Panic Attacks?

[Skeeder]

Hi I know this isn't really horse related but I keep getting really stressed recently.
If anything stresses me out I get this real gut wrenching butterflies feeling in the pit of my stomach feel almost like I'm going to be physically sick and I just feel like I'm going to burst into tears its almost like I cant cope sounds pathetic I know.
The slightest thing is stressing me out its starting to affect my riding too I keep getting all the what ifs in my mind everytime I ride.
I can feel my heart racing not sure if they are like palpatations.
Does this sound like anxiety or a panic attack to you at all maybe the start of him sorry for stupid post but I'm finding these feelings very scary:o

[Maggiemooo]

Must be horrid for you, have you tried Rescue Remedy available in Boots, I find this calms that pounding feeling and makes me feel so much better, worth a try

[Skeeder]

I will give it a go will try anything I have had quite a stressful time the last year or so moving yards a number of times due to being bullied etc and a few other family probs its almost like my mind cant cope horrible feeling though:(

[LauraGeeGee]

Firstly, it's NOT a stupid post!

It does sound like possible panic attacks though could also be lots of other things too.

Have you been to a GP? Probably a silly question as if you're the same as me the internet is my first port of call :rolleyes:.

The tearfulness etc could be hormonal. I used to get those sort of feelings including palpitations and a general feeling of panic. There was nothing really going on in my life to cause this. I didn't go to the GP and they just passed in time. I did use rescue rememdy and also began taking evening primrose. Both of these I feel helped me. If you have been having a traumatic time, this could explain it. Sometimes feelings come to the surface during a time of calm rather than when I've been really stressed. it does with me anyway.

I think it would be worth a trip to the GP though as you'll only panic more about feeling panicy!

[Cortrasna]

Sorry you are feeling like this - used to suffer from panic attacks and it can be very scarey if you havent had them before - used to think I was about to drop dead with a heart attack or something:rolleyes: Dont get them nowadays but used to find listening to one of those relaxaxtion tapes helped a lot - think you can get a choice of them in most health food type shops?

On the riding thing - also do think if you are stressed anxious about other areas of your life it does tend to spill over into your riding. I find that if Im worrying about other stuff Im a real nervous nelly:o But if my life is going through a more settled time then I am a much bolder rider:D

Sorry not much help - but I do sympathise and hope you manage to get the feelings under control one way or another:)

[Skeeder]

Firstly, it's NOT a stupid post!

It does sound like possible panic attacks though could also be lots of other things too.

Have you been to a GP? Probably a silly question as if you're the same as me the internet is my first port of call :rolleyes:.

The tearfulness etc could be hormonal. I used to get those sort of feelings including palpitations and a general feeling of panic. There was nothing really going on in my life to cause this. I didn't go to the GP and they just passed in time. I did use rescue rememdy and also began taking evening primrose. Both of these I feel helped me. If you have been having a traumatic time, this could explain it. Sometimes feelings come to the surface during a time of calm rather than when I've been really stressed. it does with me anyway.

I think it would be worth a trip to the GP though as you'll only panic more about feeling panicy!

Yes it could be hormones I have just turned 30 could be my body telling me to hurry up and have kids which is another thing I get mithered about! x

[LauraGeeGee]

Just to add my :rolleyes: was at me not you! I'm terrible for not going to the GP when something is wrong!

I do hope the feelings pass or you can get some help. It's really not nice.

Hugs to you.

[Skeeder]

Sorry you are feeling like this - used to suffer from panic attacks and it can be very scarey if you havent had them before - used to think I was about to drop dead with a heart attack or something:rolleyes: Dont get them nowadays but used to find listening to one of those relaxaxtion tapes helped a lot - think you can get a choice of them in most health food type shops?

On the riding thing - also do think if you are stressed anxious about other areas of your life it does tend to spill over into your riding. I find that if Im worrying about other stuff Im a real nervous nelly:o But if my life is going through a more settled time then I am a much bolder rider:D

Sorry not much help - but I do sympathise and hope you manage to get the feelings under control one way or another:)

Thank you my horse is beginning to sense it too as soon as I get that panic feeling he gets stressed need to calm down x

[Skeeder]

Just to add my :rolleyes: was at me not you! I'm terrible for not going to the GP when something is wrong!

I do hope the feelings pass or you can get some help. It's really not nice.

Hugs to you.

Thankyou moved to new yard yesterday so thats probably part of it too I just want to run away and hide when I get these stressy feelings! x

[LauraGeeGee]

Yes it could be hormones I have just turned 30 could be my body telling me to hurry up and have kids which is another thing I get mithered about! x

Try not to stress about that. At 30, there's plenty of time!!

Lots of my friends worry about that too. We're all 36/37. One of my friends has met someone, got married and had a baby all within 2 years. She never imagined she would! It does often happen that way! Please trry not to worry about that.

