Help, at times I feel panic/anixety, stess, and don't understand why!?

Question

I guess I would feel better to know there are others out there who are in the same boat as I. About four months ago (I cannot think of a reason why) I felt my heart pounding, I started breathing heavy, and sweating slightly. I then felt my legs tingling. I thought I was having a heart attack and was dying. I later learned it was probably a panic attack. I'm not convinced because I did have a really strong cup of coffee before hand, and perhaps it was a reacaction to the caffenne. At times I feel like I can't swallow. When I eat I feel as if I am going to choke, and now I avoid eating out in front of someone (it seems worse when someone is sitting across from me). I convince myself that I will choke, and it is very hard to swallow. Other times I feel like I have to swallow because of excess saliva or mucus in my throat, but even then its hard to swallow. And lastely I sometimes don't feel myself, like I'm depressed. I fear I'm going crazy, but then I don't. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Yes, I’ve experienced anxiety and depression and something can be done about it!

Before you do anything else, you should find a good medical doctor (but not a psychiatrist) to do a complete medical workup on you and a full panel of blood tests. The tests may reveal a root cause of your depression and anxiety -- perhaps you have a vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, lack of certain amino acids or a low-functioning thyroid. All of these things can be tested for and treated. If for example, you have a Vitamin B12 deficiency you may start taking Vitamin B12 and feel much better. Perhaps, once you have any physiological issues corrected you won't need to take any psychiatric medications or herbs for your anxiety and depression because the root cause will have been corrected. Safe Harbor runs a website with a directory of holistic medical practitioners who will help you find the root cause of your depression and anxiety: http://www.alternativementalhealth.com

If after your medical workup, your tests came back normal or if you start taking some supplements but still don't feel markedly better then you may want to consider taking some herbs. Here are some herbs that you may find helpful:

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a member of the pepper family that has been cultivated by Pacific Islanders for over 3000 years for use as a social and ceremonial drink. The first description of kava came to the west with Captain James Cook, who traveled through the South Seas in a number of celebrated voyages. To this day, when village elders or others in the Pacific Islands come together for a significant meeting, they begin with an elaborate kava ceremony. Currently, kava is used in Europe and increasingly in the United States to treat stress, anxiety, and insomnia.

Valerian: Nature's valium. Another favorite for the treatment of anxiety is valerian. Derived from the dried rhizomes and roots of this tall plant, which grows in wet soil in many countries, valerian has been used for thousands of years as a folk remedy. As a natural relaxant, it is useful for several disorders including restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, menstural problems, and "nervous" stomach. Valerian acts on the brain's GABA receptors to produce a tranquilizing action that is similar to Valium-type drugs, but without the same side effects.

St. John's Wort: Wonder Weed. Imagine an antidepressant that is as effective as prescription drugs but has mild side effects, if any, and even boosts libido. Sound like a fantasy? It's not. You've just met St. John's Wort, an herb taken by many thousands of people every day. In fact, in Europe, Hypericum perforatum is prescribed by doctors five times as often as Prozac.

You can take herbs on your own (they're available even at the corner drug store as well as on the internet and in health food store) or you can go to an herbalist, who can help you determine what combination of herbs and what dosage is best for you. I'll give you the website for the American Herbalists Guild: http://www.americanherbalistsguild.com Or if you really would like to see a psychiatrist, there aren't a lot of good ones but one who's awesome is located in Pacific Palisades California and I believe you can get medical advice from her by email Dr. Cass's website is found at http://www.cassmd.com

And if you're interested in reading about traditional psychiatry and psychiatric drugs and why it's smart to pursue a homeopathic option instead check out the Citizens Commission on Human Rights website at http://www.cchr.org They're the foremost human rights organization documenting psychiatric abuse and advocating for psychiatric reform.

