[csh011]

I've been having ridiculous anxiety attacks the past couple weeks. I went to my doc about it and he said that he's never seen someone on my high dosage of anxiety/depression meds that still has that severe of anxiety, so it must not be biological. He thinks I have a repressed memory or emotion or feeling that is bubbling up... that's great except for that WHAT THE HECK IS IT?! I try to sit with myself during my attacks but I start shaking and i have trouble breathing and my heart pounds out of my chest. I can't concentration on anything... how am I supposed to concentrate on trying to figure out my repressed mem/emo/feeling...?! I try breathing and grounding exercises but I can't bare to sit with myself for how long it takes to make a difference. My skin is crawling and I just want to hibernate and leave myself. My mind and my body aren't connected anymore. I'm so distant from myself. help.

[lifelesstraveled]

I am sorry this happens to you. I am highly anxious too and started when I was very young. I understand the feeling of being so anxious you want to crawl out of your skin. I can't give you any advice. I am not on meds for this, though I am considering it.

My T has given me meditation techniques and breathing exercises. Lets say where you are when you are crawling out of your skin is a 10. How often are you like that? For me I might get to that point once a week or so, otherwise I am at a 7/6 anxiety wise. If you can manage to keep yourself down at that point or bring yourself down to that (eventually the high anxiety feeling will come down some) maybe the breathing techniques will help calm you down. Because obviously there is no calming you down when you are at a 10--trust me I know. You are already too far gone to talk yourself down from that. But lets say you are at a 6 or 7. Try taking slow deep breaths and focusing on your breaths ONLY. No thoughts, just your breath. Or, I love the sound of moving water, so i purchased a 60 min nature sound(heavy rain) from amazon for 99 cents. I listen to it on my ipod and do my deep breathing and throw in some visualization as well. It helps to clear my mind and bring me down from a 7 to about a 5 or 4. It doesnt last long, but I treasure those few minutes of peace.

In short ,when you are not at a level 10 anxiety wise, try your grounding/meditation exercises and then see if you can concentrate on figuring out your emotions. Are you seeing a therapist? Or do you just go to your GP for your meds? A therapist might be able to help you with your repressed emotions. I just started therapy myself. If you aren't seeing a T, would you consider it?

[Sannah]

csh, are you in therapy?

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by csh011

I've been having ridiculous anxiety attacks the past couple weeks. I went to my doc about it and he said that he's never seen someone on my high dosage of anxiety/depression meds that still has that severe of anxiety, so it must not be biological. He thinks I have a repressed memory or emotion or feeling that is bubbling up... that's great except for that WHAT THE HECK IS IT?! I try to sit with myself during my attacks but I start shaking and i have trouble breathing and my heart pounds out of my chest. I can't concentration on anything... how am I supposed to concentrate on trying to figure out my repressed mem/emo/feeling...?! I try breathing and grounding exercises but I can't bare to sit with myself for how long it takes to make a difference. My skin is crawling and I just want to hibernate and leave myself. My mind and my body aren't connected anymore. I'm so distant from myself. help.

((((((( csh011 )))))))

I'm sorry you are having so much anxiety right now. It probably is a repressed memory but it's not something you are going to be able to bring up on your own, otherwise it wouldn't be repressed! And trying to force it will just wind things up even more.

I suggest you find a therapist. Here's a link on How to choose a therapist.

Dr. Grohol's Psych Central - How to Choose a Therapist

Let us know how you get on.

[csh011]

I've been with the same therapist for two years and then I took a couple months off because I'm a student and I couldn't fit into the free campus therapy schedule. I just started with a new therapist in the community, so now i'm paying big bucks and expecting some real results. I know it will take time. Its just hard to imagine getting better when you feel that way.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I appreciate your support