at my notes right before an exam, i can remember how my writing looked on the page and remember what it says. but not everyone works like that so it might not work for you. Id say give planning a go.

i hope ive helped and if u ever need to talk im here. breathe mama

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Umbrella on December 8, 2010 at 10:40am

Thanks darlin. I'm jealous of your major. I'm in Engineering (killmenow)
I just made a schedule yesterday :)
Planning mode engage

• ▶ Reply

StudentPermalink Reply by Carli Long on December 8, 2010 at 7:19am

Bubble baths, reading, eating foods that I know are nourishing my body and mind, getting a LITTLE extra sleep!, hooping, laying crystals on and around my body, meditation, yoga, sun on my face, wind in my hair. Big big love to you, Rehanna.

• ▶ Reply

StudentPermalink Reply by Laura "Baila" on December 8, 2010 at 7:25am

I think it is really great that you feel comfortable enough to share with us!
There are lots of things you can do, I agree with a lot of the comments here. You sort of have to find what works for you best but making sure you are breathing slow and deep with emphasis on your thought processes being calm (meditation) can be super helpful to your autonomic nervous system!

Also helpful is massage,I know it may seem expensive but if you can get regular massages they really can help to alleviate chronic problems and help you to relax without medications. They say 10-12 massages (maybe one a month or even twice a month) can help your body to re learn how to relax.

And I must say, not to stress you out more, but it is very important for you to learn to manage your stress because if you don't it can lead to greater more intense stress related diseases like fibromyalgia. But you can do it! Take charge of your stress.. and of course get massage. I hope some of these things have helped you :-D

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Aubrey Wolf on December 8, 2010 at 8:03am

I have generalized anxiety disorder with agoraphobia, that prevents me from leaving my house if I'm having serious anxiety. It can be a SERIOUS pain in the ass sometimes!! I didn't realize for a while that I had an anxiety disorder, I thought I was sick or something, because when I had anxiety attacks I would get really sick to my stomach, dizzy and would have a hard time breathing. but then I looked into it, and DUH anxiety attacks. lol.

Well, I've been trying really hard to get rid of this problem because its seriously interrupted my life with doing the things I want to do. So I went to a therapist/counselor and she basically just suggested I go to my doctor for medication (since she can't prescribe) So, I did that, even though I didn't want to be on an SSRI medication which is what she recommended (you have to take it everyday, can't just stop taking it you have to be weened off, and I wouldn't be able to smoke weed.) Yeah basically a whole bunch of garbage that I didn't want to deal with, but my doctor prescribed me zoloft(SSRI med) and klonopin(benzodiazepine) anyway. I refuse to take the zoloft, but I occasionally will take the klonopin if I'm having a serious anxiety attack, and it calms me down somewhat.

But moral of the story, meds are NOT going to solve the problem! What does work:
things like yoga or some form of excersise you enjoy (hooping!!)
having hobbies you can use to take your mind off of anxiety: drawing, playing and instrument, sewing, things along those lines.
work on deep breathing if you feel like you're going to have an anxiety attack, controlling your breathing is the first step in controlling the panic.
eat healthier foods, don't drink too much caffeine/alcohol, don't smoke cigarettes etc.

Anxiety SUCKS! but hopefully you will figure out what works best for you and you can get over this problem! :) good luck. <3

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Umbrella on December 8, 2010 at 10:31am

AHH!! You guys are the best.

My boyfriend suggested that I identify something, some sort of object or token that is around me when i study and when i relax, and take it with me to exams for calming familiar purposes. I think what he was meaning was like a rock or a necklace but the most significant thing for me is my blanket. It is a very old very special blanket. 20 healthy years to be exact.
So in hasty decisions I kinda cut a square off the top layer to take with me and now I'm having a heart attack because I just massacred my baby, and if this doesn't work I will be tremendously upset.

Anyone else had experience with tokens for calming effects?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kristin Hugo on December 11, 2010 at 7:26pm

Here's something I learned in track:

 

I ran the 300 meter hurdle race (among other things) and I would hyperventilate before the race. And then I won. I think that a little bit of stress is a good thing, because it lets you know that you'll have to kick ass very soon, and gives you the needed adrenaline. 

 

Of course you don't want too much stress, so here's something else I learned at track:

After the race was over and I was done kicking ass, I was, you know, completely winded, felt like I wanted to lay down and die. So what could I do? nothing. Sooner or later I'd regain my breath, and in the meantime I just decided to accept the fact that I felt horrible and acknowledge that I'll eventually feel better. 

So, if you tell yourself that you'll be done soon, that test will be over tomorrow and you'll feel fine, you may be able to chill out a little. :D

Hope that helps!

• ▶ Reply

TeacherPermalink Reply by Lyssamarie on December 12, 2010 at 1:11pm

i hoop it all away now..i have had anxiety for years and hooping just takes it all away.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jilly Perkins on December 26, 2010 at 10:25pm

I also, have been having these problems. In fact, they are so similar to yours it sounds, it blows my mind. Minus the school part though. I mostly get anxious or stressed from day to day interactions with people, and even though I used to be a social butterfly, I am now a complete loner, although I do try to reach out of my comfort zone to hang out with people but usually feel awkward and I obviously have a ranting problem. I do, however feel things changing for me every day almost like I am a little more whole every day. But some days are worse than others.

 

I have a manic depressive disorder with anxiety, and do not take meds. I really want to be able to live life without them, that is my ultimate goal. My anxiety causes me to push away people around me all the time.

 

People say, 'just be happy' but I think sometimes when you actually have a chemical inbalance in your brain it might be a little less black and white than that.

 

Namaste

Jill

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by PHoops on January 4, 2011 at 6:00pm

Thank you for posting this! Everyone's replies have been great to read! I had been dealing with horrible anxiety for the past few years, a constant worrier and over-analyzer - but just recently I have succeeded in controlling it a bit.  Being a new mother and a senior in college  stressed me out incredibly, yet helped me to find techniques that help... 

 

-Being prepared! Having things done ahead of time for school, making sure I have everything with me when I go out with my daughter... helped me to feel a little more in control of situations.

-Singing! - I sang my daughter to sleep and just taking that time with her just us two when I sing to her and watch her drift off to sleep reduced so much stress in my life- I would suggest if you don't have children- sing to yourself, your cat, your fish your dresser whatever ! just belt it! 

 

-Breathe!!! I know this one was said a few times but just breathing is a HUGE help for my anxiety. I take a few minutes and close my eyes and just breathe...it calms everything down.  I found this one out when I was running upstairs to check on my sleeping baby every ten minutes to make sure she was okay and my fiancee finally put his hands on my shoulders and whispered into my ear "Just breathe" - 

 

-Just knowing what works for me- when it comes to school-studying, I worked best when I was eating dinner or drinking hot chocolate. I found that something else to do helped me to concentrate on what I was supposed to be doing better.   When it comes to home-life  - I know that the best way for me to regain composure is to take a nice hot bath and read a magazine. 

 

 

I worked with an elementary classroom for a while and they had a "take a break " chair. The kids would go sit there if they were acting inappropriately. I think it works for every aspect though- Sometimes in life, you just need to take a break... regain composure, breathe, make a plan.. :) 

 

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next ›
• Page