Anxiety triggers?

[Mac65]

Has anyone who suffers been able to identify what triggers your anxiety episodes? I ask this because I'm still clueless. Mine began after a horrible head injury and when they started happening I would end up at the ER thinking I was having heart problems. It took a few Doctors before someone figured out it was anxiety. I broke my neck, lower lumbar and had limited movement. I was very depressed. I had spent 25 years in a gym religiously not to mention all the money on "vitamins" and I knew all that had come to an end. It was too much mentally and so the anxiety began and to this day I'm not sure what causes the episodes. Even though I take meds for anxiety and depression, I'm not sure if they help or not, but I would hate to think how bad it would be without the meds.

 

[blissopifree 2]

Sorry I don't know it just happens to me from time to time and im really unaware why??

Peace

Bliss...

But if anything I'd say they are self inflicted due to me messing about with BNZs too much,so once again my fault (stupid ass!!)

 

[aintnouse]

I haven't had any episodes in a long time but I figured out mine came from self worth issues. I would always look at the negative things in my life and rarely think about the positive things in my life.  I had to stop smoking mj for about 8-9 years until I figured out where the anxiety came from.  Once I stopped the weed I was ok...and then I changed the way I thought about myself.  I realized that I work hard, I am a pretty good guy, and I treat people really well. Once I changed my way of thinking (which took a while), I was able to enjoy smoking weed again.  I still get anxiety episodes from time to time but usually can calm them before they get really bad.  The current issues  are a result of having a lot of work, little support at home, and worrying about finances.  I have never had to be medicated for my issues as they have dissipated greatly, but the few scary attacks that I had were some of the worst hours of my life.  I thought I was going to have a heart attack and I had no control over my thoughts and emotions.   The worst episode I had was when I thought my gf was cheating on me.....she wasn't but Holy Schnikes I thought I was going to die......I also have changed my group of friends, stopped drinking save for the occasional beer and I do yoga multiple times a week....

 

[KarenWalker]

Has anyone who suffers been able to identify what triggers your anxiety episodes? I ask this because I'm still clueless. Mine began after a horrible head injury and when they started happening I would end up at the ER thinking I was having heart problems. It took a few Doctors before someone figured out it was anxiety. I broke my neck, lower lumbar and had limited movement. I was very depressed. I had spent 25 years in a gym religiously not to mention all the money on "vitamins" and I knew all that had come to an end. It was too much mentally and so the anxiety began and to this day I'm not sure what causes the episodes. Even though I take meds for anxiety and depression, I'm not sure if they help or not, but I would hate to think how bad it would be without the meds.

Only a psychiatrist/psychotherapist can help you find out what caused the anxiety to begin with and also what triggers feelings of panic or snappiness throughout the day. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when it developed. It could be a combination of something that happened in your childhood and recently your head injury, for example.

Our minds are complex but we have scientists studying our minds and creating methods and medications to help us cope with symptoms of anxiety, ocd, depression, etc.

One of the problems in the US though is the cost of seeing a good psychiatrist. Some psychiatrist have turned their practices into boutique clinics. They will charge a large sum of money per consultation but give you VIP treatment. No waiting, tea, coffee, the works. Other psychiatrists only see patients that are covered by health insurance companies such as Blue Cross & Blue Shield, if you have the most expensive plan. Then the psychiatrists in low income neighborhoods who accept Medicaid tend not to be good. They just see patients for 10 minutes, give them an RX and push them out the door. Also, there's a lack of psychiatrists in low income neighborhoods. 

Another huge problem we have, is that depression and anxiety have been stigmatized. People are afraid to talk about their mental illness out of fear of being called "crazy" in 2015! I'm pretty outspoken about having bipolar disorder and what meds I take to help me with my condition. Some people have used what I say against me and have called me crazy and a pill popper.

A large percentage of the population is depressed and they are ashamed to seek help or to talk to anyone about it. 

 

[Mac65]

Karen thank you, good information. I want to add to this dilemma regarding our homeless population which I'm sure you would agree, a large percentage would not be in their present situation if they were receiving adequate treatment for their mental health issues. It's very sad. Also, the lack of adequate record keeping in this country is bizarre to me. Take for example, a homeless person is presented to an emergency room, either by themselves or police escort, gets a prognosis, a three day supply of meds and kicked out the door. Same person, two months later, another state, same thing. No records follow this person. It's nuts. Anyways, thank you.

 

[Smoka90]

I'd echo the thoughts of seeing a professional, but I know unfortunately they can be out of reach...

Perhaps a diary or something similar might help? I know in the midst of anxiety it is the last thing on your mind, but it could help your mind focus as well as pinpointing what triggers the anxiety. For me, it's just situations where I'm 'stuck': family gatherings and lectures tend to be the ones at the moment.

There are lots of herbal remedies and nootropics that may help, but some people don't like to just medicate the heck out of it.

Other than that, try and get plenty of sleep and eat as well as you can.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[foxglove]

my anxiety generally comes from a feeling of not being in control. Which is a bugger, because we are really in control of so little. I also have a persistent vague sense of anxiety that I think stems from a feeling that human beings are not living as they were evolved to (living in an increasingly isolating society, etc).

 

[Iona Starr]

I think it is pretty different for all people, something in your mind that clicks of when it has been there and didn't like it, so its like your other cells are just shutting down because you cant think about what is happening in that moment and you have no way of processing it so you get more and more panicked because nothing is changing and seconds feel like minuets, I think it is the same as when you get panic attacks it is for other reasons and so each person heals differently, so people just think one or another way is the way to fixing something because that is what fixes a large number of others and then when that thing doesn't work for you, your basically told your always going to be that way which is bull-shit, people wouldn't be trying to find new anti-biotics if there was a large source that was working in the majority, and so instead, for Me personally in life have been shunted of by the "Mental health service" because nothing has basically changed or worked for Me when it has came to my Personality Disorder and Chronic Depression, Luckily though for Me diazapam works fine for my anxiety but I obviously dont want to be on pills for the rest of my life and the ones im on for my P.D and Depression dont do anything except from helping me sleep. Yoga and Meditation are meant to be really good for anxiety in learning you to be in more control over your mind whilst its trying to shut down in the situations where you feel you need it the most, I am reading a book at the moment called "Wherever You Go, There You Are" and it has actually been helping me feel more calm when im stressed and panicking, Its not for everyone like I said, I think there is a book out there and different methods out there for everyone, You are never a lost cause and you can get better and heal and I wish you the best of luck in doing so. 

After I have finished this book I can send it to you if you would like to read it, I have another book also that practises you certain mind excersizes and that that helps some people.

Are you on any other prescription drugs? I am on diazapam and imiprimime for anxiety and depression my panic attacks never used to be as bad as they are now but it is since I have been taking Tramadol that they have increased and got much stronger, I seriously thought I was having a heart-attack twice now and Doctors/Nurses and Psychiatrists have said I shouldn't be mixing they tablets together because your anxiety gets increased ten-fold.

Anyway Im sorry for the essay and for going on like a metalika song, also sorry if there's bits you dont understand- I am Scottish- Im not sorry for being Scottish, that is the one thing in life that I would never change.

Yours Sincerely

Iona Starr.