[dlo]

I've been getting anxiety attacks recently and its fucking horrible lol, I will sometimes think negative about something small and would start to panic, my breathing turns heavy, my hear races and I get the sweats, does anyone else experience something similar? Source of my stress would be life change/ personal reasons, any method to battle this or note would be greatly appreciated

[SkinnyPupp]

I have had these problems in the past. One really bad one a few years ago. My advice:

1) Realize and acknowledge that it is just a 'sickness'. Your life is not falling apart. Your brain is just going a bit haywire. Once you realize this and treat it like an illness (like you would a cold) it is easier to cope with. Realize that the acute symptoms of the sickness may be with you for a bit when they arise, and you just have to ride them out. Like if you are freaking out and can't sleep, just go with it and realize that tomorrow will be better.

2) Cut caffeine, but not immediately. Taper down until you are at the point where you take no more than a 'morning coffee'.

3) Supplements can help a LOT. Best is 5-HTP. Take it at night, starting with 100mg and taper up every 3-5 nights until you hit 300mg. Stay at 300mg for a week or 2, then taper back down until you are back to 0. Don't go from 300mg to 0mg for more than a one night. If you are on any medication already (I assume you aren't since you are here instead of getting a doctor to prescribe medication) don't combine it.

If this doesn't help

[dlo]

Thanks for the reply SP, yeah I know my life aint gonna end and this is just a phase but what I hate about it is that I am freaking out on the littlest shit ever and sometimes get agitated or emotional... I don't even drink caffeine so that is out of the picture lol, and yes I will be seeing a dr on tuesday but I have had a few panic attacks in less than 24 hrs, is that normal?

[SkinnyPupp]

Yeah it's normal. Your doctor will give you some medication to fix it up. I just use 5-HTP, it's not as strong but it works

[dlo]

Thanks for the quick replies SP,ill try to get something from my dr, fuck it is just a terrible feeling, if anyone else got anything else to add, feel free too, let's get rid of this fucking piece of shit problem and make everyone else happy

[lowda9]

nvm

[spideyv2]

It could be from blazing too much. I had a buddy who experienced something similar, but as soon as he cut back on smoking, he got better.

Feel better bruh

[dlo]

thanks, iunno dont think its from blazing lol but ill cut down just to see how it is, it might be something from a previous car accident, but im just making assumptions until i see a doctor, my friend who was also in the car during the accident suffered from anxiety attacks but ours are kind of different

[bcrdukes]

As much as I laughed at jayare604's post, an acquaintance of mine from high school had the same problem and it was because all he did was blaze 24/7.

[unit]

happened to me too about 4 years ago.
also from smoking too much green

[westopher]

I had some pretty serious issues with this last summer. It really became a cyclical mess, because I wouldn't sleep because I'd be anxious, then I'd be so fucked up from not sleeping. I ended up in the hospital one day it got so bad. My boss literally grabbed me and threw me in his car and took me there. No sleep, tons of caffeine, and a lot of drinking did it for me. Can you take a bit of time of work? Maybe 2 extra days to catch up on some sleep, run some errands and relax is all you need? I find with my own personal mental health issues, it really snowballs quickly unless you break your cycle early enough.

[dlo]

im still blazing but i cut out a few things in my life and it seems to happen a lil less now lol... not gonna self diagnose myself yet, but will hear from my dr tuesday and hopefully shit get better, thing is i sleep enough for a young adult, 8-10 hrs, but i have trouble falling to sleep and always wake up with a panic attack :\ if everything else fails, i guess cutting down on weed is what i gotta do

[Excelsis]

Take time to relax, walk around, and meditate. Supplementation isn't required, more of finding a peace of mind then you're set

[SkinnyPupp]

If your brain chemistry is fucked, supplementation/drugs are needed to 'find peace of mind'. Otherwise you'll only get worse.

[dlo]

we'll see what my dr says tmr, hopefully its something useful not his usual bullshit of me gonna heal magically..

[rsx]

Would exercise, working out, eating well help this? Just wondering if overall wellness could help op.

[dinosaur]

I dealt with (and some times still do) anxiety and anxiety attack starting when I was about 24-ish.

