About Me

[Peacefulward]

My name's Kaycee. I'm 15 years old and have suffered from severe generalized anxiety and agoraphobia since I was 8 years old. It's kept me from doing things I've always wanted to do, (Like going on vacations, going to school, being in public without feeling terrified...) so I joined this site in hopes of being able to find some good ways to cope with and eventually cure my anxiety so I can fulfill my dreams of living a normal life. :)

On a normal day, I enjoy reading books and caring for my animals.
When I'm feeling good mentally, I love hiking with my dogs and sometimes taking short trips out into public places.
When I'm having a panic attack, I often scratch and slash my skin with my fingernails, in a desperate attempt to focus on something other than my panic. I try not to do this since it's not a healthy method, but sometimes it's too hard to resist. A healthier thing that helps me is pouring cold water over my head, the shock seems to help break me out of my panic.

Talking to people while I'm anxious makes me feel sick, and I've always been terrified of vomiting so experiencing these symptoms only worsens the situation. :(

I will be starting my first year of High School after summer break is over, it'll be an enormous challenge for me since I've been home schooled these past 3 years, but I'm also excited to be able to learn in a classroom environment.

Wish me luck, and I hope to see you all around. :D

[Nowuccas]

Hey Kaycee,

My previous posts about agoraphobia and Generalised Anxiety Disorder may be viewed at: http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?34181-Fear-of-getting-out&p=224994#post224994 & http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?33964-New-to-the-site-and-looking-for-help&p=223989#post223989

"There are some differences between anxiety and panic attacks. While books are written on this topic, the following will attempt to summarize some basics here for a brief overview".

Anxiety Attacks:
An anxiety attack, sometimes referred to as a panic attack, is an unforeseen periods or incidents where there is a sudden fright or fear of intense proportions. These attacks focus on fears that are most often not rational; however the person with the disorder believes he or she is in terrible danger or at extreme risk. Most often these anxiety attacks occur all of a sudden; i.e. they are not planned nor do they come with any type of warning mechanism built in for advance action. Results are that
the person suffering the attack will feel about to faint or near death's door. People who suffer anxiety attacks report the following symptoms, listed in no particular order:
Discomfort or pain in the chest, Vertigo or
Dizziness, Upset stomach / Nausea, Loss of
Control, Loss of Mental Stability, Stress,
Cold or hot flashes Heart palpitations or
near heart attack, Shallow breathing, Shakes / Trembling
Anxiety disorder is characterized as having anxiety feelings that are "always there / all inclusive," make people want to isolate themselves from society and hamper everyday activities with others.

Panic Attacks:
On the other hand, a panic attack does not carry with it that "always there" association. In fact, panic episodes generally burst forth, peaking after roughly 10 minutes or so, then ending after about 25 minutes. During a panic attack, 4 of the symptoms listed below (in no particular order) generally make an appearance:
Hyperventilation, Shallow breathing, even to the point of
suffocation sensation...
Increased heart rates Tightness of chest, Chest pain or discomfort
Shakes / Trembling / Sweating Choking
sensation Upset Stomach / Nausea Vertigo
Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)
Surreal feelings Loss of Control, especially
of mental faculties Death coming on Numbing
Cold or hot flashes

The Difference:
The main difference between anxiety attacks and panic attacks is in the duration of the attack and how intense it is for the person with the affliction. While anxiety attacks are less hi-stress, they tend to last longer than the power-packed panic stressors".