Answer 2

I feel that way all the time. In fact, there are times I feel I must be talking fluent Urdu. I think in English... so I'm pretty sure I'm talking in English. But the look of complete befuddlement on their face suggests that I'm speaking any other language but! I recently had a verbal sparring match with two members of my family over an upcoming wedding. I gave them four alternate solutions, and was told I was being stubborn?!?! How can I be stubborn if I'm willing to compromise? I don't get people - and people don't get me. So the feeling is perfectly mutual; and (a lot of the time) I simply give up trying. My one saving grace is my best friend in the whole world. She GETS me. We've never had an argument or even disagreed on anything. I call her my "big sister" (even though we're not related), I love her with all my heart, and will do anything for her because (around her) I can be myself; and not pretend to be something I'm not. I pray that one day, you find someone that GETS you. The world's not so lonely when you know there is someone that understands where you're coming from. In la'kech

Answer 3

Sounds like a true panic attack. The fear of eating in front of someone is your anxiety. Mine was being trapped in a car in traffic. This is a very easily treated condition. You can see your PCP or a mental health doctor if you think you might need therapy. Klonopin (not sure of the spelling), Buspar, Wellbutrin are just some of the medications that might be helpful. Panic attacks and anxiety are caused by unbalanced Serotonin levels. The meds help with this. The good news is that it doesn't have to be a life long condition and you probably will not have to be on meds forever. Therapy and the passage of time without a panic attack will really give you the confidence to deal with stressful situations on your own.

Answer 4

I have had terrible panic attacks my entire life and they sound very similiar to what you are experiencing. When I get anxiety, I cannot have ONE single ounce of caffeine or I get a panic attack.

Sometime things take a long time to set in and suddenly you'll start feeling anxious. If you went through a life changing experience, that's a huge cause of anxiety. A wedding, a move, new job, new relationship, anything like that. It may have occured 2 months ago and your ming is just now adjusting. I am on Zoloft. It helps me tremendously. I am not ashamed of having to take medication for my anxiety, because I would not even leave the couch if it were not for it. Also, see a counseler if necessary, they really can help too!!!

p.s.- you are NOT going crazy! I felt the same way. My doctor always tells me that I wouldn't be asking him if I were going crazy. Crazy people don't have a clue that they've lost their mind!

Answer 5

You are having anxiety attacks. They are common, a lot of people have it. They aren't really linked to caffine intake, but it may add to some of the symptoms during an episode. As for the choking, that is also caused by the generalized anxiety. Sorry to kind of blame everything on anxiety, but it is something that is related and not an uncommon complaint. When you feel like choking, try to relax and just let what ever concerns you're having drift away. I know it's hard, cause you feel like you're choking, but practice and it will help. And try to continue to go out. Being away from social situations only adds to the anxiety when you do have to go out. Good luck

Answer 6

It does sound like a panic attack to tell the truth. I don't have them my self but I am around many people that do and I researched them.

Am I saying it cant be something else too or two different things no.

I suggest you see a doctor and tell him what you said here. Or see an other doctor to get an other opinion. Sometimes worrying and fear etc can manifest into problems and some of this could be in your head? Is there any chance your quitting a drug or smoking because some of the things your saying sounds like it could partly be because of that.

Don't forget to tell your doctor everything. You will be amassed by how smart some doctors can be.

Answer 7

I think that you should probably see a doctor. It could be Panic Attacks but if you feel as if you are going to choke please see you physician for a diagnosis. I have panic attacks and feel like i am going crazy but i am also Bipolar I know that i am crazy. Seriously honey go see you doctor that would be the best way to weed out any possible medical problems. Hope I have helped you.

Answer 8

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 9

You are not going crazy, it's called panic and anxiety disorder. I have had this problem for many years and had all the feelings that you have described. When you get these feelings, try and stay calm, I know its hard, but you are not going to die or choke. There are medications that you can take for this, like paxil or zolof and also counseling might help.

Answer 10

It affects a lot of people. The reasons are varied. I had it happen to me a few times. Sometimes it can be due to stress, embarrassing situations, fear, etc.