Does anyone suffer from anxiety/panic attacks?

cory_hudack

I have dealt with this for 15yrs now and it really affects how I work out. I can do cardio but if I push too hard it triggers the feeling of a panic attack. I'd like to try crossfit but I know they go super hard so this condition holds me back. Anyone else experience this and how do you deal with it?

nicolebarnhill32

Oh yes, it feels like you cannot get any air,i try to get my mind off it ...

donjtomasco

Zoloft!!!

cory_hudack

donjtomasco wrote: »

Zoloft!!!

I take Effexor and it does work. But like I said when I workout and my heart rate is up that's when sometimes ok a lot of times the feeling of panic comes on and I have to slow it down. Very frustrating

JenRainbow1

I used to. Then I got hold of a book called overcoming panic by helen kennedy.
I used to get them in school assemblies! And I had them for years and the doctors didn't have a clue what was wrong. I managed to get through them with the help of the book. I basically had a panic attack and concentrated on my breathing and visualised a number in my head when I took a deep breath and let it out.
The best thing to do is to push through it because avoidance only makes it worse.

Once I got over my panic attacks I had general anxiety for a while and I still get some anxious times and symptoms. I have to stick to mindfulness and yoga and learn to relax.
This new exercise/weight loss is also helpful
There's a lot of stuff online for help. Maybe try doing some power yoga that will push you a bit but also you help you to focus on the stress (Al bingham, yoga zone, free videos on youtube)

cwolfman13

Yes, but not from working out...exercise helps alleviate the issue for me. I used to get panic attacks pretty frequently...I still get them, but they're much more rare the last few years since I've been eating better and exercising regularly.

RespectTheKitty

cwolfman13 wrote: »

Yes, but not from working out...exercise helps alleviate the issue for me. I used to get panic attacks pretty frequently...I still get them, but they're much more rare the last few years since I've been eating better and exercising regularly.

Same here. I haven't had an anxiety attack since I've started working out and watching calories. (knock on wood)

cory_hudack

cwolfman13 wrote: »

Yes, but not from working out...exercise helps alleviate the issue for me. I used to get panic attacks pretty frequently...I still get them, but they're much more rare the last few years since I've been eating better and exercising regularly.

If I workout lightly to moderate, I'm usually fine. But it's when I really get my heart rate up is when that awful feeling starts to come on and I have to stop what I'm doing. There's been times I've basically ran out of the gym in panic

Timshel_

You can't be afraid to trigger the effects or you get in a cycle of anxiety. I've learned over the years that it's just a chemical reaction in my body that causes them and I have to detach from it an do the motions, which eventually dissipates the feelings and I train myself to have less attacks because I feel I can handle them. It's taken years but I do pretty good.

Best of luck.

cory_hudack

Same here. I haven't had an anxiety attack since I've started working out and watching calories. (knock on wood)[/quote]

I've always worked out and watched my calories as much as possible and the funny part is, watching calories gives me anxiety! Like I get worried I'm not eating enough and will die. Lol I'm so weird

jen_bush

Yep, I get panic attacks and massive anxiety...but unfortunately working out doesn't help with the panic attacks, helps with the anxiety though. My panic attack triggers are just too unrelated to this, the only thing that helped me was getting a puppy. He's been with me for 2.5 years now and every time I feel a panic attack coming, I give him a cuddle and calm myself down in this way. anyways, good luck to you x

cory_hudack

Timshel_ wrote: »

You can't be afraid to trigger the effects or you get in a cycle of anxiety. I've learned over the years that it's just a chemical reaction in my body that causes them and I have to detach from it an do the motions, which eventually dissipates the feelings and I train myself to have less attacks because I feel I can handle them. It's taken years but I do pretty good.

Best of luck.

Omg, you are my new hero. I would love to just push through the feelings like you. Guess I can expect it to happen overnight if it's taken you years. I'll keep trying. Thanks!

Sarc_Warrior

I find when my anxiety rises so does my ocd. My anxiety is all about irrational thoughts. Talking and exercise helps as did an article I read about becoming anti fragile. Add me if you want

cory_hudack

jen_bush wrote: »

Yep, I get panic attacks and massive anxiety...but unfortunately working out doesn't help with the panic attacks, helps with the anxiety though. My panic attack triggers are just too unrelated to this, the only thing that helped me was getting a puppy. He's been with me for 2.5 years now and every time I feel a panic attack coming, I give him a cuddle and calm myself down in this way. anyways, good luck to you x

I have a dog too and he definitely alleviates so much of my anxiety! I'm sure I'd be a full blown mess without him

wtskinner

this is al pretty helpful, at least I don't feel like I'm the only one. Mine started a couple years ago and have died down a little once I figured out what was going on and learned to do some deep breathing. They don't hit me as much now, it seems if I don't get much sleep and i'm eating like crap, they hit me more often. I hate that feeling of gasping for air. I guess stress is a big trigger.

HealthyGinny

I have massive anxiety (linked to my ADHD). Been diagnosed for both, and treated for the ADHD but I have stopped the meds because of too many side effects after years of taking them. Since stopping and a new job and a new flat, I've had some huge panic attacks and general periods of constant anxiety but fortunately working out and eating healthy helps. Cutting down (down, not out) processed sugar/coffee/tea helps too, or at least that's how I feel. I walk a lot also? Like even days when I can't workout, I try to hit at least 10,000/12,000 steps even if I'm super busy at work, and it feels like it helps me? not sure how to help you, either you push through but it can be super hard or you change your way of working out for things like walking, swimming, yoga, etc. Best of luck anyway!!

