[zebra lover]

Had 2 panic attacks today.... never had one but my mom said I have been stressed alot lately but i don't know what over! I got really frusterated over a little project in fashion design though and it was nothin. Like she said it would be best if I didn't use a certain pic because it said the copyright name on top and it was "unprofessional". I freaked out and couldn't find another pic. It got to the point where it was really hard to breathe where I had to take deep breaths where that really didn't help. Then, I tried to sit and just relax and that didnt seem to help probably because I only took a few minutes to do that because I was frusterated and didnt have the patience to sit still. Everything calmed down and I was ok 6th period. Then when I got to 7th which is art. I kept dropping the rolling pin to roll out the clay and my project wasn't going the way it was suppose to and I started getting really frusterated. What made it worse was my friend snapped at me because her projected in fashion design (we have that class at the same time) got deleted and she kept telling me sorry in 7th period which made me even more mad and when I told her to stop she would but then apolize for telling me sorry and it would keep going and going... and I dont know why this is just happening but anyone know how to make it stop! Its already got me frusterated and to the point where I cant handle it anymore.

PS: I hope this is the right place to say this! Sorry if it isn't.. I will change it if I need to!

[Sara Arell]

Renee - I'm so sorry - one way to deal with panic attacks is the take a deep breath, hold it til the count of 8 and then release it holding the release til the count of eight - Breathe through your nose and then when you let it out, do it again 4 more times - do this several times a day - I promise it helps!

Hang in there sweetie - I have them all the time and this little method works for me!

[mbc72]

Sounds like a very frustrating day! Sounds like Sara gave you some good advice.

Hang in there, praying for you.

[AggieB]

I'm sorry, Renee. It sounds like a totally frustrating day. Sara offered some good advice. Hope you find it helpful.
This is the perfect place to vent, sweetie.

[jode2771]

Renee, I agree with Sara, try what she said... It DOES help :-) Lots of people get these, or similar attacks (me included) and deep breathing works wonders... Another thing I was taught was "will I be worried about this in 2 years?"... If the answer is no then it is probably not worth getting upset over, take a step back and work through it... High school is tough and lots of stress and demands in you is part of it- take time now to learn to help yourself before you get to exams etc... I promise it will help.

[BarbaraC1977]

Sara, Jody and the others are right, but as a panic attack sufferer myself, and with a 21 year old son who suffers even more, I have to add a bit more.

Find a doctor who understands these, and can help you learn about it and how to treat it. If your doctor isn't sympathetic, find another. The causes of panic attacks rarely seem that significant in hindsight, but it's very real, and the triggers tend to be personal to yourself. They also depend on phases in your life; things that trigger it today won't necessarily be a trigger in five years.

Untreated panic attacks are not good. I was finally diagnosed at 40, when I thought I was having a heart attack and ended up in the E.R. I have a friend who DID have a heart attack because of one; the arteries "clamp down" and the effect is a blockage. The good news is that with therapy and/or medications, it's treatable, survivable, and not necessarily a constant in your life. Take care of yourself, and don't hesitate to ask for help, here and in your community. We're praying for you, too!

[LenaLotta]

I'm sorry to hear this Renee but glad to see Sara, Jody and Barbara have giving you some really good advice both short term and long term.
I'll keep you in my thoughts, big hugs

[Jane in N.Z]

Renee my prayers are with you that you don't have another panic attack. You have been given some very good advice which I recomend you should follow and deep breathing when you feel it starting to happen works wonders. Big Hugs

[CRS]

I hope today is a better day for you. Panic attacks are not fun and are pretty scary. Make sure you take care of yourself!

[Sara Arell]

Thinking about you this morning, Renee - and hoping that the panic attacks are under control a little bit by now. Remember to BREATHE! It's easy enough to say but I know it isn't always easy to do, but give it a try and see if it doesn't help a little bit.

[Smiles]

Hang in there, Renee! There is so much going on these days, it seems as if we have crammed more into our lives than is possible to manage. that stresses us more than we realize. And if we're trying to do everything perfectly, it just multiplies the stress. I'm not saying that's what's going on for you - but it has been for me!

[Debbie Cleek]

Hang tough Renee! You'll make it through. I agree with Sara on the breathing. I learned an excercise recently called three part breathing, and when you do it it really does calm you down, because all you can think about is breathing. It's kinda tricky to explain, but I could PM you if you are interested. I'm also a big fan of using excercise to burn off stress. Try going to a long walk and see if that helps any. Good luck!

[Sara Arell]

The three part breathing I learned, and maybe the one Debbie is referring to goes something like this:

First, take a deep breath through your nose and then hold that breath while counting to 4

Second, release the breath through your mouth while counting to eight - this gets all of the air out of your lungs.

Third, do this four times in a row and practice doing it no less than 5 times a day.

HTH!

[Sara Arell]

If it helps any, I just got home from the ER - had such a horrible panic attack that went on for over an hour and nothing would relieve it. I tried everything I knew to do but when it wouldn't go away and was getting increasingly worse, Rich said we were going to the ER. They gave me some medicine and I'm fine now Sometimes we just have to do what we have to do - doc in ER said that he hadn't seen a panic attack quite that severe but I feel much better now!

[zebra lover]

I could feel my body try to go into panic mode a couple of times... Haven't tried the breathing but I have calmed down enough to take it one step at a time. I hate what my teachers are doing.. POP QUIZZES!! I even had one yesterday and today! Teachers have been giving pop quizzes lately and I am not use to it at all!!!! I freak out because I didn't study but I have been looking at my notes last minute to help me know everything so I don't forget anything. I asked my cooking teacher what happens when you have a panic attack and she said you pass out and then your ok?? Well haven't had one so I think I am good now.. But thanks! Please continue to pray that I don't have anymore! And thanks for the advice will try it sometime!

[AggieB]

I'm glad you managed to avoid another panic attack, do remember the breathing thing - it sounds like Sara and the others know what you are going through & ways to cope. As for the pop quizzes, I think you are on the right track with reviewing your notes right before class (the night before, wouldn't hurt, either ) but right before class, you are more likely to remember for the short term. Adding a little prayer for you Renee.

[Smiles]

holding good thoughts for you, Renee!