Hi Pinga,

This is a very broad term and can include a wide range of problems.  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Separation Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, and many phobias are all anxiety disorders.  There are several specific disorders that I have not listed in the mix as well.

Early diagnosis leads to the best outcomes for individuals with anxiety disorders and depending upon the individual treatment may be found through medication and/or behavioural cognitive therapy.

Patience is probably the number one tool to apply in dealing with folk in a crisis point.  All anxiety disorders are not equal and the disorder may not be evident at all times.  There may be certain stress triggers which bring the disorder to the fore.

We have a gentlemen in our congregation who is a WW2 Veteran (RAF) who continues to suffer with the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Needless to say when it first became evident it was diagnosed as a failure of nerve which didn't help any (his Lancaster was shot down and in the crash he broke his back in several places--no break was enough to cause paralysis though he has known pain for the last 60+ years.

Our worship services (which are relatively quiet and low key affairs) are stressful for him.  Sometimes the sound of the Organ can be a stress trigger.  Sometimes it is the sudden movement of children nearby.  I have yet to see him experience a crisis moment because of either.

I do offer him a monthly quiet communion service.  Sometimes it may be him, me and the elder who prepares the elements.  On those Sundays he goes home afterwards and does not stay for the regular service.  He is generally a very thoughtful individual.  He simply prefers small crowds and quiet environments.  Which I can accommodate.

What, do you think, is the source of the frustration?

Is it the energy that this person requires from you or is it the fact that no matter how much energy you invest the anxiety never seems to abate?

Grace and peace to you.

John

Anxiety for me can be caused by different things. For many years I used talk therapy and self talk to deal with it. I was taught that anxiety was always caused by "bad" thoughts or worrying.  I think it is essential to determine first what are the causes oif a person anxiety.  One person can have anxiety caused by different things, and the approaches taken must there fore be different.

As a result I became very good at learning how not to worry.  

However I was still finding myself in situations where I would become extremely anxious.   After learning that I have a problem with sensory intergration, I statred to put together that I would not just become anxious due to thoughts, but also when bothered by certain sounds. This type of anxiety was also greatest in the morning and declined as the day went on. 

Loud machinary and sudden sounds would bother me. As well I dislike being in large halls, like a superstore.., Some organists and some organs were unbearable.  In researching my ASD I essentially discovered that our senses evolved to help us find food na mates, but also to protect us from danger.   So when my organs are overwelmed, or when my snese perception shifts, as it has a tendency to do, the part of my brain that informs me that all is safe, is unable to do so. Thus my brain is saying I can not tell if you are safe.  It is also a part of the brain that evlolved before we used language. It was also why when I took tranquilisers that my anxiety would become worse. Since tranquilisers do calm you down, but they also impair the part of the part involved in sensory perception. Thus they would actualy make my brain less able to hera, see, and touch, which was at the route of my anxiety.

Intuitively that is one of the reasons I went into bricklaying. was due to the relative lack of machinry to overwelm my senses.

So there are two aapproaches I take to deal with this kind of anxiety.  One pick situations which would less likely overwelm my senses. Bricklaying instead of carpentry. Or taking classes with 20 or less students in a small hall, instead of 100 students in a big hall.   A generous use of sound deadening features in my appartment, so that I could relax and sleep at night.  I gave up my car and bike. Also I do not bike along roads, but take the long way through parks, and along rivers. My place is right next door to the Ottawa River. And I pick places to go to based on their proximity to the river, canal and other parks which are connected to  Ottawa bike paths. During the day I avoid bike paths that are along busy roads.   I also wash and air dry my dishes instead of using the dishwasher. etc.

ALso when dealing with situtations where there is likely to be alot of sound and or noise that I can not avoid, I prepare for it by making sure I am rested, and that the rest of the day is quiet.

 If it is someone not here that you're increasing your engagement with, particularly in a work setting, I would privately and courteously ask them what would help them. Tell them you need help understanding their anxiety better. It's better than going over them, trying to second guess based on others' experiences, because the anxiety, and the environment you're engaging in, differs.

