[OutlawedSpirit]

It's been a hectic week. Last week I had to work like 26 hours of overtime. I ended up calling in one day, because I felt like crap all week and needed a day to rest. Found out last night I've felt like crap because I've got a sinus infection. Fun times.

Yesterday, I had my first panic attack. It hit me out of nowhere. Luckily I saw my T today, so we discussed it, even though I was only able to get a half hour spot. I tried to get an appointment with my pdoc this week too, but found out she is out of the office for the next two weeks, so I've got no help coming from that corner for a while.

To top off an already crappy week, today I feel like I'm crashing. I'm tired, and I don't want to do anything, and I feel like I'm on the verge of tears. I don't know if this is just from the sinus infection, an after effect of my panic attack yesterday, or if I'm truly falling into a depression. I pray it's not the latter, but considering I really want to lay down and cry myself to sleep, I think it might be.

I don't know what to do to try and head this off. Like I said, my pdoc is out of the office for two weeks, and I won't see my therapist for another two weeks either. I would have talked to my T earlier if this feeling would have started this morning instead of this afternoon.

[glok]

Hello, OutlawedSpirit. Sorry you are having to endure this stuff. Perhaps, you can call your therapist and be put on the cancellation list?

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.

[lilypup]

Hi there! I have seen so much work stress on this board, I think work should be optional for bp people...lol. Anyway, I have been sobbing and teary all week and have worried a bit if I am sinking again. I sure understand how you feel there. But the odds sort of are, that this is a trigger from your sinus infection and too much work.
You know what I really hate? In my town anyway, ALL the pdocs and t's take the ENTIRE month of August off. Then when they come back, they are so backed up you can't get in. I think then it's only fair that we should all be relieved of bp for the entire month of August. Hope you get in to the doc soon and that you feel better .