A Strategy For Easing or Eliminating Severe Anxiety Attacks

What I did, What I learned

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Information I’d like to share with you.

I have been plagued with anxiety for many years. At first, the symptoms were subtle. Thinking it was a nervous tic, I tried to suppress the feelings until I couldn’t.

Over 40 million adults in the U.S. (19.1%) have an anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, approximately 7% of children aged 3–17 experience issues with anxiety each year. It is the most common mental illness in the U.S.

Many nights, I’d wake up feeling anxious and shaky, my skin cool and my heart racing; when I’d stand up, my legs felt wobbly. The attacks would come on like a wave washing over me.

I would breathe deeply, inhale to the count of four, and exhale slowly to the count of 10. After fifteen minutes or so, I’d relax.

I learned if I did something pleasant in its aftermath, it would relax me. I’d take out my sketchbook, read something funny, or meditate while listening to music.

My heartbeat would return to normal, but my body felt assaulted, and it was.

Doctors told me to take benzodiazepines, a very addictive drug that does nothing but mask the symptoms. Never did they ask about what may be causing my anxiety. That would have been very helpful.

During one especially terrifying attack, I called 911 because I wasn’t sure it was anxiety. The dispatcher sent an ambulance, fire truck, and emergency vehicle. My street was alive with flashing lights. The firemen and ambulance crew were terrific.

I began to relax. My pressure went down, and my pulse, too. The ambulance crew agreed with me it was an anxiety attack but asked me to go with them by ambulance to the E.R. I protested but finally relented just to be sure there were no signs of something else.

The ambulance driver wheeled me into a private cubicle with the curtain open. A drug addict was lying half on and half off a gurney ten feet away, across the hall, with blood all over him, singing a pop tune. Seeing this sight, the ambulance driver said, “Let me close the curtain for you, Lu. You don’t need to see that.”

A nurse came in; when she took my vitals and then looked at the information from the ambulance driver, she smiled, “You’re right; it’s anxiety. Now go home.”

I fell asleep as soon as I got home, but the next day I felt drained.

This went on and on until, one night, everything changed.

I felt very stressed because my business was getting hit financially due to a mismanaged sewer construction project, and the debt was piling up.

I fell into a deep sleep from exhaustion, but at 3 AM, my body jumped up in what seemed like two feet. I was stunned and angry. Very angry.

I sat up in bed, my body shaking, and yelled, “ENOUGH!!”

I don’t deserve this; we’re through anxiety. I’ve put up with you long enough. Now, get lost, I’m going to sleep, and I did.

I was very dramatic and loud. I’m dramatic even when I’m alone.

It was the end of my anxiety attacks. I couldn’t believe it. When I visited my doctor months later, I told him the story and asked, “What changed.” He said, “You powerfully took control.” Really, I said!! I wish I’d known that sooner. He laughed, “He said, “Maybe you weren’t ready.”

So, my friends, that was my last anxiety attack, and it’s been over 15 years. Now I get nervous, which is normal. I feel a little shaky, so I immediately take steps to control it before it escalates.

Some things that work for me and may work for you:

1. A hot bath with aromatherapy oil and candles.

2. Meditation with soft music.

3. There are some things I’ve done to relieve the shakiness as the attack subsides.

4. Do something creative. Drawing/sketching, reading a chapter from a good book, phoning a friend you can laugh with, or listening to music. Whatever helps you to relax and is available to you.

The 3,3,3 rule appears to help. Via: Healthline

The 333 rule involves looking around your current environment and:

naming 3 things you see

identifying 3 sounds you hear

moving or touching 3 things, such as your limbs or external objects.

The good news is that Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can be treated naturally. Good luck; I hope this helps. We’re all in this together.