Anxiety flaring up

[dala]

Hello, everyone. Four years ago I had a massive anxiety attack. For three straight weeks, I felt like I was having a heart attack. I was given drugs that barely touched it, and for a several years I had mild symptoms (mostly chest tightness and palpitations). About a year ago the symptoms stopped on their own. However, in the past week or so the symptoms have returned (the mild version), and I am trying to decide on my best course of action. This is my first attempt at talking about this with strangers, and I am hoping to learn from the experiences of others.

I am considering cognitive behavioural therapy, but I am unsure of whether it's for me. My anxiety has identifiable triggers (diet and exercise, stressful life events), but from what I can tell the trigger is rarely my thoughts. It's more my body telling me that it's taking too much with purely physical signals. That's not to say that I don't actively contribute once it starts, of course.

Anyway, I appreciate any insight that members of this board are willing to share!

[Invalidcharactr]

I have the same problem. My mind can be completely clear, but my heart will be banging away and my hands will turn cold and moist. I'm always, "This is queer. Am I getting sick?" Until I realize that it's due to stress/anxiety. If you know what your triggers are, is it possible to avoid them? Or expose yourself to them in small doses in order to habituate yourself to them?

[sweetheart4]

I know how you feel.have had panic attacks.now all of a sudden they are coming back. I am trying to deal with it.but need someone. To talk to

[sweetheart4]

Anyone feel like talking?

[dala]

If you know what your triggers are, is it possible to avoid them? Or expose yourself to them in small doses in order to habituate yourself to them?

Right now my trigger is work, and I am currently in the process of looking for a new job. The problem is, what happens with the next trigger? I am opposed to letting myself be controlled in such a fundamental way by what appears to be the biological equivalent of a stuck 'on' switch.

[MainerMikeBrown]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help with your anxieties/panic attacks, Dala. However, CBT is a slow process. It doesn't work overnight. However, medications typically work much faster.

Medication by itself is not a cure-all. But it can help quickly. Then from there, you may find CBT to be of further help over the long term after getting on the right medication.