I’ve had depression and anxiety for over 30 years. The last 13 or more I’ve not been medicated. I literally take it day by day. Some are better, others are worse.
My advice for panic attacks is to distract your brain. The breathing into a bag works because you’re concentrating on doing that. Slow breathing also helps things to settle too.
I rub my thumb and finger together, so I can really feel the texture. By concentrating on that, it breaks the cycle of thoughts in my head. The key is to do it as soon as you feel it come on.
We have a massive problem brewing, there is no easy solutions. But I’m convinced the more we share these stories the more people know they’re not alone. That has to be a good thing, right?
Absolutely - breathing and tapping are a godsend. I’ve also found cold water swimming really helpful. But I couldn’t agree more - it feels exposing to talk about it, but the more we do, hopefully the more supportive and supported we can all be xx
Thanks for your honesty and sharing Jen. I've only had one panic attack but it was f*cking terrifying and wouldn't wish it on my word enemy. Thanks for writing about it and making it all less of a mystery. It's really helpful xo
Aren’t they the worst? I hope you’re one and done, forever more! I’m so glad it’s helpful. These things are always tricky to write about, aren’t they? But useful for us all to be more open I think xx
Thanks got sharing Jen. I have never had anxiety but I do have depression, we think triggered by hormones, and many friends have had post natal depression. We've all had terrible experiences with the NHS, from long waiting times to being referred to social services (wish I was kidding). I pay for my SSRIs and I pay for a private therapist when in need her, and honestly , with the state the NHS mental health services are in, I think any one that can afford to should to allow others who can't a chance of help. The waiting times are no worse than non emergency surgery, it's all bad.
On another note: I had a really bad allergy attack once and the doctor I saw tried to convince me it was anxiety that was closing my throat up....
Blimey, that’s awful! I’d actually love to know how much research there is ongoing into the link between hormones and mental health. We see the link clearly so often in menopause and post-pregnancy - and I can’t imagine it’s limited to those times - yet there seems so little acknowledgement or understanding. Hopefully the more we talk about it, the more support we can all give each other and the more we can drive change. At least with menopause, that seems to be happening already! Xx
I read ‘Everything you need to know about the menopause’ by Kate Muir and one of her fundamental points is that lots of depression and anxiety can be triggered or made worse by hormonal changes and therefore seeing a specialist to get the right prescription for HRT could really help. Many GP’s are not trained to be experts in this area so might offer generalised treatments for anxiety without considering whether a hormone adjustment would be more effective. So it might be worth seeing a specialist.
I think our health system struggles with a holistic approach to long term and recurring illness but exploring how hormones fit into overall health will make a big difference in the coming years.
Until then it is good that you know yourself that the feeling is temporary and that you can rationalise your fears (in the daytime at least) so that you don’t let anxiety limit your choices day to day.
I’ve had depression and anxiety for over 30 years. The last 13 or more I’ve not been medicated. I literally take it day by day. Some are better, others are worse.
My advice for panic attacks is to distract your brain. The breathing into a bag works because you’re concentrating on doing that. Slow breathing also helps things to settle too.
I rub my thumb and finger together, so I can really feel the texture. By concentrating on that, it breaks the cycle of thoughts in my head. The key is to do it as soon as you feel it come on.
We have a massive problem brewing, there is no easy solutions. But I’m convinced the more we share these stories the more people know they’re not alone. That has to be a good thing, right?
Absolutely - breathing and tapping are a godsend. I’ve also found cold water swimming really helpful. But I couldn’t agree more - it feels exposing to talk about it, but the more we do, hopefully the more supportive and supported we can all be xx
Thanks for your honesty and sharing Jen. I've only had one panic attack but it was f*cking terrifying and wouldn't wish it on my word enemy. Thanks for writing about it and making it all less of a mystery. It's really helpful xo
Aren’t they the worst? I hope you’re one and done, forever more! I’m so glad it’s helpful. These things are always tricky to write about, aren’t they? But useful for us all to be more open I think xx
Thanks got sharing Jen. I have never had anxiety but I do have depression, we think triggered by hormones, and many friends have had post natal depression. We've all had terrible experiences with the NHS, from long waiting times to being referred to social services (wish I was kidding). I pay for my SSRIs and I pay for a private therapist when in need her, and honestly , with the state the NHS mental health services are in, I think any one that can afford to should to allow others who can't a chance of help. The waiting times are no worse than non emergency surgery, it's all bad.
On another note: I had a really bad allergy attack once and the doctor I saw tried to convince me it was anxiety that was closing my throat up....
Blimey, that’s awful! I’d actually love to know how much research there is ongoing into the link between hormones and mental health. We see the link clearly so often in menopause and post-pregnancy - and I can’t imagine it’s limited to those times - yet there seems so little acknowledgement or understanding. Hopefully the more we talk about it, the more support we can all give each other and the more we can drive change. At least with menopause, that seems to be happening already! Xx
I read ‘Everything you need to know about the menopause’ by Kate Muir and one of her fundamental points is that lots of depression and anxiety can be triggered or made worse by hormonal changes and therefore seeing a specialist to get the right prescription for HRT could really help. Many GP’s are not trained to be experts in this area so might offer generalised treatments for anxiety without considering whether a hormone adjustment would be more effective. So it might be worth seeing a specialist.
I think our health system struggles with a holistic approach to long term and recurring illness but exploring how hormones fit into overall health will make a big difference in the coming years.
Until then it is good that you know yourself that the feeling is temporary and that you can rationalise your fears (in the daytime at least) so that you don’t let anxiety limit your choices day to day.