New here

[Phoenix90]

Hello! heres a quick overview of my anxiety anyone have any similar experience? I could really use some insight. I am diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety /panic Disorder. I had been at a point where I would suffer multiple panic attacks daily (dizziness, palpitations, fainting) but for the most part I have learned to control and stop this from happening. I have been off medications for a while because the zoloft seemed to make symptoms worse. My anxiety is always worse at night/when I am tired, and I notice one way I deal with the anxiety is by drinking. After a few drinks the anxiety goes away but the next day it's always worse. My triggers are always thoughts of dying or that something is wrong with my heart and it starts the panic.

[HeyHeyHey]

I can relate to what you said about the drinking. It was how I coped with being in unfamiliar situations and like you I worry about being sick, especially if I'm in an unfamiliar place. Good for you on learning to control and stop your panic attacks!

[Lin]

Welcome to the Forum, hope you make some good friends like i have, and find it helpful.
I can't drink on all my tablets, but must admit the thought of just having a drink one day is very tempting.
I have just been taught a new way to stop panic attacks - ice cubes on the back of your neck, or ice cubes in water and splash it on your face, or a sniff of smelling salts. It really works, it is such a shock to your system that the panic stops in your head and the ruminating stops.
Stoping your head go round is the most difficult thing to do. I have been practising. I am using ACT - Acceptance Commitment Therapy - at the moment. So when a thought comes in I say to myself "it is only a thought", "thanks mind" and once I have done that the thought has usually gone but if not I say it again. The book only asks you to do one chapter a day and the exercises contained in the chapter, and then practise the exercises every day. I am finding it really useful.

[HeyHeyHey]

The ice on the back of your neck does really help! I had a whole bucket of icy water dumped on my neck during a panic attack at a large outdoor concert and it completely calmed me down.

[Phoenix90]

That's a really useful tip I appreciate the feedback! Never heard of that before