(no subject)

[geekchick]

I wonder if any of last night's epic posting spree and apparently compulsive need to create a, as someone described it, "life snapshot" (I need to pick up that thread again when I'm a little less tired) was at all related to what seems to be generalized anxiety. Last night was the third time in a month that I've woken up around 4 AM in an utter panic, convinced that I am about to die. It's silly, I know, but it's there nonetheless. I'm not talking about waking from nightmares, I mean "sound sleep, wake up suddenly with chest pains (or last night it was feeling like my forearms and hands were going numb even though my circulation seemed to be okay), go into full-on panic mode". Luckily C. was still awake enough during last night's episode that he could talk me down and dose me up with valerian and some cortisol-controlling substance that I was too freaked out and sleepy to catch the name of; whatever it was, it knocked me back out very quickly. It's also just dawned on me that perhaps my long-standing headache today has come about because my jaw seems to be clenched. I have no obvious stressors, so I don't know what could be bringing this stuff on. Whatever it is, I'm quite tired of it and would like it to stop now, please.

[Edit: Heh, the little icon for "anxious" is kind of what I looked like last night. Well, minus the beak.]

[Edit again: Oh look, I'm textbook! Symptoms of a panic attack include:

• racing heartbeat
  
• difficulty breathing, feeling as though you 'can't get enough air'
  
• terror that is almost paralyzing
  
• dizziness, lightheadedness or nausea
  
• trembling, sweating, shaking
  
• choking, chest pains
  
• hot flashes, or sudden chills
  
• tingling in fingers or toes ('pins and needles')
  
• fear that you're going to go crazy or are about to die
  

]

Comments

[kyra.livejournal.com]

How long have you been having panic attacks? Is there a history of anxiety disorders in your family?

[geekchick]

(Er, let me try this again, using actual grammar this time.)

How long have you been having panic attacks?

It's just been the last month; if they keep happening, time to see my doctor. Knowing what it is that's happening though I think will help a lot.

Is there a history of anxiety disorders in your family?

One of my siblings was having panic attacks a few years ago

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Eep! Any thoughts on how to avoid a repeat? Take care of yourself, hon!

[geekchick]

Well, there's nothing in particular that seems to bring them on (I've been sounds asleep every time), so I don't know how to completely avoid it. Now that I know what's going on though, it will be a lot easier to talk myself down I think.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Going to be annoying and offer unsolicited advice now:

See a doctor. Current or (preferably, from what you've said here) new, but get this looked at. Life is to short to suffer like this!

Take care [hug!]

[geekchick]

Not annoying. =)

I do need to see someone. Upon reflection, I think I have some idea of what might be the underlying cause of the stress, but there's nothing I can really do about fixing that situation myself. =/

If it's something someone else could fix

[madbodger.livejournal.com]

I'm willing to lend a hand.

[runeshower.livejournal.com]

How horrible! So sorry you're having these! I agree with those who suggest getting it checked out.