I tried to deal with them without any help for years which only made the situation worse. You are doing the right thing and getting help ASAP! I tried the drug thing, but had horrible experiences. Most drs. will put you on an anti-depressant b/c there are very few drugs that specifically treat anxiety that you can take every day (buspar is one, but only in very high doses). Most anti-anxiety medications are used "as needed" such as xanax, ativan, etc.

I went the therapy route and carried a little bottle of ativan on me for the more intense times. It works...it not absorbed into you blood stream, so you don't feel "doped-up". If you can deal with your anxiety problem without medication, it would be best....BUT do not feel like a failure if you can not.

I talked to a therapist and then started seen a psychiatrist...and did so for 2 years. It helped. It did not CURE my anxiety, but it really did help.

The stage you are in right now is very scary. I have been there. You need to know what you are feeling right now is VERY common and normal for anxiety. Your body is in a "fight or flight" situation but you are not in harms way. You will not die. You will not have a heart attack. You will not pass out. Nobody...not ever...has ever died from an anxiety or panic attack. What is happening is an overload of adrenaline. Think about it....when you are excited...scared...any type of emotion that raises you heart rate, you can get a little shaky...a little lightheaded...your heartbeat increases....you get sweaty, etc. The only difference now is that you can not figure out a reason.

Sometimes, you can have a traumatic or stressful situation that happens. During that time you are cool, calm, and collected. This is the "fight". Days, weeks, or months later when your defenses are down, BOOM! your body begins to react and goes nuts....or, the "flight". You have no idea, comb your brain to try and find a reason, etc. And, of course, with "no" reason...you panic even more. Why am I feeling like this? What is happening? Am I dying? Am I having a heart attack? and so on....this of course perpetuates the anxious feelings. It ain't fun. How is it that you are sitting there....watching tv and BOOM you feel like you are dying? well, that is how anxiety attacks work. Very few people ever have anxiety attacks during a stressful situation....it is always after.

I can not stress to you enough that how you are feeling is OK and normal. People have various reactions to anxiety attacks...some feel like they are dying...others feel like they are in a dream world. Some get headaches....backaches....some peoples' legs and arms do numb...some have ringing in their ears...some get very dizzy...and some sweat, get very cold, have brain zaps, get palpitations, and so on. Anxiety manifests itself physically and mentally.

So what do you do? Well...through the years I have tried various things that have worked and some that haven't. You are going to have to try everything and find out what is best for you:

-yoga and/or meditation (breathing is key to anxiety and anxiety attacks. this can also give your brain a little time to relax and not be "on". It may take a few times to actually relax, but people swear by it).
-stretching (like yoga, this can help "un-clench your body. when you get anxiety, people tend to tighten up)
- squared breathing (count in 4's...breath in-1, 2, 3, 4....hold-1, 2, 3, 4....breath out-1, 2, 3, 4....rest-1, 2, 3, 4....like a square. this regulates your you heart rate and breathing...also concentrating on it will distract your mind)
-stay away from stimulants (you said you dont drink caffeine, but make sure its not just coffee. coke, rootbeer, tea, chocolate, all have caffeine in them. Also, sugar or anything else that boosts you energy and nicotine).
-stay away from drugs and alcohol (pot can be one of the worst offenders for anxiety and anxiety attacks)
-distract yourself (read a book, surf the internet, watch a movie, go for a walk, call someone on the phone, re-arrange you closet, take a shower, etc....change the setting, situation, and your actions...hell, watch funny vids on youtube if you have to)
- talk to someone (the worse thing you could do is shut yourself away. when it first started for me, i thought I was the only one dealing with this shit. It happens to A LOT of people. It can make you feel better know you are not alone.
-research (looking up symptoms can comfort you in knowing that what you are feel is OK and normal)
-seek help from a professional (Having a professional tell you that you are OK is also comforting. They can also give you tips for coping and recommend other professionals to help you like therapists...there is no shame in owning what you have an being proactive in getting help. There are dozens of FREE resources out there for you)
-medication (there are a plethora of different medications that can help you with the physical symptoms...some you can take daily and some are as needed as I said above. Sometimes, just knowing that I have ativan on me relaxes me...knowing that you have a back-up plan is comforting and I rarely take one)
-exercise (exercise produces positive endorphins and activates your gaba receptors in the brain to produce serotonin which counteracts anxious feels...but don't over do it. If you over do it, it can sometimes FEEL like an anxiety attack. Walking, swimming, running, rollerblade, biking...anything that is relatively low impact that you can maintain without exhausting yourself is good.