Add: Also, I wonder what your approach is, then I might be able to give suggestions about how to alter it. Personally, I have anxiety, high from time to time...I don't like to take anti-anxiety meds for it because it makes me dopey and clumsy and it's addicitve. I take a mild anti-depressant, but don't tolerate meds well (I have mild CP as well and so my nervous system is sensitive to drugs). I don't know what kind I have. I think it's GAD. I have had it for a long time, along with periods of depression. I've been feeling it these last few days actually. Often both at once. I find quiet helps, calm. A frenetic pace will trigger anxiety for me, and I appreciate it when people ask how I'm feeling and what might help. Even for me every situation is different. If I am feeling anxiety about moving around quickly, then an opportunity to slow down and go at my own pace helps. When people are buzzing around like worker bees in high efficiency mode, I feel out of sorts, out of place, out of balance...sort of visually spatially can't figure out how to "fit in" and get involved though I want to, I feel "in the way" and that increases anxiety, so I appreciate when someone asks me.  It's hard because I want to get involved, and really have to push myself in those situations, which can increase anxiety...again, it's that mental physical feedback loop. Someone helping me figure out, involving me, in a plan for better multi-tasking (often a source of anxiety in a busy work environment, much better when I am calm. Some degree of privacy helped me calm down and be more productive...terrible when people get in too pushy when I'm anxious...even when they're trying to help, often they don't realize). If it's in  a social setting, larger groups usually, where I am anxious, I appreciate it when people engage me first, then I will be more relaxed. Being the first to take initiative is not easy with anxiety, even if good ideas are there...so my situation is not exactly a ringing endorsement for anxiety in the workplace, is it? Interestingly, it's fairly common but people may not say anything for fear of judgment.

Sometimes, I get tongue tied when anxious and speaking, or have trouble communicating what I need to say, my words get muddled a bit or stuck on the tip of my tongue, so I appreciate it when people say, "take your time" or lighten the mood...a good chuckle can calm me right down!...those words themselves actually help me feel  less anxious and on the spot, as opposed to them hanging on my words, or giving me the impression they want me to speed up...that will actually slow me down.  For me though, it's indirectly (or maybe directly) tied to having CP, so the anxiety itself affects my mobility an balance a bit more...which increases the anxiety more and the negative self-talk, it's like a feedback loop....so it helps when people are patient with me in that regard...it;s; often around speed of tasks and self consciousness of not keeping up. I like to feel in control of my own tasks, whether it's talking or doing, but pressure to speed up just throws me out of whack. That might not be the same for everyone with anxiety. I think the worst is when people try to think for me though, assume and don't ask (even though they're trying to help the situation). I have some experience, both personal and professional, around disability accommodations, and the person themselves should always be involved. One size fits all approaches don't work well. That's why I suggested you ask the person themselves.

I've tried some natural remedies but not surwe if that's appropriate to recommend to this person you know.

My daughter went through a couple years of Panic Disorder. Certain things would trigger or sometimes nothing at all.  We are very glad she has grown out of it. Some don't.

I've had panic attacks in the middle of the grocery store for no reason. It's very disconcerting, awful actually. I haven't had one for a long while though, not full blown panick just general anxiety. It feels like "part of who I am" I am so used to it yet, it's not always there. With close friends and some family, it' not there. I am myself. I would prefer it not be there ever. It's been hard for me to treat because of my sensitivity to drugs. It's like I have to gamble between having a good productive day with no drugs, and the possibility of anxiety and pushing through it, or popping an ativan and feeling useless. I stopped taking ativan because I was becoming dependant on it., so I tapered it off. We live in such a high pressure world, with a high emphasis on productivity over quality of time spent, especially in the workplace. Time is money...I feel like I don't fit often, but I try hard to, which in itself can produce anxiety. Like I said, I worked with people with disabilities as well as having my own...and the one size fits all approach to accommodating people with disabilities in the workplace is terrible...customized approaches are necessary but not often employed. I suppose it's seen as convenient and efficient and falls within the human rights code if it's seen as "reasonable" by empirical standards... so if it doesn't work they can't say they didn't try to make reasonable accommodations. Yeah, it seems  I have a chip on my shoulder today, after writing this!

