When you are overwhelmed with anxiety, what do you do?

Question

As a person with PTSD, I have been able to find a pretty good balance to life most of the time. However, lately there have been several triggers hitting all at the same time, and I feel so depressed, sick, panicky, and I cannot concentrate on things. I tend to have physical symptoms like severe muscle spasms when things get out of control for me, and the tension in my body is overwhelmingly painful. I feel blank and scared at the same time.

I have a call into my psychologist, and am laying low at home, but I don't want to fall back into a rut where I cannot do anything because of severe depression. I am exhausted from fighting the constant fears, day and night. What can I do?

Answer 1

wow, you poor thing.  I didn't think that anyone else out there could actually feel the way I do.  I've been feeling that way all week...didn't take a shower for three days and stayed in the same clothes moping around the house, crying, praying etc.  My heart goes out to you because I've been battling anxiety/panic disorder/ptsd for over 15 years.

What works?  During these low times I sometimes find giving in may be best--if only for a few days a week even.  Sometimes we just have to tell ourselves "you know what I feel crappy and it's okay, I'm not going to beat up on myself and instead see myself through it..."  Your body will tell you what it needs if you listen.  I am also a Christian so my faith and the words in the bible help me out of my darkness.  God does "speak" to us.  I would tell you, based on my personal experience to stay away from drugs.  By that I mean all of the so called "anti-depressants" that are supposed to work for anxiety.  They don't and in fact make some people suicidal.  Like my sister-in-law.  She is on so many pills she's been in and out of the psychiatric ward a few times in the last year for her overwhelming symptoms.  Please don't go there ... instead look to alternative health and wellness supplements and routines.  Cleanse your system, your home, your mind and your spirit and you'll have, hopefully, more strength to get you through the tough times when those "triggers" do come up.  They come up for me to.  

Last night I prayed and cried.  This morning I got up took a shower, did my hair and make-up and plan on taking my daughter to the mall and out for a burger in spite of the fact that I feel very achy, still a bid scared/sad and I had to take Ativan to calm my anxious symptoms.  It is the only drug I would recommend, but it would take so much more time to explain why.  So, find something or someone else to focus on who may need your help.  If you have a bible read Psalm 38 in it's entirety.  I wish you luck and health and have said a prayer for you.  

Psalm 38:21: Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. 22: Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.  

Answer 2

Anxiety is another word for "what if this happens" or "what if that happens" or "what if I can't" or "why can't I?"

Before you're PTSD, you used to use your mind a lot to sort out the problems and issues in your life. You do realize you are not using your mind as before, only as a doubt reminder.

The head shrink is there for your source to confer to but until you confer with yourself in the mirror and regain the confidence you have within you, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, you're still in the rut.

The fears you have is simply a challenge, nothing more. See it for what it truly is and watch how you'll find your old confident self  again.

Answer 3

I too had/have PTS and it spun into a depression where I became a hermit.  If you can, try to exercise, even a little. Motivation is very hard, I understand (been there) - but it has a calming effect.  It helped me to just get through my days.  Sometimes meds for a short time can help, but I would try the exercise first as it releases some of the same chemicals in the brain/similar effect to the drugs and it gives one a sense of control - at least it did for me.

At other times I overate, but I don't recommend that at all - then you feel twice as awful.

I am happy that you have a support person - keep at it, and try to stay calm and balanced - the exercise, even just walking will burn off some of the negative panic and will make you a bit more comfortable in your own skin. Pets are excellent too - they are very attuned to us and protective - they can also be very calming.

PTS can reoccur, but it can be handled and controlled. I know it seems uncontrollable and insurmountable just now...Don't despair. There are many of us walking all around you with similar issues. It doesn't go away, but ebbs and flows - but please don't despair - it can be fought in many ways...just start slow. You have resources and medical help - just follow through slowly and that will start to help.

Answer 4

http://stress.about.com/od/tensiontamers...

This is a great site with many articles on the different relaxation techniques.  I recommend relaxation breathing and progressive muscle relaxation (because of your muscle tension).

Answer 5

Get on some anti-depressants and/or anxiety meds until you feel back to your old self.

Answer 6

It sounds like you have a very strong physical reaction to stress, that suggests to me that your nerves are totally on edge and are over stimulated.

The best thing I ever did for stress and anxiety was meditation.  Meditation allows you to stop any stimulus from coming in, it also stops you from creating your own negative energy which is probably your biggest issue.  The thoughts in your head might be raging, full of fear, self doubt, negativity, sadness, etc...  These thoughts have a physical effect on your body, they cause the brain to release stress hormones, adrenaline, chemicals that wreak havoc on your nerves and immune system.  The longer you carry these chemicals the more drastic the physical affects on your body.

It's really hard to control your thoughts but its an important life lesson to learn.  Aside from choosing not to think harmful thoughts, meditation is a way to reconnect with yourself before you went off on this tangent.  Meditation is also healing, because when you are in balance, it gives your nerves a chance to have a rest and also allows for some of the raging chemicals in your system to subside or at the very least, to cease production for just a moment.

Meditation isn't a cure, unless you're a monk and doing it all day.  But if you did it for about 30 minutes to one hour a day you can at least see your goal and give your body and mind a rest and therefore a fighting edge to get you through the day.  You can also do short 5 minute meditations to balance yourself if something happens and sets you off.

I'd look up medical meditation on the web, there's a ton of information and statistics about its effectiveness.

Answer 7

I wish I could tell you but I have been told that people that have anxiety always have it but learn to cope and learn ways to deal and relax. I have anxiety too, that word has consumed my mind and my life revolves around my anxiety. You're right it gets VERY exhausting, especially when you don't see an end in sight. All you can do is fight it. Talk to people you love, try and do things that make you happy, dont do things that will cause you to feel guilt which will add to your depression. Like not working or not giving your children the right attention. Just live day to day and fight it, try not to let it take you over. Try and stay strong and confident. I'm sorry this is the only advice i can give you because i suffer from the same things...

Answer 8

Emdr is a good therapy to help with ptsd. Look into it! It helped me a lot. So, in  fact I could do it about ten more times. They only deal with one thing at a time. At least with me that is how it was.It is a hard thing to go through because it makes you visualize and say the bad stuff. I guarentee that it would work though. Look it up to see if you are interested.I hope you feel better!!!Ask your psychologist about it.

Answer 9

take a break and a deep breath then relax and think of happy thought