I am sure there are dozens of other ways to cope, but those are some off the top of my head.

Also, if you try medication, don't be disheartened if if does not help right away...sometimes it can take 6-8 weeks for it to take effect and you may have to try a few different types to see what works for you. Everyone reacts differently and some can have some pretty brutal side effects (which will go away with time).

One thing that I do suggest is if you are doing medication, also do therapy. You need to figure out what is going on. Medication should not be a life-long solution. The problem will still be there when you stop it...a combination of all of the above is your best bet.

One thing a dr told me....anxiety is not forever. You WILL get through this and you WILL feel better. It takes work, but it is worth it. You need to take control of it and be proactive. Do not ignore it and hope that it goes away on its on.

Also, if you have any questions or need someone to talk to, please PM me. I know how you feel. I have been there and you will get better!

Sorry for the long post! :p

[dlo]

Don't be sorry for the long post, you answered all my questions and even those I would had asked anyways, I appreciate it and will defentely try out some of the options, theraphy was something I am quite interested in doing, there are a few people in my life that I aam able to talk to about my inner demons but not all of em, I guess I will finally have a professional hear me out and help me. Thank you dino, seeing a dr tmr and I rather take a direction that does not include medication, but if its necessary I guess ill have to do it

[dlo]

k so i talked to my peice of shit doctor and that fuck just blew me off, when i first brought it up, he said "you never mentioned this before and it does not sound ICBC related, talk about it with me if it happens again" what a clusterfuck of bullshit, if anything ill go to a walkin clinic or go to the ER, still getting em at least twice a day, fuck

[dinosaur]

Here is what I recommend:

Make another appointment with you doctor and ask to be referred to one of the following:

Fraser Health - Our Services (http://www.fraserhealth.ca/?section_id=5202&section_copy_id=121&program_id=8699)

Fraser Health - Our Services (http://www.fraserhealth.ca/?section_id=5202&section_copy_id=121&program_id=8434)

Fraser Health - Our Services (http://www.fraserhealth.ca/find_us/services/our_services?program_id=11044)

General Page: Mental Health Services - Mental Health and Substance Use - Fraser Health (http://www.fraserhealth.ca/your_care/mental-health-and-substance-use/mental_health_services/)

Some programs you need to have a recommendation from a GP, but some you may not. You can always phone any of these place.

From what I remember, you get up to 6 visits. If you need help beyond those 6 visits, they can recommend someone.

You talk to a mental heath therapist or nurse (there are several in the office) for about 1 hour each time. During this time, you do mostly cognitive behavioural therapy (or CBT). Each office also has a staff psychiatrist who can discuss with you medication should you have questions. Only a psychiatrist can prescribe medications, a psychologist can not.

I had 6 sessions at the North Delta Mental Health clinic and then when I moved to Pitt Meadows, I had 6 sessions at the Maple Ridge Mental Health clinic. It was helpful...but I wanted more. My GP recommended me to a psychiatrist who worked out of the Surrey Mental Health Unit and I saw him for 2 years.

Finding the right person or even getting you GP to listen is FRUSTRATING!!! Most will just give you a prescription for a drug and send you on your way.

Keep on him! Call those numbers above and find out how to get in. I wish I dealt with my anxiety issues early on...the longer you wait, the harder it is to get out.

[Ulic Qel-Droma]

.

[dlo]

This sounds weird but when I am high, I feel a lot better and never had an anxiety attack while under the influence.... If its necessary, I will cut down on blazing

[westopher]

You may have developed a dependancy on it a bit?

[SkinnyPupp]

You may have developed a dependancy on it a bit?

Exactly. Anything that fucks around with the chemist of the brain will be regulated. Then when you stop taking it, you are worse off than ever.

I'm sure marijuana screws around with your dopa levels, or serotonin, or both. Getting off it would be a great idea, but I would find out what part of the brain it fucks around with first,and take something to help recover.

