Severe Anxiety

[thingsgetbetter2]

Hey readers, 

In recent weeks I've been having severe anxiety attacks. 

I'm in constant fear that something bad will, is going to or about to happen. I had my 1st panic attack, 
a feeling I wish nobody has to experience ever... It felt like I was dying, my soul being ripped from my heart
and my head being crushed all spontaneously. I'm constantly in the ''fight or flight'' mode and I'm struggling. 
I've always dealt with mild cases of depression / anxiety since my teen years but through meditation and 
breathing exercise it has been manageable. This time feels different... I'm always exhausted, stressed and anxious daily.. 
It has taken a lot for a grown man like myself to admit this but I need help... Is there a network or a support group  for Farangs
that I can join?? I'm also willing to speak to a professional if they have such services here.. Any recommendations 
are much appreciated. 

[1FinickyOne]

Well, as you know, you should get help - - I have had some mild anxiety in the last year but for good reasons, mostly. Never as severe as what you are going through.. 

 

For me, St. Johns Wort, easily found here, does the trick... 

 

You don't mention where you are, which will matter if you are looking for Dr. recommendations... 

 

Good luck and be well.

[bkk6060]

I would go to a hospital and ask.

But, have you tried weed?

[thingsgetbetter2]

1 minute ago, 1FinickyOne said:

Well, as you know, you should get help - - I have had some mild anxiety in the last year but for good reasons, mostly. Never as severe as what you are going through.. 

 

For me, St. Johns Wort, easily found here, does the trick... 

 

You don't mention where you are, which will matter if you are looking for Dr. recommendations... 

 

Good luck and be well.

I'm located in Bangkok mate. 
I'm open to suggestions if someone knows a personal Dr. who specializes in the field aswell. 
Cheers, friend. 

[1FinickyOne]

I expect someone will come along w/Bkk recommendations... I am sure the major hospitals can take care...

 

the St Johns Wort works in about an hour, but I would imagine you might need something stronger...

 

Hope you find help soon. 

[IvorBiggun2]

Google find your nearest government psychiatrics hospital and just turn up. They will help. Good luck and try to stay calm. Easy to say that I know.

[IvorBiggun2]

3 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

St Johns Wort works in about an hour

If St Johns Wart works then there'd be no need prescription meds.

 

Quote

John's wort can help those with anxiety, it may have the opposite effect in some people. A case study published in the journal The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders reported that a patient who drank a glass of St. John's wort extract experienced a panic attack shortly afterward.

 

[IvorBiggun2]

11 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

St Johns Wort works in about an hour

Does it?

 

Quote

It may take 3 to 6 weeks to feel any effects from St. John's wort.

About the same time as a prescribed antidepressant.

[amykat]

You could look into taking hydroxyzine, when needed.  I think that is pretty safe and easy to get for immediate relief of some symptoms.

[1FinickyOne]

45 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Does it?

 

About the same time as a prescribed antidepressant.

I just mentioned that it works for me... I also mentioned he should seek medical attention as it sounds likely he might need something stronger... 

[jvs]

I have had those symptoms for a long time but not lately,ptsd.

I can tell you it will get better but i also know that does not help you at the moment.

Are you alone?

Very important to have some one who understands you without asking questions.

You need to be able to talk to some one.Pm me if you like.

Medication can help you but it needs to be the right kind.

Sheryl will hopefully see this and she will be able to recommend some one.

Go for a walk outside and see if that helps a little bit.

Good luck.

[buick]

i started getting panic attacks in dec/jan 2020.  i didn't really know what was going on at first and managed to get through the first few.  maybe one a day over a three day period.  it felt like my heart was racing and i couldn't breathe.  my heart rate was racing as i checked it and it was 130 while i was standing still.  then after a couple weeks, the attacks happened every few hours and i couldn't take it anymore and went to the ER (in USA).  i went twice in two days.  the first time they said i was fine no problems.  but i went back again.  they gave me xanax/alprazolam, it worked in minutes.  the 0.5mg pill was a little too much, i also got tired.  i went to my personal doctor and got a 0.25mg prescription.  i still get them once every 2-3 months but not as severe as before and those pills work wonders.  just two weeks ago, i had another one, didn't have the pills with me and went to the ER (bumrungrad) as the symptoms were different this time.  but turned out to be yet another panic attack.  nothing wrong per ER doctor and results of stress test on heart the next day were fine.  it seems to be all mental, sometimes i just lose control of the mind.