Machines and machine noise can make me anxious too, when I'm trying to concentrate especially. Not just annoyed, but anxious. Loud noises make me jump, and then leave me anxious for awhile. The sound of vaccuuming makes me anxious. Moreso when someone else it doing it. I can handle it when I do it. Weird I know. Crossing big empty spaces, because of my balance problems, can make me feel anxious, so I might walk aound the edges of a room. Interacting in big groups makes me anxious. I find shopping malls make me more anxious than they used to. I don't know if that's because it's a bit harder for me to maneuver around now.

I blame it on the high pressure world we live in, the corporate time is money ethic, and the one size fits all expectations.  I've "retired" from it...dettached from it. That's my solution. I resent that world, to be honest, and I won't work in an environment like that ever again. The problem is, that's the way it is most places now. Even what I was trained to do, which is work in social services...many agencies have moved from a grass-roots community/ advocacy model, to a business model in the name of cost cutting and efficency. Yes, I own that I do have a tendency towards anxiety for several reasons, some environmental, some maybe built in functions of CP, but it sucks to always have to adapt around what the high performance oriented world expects is "normal". I do it, I adapt, I've managed pretty well, I make the best of it..I hide it pretty well at times even though I'm sick to my stomach... and I have a chip on my shoulder about it at times. It can be exhausting, and then I get down.  It's not normal though, imo, not to be stressed and anxious, to not have fight or  flight, in this survival of the fittest "climate".  It's the "climate" that's the core of the problem. So, all the "therapy" to help people fit into a world that won't make room for them to be who they are, unless the can be stronger, faster, more efficient, more agile...it's never good enough...and it pisses me off at times. It's just fitting square pegs into round holes, and only works so well...often not very well for the person who's the square peg.

If people find that  the most comon solutions do not work, like talk therapy, and SSRI drugs they need to try something different.  I remember once I completely abstained from caffeine for a year. Because for most, caffiene can make one anxious, for me it did not help. in fact a moderate ammount of caffeine relaxes me.

I believ that talk therapy is a good thing for most people, however it can miss certain things.  To day it amazes me that I did not look at thinks like sounds and and other sensations as both a cause and treatment for anxiety.  Everyone has listen to music and had it affect their mood.  

Our senses are percieved in a part f the brain that evolved before language and thus problems with these senses can not be dealt with by talk therapy.  Howevr no matter what I am a fan of talk therapy as it helps people explore who they are, as well as learn what thoughts causes anixiety.  (ie. I can be gay, I have to be straight, is a though pattern that causes many with same sex attraction a lot of anxiety.

ALong that line heres a video from Luc Plamandon Starmania.

Le Blues Du Businessman

http://lyricstranslate.com The businessman's blues

I'm successful in business

I'm successful in love

I often change my secretary

My ofiice is at the top of a tower

From where I see the city upside down

From where I control my universe

I spend half my life in the air Between New York and Singapour

I always travel in first I have my secondary residence

In all the Hiltons of the Earth

I can't stand poverty At least are you happy?

I'm not happy but I look it

I lost my sense of humor

Since I have business senses

I made it and I'm proud of it In fact,

I only have a single regret

I'm not doing what I wanted to do

What do you want my friend In life

we do what we can Not what we want...

I wanted to be an artist

To be able to do my act

When the plane lands on the runway In Rotterdam or in Rio

I wanted to be a singer

To be able to yell who I am

I wanted to be a writer

To be able to create my life

I don't have anything to offer, Pinga, but I am appreciating the wisdom and openness on this thread. Thank you Kimmio and Alex for sharing your experiences. I am gaining new insight here.

What works is avoiding the types of environments that really stress me out...competitive, fast paced environemnts especially.  I realize that can't always be done. Meditation and deep prayer I've never learned to do well. I would like to try again. Music certainly does help.  So does really getting into an art project of some kind. I could stay tuned into my ipod listening James Taylor and making arts and crafts all day long...but at some point I need to interact with people (and in person) and get something useful done ...lol. And, I really like people, but I'm just a bit of an oddball. I feel like one anyway.  It's easier for me to communicate in writing I find. I get less anxious, less self conscious, can take longer to think about what to say, to process my thoughts and feelings....so I will have to make the best use of that ability I think. Like I said, I can often "hide" my anxiety, that's how I've learned to cope,  but it's really exhausting both mentally and physically so I'm more likely to take a nose dive into depression.