If serotonin, take 5HTP. If dopamine, take Phenibut

[dlo]

I didn't blaze yesterday and still got an anxiety attack, I don't really think I have a dependacy on it but its just more relaxing to spark a doob and chill out, it kinda keeps me calm, but imma go thru all of this and see how my body will react

[SkinnyPupp]

One day isn't going to make a difference. If anything, stopping for one day will bring on an attack. You have to let your brain recover. As much as it is unacceptable to criticize marijuana use, it is a drug. It alters your brain chemistry, and there are repercussions to that.

[Ulic Qel-Droma]

.

[dlo]

thanks guys, havent touched any party drugs in a year so that be a sweat, yeah ill be cutting down my marijuana use like crazy :( we'll see how it is lol

[SkinnyPupp]

And FFS if you ever do see a doctor, let him know you do drugs

[guddagudd]

Sorry to hijack ur thread Dlo but...

lately I've been getting anxiety attacks as well, and I definitely think it is due to my increased frequency in blazing this past month, but I think it was really brought on when I started a thing with this girl, and I got anxious as fuck over the slightest thing. But one thing about my anxiety is that it also gives me a lack of appetite. Should I take 5-htp as well? or speak to a doctor? TIA!

[dlo]

speak to a dr.. yeah my dr knows im a pro marijuana guy :lol

[BaoTurbo]

I get anxiety attacks as well sometimes when I'm really extremely worried about something. My last attack I felt my heart was going to burst, hard to breathe, light headed feeling, felt like I was going to sleep and die. It was my first time I believe and it wasn't pleasant at all because I have no idea what was going on at the time. My girlfriend was shocked and was so scared something happened because after that I ended up passing out for an hour and then waking up to a phone call from my parents.

[JL9000]

I'm going to try and keep this short as lots of good information has been posted already.

I've been dealing with anxiety for just over 10 years now and have spent a great deal of time researching and experimenting. I completely understand just how frustrating it is to understand and anticipate such overreaction to what seems like something so insignificant, especially when you know that everything is going to be fine immediately after the attack, yet have no control whatsoever over the situation. Like others have said, you need to take care of this sooner rather than later because anxiety attacks often gain strength each time you're exposed to the trigger, much like how an allergic reaction can get increasingly more severe with repeated exposure.

A friend who was studying to become a therapist a few years ago referred me to a really good therapist who helped me make sense of all the information I found myself from the internet. I tried all of the the things listed above and then some to realize that everyone copes differently. Both my friend and my therapist at the time suffered from anxiety themselves, and both had medication to help them deal with their anxieties so don't write it off as long as you realize that the medication isn't to cure your anxiety, but to help you deal with it. My therapist never recommended medication , but with her help I was able to fully understand what I was(am) dealing with. Coupled with my GP's help on prescribed medication, I was finally able to make progress after roughly one and a half years.

Anyway, I think aside from understanding anxiety, you have to figure out what your triggers are, have patience, put in the effort, and believe that you can eventually gain control over it. I think someone mentioned this earlier, but don't underestimate the power of talking to others about what you're dealing with.

[Meowjin]

is your anxiety situational or is it biological.

This is important.

if situational work towards a better goal/future/life

if biological

Stop the weed, take vitamin d, fish oils, make sure you are getting a proper diet GO TO THE GYM then if you are still having issues go to the dr.

As someone who had issues in the past with anxiety/depression. DRUGS ARE NOT THE IMMEDIATE SOLUTION.

[dlo]

juss to get back at this thread, i am getting minimum levels of anxiety attacks, and to reply to meowjin, it sfrom situational work lol, juss a lot of things stressing me out, it was not the weed. all good now, thanks all! I cut out a lot of friends/things that were unhealthy to my life.. changed my lifestyle up and am now a full time student with a 80%+ average :D

[ToneCapone]

Sorry to hijack ur thread Dlo but...

lately I've been getting anxiety attacks as well, and I definitely think it is due to my increased frequency in blazing this past month, but I think it was really brought on when I started a thing with this girl, and I got anxious as fuck over the slightest thing. But one thing about my anxiety is that it also gives me a lack of appetite. Should I take 5-htp as well? or speak to a doctor? TIA!

Similar thing happened to me but this was with a girlfriend of 4+ months. We were like 19 and I remember waking up one morning freaking out one day (anxiety plus a hardcore panic attack) saying I feel like I am going to die and if I do then not to worry about me. I noticed the combination of girl pressures + school pressures + hangovers was the perfect formula for some serious panic attacks. I got anti depr- but stopped taking them quickly after I told a good friend I was trying them out and he freaked. He explained a lot of his fam members took em and it turned them into addicted, emotionless, weirdos.