 

 

 

 

[Lacessit]

Are you sleeping well? Sleep deprivation is a prime cause of anxiety, which then turns into panic attacks.

I'd suggest finding a doctor experienced in the field.

[moogradod]

May I suggest that you invest mere 8 minutes and have a look at that. Maybe it will help even tremendously:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vlPAA0QlLw

 

Good luck and all the best.

[Sheryl]

There are some excellent western psychologists in Bangkok. Try:

 

Psychological Services International
9/2 Sukhumvit Soi 43 (near Phrom Pong/Emporium)
Bangkok 10110,
Tel: 02-2591467
Fax: 02-2620505
Languages Spoken: English, French, Thai, Norwegian, Portuguese
http://www.psiadmin.com/

 

NCS New Community Services
61/1 Soi Intamara 3
Sutisan Road
Phaya Thai (Sapan Kwai Area)

plus 2 branch offices: Bearing and Asoke
Tel.: 02-114-7556

Email: [email protected]
Languages Spoken: Dutch, Thai, German, English, and Japanese
https://ncsbkk.com/ncs/index.php/counseling/about/

 

 

This type of problem responds best to a combination of therapy and (when severe) medication but care needs to be taken to avoid use of addictive meds (benzos).  For medication, thsi psychiatrist is excellent and specializes in such diusorders:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Suttiporn-Janenawasin

 

However you need to make appointment well in advance as she tends to be heavily booked.

 

I also suggest you get a physical checkup that includes a full thyroid panel if you have not had one recently as there are some physical conditions which can cause or contribute to this.

 

Also, avoid or minimize caffeine.

 

Are you on any medications? (Some can cause this)

[PJ71]

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I would go to a hospital and ask.

But, have you tried weed?

CDB oil will help.

[CraigInBangkok]

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I would go to a hospital and ask.

But, have you tried weed?

Not something I would recommend to someone that has mental health issues without at least consulting a doctor first. Some of those high THC sativas will not help someone with anxiety

[Reposed]

11 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

CDB oil will help.

Thanks, doctor....

 

Had a senior neighbor who tried that. Had extremely bad reaction.

[PJ71]

51 minutes ago, Reposed said:

Thanks, doctor....

 

Had a senior neighbor who tried that. Had extremely bad reaction.

You're very welcome.

 

It was a suggestion, it's one of the many benifits CBD oil is used for, i don't think there's any need for you to get bent out of shape about it - lol.

 

[Hummin]

6 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

You're very welcome.

 

It was a suggestion, it's one of the many benifits CBD oil is used for, i don't think there's any need for you to get bent out of shape about it - lol.

 

As much you find it help, you also find it doesnt help

Does CBD really help curb anxiety?

In short, no. CBD probably doesn’t help curb anxiety the way advertisements or anecdotal evidence claim. “The science isn’t there yet,” says Dr. Streem, adding that while there are scientific studies backing the use of CBD for the previously mentioned seizure conditions, no such high-quality data exists for CBD and anxiety yet

 

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cbd-for-anxiety/

 

And most likely, if you have used it before recreational and for social reasons, had good experiences, and you feel good about it, and if you believe it helps, it will help you with your anxiety most likely. 
 

Seeking help and professional help is the first step always to get better. Then you actively start doing something, and that is the first change and the first step

[Reposed]

21 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

You're very welcome.

 

It was a suggestion, it's one of the many benifits CBD oil is used for, i don't think there's any need for you to get bent out of shape about it - lol.

 

Not at all bent...