I have found talk therapy helps...not with a doctor  necessarily--unless it's a crisis (they can be cold...my current doc is okay, but talk therapy is not really what he's there for), but with a well trained inter-personal counsellor. I can't afford it right now...I have no steady job, so no extended medical or employee assistance plan that pays for it. I used to (however the EAP's are usually strictly short term, a few pep-talks based around work performance issues). There are places that take people on a sliding scale, but there's often a waitlist. Right now, I'm thinking maybe I need to work out a few things with a counsellor myself though...so I should look into it again. Support groups too. Ironically, we're currently setting up a mental health support group at my church and I have been involved in the process. Funny being on both sides of the issue. I just realized in the process of writing all this, how many un-dealt with anxiety issues I'm having these days. Been spending time worrying about where my future is headed..worry may not be the cause of anxiety disorders, but it doesn't help..

When it comes to anxiety, the degree is important..........

If it heavily impacts on your life (or others) it's a problem.

To me, that's the crucial test -and for the sake of being able to live your life - professional help may be required.

There are those who may be genetically programmed to experience ongoing anxiety - the role of genetics seems to be seen as a feature more and more these days....

The home environment and family dynamics can be a cause for anxiety. eg. Kids living with an alcoholic parent who are helpless to change their situation.

Post traumatic stress can lead to an anxiety disorder.

I have a friend who was retired from the Fire Brigade early after experiencing being on the scene at  car crashes and house fires involving horrific fatalities too many times..........

I define anxiety as  a feeling of unease - the world I'm experiencing at this moment is disordered.......

What can we do to assist ourselves or others who are anxious?

If it's to the degree of having a serious impact on one's day to day living - seek professional help.

If it's not so extreme, talk.

A personal anecdote here.

Before I was diagnosed with a depressive illness - I suffered from extreme anxiety.

I avoided elevators, was terrified of trains breaking down in tunnels, etc, etc.

But, once I had therapy and was encouraged to talk, my ever-present generalised anxiety practically disappeared.

I've since observed that many who suffer from anxiety don't -or can't - talk about their anxieties and fears.

Sure, they talk about their symptoms a lot - but they never get beyond that level. So much so, that I often wonder if the present crisis is keeping the real cause for the anxiety at bay?

So, I would suggest talk - not about symptoms, not about surface subjects, but about feelings............

For me, it's keeping up. I have always had to "keep up". I have never operated at the same speed as others. Efficiency takes great effort, mental and physical, and for a long time managed to push myself enough to almost keep up to the norm, to keep up appearances, but I feel tired of it.  I hate "selling myself"...I hate the jargon and the terms used for keeping up, for fitting square pegs into round holes...I hate the illusions (and I am talking about my former work world mostly...the jargon and the labels).. and having to live up to normative expectations.Tired of it. So, lately, the worry is about how to earn an income without burning out or compromising my ethics. Not too many people sympathize with my position though--who cares about ethics when you have to make money, right? That causes me anxiety, that  general attitude and feeling stuck between that rock and hard place, it's anxiety provoking too. I won't compromise on that, and a lot of people, people I used to think understood,  don't get what I'm on about. It's also the state of the world that worries me (and angers me quite honestly). I worry about the future of our kids (I don't have any, but kids in the world nowdays). I worry that it's such a dog eat dog  world. I worry about falling when my muscles are stiff. I worry that my friends will give up on me at some point. I worry about worrying about measuring up. I worry about not being able to support mine or my partner's parents when they can't look  after themselves. I don't want them to live in a senior's home (it's a long way off still, but it's something to think about). I worry not only about our income now, but what will I do when my partner and I are old. We both have disabilities.  Will we be okay?Those are the main feelings. My mother also has anxiety and was always a worrier, and put me under a lot of pressure to allieviate her worries.Most of the time  though, I keep my worries to myself, around others,and just cope with whatever anxieties I have as much as I can. I was taught to do that...to suck it up...one of my mom's favourite expressions was "fake it til you make it"...it's a hard habit to break...not to mention...the world expects us to "fake it til we make it"...to compete, to sell ourselves "Put your best foot forward"...or, "Don;t let 'em see you sweat." (like an old antiperspirant commercial). Noone wants to know that we feel anxious. It's quite inconvenient to the way things are "supposed to" work...so it's often ignored. It's easier to write about it. than talk about it...but there are a lot of pressures in the world that cause me anxiety on top of the physical challenges.