[Skeeder]

Its weird isn#t it how one thought leads to another and so on before you know it your stressing about ever ruddy thing I don't know:rolleyes:

[Krissie I]

Not a silly post at all!

Panic attacks are scary but they are treatable with Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT) so you could ask your GP to refer you. You can also help yourself with these resources:

http://www.overcoming.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=4816

Good luck :)

[Cortrasna]

Its weird isn#t it how one thought leads to another and so on before you know it your stressing about ever ruddy thing I don't know:rolleyes:

Tell me about it Skeeder!:D I could stress for my country at the olympics I think;) Do agree though that a chat with the doc my be in order - they dont always automatically bung you on antidepressents (sp?) nowadays.

Could refer you for some helpful counselling. Just that if your life has thrown some anxious stuff your way recently that chatting to someone who deals with this everyday might be a real help?

And most of all, DO NOT feel you are being silly, over sensitive etc. Many, many people go through periods like this and it is the first step to getting through it when you admit you are haveing a problem:)

Lots of hugs and we are all here for you - expect you'll find lots of us 'owning up' to knowing exactly what you are talking about:)

[popularfurball]

I suffer from them quite badly - I have a phobia of people being sick (and myself to a lesser extent - but only cos Im never sick I make sure fo that :p)

If I think anyone near me is going to be sick, or I get stuck somewhere where a random stranger is likely to be sick (like in an overcrowded cramped nightclub/pub etc) then I go into melt down. I shake like a leaf, my eyesight goes funny, I feel sick, I get killer butterflies in my tummy, I get dizzy, and go cold but sweat up and constantly need to pee! Drives me potty :rolleyes: but I find it very difficult to explain to people what the problem is once I am in the mess - and there often isnt a gradual onset, its there and and then gets worse - no pre-empting it (unless Im going to a "risky" place).

The biggest problem I find is that I worry people will tell me to stop being stupid - Im always told that no one likes sick... but I REALLY don't like it.

I find that afterwards, once I am calming down is when I want to cry properly, but during a panic attack I just cry hysterically - I don't feel sad at the time - its a bit like the shaking and the butterflies - jack all I can do to stop them :rolleyes:. I also find afterwards I have to take on sugar as I end up feeling faint. It helps massivley to have someone you can explain it all too - I have been with my OH for three years - he was the first person I dared explain to - occasionally he still looses his temper with me, but I can be so pathetic - I get worked up if he goes to the toilet in the night after having a drink :rolleyes:. If he has had a lot to drink I will get him to stay at friends, or I will sleep in a seperate room with a cd player on and the TV on the whole night and still wont sleep. However, he is so good with it now - he will just sit and cuddle me and reassure me. So from mypoint of view finding someone who you can phone when it happens to reassure you, or go home for a cuddle from is the biggest hurdle - I found that once he understood me and didnt reject me for it that I had more confidence to tell others. I then sought CBT etc. My other piece of advice is do something about it now - don't let it get to how I have - it can really control my life - its stupid things like not touching other peoples toothbrushses because sick might be one, not sharing toothpaste because there might be sick on it, avoiding nightclubs because I might see someone be sick, offering people travel sickness tablets if Im going on a car journey with them for over half an hour incase they get sick in the car.

So please, speak to someone and get some help with it - the longer it is left the more it becomes habit - I didnt understand how I should process the thoughts or what I should do to help myself. My first part was the realise the circle, the second is to try and break it.

My circle is:
sick is dirty ---> it will get on me and make me dirty ---> fear of becoming dirty ---->anxiety over beomcing dirty ---> anxiety initiates flight response, so I avoid sick ---> avoidance makes memories worse f sick, and so enhances the though of how dirty sick is and compoiunds problem.

So to break it, I have to do things that bring me into a danger zone - starting small - I havd to touch my OHs soles of his shoes for as long as it took for the anxiety to go away!! But of course... THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SICK ON THEM!!! The week after I had to get a dirty J-cloth and wipe down stuff to contaminate it - Im a bit of a clean freak generally :rolleyes: - and leave it dirty.....

Sorry for the long post, and I know its all about me - but hopefully it will help you see why it is important to do something about it once you realise it is a problem - whether its trying the Bach remedy or going to the GP - I didn't because I didnt realise it was any worse than what anybody else thought of sick, and I wish I had got help earlier as I think I would find it easier to break - it is totally engrained in me.

No doubt I will regret posting this in a while :o

[popularfurball]

No - your more likely to find yourself being given anti-anxiety meds than anti depressants - although this isnt true if you are also feeling down.

However relating to the above post I made :o I got given anti anxiety meds for it to be taken as required... I cant and havent taken them... a side effect that is common is vomiting :eek: lol.

