Hi Elaine,
Mine gets triggered mainly by being out walking. Just the thought of it can trigger it. Even though this happens, I'm happy to say that I do not try and avoid doing things that trigger it as I want to deal with the symptoms of panic as suggested in the workbook.
We need to get use to them I think and try not to freak when symptoms occur. Just knowing that it is simply an abnormal reaction that I need to endure temporarily and it will disappear in time. I believe it will.
I have had this for around ten years but only recently have understood what it was.
Discussion Topic
What triggers your anxiety?
Posted on 05/29/08, 09:24 am
I think I know what triggers set me off. I just wrote it in my most recent journal. I'd like to know your triggers and if you think it helps in dealing with anxiety if we know what brings these attacks on. Can we change our behavior and our thinking? What do you do when you have had these triggers for most of your life. Is change really possible? I hope so.
Elaine
Elaine
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Reply #1 05/30/08 8:40am
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Reply #2 05/30/08 11:02am
Hi Bash, I totally agree with you. I've had this for 30 years almost and the first 5 were the worst. Now I'm able to face the feelings and let them just go and do their thing. if you let time pass you see that your body returns to normal. if you try to fight it your body goes into the fight or flight response. i've learned alot also. My main fears, phobias really, are the driving highways and especially bridges. I freak out and sweat at the thought of it. Don't know if I can "float" through those situations. Other than that, we just have to keep on trucking. Good luck to you. -
Reply #3 06/02/08 5:48pm
it can be very bewildering because the anxiety felt today can be a delayed reaction from yesterday or last week or a sub. con. memory from the past so it is usualy pointless trying to tire your mind out working it all out and just try and except that we have become sensitized and if we give in and not try to control the feelings and go slowly forward as willingly as possible not trying to fight or recoil from the symptons we slowly stop fueling the chemicles that cause them i try to feel exceptance in the pit of my stomache and let the feelings come ...its simple but not easy -
Reply #4 07/02/08 10:20am
The main thing that triggers my anxiety is actually setting off to go out somewhere. Doesnt matter where really, if it is an interview or doctors app where i will have to sit in a waiting room it can be worse. I basically deal with it as it comes , when i start to feel my heart racing and the dizzyness i do breathing exercises for a few seconds and this usually sorts it out. Under no circumstances do i turn around and go back home! haha -
Reply #5 07/02/08 4:03pm
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Reply #6 07/03/08 10:29am
My anxiety attacks started becoming a serious problem after I received news of a wonderful friend's tragic death 2 years ago. It felt like I forgot how to breath. And it's never completely gone away. I don't understand it, really. But I'm sure that the shock and overwhelming grief damaged something in my nervous response that I just can't correct. My "attacks" can happen anytime, anywhere, but are more acute when I have to go somewhere that is out of the ordinary, especially in a crowd. I went to a "Guess Who" concert last month and started having an anxiety attack. I thought, " This is so stupid. There are hundreds of people here. Why do I feel so nervous? No one is looking at me and no one cares." People don't understand that this is something one can not control. That's the worst part about it. -
Reply #7 07/03/08 12:38pm
Hi Birdygirl,
I've been there. Your statement that "one cannot control this" is not true. The key to full control is to let the anxiety attack do its worst to you without fighting back, because resisting it only makes it worse. You have to accept it and float through it. I know it doesn't sound like you can do this but believe me you can. You just have to really believe that this won't kill you or even hurt you. Really believe it and you'll see that in a short time your body will return to its normal state and you'll be fine. The deep breathing from the belly exercises help too. Breath in deeply through your nose for 2 counts, one hundred, two one hundred, then exhale deeply for 4 counts. With the breathing technique and acceptance you can see a lot of improvement. Good Luck. -
Reply #8 07/04/08 1:11pm
I'll do my very best to gain control, but it won't be easy!! Thanks for the suggestions, laniescherr -
Reply #9 07/06/08 9:57am
Elaine yes change is really possible BUT
we are so Sensitized that ANY thing we consider a Crisis
Trauma etc: we probably WILL go into a setback
but if you know this disorder a setback is really a good thing
( Ok, don't shoot yet I have them alot ) they show us we have been through them before
and came out and the progress we have made to do just that.
These disorders we suffer I believe are learning experiences
for us to educate ourselves so when we do go back a step
we know what to do..
My triggers are simply ANY Stressors other than ordinary
I will have Anxiety/Panic Flashes when I am in or under Stress...
If you get the book Mind Over Mood by Edmund Borne
you will see how STRONG BUT FRAGILE the Human Mind is'
and how easily we can really control our thoughts
( alot easier said than done but, it CAN be done )
I think Lucinda Bassett says it best in her books & programs
We have 3 choices here and have to ask ourselves 3 questions.....
# 1 Can we ELIMINATE IT? ( It being the Trigger , answer Probably not )
#2 Can we MODIFY it? ( Maybe )
# 3 Can we CHANGE our thinking about it? ( ALWAYS )
Try Lucinda's books, tapes etc: and see if you don't agree
By the way she was house bound for 13 years and is now
the Founder of The Midwest Center for Anxiety, Panic & Depression..
Very wise woman as she LIVED it for so long!
Hope this helps
Hugs
Ravin
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We are all going to be working through the workbook by Edmund J. Bourne called The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. Here to support and discuss our progress!! I am sure we will all come away with new insight and hopefully even solutions to many of our own problems. Welcome To You All.