I am a big time worrier...it's my "default" setting ( I think that's a Rev. John expression I borrowed). Has been for many years. Faith helps. Prayer helps. Church helps. I have periods where I feel my faith is weak though.

Anyway, that's probably way more insight than you were asking for...maybe not what you're after. But it's helped me to vent it, so thanks for making this thread.

delete. double post.

hi pinga - you'll find interesting information at  http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca

Their toolkits and fact sheets are well researched, and written in easily understood language.  I often use them with patients and/or families.   As others have mentionned - it's a very broad field with a variety of 'sub' groups.   

There are also a variety of medical conditions and medications that can produce symptoms that may be mistaken for 'anxiety' - so a good thorough physical health exam is important.

If you want, wondermail me any specific questions & I'll do my best to help. 

Sometimes health problems, underlying causes do produce anxiety. Usually it is really anxiety though. It's a pretty common disorder. It's helpful to learn about, I agree carolla (and I am interested in mental health resources), I just don't think we should..not being doctors (I realize you work in mental health though)...try to assess a persons syptoms and what to do about them ourselves. The person themselves is their own expert above all.  They need to be allowed to self-advocate.Too many times I've seen people to try take control of someone else's mental health issues without getting to know them, what they're feeling well enough. I think it's our tendency, but it's their feelings. So, the medical model as opposed to the biopsychosocial model of disability (including mental health) is problematic. It automatically assumes that the person's problem originates with them and their diagnosis...ignores the environment, the social factors, economic factors, political factors, spiritual factors. That's a problem I have. It's our society that's disordered, and sensitive people (for whatever reson makes them prone)   fall prey to it....is what I really believe.  I'm not too popular in health and disability related social service work though (unless I keep that opinion to myself), because it now relies heavily on the medical model (drugs are cheaper than talking and finding creative solutions...people are over-medicated on antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs). That's why I opened up above about how I really feel about it, the whole picture. I'm a bit jaded with "the system" but it's the best we have and we need it. The resources are tools to help, not dictate (not saying you think that, just pointing out how I feel). Unless a person is in a crisis where they are of harm to themselves and others..then that requires immediate attention obviously. In other cases, a little TLC and a place to talk about it, is better than a whole lot of medicine though.

...sorry. This is one of those subjects I am a bit passionate about these days...as well as feeling effected by.

Right on sister.

No need to feel sorry, it's a good sign that you can feel so strongly about something.  Often that is not welcome elsewhere in society. And we are made to feel as less than we are when we are oursleves and express our truths.  WC is a good place to do so. A first place to express what we feel and what we believe.   It will make us stronger to do here, in order that we may do the same in society, on the job, etc.

Thanks Alex.

Hi kimmio - perhaps I was not sufficiently clear in my post above & for that I apologize.  I too am a proponent of the biopsychosocial model.   

My comment  was in regard to having a thorough physical exam done (which is frequently overlooked when people present with 'anxiety' symptoms, IMO.   Conditions such as hyperthoidism,  medications such as prednisone, some bronchodilators etc. can produce symptoms that are often assumed to be 'anxiety' when in fact they do have a physical basis - which often can be altered and the 'anxiety' symptoms resolved.  So really, I was refering to the 'bio' part of biopsychosocial - in doing a thorough diagnostic assessment.   I do sometimes see people assuming (mislabelling)  problems are 'psychiatric' or mental health related, when in fact they are not.

I completely agree that we should leave diagnosis up to physicians.   And that individuals need to and should self-advocate.  And that there are many social factors that are often overlooked.  And that in many cases, TLC and talk therapy trumps medication - but often they work better together.    Just my two cents worth.

And yes - as Alex says - no apology needed

Hi sorry, i posted, then went off to work, then had to deal with an emergent issue.

RevJohn:  Good points, many good points.  I should not have used the word "disorder" in the title of the post..as really, I am just wondering about more of a chronic or habitual anxiety which gets in the way of life.  Regarding your questions regarding frustration:  energy, and the illogical nature of it...i know, i know....it is illogical to think that anxiety should be logical.

