So, when you feel an episode of anxiety and panic overtaking you, what exactly is going on inside your body? Most of the symptoms that I used to complain about the most were a racing heart rate, uncontrolled breathing, sweating, and the feeling that I wanted to bolt down the street running (FEAR). Sometimes when we are overwhelmed by stress and anxiety our bodies react by releasing a chemical called adrenaline, or what I call 'anxiety juice.' You can think of adrenaline as the fuel behind a lot of the symptoms and sensations that you
Archives for May 2008
The Anxiety of Loss
Today marks the sixth anniversary of my father's passing. Some people say that they develop anxiety after trauma or loss, but I already had anxiety for about 3 years when my dad passed. Ironically when I heard the news, and for sometime after, I was free of anxiety. I suppose I was numb because I could not accept the idea of losing someone I loved so dearly. When my dad was alive I never told him that I had problems with anxiety. I was afraid that he would look down on me, as if I was weak. I remember having minor panic attacks around him
Work Anxiety
Having anxiety disorder is bad enough, but having anxiety disorder and working in cubicle world is even worse. Before we moved into a new office we had cubes that were tall enough so that people could not see me without coming over to visit. Now the cubes are just below shoulder level so everyone can see me, all day long. If I didn't have anxiety this would not be a big deal, but because I have a high stress profession (talk about irony) I don't feel like I can have any me time and not do anything for a few minutes every now and then. With
Driving with Anxiety
If you have anxiety one of the most difficult things you can do is drive a car. For the most part I am completely capable of driving a car within city limits without any issue. But, sometimes I do get a little anxious behind the wheel. Especially at night and during trips further than 30 miles. Why 30 miles? Because drives that last longer than 30 minutes stress me out just a little. On at least two occasions I have driven more then four hours by myself. And during both trips I had more than just a little anxiety. I would turn the radio up
How Long Will I Have Anxiety?
photo credit: steve.wilde How long must you wait for anxiety and panic to leave you? The truth is that panic and anxiety can be with you for a week, a year, or even the better part of 20 years. This is not meant to scare you but just remind you that you have to be patient. I am sure you're asking yourself how can I be patient? But let me ask you, how could you not be? You have already dealt with this for some time and are still here. I have had anxiety the better part of 9 years, but during that time I have learned to bring my anxiety under
Out to Eat with Anxiety
If you have Anxiety Disorder or other related condition going to crowded places is the last thing you want to do. Even if you agree to it while at home, once you get there you are likely to say "damn, now why did I do that?". But, you really can get through it and I want to give you some tips to do battle with dinner time. First things first, you really don't have to fight it. And really the only way that you will get through dinner at a busy eatery is to accept that you don't feel good. In addition, you have to accept, fully, whatever your
At the Dentist
Now all people, with or without anxiety, have to go to the dentist for obvious reasons. But if you have anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic disorder or something similar than this can become more than just a visit to the dentist office. It can become a hellish mental exercise in fear production. I went to my dentist this past Saturday, and let's just say I had to use all the jedi mind tricks I could grab from my Guru goodie bag. Now, fear and anxiety about seeing a dentist is rather normal, but if you are like me then you are pretty much afraid of
What is Anxiety Disorder?
What is Anxiety Disorder exactly? According to Wikipedia "Anxiety Disorder is a prolonged physiological and mental state characterized by cognitive (mind), somatic (physical symptoms), emotional (feelings), and behavioral abnormalities." It is also "characterized by long-lasting anxiety that is not focused on any particular object or situation." Translation, Anxiety Disorder is a state of worry and fear that is generated by your nervous system, which regulates things like touch, hearing and sight. It can be triggered by heredity, a
How do you cure Anxiety?
photo credit: Umair Mohsin If you are reading this right now then you know exactly how I used to feel all the time. Tired, worried, and complaining about possible diseases like a full fledged hypochondriac. Now, what I propose to do is offer you ways in which you can manage and even cure your anxiety. I will be perfectly honest and admit to you that I have not been cured myself, but curiously I do know the way out. And although I have not cured my anxiety fully, I do have a family, a full time job, normal relationships with others, etc. In