[LostOnTheTrail]

Hi, all.

Just wondering how many of us experience anxiety attacks to some degree. I had my first last week, and it was terrifying. (N.B. I have not sought a diagnosis, but the diagnostic criteria read like a checklist of my current experiences.)

Possible trigger:

I went to pottery class last Friday…still feeling fragile from the previous day’s therapy session. My tutor mentioned to the other person attending that she’d been to the doctor’s, and they’d taken bloods, but asked her to come back in for more blood tests, due to high potassium.
‘I looked up high potassium, and amongst other things it would suggest I’m in end-stage renal failure, which I don’t have.’
I bristled at this, because there are associations with both ‘Kim’ and Chris, and then…
‘How’s so and so?’
‘She’s going in for surgery tomorrow. She’s prepared for the operation, but she’s been told she’ll be in a bit of pain afterwards. Her chest and shoulders will hurt, because they go in through the sternum, and the shoulders because they tie you down to access the chest…’
‘…’
‘Are you alright, Lost? You’re looking a bit green.’
That conversation ended there, but I took a while to calm down. Then my friend came in to see the tutor. He’s the one whose mother passed away last month. We spent most of the day talking about the work I was producing, and somehow got on to…
‘It’s like that Family Guy episode, the one with the girl with anorexia….’
‘Stop. right. there.’
‘What’s up?’
‘I’m sorry, I just can’t deal with that right now…it’s a touchy subject for me.’
He asked me a couple of times later on whether I was alright. I didn’t really know what to answer, because I’m still calming down. Cripes!

[Amyjay]

I do but no frequently. They can happen at the most inconvenient times for the most mundane reasons for me.

[Ad Intra]

Funny thing is that I can't tell the difference at first between a panic attack and a flashback. I can tell it's a flashback when I start hearing voices.

[TrailRunner14]

Mine are silent.

I also don’t realize what is happening until I find myself knee deep into it.

Then it’s too late to address and stop it.

I’ve learned this and understand it. That gives me courage.

[MtnTime2896]

I have anxiety/panic attacks pretty much on a daily basis. Sometimes, the room will be dead silent and I will still have one because of my mind. I never really know when it's going to turn into a flashback which is why it takes so much concentration for me to calm down as soon as I can. The other night, I actually had some pretty severe episodes/flashbacks, back to back and just exhausting until I passed out. They just wouldn't stop. And I can't even tell you what set it all off.

Sometimes, little things we can't even consciously pick up on will set everything off. Maybe not full flashbacks, but increased anxiety and hypervigilance.

How are you doing today, Lost?

[Carmina]

All the bloody time

Have to hide in the loo at work or take off for a walk

[LostOnTheTrail]

Thanks for checking in on me, Só leigheas.

Today's a tough one for other reasons.

Possible trigger:

It's the third anniversary of a friend's death

so I am trying to use good coping skills, like exercise, as opposed to 'bad' coping skills like overeating.

Today is not good, but it will be over tomorrow...and I will see R next week.