Also have a look at work - often companies now have their own counselling service available as it cutsdown time of sick with stress related illenss - phone occy health and have an ask perahps?

[Cortrasna]

No doubt I will regret posting this in a while

Really hope you don't because being honest is the only way we can help each other isnt it popularfurball;)

Is your phobia a sort of oCD thing do you think? Only ask because when I was stressed/panic attacking I had shocking OCD with housework etc.!!:eek: Think it would be quite a good thing if I had a bit of that now looking around at the dust and dog hairs!:D

[popularfurball]

Its just the way it works - I find it difficult talking about this - I got dizzy just writing about it!!!

I get quite embaressed talking about it, because it is really stupid how I can let it control me - whenI am rational about it I know how stupid it is... but when Im irrational... well theres no arguing me with!!!!

And although I am phobic of sick, it is very OCD like - I am quite happy living in my own dirt as I know where I have been and what Ive done... As an idea of some of the things I do every day to avoid getting "dirty".... *cringes*

- Wont touch toilet door handles
- Wont touch flusher of toilet
- Wont touch taps unless they are ours at home, or my mum and dads
- Won't sit on toilet seats without loo roll between backside and seat :p
- Wont kiss Oh for at least a week if he has been sick
- Wont touch him until he has showered and brushed teeth at least twice after he has been sick
- Will bleach/disinfect EVERYTHING he might have got sick on (even a minor splash :p) - basically the whole bathroom
- Wash all clothes/bedsheets/cushion covers/dressing gowns/slippers etc
- Wont eat prawns or carrots - have been very sick both times Ive eaten those - carrots last eatne when I was about 8!!
- Avoid risky situations - nightclubs mainly, hospitals. I willl go tothem, and not put up a fight, but I will have casual reasons to not go - anyone who didnt know about my phobia wouldnt know basically.

You become very over sensitised to the smell and noise of someone being sick - I have a sixth "sick" sense - I can tell hours before OH is sick that he is going to be sick. This only makes it worse as I spend hours worrying!!!!

The OCD of these habits I dont even notice, and no one comments as no one sees me doing them really - only OH who knows my game :rolleyes: - but obv no one sees me go toilet etc.

I also wont go near toilets with hands or face due to there possibley being sick in them - this extends to me being sick - Being sick in a oitlet s worse than just being sick!!! :D Banana or what?! :p

[lynnemh]

it could be panic attacks- i know when i had an extremely awlful year, i couldnt breathe, and my heart was acting up, so much that the doctor put me on a heart monitor for a week, i think it was. the symptoms sound a lot like the ones you describe, but really you should have a chat with your doctor, just to rule out any others things that could be going on.

[ADHD Alfie]

As you can see, you are not alone and it is NOT a silly post!!! I too suffer from panic attacks and anxiety very badly since splitting up with my bf, which has been the trigger. My GP helped me enormously as well as showing me a few breathing exercises to help.
It must be awful for you, but as you can see just by posting on here, there is a lot of support out there.

hugs x

[diplomaticandtactful]

I have had the day from hell today, with vets calls (only pleasant part of day) and work related stuff going pearshaped, building related stuff driving me nuts.

I have had the same symptoms, shaky, heart racing, generally wobbly, it is just stress - when i get it really badly i get the stomach falling to ankles feeling, either feel sick, but won't be, or can't face eating. i also don't sleep well.

I have had a number of years of extreme stress from loads of sources and i just try to get on with it now.

You will find that there are a huge number of folks like you out there and yes it does affect your riding. I don't ride unless i am in a good mood.

[Native Lover]

Hi I know this isn't really horse related but I keep getting really stressed recently.
If anything stresses me out I get this real gut wrenching butterflies feeling in the pit of my stomach feel almost like I'm going to be physically sick and I just feel like I'm going to burst into tears its almost like I cant cope sounds pathetic I know.
The slightest thing is stressing me out its starting to affect my riding too I keep getting all the what ifs in my mind everytime I ride.
I can feel my heart racing not sure if they are like palpatations.
Does this sound like anxiety or a panic attack to you at all maybe the start of him sorry for stupid post but I'm finding these feelings very scary:o

Your move must have been stressful as well as the bullying on your previous yard, Don't be to hard on yourself,i have been through similar in the past and it can affect your riding too.Try to have some me time where you can just chill with no pressure. Pamper yourself a little,love yourself. Try to take some pressure off yourself while your feeling so stressed :)

There are lots of us who have been through similar, at time in our lives.Hope your feeling better soon.

[Skeeder]

Thank you all for your supportive posts I really appreciate it:)

[Dark Storm]

I had hypnosis to help with stress and anxiety.. I suffered really bad with them at one point.. To say that I'm free of them would be lying, every now and then they bubble up. It seems to go with my monthly cycle these days.. I turn into the incredible hulk:o