Alex/Kimmio:  I appreciate your personal stories.  Although there may be some elements which are relevant most are not in the situation that I am working with.  It is not a workplace situation.  Your experiences and coping skills are wonderful and I will review again to see if there is anything that rings true.  Of course the individual is engaged...and workign with appropriate professionals.  As a primary support person for this individual, I also need to understand how to deal with my frustrations and own boundaries.

Pilgrim's Progress:  Interesting alighment with the child of an alcoholic.  This could be some of the situational...hadn't thought of it before.  Thank-you.  In addition, there is no question that the patterns have repeated in a few generations...who knows if situational or genetic or both.

Carolla: thank-you.  I will look for resources through the site.  I may drop you a line just to see if there is anything you can think of which I might have not considered or as an alternative. I do appreciate wisdom you have offered before and we have engaged some of those item.s..and resources.  I will say that I am amazed at the wonderful interpersonal skills of our geriatric care staff in our ER.  She has such amazing interpersonal skills....and a way about her.

.

http://www.hsperson.com/pages/test.htm

This is me. It might be a little hokey or junk science or just plain flakey, but it certainly rings true for me. And Kimmio, Alex, I do relate.

I've had anxiety problems throughout my life, primarily obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.  My anxiety increases with stress.  Basically, within a certain stress level, I can function extremely well and no one would have any clue that I have problems with anxiety, but I'm highly affected by stress so that a small amount can lead to me falling apart.  Physically, I will feel restless and on edge, but also extremely fatigued.  My heart will pound, I'll start to hyperventilate and shake.  Mentally, my focus will simply disappear.  I'll try to focus on things that I should be focusing on, but I just can't.  The ability is gone.  I will be desperate to escape and hide some place safe all alone.  My OCD symptoms become more pronounced: I start to doubt myself more and I check things repeatedly.  My phobias become more pronounced: As a teenager in particular, that meant my fear of dogs (which was normally manageable) became intense to the point that I wouldn't walk past any house where I had ever seen or heard a dog.  I will seek reassurance obsessively when I'm in that state.  I will also avoid anxiety provoking situations as much as possible. 

A lot of people consider people with anxiety disorders to be weak; in my opinion, the reality is that a person with an anxiety disorder is already starting every day carrying a heavier weight.  Limitations from anxiety aren't due to a person with anxiety not being able to carry as much so much as a person with anxiety already carrying so much before they even get started.

I have not been diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder.

I do know that I have problems with anxiety from time to time, but in the past I've always heard of people who get anxiety attacks saying they felt like they were having a heart attack the first time.  Someone who works in the mental health field was talking about panic attacks.  I asked her more about them, and it sounds like that's what I do have.  They never bothered me enough to get them labelled.  I asked my husband if he thought I get anxiety attacks and his response was well yeah, of course.  I don't mean to self-diagnose here, but I'll assume that they are in fact anxiety attacks for this thread.

For me, one of the biggest triggers is hormones.  Without birth control pills my hormones are not normal though.  I get many physical symptomes (and had the blood work to also show it) along with the emotional ones.  Even with being on the birth control pills, there are times where my 'natural' hormones overcome them.  I usually have some physical symptoms before the emotional ones result in anxiety.

After getting sick, I was stressed out.  I was worried about what was physically wrong with me, I was exhausted which makes them worse and I had a very unsupportive academic environment to deal with.  The attacks became more frequent.  I got them more in the middle of the night, with no obvious immediate trigger other than the general stress.  I also started getting chest pains.  They didn't worry me, as they were external, above the breast bone.  I spoke to my doctor about them and she said that it was similar to an eye twitch.  They were really painful though, and the pain made it feel like breathing was difficult even though I knew I was getting enough air.  Sometimes the pain of them would bring on an anxiety attack.  Sometimes an anxiety attack would trigger the chest pain, making the attack worse.

Things that I have found reduced the attacks have been controlling my hormones, reducing the amount of stress in my life (as my health improved, the attacks became less frequent), getting enough sleep or at least not working crazy, odd hours and doing a bunch physically if I am sleep deprived, and trying to do things relaxing when stressful things are going on.

