Hi all, im new. I suffer from SEVERE anxiety and panic disorder. its terrible, i had to get a root canal done and could not make it past the freezing my heart rate went way up it was awful so i put it off for 3 months, now again im going tomorrow for my 2nd attempt. i know it sounds silly its only the dentist, but for me its so overwhelming. im plagued with sever panic and anxiety not just about the dentist but over all.it feels like im dieing. i ask for some fervent prayers.
Michael, i know what your going through. I suffer from the same things. It makes everyday normal tasks seem almost impossible to do. Ive had this since i was a child.
I would get panic attacks that lasted for up to 5 hours sometimes. I even got them in my sleep. I lost days because i felt so out of touch with reality because of them.
Some things that help me when i start to get a panic attack or get anxious.
I pray and ask God to help me relax and then i force myself to stay calm and relax my body as much as i can. The more you fight the anxiety and panic the worse it will get. If your going to get a panic attack your going to get one, you might as well chill out while your having it. The more you tense up the longer it will last. Don't take deep breaths, keep your breathing shallow. Deep breathing will just make you feel dizzy and add to the panic.
Do NOT panic thinking about weather or not you might get a panic attack, Dont give yourself anxiety thinking about weather or not your going to have anxiety. I know you know what im talking about. Im sure youve been giving yourself anxiety over if your going to have anxiety tomorrow at your appointment. Your going to do great though. Think positively, when you start to get those anxious thoughts in your head start praying or repeating scripture. The minute you start entertaining that anxious thought its got you.
If your eating a lot of sugar... stop. No caffeine either. Start exersizing, do.something to get your heart rate up. It releases endorphins in your brain. Make sure your getting enough sleep, being tired makes the anxiety worse... i know you know that already though.
The other thing is to change your thinking. Panic and anxiety are just feelings, and i know there the worst kind of feelings, but in the end thats all they are... feelings. They cant hurt you. Remember that. Do things that make you happy, dont put your life on hold for this.
Trust God, that was what helped me the most. I couldnt get in a car for almost a year because it would make me feel like i couldn't breathe, i felt trapped so i would start to panic and think i cant breathe.. im gonna die or im gonna pass out! That got old really fast so i finally said you know what, God i trust you if i pass out i pass out if i stop breathing and die well i'll just have to stop breathing and die. I refused to care anymore.
I would on purpose put myself in situations that made me get panic attacks so i could learn and experiment with what worked the most on helping me stay calm.
This isnt to say i never get them, i still do, but i can be in a state of total panic and anxiety and you would never know it. I carry on just as normal. You can push past this, you will get through this
Im really going to be praying for you about this. I know it feels like your dying, but your not, and this isnt going to kill you.