Timshel_

cory_hudack wrote: »

Timshel_ wrote: »

You can't be afraid to trigger the effects or you get in a cycle of anxiety. I've learned over the years that it's just a chemical reaction in my body that causes them and I have to detach from it an do the motions, which eventually dissipates the feelings and I train myself to have less attacks because I feel I can handle them. It's taken years but I do pretty good.

Best of luck.

Omg, you are my new hero. I would love to just push through the feelings like you. Guess I can expect it to happen overnight if it's taken you years. I'll keep trying. Thanks!

It is amazing the strength inside you when you look. Never easy or quick, but as you work through you get little bits of your life back. Have faith in yourself.

Char231023

I have anxiety attack too. You might be associating your anxiety attacks with elevated heart rate (which is usually associated with panic attacks). So when your heart rate goes above normal you automatically think you are having a panic attack. Maybe concentrate on your breathing and reassuring your self that that is what is suppose to happen (its not easy in that panic attack moment to do). I don't know If that makes a lot a sense but it helps me.

IAmAlessandroP

I used to have them. I couldn't even leave the house. But exposure is the best medicine when it comes to anxiety. You have to tell yourself "that its just anxiety" what we fear is the symptoms of anxiety. Diaphragmatic breathing techniques help. Breathe in though your nose 3 counts and out 5 counts. Put your hand over your belly button and make sure your belly goes up and down. With anxiety we sometimes breathe through our chest which makes our breathes short and rapid causing us to be light headed and triggering our anxiety. I can tell you anxiety is something everyone can over come. I did it and in a month I will have a mental health degree. If you all need anymore advice please reach out to me or friend me. Oh yea I'm on Lexapro daily and Adavan when I feel the symptoms are too much for me. I haven't had to take the Adavan for about 6 months. You all can over come it I promise you!!! Also don't be afraid to talk about it to people. You have to normalize your anxiety. I could go on but I don't want to write a book. Like I said I'm here I have a wealth of knowledge. Take care y'all!!

Ws2016

cory_hudack wrote: »

Same here. I haven't had an anxiety attack since I've started working out and watching calories. (knock on wood)

I've always worked out and watched my calories as much as possible and the funny part is, watching calories gives me anxiety! Like I get worried I'm not eating enough and will die. Lol I'm so weird

[/quote]

Suffered from panic for a number of years and found a counselor who specializes in PTSD, does a lot of work with vets. There are similarities in treatment, especially focused on cognitive therapy. So I recommend finding a therapist who practices cognitive, because overcoming a panic level of anxiety is about action therapy as opposed to purely talk therapy.

salembambi

odd i deal with anxiety issues and never had a problem with working out causing attacks

interesting to know though

oh and marijuana is the solution

synchkat

I used to and then I went to a therapist who taught me coping mechanisms. I don't think my issue was that bad but the therapist helped a lot and was free through an employee assistance program at my office.

amanda_corinne

I had a doctor who told me to face it like a challenge. Now when that happens (especially when I'm working out), I say to the anxiety attack "come at me, bro. You're not taking me down. I am a badass, and you're just some stupid shaky thing. I don't have time for you." It sounds so silly, but it's empowering and after you say that kind of stuff for a few minutes, you start to believe it. It's helped me a lot during workout time or when I'm super busy and don't have time to be bothered.

littlebrittfit

cwolfman13 wrote: »

Yes, but not from working out...exercise helps alleviate the issue for me. I used to get panic attacks pretty frequently...I still get them, but they're much more rare the last few years since I've been eating better and exercising regularly.

same here. it was an unexpected relief.

Antd420

I have been dealing with anxiety disorder for about 17 years and have tried every medication, the only ones that have worked for me is the Benzos. Which are Xanax, Klonopin, Valuim, etc... The only problem with those is you tend to abuse them. I had a daughter a little over 3 years ago and she takes up a lot of my time and thoughts which helps a lot. I started excercise about 18 months ago and that also helps. Don't get me wrong I still have this condition. I have struggled with jobs, relationships, and even family because of it. I am currently on Zoloft 50mg and Klonopin 1mg twice a day which seems to be working pretty well. I also smoke marijuana a few times a week when I can't sleep. This is a very tough disorder and you're not alone. Keep fighting one day at a time.

_incogNEATo_

I know more people who *claim* to have anxiety issues and panic attacks than people who actually do suffer from those.

ShadRak24

I had one once that sent me to the ER. I thought I was having a heart attack, but it was more of a panic attack. Not fun!

cory_hudack

ShadRak24 wrote: »

I had one once that sent me to the ER. I thought I was having a heart attack, but it was more of a panic attack. Not fun!

Me too when I first started getting them and I didn't know what it was. They put me in this small room and I was freaking out so bad that I snuck out and left because I thought I was gonna die. A rational person would think a hospital would be a good place to be if you're thinking you're dieing lol. Smdh

lithezebra

I have an anxiety disorder, and I've been to the ER when I thought I was having a heart attack that was really a panic attack. Exercise, especially a few sessions of intense exercise every week, helps me enormously in managing my disorder with a minimum of medication.

My dad used to go for a run when he thought he was having a heart attack, to convince himself it was a panic attack. I did cognitive behavioral therapy for my panic attacks, and have a checklist I go through to make sure that what I'm having is anxiety, not a medical emergency. By the time I get through the checklist, it's usually going away.

Libertysfate

Yep. Got so bad after I started working my current job (newspaper) and after trying more natural routes I talked to my doctor about medication. Took two tries but I'm on Prozac and feel like a "normal" functioning person. But with my life falling into place, and working out on a regular basis I feel like I can start weening off so we'll see how that turns out.

Roach002

I have a question a friend of mine that a care deeply for suffers from anxiety and depression what can I do to help her over come it.