[FreedomFighter]

So I've had panic attacks and anxiety for years (nothing diagnosed, regarding anxiety anyways). The panic attacks occur when I am in certain social situations, typically around people I don't know or aren't comfortable with, in a place that makes that makes me uncomfortable. I do not avoid situations because of this though, i just have the extreme anxiety/panic attacks in them and try to cope and manage through it. Lately it has gotten bad again and I don't need another big aspect to my mental health to debilitate me or cause me further difficulty. I am fairly good at using cbt and dbt to manage anxiety, but then again I haven't had panic attacks like this for quite a while so it is very difficult. I am wondering though what kind of anxiety this is because it is an anxiety regarding a social situation(like social anxiety) but also includes panic attacks like panic disorder.. I wonder what sort of anxiety this would fall into..

[glok]

Hello, FreedomFighter.

Anxiety, Panic and Phobia Center - Psych Central

My therapist gave me a card with these coping tips. They take some practice but have been helpful.

Coping With Anxiety and Panic

1. Remember, feelings of panic are just exaggerations of normal bodily stress reactions.
2. Sensations are neither harmful nor dangerous - just unpleasant. Nothing worse will happen.
3. Anxiety is temporary. Instead of fighting it, relax into it. Just let it be.*
4. Focus on facing the fear rather than trying to avoid it or escape from it.
5. Stop adding to the panic with frightening thoughts of where panic will lead.
6. Stay in the present. Be aware of what is happening to you rather than concern yourself with how much worse it might get.
7. Notice that when you stop adding to panic with frightening thoughts, the fear begins to fade.
8. Wait and give the fear time to pass.
9. Look around you. Plan what you will do next as the panic subsides.
10. When you are ready to go on, do so in an easy, relaxed manner. There is no hurry.
11. Think about the progress made so far despite all the difficulties.
*Breathe

I wish you well.

[~rider]

Not sure type of anxiety but if you're doing the full DBT, with group sessions, that should help. Especially since you've noted it's helped before. Also sounds like a phobia might be somewhere in the mix. Or developing.

I'm not big on large gatherings, or some social situations either, but am a social person. I just do what's comfortable. Sometimes I go to parties, sometimes not. I don't apologize, or feel bad if I bail, I just do what works for me. Friends and family are used to it. Funny thing is I'm told I'm reliable as a friend. Just not showing up for parties or after work happy hours.

[Perna]

Have you talked at all to a therapist about the situations and what they could be triggering that makes you so anxious? It is great you have been able to observe the sorts of conditions that cause you to respond in this way. Just understanding where they "come from" won't necessarily make them go away but I found it was a "comfort" to me so I was less afraid of being afraid, knowing a situation's basis and thus having the opportunity to plan ahead a bit for better support and management.

[raydavid11]

Anxiety is common problem now a days because of lack of exercises, poor diet, physical activity etc. Stress and depression also leads to anxiety.

[FreedomFighter]

I've determined that all this anxiety is really due to often being in anxiety-provoking and high stress situations. That perhaps I may get more anxious than the average individual but I think all of my anxiety symptoms are just due to my other diagnoses/disorders. Thank you all for the advice and I will talk to my therapist about it. Thanks.

[~rider]

Sounds very possible, good luck.