As for dealing with the attacks themselves, I don't have a big problem with that.  I've never felt them as being something physically wrong with me (although I do recognize there is a physical aspect); I have always known that it is an emotional problem.  I think knowing you're not having a heart attack helps.  They do trigger physical problems though, I can end up with an asthma attack (usually only if it is not already under good long term control), my blood pressure raises, I get a headache, I get shaky, I feel nauseous, I get tunnel vision, and as I said they can trigger the chest pain.  I have trouble sleeping after having one.

When I do get one things I find that help are taking slow breaths, stretching and running cold water over my hands.  When the worst of it is over I distract myself by reading or watching tv and sipping some tea to help make the lingering physical effects go away.

I very rarely get panic attacks in public, I am almost always at home when I get them which helps.  I've also heard that people can have a panic attack simply by fearing having one.  I don't have that effect as I don't fear them.  For me, I feel like it relieves the emotional stress that builds up, as afterwards I feel drained, but not anxious.

In my opion most people with various types of disabilities are incredibly strong and have internal resources that would dwarf the ones that people without disabilities have. (Chronic anxiety is a disability, according to Canadian Law, you know that)

When dealing with invisible disabilites, especially those that involve the brain these strengths are missed by others very often.  We tend to loo at deficits rather than strengths that people have.

Also regardless of the disability,  stress makes them harder to manage.  SO for me, reading you description I am not sure if you actually  have a problem managing stress, or if the strength you have is used up just by overing coming your disability, and than you have used up all your reserves.

I would also encourage people ho have tried one method of dealing , that has not worked, or only helps a little to look at not only other approaches, but other explainations for what they are experiencing.

Seein a doctor is good but often they believ that the most likely explaination is the only one.  Also Medicine is only starting to understand the mind.

I benefited from looking at what I thought were unrelated symptoms. LIke learning to speak at age 5 or so, and other functional impairments.  Before being asses I completely missed that, and doctors did not even consider the possiblilty that I had high functioning autism.

Also recently after traverling to a specialist in Toronto I was diagnosed with a fungal infection thta I likely caught in the 90s. Docotrs had though before that evryone with this infection died. They only recenltly discover how it can infect the bones and be a chronic illness. Happily the treatment is just to go on antifungals for the rest of my life. The doctors in Ottawa miss it for 15 plus years, while it just took a morning in Toronto to be diagnosed because the doctor their had seen this before.  

 This is just to say that when people are diagnosed with something like generalized anxiety disorder, doctors can be mistaken and other causes and solutions ceased to be looked for.   There is no blood test or other concrete test for many illnesses, and it is those illness that are often misdiagnosed.

Further investigation is warrented when treartments do not work, but often doctors discourage them because, they believ that the most likely reason is the the only one.

Also it is well know in the AIDS world that people can have multiple infections, and that often one illness will mask or change the sympts of a another.

We also know that it is not just people with AIDS that get multiple illness and or infections.  These two can complicate uncovering what is wrong, because like in AIDS, ones illnesses symptom, can mask or change amother, cauing doctors to miss them.

This means for me that people need to be open to the possibility of past misdiagnoses, and so it would not hurt even years after having one to see a different doctor and be reassessed, expecially by one who is either newly out of medical school, or one who works in a centre like Toronto where the docotrs have a broader range of experience.

In the elderly I have often seen a condition called sundown syndrome. Anxiety increases when the sun goes down.

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/alzheimers-disease/what-to-do-when-s...

My husband has mental illness (the 'big S' no less) and I have educated myself a great deal and am now his advocate and ally.  He is a very sensitive kind man but gets anxious about things things that most other people just shrug off and say "So?". His illness is very wel controlled by medication but there are many types of work he will NEVER be able to do.

As far as talk therapy and cognitive therapy goes, my belief is that  the person has to be stable first.  This can often only be done by medication of some sort. Like with diabetes, you get the person in a safe place (off the brink of insulin shock or diabetic coma) THEN you talk to them about why their eating habits are a problem or what have you.

Note: I am NOT implying that anything a person with anxiety did is their fault. Please don't think that, as I know it's not true. 

A person with anxiety disorder (or in my daughter's case: Panic disorder. Fine line, I know)  probably isn't going to listen to you much if their heart is racing and they feel like they're going to die.

A person who has delusions that the Hells Angels are after them and sees a biker with a handgun around every corner won't listen to  you until they are stabilized and brought out of the 'heat of the moment'. 