Anyways the most effective way I dealt with it was simply REALIZE and ACKNOWLEDGE anxiety. Like when I would get the heavy breathing and chest issues I would not only try to understand that its just an attack, I would challenge it and be like "bring it on bitch! do your worst". Strangely enough that made it go away.

This was mostly short term attacks, there is some long term stuff that I will get into if someone requests me to share it. Otherwise Good luck on battling this BS! :2finger:

[CorneringArtist]

Sorry for the threadjack, but I may have run into my first anxiety attack today at work. Compounding environmental stress at the moment plus being very hard on myself performance wise led to my vision narrowing, profuse sweating, hearing my heartbeat in my head and everything just feeling tense. It was the worst feeling in my life once I came down, and I had to apologize to people who saw what happened since I lost control, and the situation that triggered it was something I could handle normally, but somehow couldn't this time. Just thinking about it now raises my heart rate a bit.

Hopefully this doesn't lead to future incidences.

[dlo]

tbh, i believed the cause of my anxiety was the ongoing stress with committing with schools, friends and S/O, shit was fuckin whack lol, i cut off the bad seeds and boom, felt a lot better but it still took some times, there are many stress relieving methods out there, try to apply some to your life.

[CorneringArtist]

I do what I can to cope, but when the source of the stress is my job, it becomes extremely hard to fight off anxiety issues. I did hit a period of calm the last couple months or so, but now with my second year of automotive schooling looming, and the fear that I'm being shorted on what work I should have done by now combined with other personal issues is causing me to stress and feel anxious over normal things to the point where it's easy for me to snap.

[melloman]

^ Everyone has anxiety, some just have the attacks worse then others.

Way to cope for my stress is.. to sit down at the end of each day and have an hour or two of just sitting around. 10/10:30pm I get home and get to turn my brain off. Don't need to think about anything because by 11:30 I go to sleep and tomorrow's a new day.

[bloodmack]

isn't that what sleep is for mello? Lol

[ekcivy]

blazing and heavy drinking did it for me about three months ago, id get sweaty and Nausious , had a racing heart beat,
did 30 days of sobriety and started eating more fruits and veggies
i also started taking salmon oil which is high in omega 3's,EPA and DHA
after that the anxiety has pretty much disappeared
i was also moving at the time so that might have had a part in that

[lancergts1986]

Wow, im kinda glad and sad to know that im not the only one that had these issues; however, mine is a little different. I anxiety come from worrying about things that are really pointless to worry about. I will tell you guys a couple of really messed up ones. I was worried about someone would steal my rims on my car for a few weeks, one night I got so worried that I actually went out and sat in my car for a few hours...and this has caused quiet a bit of unnecessary stress for me. and Sometimes I would just randomly be suspicious of people, and think they would do something bad to me....overall, I was just worried about everything..
good thing Im over that now, I think having a positive attitude is very important, think the positive side of people around you. Think about the things you look forward to, I think no matter what you do in life, there is always something good to be taken from it. I think all the anxiety is in your head, its what you think that make you feel the stress. I also think get out of your comfort zone helps too, like talking to people other than your friends, maybe travel to somewhere new. I think the most important thing is just not to worry too much and try to have a positive attitude on everything as much as possible. sorry for the long read, and I hope this helps you guys to feel a little better.

[blue_noise]

Smoke affects a lot on anxiety. Our brain works in cycles there are ups and downs. Weeds are downer and makes your brain slow down. But once it wears off, your body will automatically adjust and makes your brain go faster. Long period of weed smoking can create big mood swing and make you anxious. So definitely quit smoking.
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[jnesss]

i used to look forward to blazing all the time, but i rarely do it anymore.

negative experiences started happening last year, everytime i blazed, it just made me felt really down and paranoid, almost as though the world was closing in on me.

the only time i'll do it now is if i drink - liquor seems to help negate the downer feelings.

[dlo]

i dont drink at all LMFAO, smoke weed errday, i got one this morning for the first time in a LONGG TIME, figured out why i get em, lack of sleep, ate a lot, smoked a lot and some personal issues, suck ballzzzzzzzzz