View my answer about effective natural treatments for panic attacks at https://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20140816225417AABZ6Wm and those about anxiety at https://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20140510043011AAmdCm4 and http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111014061737AAgQyLM but note that 8m.com has been replaced by: your-mental-health.weebly.com/i.html . If panic, learn the anti-panic breathing method before another attack, so you are proficient. Anxiety; passionflower (as directed, or 1 drop in a cup of warm water, 4 times daily may be helpful; view http://altmedicine.about.com/od/anxiety/a/passionflower_benefits.htm?nl=1 ) may be helpful, short term. I'd avoid medications, except as a last resort, and even then, only use temporarily, as they don't address the causes, merely (imperfectly) treat the symptoms, and carry risks, and side effects. Learn and employ the relaxation techniques (begin with Progressive Muscle Relaxation) and the EFT variant for use in public places, in case it is needed there. If panic, learn the anti-panic breathing method before another attack, so you are proficient. Anxiety; passionflower (as directed, or 1 drop in a cup of warm water, 4 times daily may be helpful; view http://altmedicine.about.com/od/anxiety/a/passionflower_benefits.htm?nl=1 ) may be helpful, short term. I'd avoid medications, except as a last resort, and even then, only use temporarily, as they don't address the causes, merely (imperfectly) treat the symptoms, and carry risks, and side effects. Learn and employ the relaxation techniques (begin with Progressive Muscle Relaxation) and the EFT variant for use in public places, in case it is needed there.

Advice from a clinical psychologist about panic attacks is to breathe in to the count of 3: ( count: one thousand one; one thousand two; one thousand three) each takes around a second to say to yourself, in your mind, and out to the count of 3. Keep repeating this until the panic subsides, (up to 25 minutes) which will deal with the hyperventilation aspect. Learn to recognise the thoughts which trigger attacks; challenge and reprogram as shown.

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EMETOPHOBIA: Fear of vomit(ing)/throwing up, is the 7th most common of the phobias.

It may be related to stress, panic, or anxiety, so view those topics at http://www.your-mental-health.weebly.com/1.html and pages m, h, and i. Check out: http://www.emetophobiarecovery.org/treatment/desensitization-and-exposure-treatment.html See www.emetophobia.org/ (message board for support) & http://www.emetonline.co.uk/ & http://www.gut-reaction.freeserve.com/ (self help support group) & http://emetophobia.bravepages.com (I have received positive feedback about this website)
Find a clinical psychologist who deals with phobia. Google: "clinical psychologists; (your location)" Closely examine the http://1-800-therapist.com/ & http://www.metanoia.org/choose/ websites.

Hypnotherapy, or NeuroLinguistic Programming may be effective. It is important, however, to address the cause of the problem, rather than just the symptom, or it may manifest again in a different form. Most people are suggestible, to some extent, so consider professional hypnotherapy, or http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com has Perfect Partners: Perfect Partners: Fear of Vomiting + Keep a Cool Head, or http://www.instant-hypnosis.com has Fear of Vomiting, or (free) at: www.freehypnosistreatment.com - anxiety (kindly make a suitable donation, if helped).

Recommended reading: Living with Emetophobia: Coping with Extreme Fear of Vomiting, by Nicolette Heaton-harris, & The Emetophobia Eraser Program, by Jillian Stevens, & Beyond Anxiety and Phobia: A Step-by-Step Guide, by Edmund J. Bourne, & Phobias And How To Overcome Them: Understanding And Beating Your Fears by Art Bell Ph.D., & Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders: Success Stories, Strategies, and Other Good News by Jenna Glatzer and Ph.D. Paul Foxman Ph.D., from your bookstore, or Amazon.com. SUPPORT GROUPS: www.emetophobia-clinic.com/ & www.angelfire.com/ & http://dailystrength.org/

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VOMITING:
To help prevent nausea and vomiting: boil a tablespoonful of grated ginger root in a pint/650mls water; cool and add a little honey (preferably 100% Manuka honey; Google it and check it out; from health food stores, some pharmacies & supermarkets) and freshly squeezed lemon juice; sip slowly. Rinse your mouth with water after sipping. Keeping some with you may provide a degree of reassurance. Discard unused mixture after 3 days. Can be refrigerated for several days, or can be frozen, in batches, for longer term storage. Google: "nausea and vomiting; ginger"

Options:
Anti-Nausea Ginger Gum 24 Count by Sea-Band
Nature's Way Ginger Root, 550 mg, 100 Capsules by Nature's Way
Prince Of Peace Instant Ginger Honey Crystals (1x10 BAG) by Prince Of Peace
The Ginger People Gin Gins Ginger Hard Candy 3 oz candy by The Ginger People
from amazon.com