Talk and  cognitive  therapy are very helpful but first things first, the person needs to be somewhat stable at the time. (come down from the ceiling, we need to talk! heehee)

I had my first panic attack last year on a space ride at Disney with my fourteen year old daughter who wanted company on the ride. The "spaceship" was small am
And when the doors and front closed it was too late to get off. The front panel was about twelve inches from my face and I felt like I was suffocating. My heart was pounding and it was hard to breathe, I thought i was going to be sick. After a second or two a viewing screen came on and I was able to distract myself with the visuals of the space travel and continued to tell myself that the ride would be over soon. It felt like an eternity.
I did not think of it again until the man in the seat ahead of me on the airplane this week reclined his chair....twelve inches from my face. The same sensation returned, but this time I had a seven hour flight to deal with. I asked him to put his chair back up which helped. Self talk helped.
Today I tried to go down to the catacombs. I was looking forward to it. Butnthere was this narrow winding staircase descending about two stories underground. Constricted space. I could not do it. I tried twice. I couldn't breathe and my heart was racing. I bailed. Luckily I was able to bail.

I have always been an introverted and slightly shy individual, though not unusually so,but this is new for me. I don't like it.

All things considered,there are worse things that can happen, but when we are in the throes of it, it really does not feel that way. Talking helps.

My analogy of panic attack is that it feels like you're being chased by a grizzly bear to the edge of a cliff...absolute terror...and yet it usually (in my case) just happens out of the blue in the middle of doing someting regular and everyday...like while grocery shopping. COuld happen in a familiar environment wehre there is nothing to worry about. The first time it happened to me at work, and a couple of my coworkers could relate to me, had had them before and knew what it likely was that I was experiencing...one, an artist friend and former coworker, gave me his lucky pebble that he carries in his pocket...made him feel like he was warding them off (lol cute)...so I was fortunate they were around, but I did talk to a doctor about it.  They started happening periodically after that. There's no immediately fearful event (in my case) triggering it when it happens...just happens...which makes it so much harder to explainn to people around if they don't know what it's like because you look "normal", nothing appears to be wrong, In my case, even though inside my heart and mind are racing,  I could even explain it normally, calmy explain, "I'm having a panic attack. It feels like I'm dying." And they say, "What on earth are you talking about? Nothing's wrong here. You're fine. C'mon, snap out of it."...which makes it so much worse.  I just have to sit down, and wait for it to pass, and it's better if I'm alone with noone talking to me...people trying to calm me down just sounds like senseless chatter if they don't understand the problem (which can heighten the problem) it's really hard to focus on what people are saying. I just need to sit still and not talk for a bit, that's all you can do really...usually about 1/2 an hour sitting in a quiet space and I'm okay, but a little shaken up by it for a couple hours... or lie down if it's possible...but the fear of it happening again can trigger more panic attacks in the days shortly afterwards, and people to tend to avoid the places where they happened. I think it's a good idea to face those places so you can re-learn that it probably won't happen there again...so it doesn't turn into a phobia. Thank God, it hasn't happened to me for a long time. Anxiety attacks are different. That's like serious nervousness. You know you are just feeling extremely nervous, but not feeling like you're dying.

Kimmio, I thought panic attacks and anxiety attacks were interchangeable.  That helps with the heart attack description some people use, thanks.

I suspect that they probaby happen to people who are more prone to worry and anxiety, lots of "latent" worries on the back-burner that maybe doesn't show...those who carry that around so much that they're used to it...then the panic can sneak up in unexpected times and places when your guard is down. I don't know...but I know how I am and I suspect that's the case. That's not a good medical explanation...but it seems like a good social one.

Wrong thread

Wrong thread

Too funny. I accidentally clicked on this thread and the last two posts say "Wrong thread."

I just saw this interview with Susan Boyle, and how when she was overcome with anxiety after suffering through a stressful time. Others put her in an institution, which for her made her even worse and felt abandoned. 

I post it for encouragement, becasue to often we try to do what others suggest, and when it does not work out we blame ourselves in stead of think that the treatment failed or was not what we needed to feel better.  

Susan also expalins in her own words how the medical model of disability failed her as both someone with a developmental disability, and as a person suffering from extreme anxiety.