Hello family my name is Yolanda, alcoholic. In the past 5 months or so, i've started having panic attacks. I talk to my aa friends which is great, as a matter of fact i've phoned and talked to more friends since i first got sober! I've tried some techniques (breathing with praying). But it seems the worst time is at night when I try to sleep. My heart races, I sweat like crazy, by morning i'm a rest broken mess! When this happens, it's difficult to get to a meeting and concentrate on what's being said. Does anyone have any thoughts, suggestions any ideas. Anything would be greatly appreciated!
Hi bsfilter (cute name!), first thing that comes to my mind are physical ailments, that being said, have you seen a physician? I can think of a few possibilities but you need a healthcare provider to work you up. Certainly want to make sure something isn't physically wrong! I am so happy you are reaching out to your fellow aa'ers-I think soon you will hear from other board members that might be able to share some advice; thankfully for me praying to my HP and going thru my gratitude list usually puts me right to sleep. Last night I was having a very restless night, something to do with work that I had been obsessing about and worrying about since about Thursday. Finally, I said "God, please I need to sleep so I can do a good job tomorrow, please stop this tape in my head!" and Boom, it was literally gone out of my mind not a second later. I had never had such a quick and obvious response to a prayer. I will pray for you to get some much needed rest, hopefully this trend ends soon! All my best!! Dolly
Welcome to "MIP". I'm not a qualified professional dear, so I can't diagnose your condition. But what I can do -for now, is share some of my personal experiences instead -which may put your mind at ease. So here goes. I like what Mike said about control. If were in control, somehow, everything will likely go our way. It's only when we experience a 'total Lack of control' that our anxiety 'can' get worse. If we look at it from an entirely different perspective, however, than it probably isn't half bad; but few people do that today. And that's when our anxiety can deepen. So here's my suggestion: Ask yourself this 'one' question dear...what am I anxious over? If you don't know, than you can take the next step towards liberation by putting this episode behind you. But if you do, and are not willing to confront the dilemma head on, than you better seek good counsel elsewhere -either through treatment or a mental health advocate. It can only benefit you, okay. Whatever you decide to do Yolanda will be beneficial; but only if we desire a better life for ourselves, and improve upon our spiritual conditioning. So explore all your options than proceed. Just don't drink though, okay. You know where that can lead Yolanda; and believe me; it doesn't imply freedom, now does it? We'll be praying for you
~God Bless~
-- Edited by Mr_David on Tuesday 20th of March 2012 03:04:55 AM
Aloha filter...you didn't say how long you've been alcohol free and how much of a life change you have experienced up to now and I know for me that major life changes which I have little to no control over cause me that panicy and paranoic condition. God likes dolly more than me cause I've gotta go thru more of a song and dance with the problem before I'm completely free of it and relaxed. I've got an over active thinker and it just loves to sit around and blab blab and blab and then do some scenes from Alien 1, 2 and three before it asks "Is it time to get up yet?" I'm working on maybe a lite dose of ambien or lunestra or something like that however like dolly suggest, I've gotta visit the personal doc first.
I was told to sing a tune in my head... a catchy one that would "over rattle" and sooth. I wrote a tune for my kids: "I think you're wonderful, I think you're marvelous, I think you're beautiful, and I love you more each day". I also do sign language with them, so my mind is very occupied. Anxiety attacks are the worst. They will not kill you. I will pray for you. Do something you love. Remember you wont die.
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Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
Hi Yolanda, wellcome to MIP. Without trying too hard I can come up with two occasions in my life where my experience seems similar to yours. The first few weeks of sobriety were dreadful for anxiety/worry. Even though I had embarked on this new way of life and was staying sober, the demons visited every night, and I tossed and turned all night. This stopped immediately after I took the 5th step - a lot of wondeful things happened at that time. Then a few years ago I had been invited to go sailing on a friends boat, and as I waited for him to arrive I was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. I thought about doing a runner, but he turned up so I couldn't run out on him. I went out and felt sick all afternoon, I would have been the most useless crew he ever had, probably why he never asked me to crew again lol. Later I came to understand that for me it was a control issue. On my own boat I get to play God (to a point) but on his, he was in charge and there was no way I could remove myself from the situation if I didn't like how he did things. So I was frightened of losing control, and as he was an experienced sailor, I was probably also frightened I might make a mistake and look stupid. Control, ego, fear, real spoilers. I am pleased to say that He has dealt with this stuff now, and I have done a number of voyages on other people's boats, and also hade very experienced folks on my boat. These days I trust God and have enough humility that I don't worry about making a mistake, I just take the opportunity to learn whatever I can from others.
First of all, welcome to the board! second, sorry I have no suggestions for you. I have been sober for 24 days and I still have them! I just try to lay down and relax or call a friend or family for support! Hope you get some heplful advise here!
~Melissa
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If you don't get your mind straightened out you will never get your life straightened out!
Hi Yolanda - I became an alcoholic in part to deal with my severe anxiety/panic attacks. It got to the point where I couldn't leave my house unless I was wasted. 20 years went by like this. I finally stopped drinking, got involved with AA and started seeing some really good therapists. The most successful way to deal with panic attack issues is called Cognitive Therapy. I hope you have access to a health care professional, because if you don't take care of this, at least in my experience it gets worse.
I dont know if this makes sense but i have the same thing. I find if i look at what im thinking about and say to myself. Is this whats happening or is it fantasy. eg. 2 weeks from now i have to go to a thing with my ex. am i in my head thinking about the outcome or am i waiting to see a certain look in her eye. My life becomes consumed with what iif's an why for's. And i have to say stop. And when I go to bed I say the lords payer a hundred thimes to take my mind off.
Thanks everyone. When I looked at the number of responses, wholly molly! I think I was about to have an attack seeing them! I thought I would maybe get one in a couple of days! But it's helping and in turn I'll try to be of service and pass along ones I have heard. Thank you family!
I'd also suggest working out a few hours before bed. It seems to help get out the extra energy and calm the body so the mind can follow suit. Best of luck to you. :)
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I think there's an invisible principle of living...if we believe we're guided through every step of our lives, we are. Its a lovely sight, watching it work.
I suffered with anxiety for years and also self medicated. This was before anybody would even talk about such things for fear of being called a nut. There was no rhyme or reason for my attacks, tried many different things but could not control them or talk myself down. When I got sober my Dr. put me on effexor and it worked. It's been almost 7 years and it's still working. I know some people in AA dont belive in Med's but if it wasnt for the Med's I dont beieve I could ever stay sober. This is what and still is working for me. I would stay away from things like Valium or any Barbituates or Narcotics.
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The smallest of good deeds is greater than the best of intentions.
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