Anxiety Attack Help?

[Anonymous]

I've been having consistent anxiety attacks lately as I see college approaching. I can't stand it, and I'm concerned they'll follow me into college. Last time this shit happened to me it turned out really bad. I'm really scared of what's to come. There is a psychologist that I see, and we've been discussing it with one another for a few weeks now. He knows about my history with it, and tries to give me tips, yet sometimes the attacks are so bad I can't work through them.

Any advice would be great. My heart feels like it's about to explode. And I will say I've looked up tips for them on the Internet, and I have been trying those as well. Thanks.

[Penyair]

Have you been to the place before? I tend to familiarize myself with strange places using google maps. I also use websites of the place and any pictures, videos, or history of the school for the areas I might run into. It also helps to YouTube look up the places and see what turns up to get a feel for teachers, students, or recreational/other activities. Other than that I try to get decent rest and sometimes focus on something like music, artwork, or details on something to redirect myself.

Some people take Valerian Root which you shouldn't take if you have any valium allergy. Others drink chamomile tea or use lavender essential oil (or incense) to calm themselves.(don't use lavender if you have a seizure disorder without checking with your doctor first) Others I know have companion animals. There are therapy dogs for a variety of things and anxiety disorders, PTSD, Autism, and ADHD all can get the service dogs and as service dogs schools must allow them.

[Anhnguyen96]

Try not to give a fuck about everybody or their opinion. Trusr me it helps

[Levin]

Well, what are you having anxiety attacks about? What are you scared of exactly? There is a central thought that will keep permeating, or be at the heart of this. If you can make it conscious (by simply being aware of it), you can start to examine it and figure out from where it derives. My approach would be to increase your understanding. Remember that when you say you can't have something happen to you, you're effectively repressing it. What is the worst that can happen, do you think? If you can let the anxiety wash over you, without buying into the thoughts that are sustaining it, that would be the best way forward, in my view. Whatever you resist, persists, as they say. This is the secret to emotional and psychological disturbances.

The other thing is, when did these start to occur? Is it something about college?

[Asker]

It's 100% about something related to college. I know where it's coming from also since this has happened to me in the past. It's a weird sort of anxiety I get, and I recognize that it's happening again. I try to keep myself occupied with video games, friends, exercise and all, but it creeps up on me when I'm not doing those things. Last time this happened everything went poorly since I started smoking marijuana which really screwed with my head according to my psychiatrist. The one good thing about this is I know what I've done wrong in the past, and I recognize why it's back. My only concern is that I'll go down a bad route again and hurt my parents and myself.

[Levin]

So you're scared about some particular responsibility? I guess the marijuana will help you space out and get away from it? So it's like you medicated yourself with it. But it obviously has ill affects? What is the thing you're so anxious over though? Why do you think you'll necessarily go down a bad route? You can see this as a rhetorical question process. When something pops up, you can ask yourself further questions, no hurry needed for the response. I think you can eventually get to the root of it this way.

[Asker]

Could I direct message you about it?

[Levin]

Sure. Obviously, I'm no professional though.

[ArrowheadSW]

That is great you are working with a psychologist about it. My advice at this point would be to check with your physician also, to see if he/she would want to prescribe an anti anxiety medication, in addition to your therapy. You certainly wouldn't want to go overboard with that type of medication, but wise use of it might be something to look into.

[Asker]

I've been on medication in the past and got off of it a little over a year ago. I felt great until this anxiety returned.

[Zanecyber]

doing the breathing thing has always helped me inhale through the nose n exhale through the mouth but doing it very slow and remember to not lose focus on the breathing