[thunderpaws93]

What's up, gang?

I'm looking for practical advice for how to best spend my time the next few days in the wake of a acute panic attack, while I'm suffering a major depressive episode. Do y'all feel it's better to rest at home when you feel tired? Or be proactive in getting out and being with friends and doing stuff?

My story:
I'm been living with depression for the better part of 20 years (most of that time unmedicated, but lots of time in talk therapy). I recently found myself in the midst of a major depressive episode. At that time my job was ending (it was a seasonal job), and I was returning to my hometown to look for work.

Well, the last five days have been intensely difficult. Severe mood swings from "-10" to "-50" (like, from just normal depressed to VERY depressed). And the last two days have felt like I'm in a bad dream. Like, literally I kinda feel like I'm dreaming. And all the while I've also been feeling my anxiety levels building and building.

Yesterday I had a 20-minute acute panic attack the likes I've never experienced before. I was walking home in the city and my chest locked up, I started sweating, I was trembling and my legs felt weak under me, I was absolutely terrified and literally feared that I was losing my grasp on reality. I kept looking at people expecting their faces to turn into monsters or something. My mind was racing, and I felt like I was in terrible danger. I finally got home (my dad was there) I took 1mg of Xanax, told him I was afraid and felt unsafe and might need to go to the hospital, I called my therapist and she called the psychiatrist I'm meeting for a psych eval on Monday, and we concluded that I didn't need a hospital just yet (since I was calming down), but to stay with my dad and try to relax and be safe and to head to the hospital if any of the intense symptoms returned. The xanax kicked in, I calmed down a lot, but still felt pretty shaken by the whole experience. I didn't go to the hospital, but just went to sleep.

Woke up today, feel better, but after talking with my dad about the day before I could feel the anxiety coming on again. Less intense, but physically uncomfortable. Came home, took a .5 mg tablet of Xanax, then met with my best friend in the park for an hour, but now I'm feeling super tired (prolly the Xanax), but it's a beautiful day and I don't want to isolate myself in here and lose the natural medical benefits of a gorgeous spring day.

So...when in the wake of a panic attack, and with anxiety levels still higher than normal, do you tend to err on the side of rest and recuperation? Or push yourself to get out into the world and engage with nature and/or friends/family (family that DON'T specifically trigger your ****)?

Thanks a bunch,
Better Late Than Never

[Clara22]

Hi,
Thanks a lot for sharing. I don't push myself to be with people because many times they are the source of my anxiety. But I do push myself to be in touch with Nature and particularly to take care of my pets. They help me a lot with my anxiety
Sending you a hug

[thunderpaws93]

Thanks for the hug

[Angelique67]

Hi, thunderpaws. I have had some recent panic attacks lately, related to the stairs in the building I live in for 5.5 years. To make it worse, I fell on the stairs on Thursday and when I called to cancel/postpone a T appointment, Im not sure they believed me about the accident.

So, since I'm even more of a shut in than I was before, staying in my apartment makes me feel somewhat safe. But if I could recover from my stairs panic, I would so much rather have a nice breath of the beautiful air outside, and I can only think happily about the long walks I used to take daily, but due to physical problems, I'm likely never to be able to again.

So, if your body is sound, and you have that panic in the past today, I would suggest going outside to draw strength from the beauty of spring.

[thunderpaws93]

Originally Posted by Clara22

Hi,
Thanks a lot for sharing. I don't push myself to be with people because many times they are the source of my anxiety. But I do push myself to be in touch with Nature and particularly to take care of my pets. They help me a lot with my anxiety
Sending you a hug

Thanks so much for the feedback...
And thanks for the hug

[thunderpaws93]

Originally Posted by Angelique67

Hi, thunderpaws. I have had some recent panic attacks lately, related to the stairs in the building I live in for 5.5 years. To make it worse, I fell on the stairs on Thursday and when I called to cancel/postpone a T appointment, Im not sure they believed me about the accident.

So, since I'm even more of a shut in than I was before, staying in my apartment makes me feel somewhat safe. But if I could recover from my stairs panic, I would so much rather have a nice breath of the beautiful air outside, and I can only think happily about the long walks I used to take daily, but due to physical problems, I'm likely never to be able to again.

So, if your body is sound, and you have that panic in the past today, I would suggest going outside to draw strength from the beauty of spring.

Thanks for your encouragement and perspective, Angelique, I really appreciate it. And I'm sorry to hear that your physical problems limit your ability to get out. Do you have any ways that you keep your connection with nature despite your physical limitations?

If my body is up to it, i will go out and enjoy the day. If my body did not get enough rest, i feel sick, poorly then i stay home but reach out virtually or write a letter or make a phone call. I find trying to please people and be around them is often stressful, for i find they go past my energy level then they suck the life out of me what little i got left. I hope this makes sense... blessings and tc