 

Just that enough doctors are incompetent, and they went to 12 plus years of training.

 

So.......

 

[PJ71]

26 minutes ago, Reposed said:

Not at all bent...

 

Just that enough doctors are incompetent, and they went to 12 plus years of training.

 

So.......

 

So you know better?

[Pawpcorn]

.5mg Alprazolam (Xanax) gets me through the occasional night where 1/2 through the sleep cycle, some anxiety-provoking thoughts / worries / problems have made continued sleep impossible.

 

Xanax is effective during daytime hours, too. Good news is Thai doctors seem to have very little resistance to prescribing Xanax.

 

NOT FOR DAILY USE, afaik.

[Heng]

Maybe learn to ski/snowboard?    I'm wound pretty tightly myself and but it gets a bit lighter when I travel and definitely when I'm cruising down a mountain through snowy/icy wind.    No chemicals required. 

[Mac Mickmanus]

12 hours ago, thingsgetbetter2 said:

In recent weeks I've been having severe anxiety attacks. 

I'm in constant fear that something bad will, is going to or about to happen.

Do you drink alcohol ?

[IvorBiggun2]

Personally I think the op suffers 'panic attacks'.  Not the same as 'anxiety attacks'.

[Iamfalang]

Exercise, sure.   You might be anxious while exercising, but you will probably sleep better.  No alcohol, less sugar, dairy.......IMO.

 

Anxiety, depression, rage, loneliness, crying out for help, lost, no passion, etc......  all seem to be put into depression.  

 

First, cut ALL the drama out of your life.  Friends who complain, add stress, etc....IF you can cut them out, get rid of them.   Then try to live a "no drama" life.   No getting mad at anyone, etc.........

 

Here's the bad news:  It might be some childhood trauma that isn't even remotely obvious now.    

 

yea, good luck.    Since you are asking for help, you gotta have a great chance to get over this.   Might be a mid-life crisis, and time will cure that.......really hard to guess online.  

[Tall Midget]

 

 

Keep off the pills.........

 

Try Wim Hopf's breathing techniques for starters, its helped me in the past. Read the comments and give it a bash.

 

First link is how to breathe, 2nd is the exercise.

 

I do it most days and feel great.

 

Be strong, dont take the easy pill approach unless you have to.

 

 

 

Just google Wim Hopf

[wannascuba]

I have been through something very similar, sometimes just knowing you are not the only one and there is hope of getting better / improvement, can help. At least it did with me.

 

Glad to see Sheryl and so many others here offering help.

 

Respectfully,

ws

[thingsgetbetter2]

On 7/8/2022 at 10:30 AM, buick said:

i started getting panic attacks in dec/jan 2020.  i didn't really know what was going on at first and managed to get through the first few.  maybe one a day over a three day period.  it felt like my heart was racing and i couldn't breathe.  my heart rate was racing as i checked it and it was 130 while i was standing still.  then after a couple weeks, the attacks happened every few hours and i couldn't take it anymore and went to the ER (in USA).  i went twice in two days.  the first time they said i was fine no problems.  but i went back again.  they gave me xanax/alprazolam, it worked in minutes.  the 0.5mg pill was a little too much, i also got tired.  i went to my personal doctor and got a 0.25mg prescription.  i still get them once every 2-3 months but not as severe as before and those pills work wonders.  just two weeks ago, i had another one, didn't have the pills with me and went to the ER (bumrungrad) as the symptoms were different this time.  but turned out to be yet another panic attack.  nothing wrong per ER doctor and results of stress test on heart the next day were fine.  it seems to be all mental, sometimes i just lose control of the mind.

 

 

 

 

As mentioned, I've always been able to manage it. This time was different i completely shut down and lost control of my body. I wake up and get tingling sensations in my feet and arms is that normal? I still manage to sleep only bcos making it through the day feels exhausting. The next day the anxiety and negative thoughts repeat themselves again once I wake up. I feel like I'm auditioning for a Hollywood movie everyday at work. Trying to make it by without anyone noticing differences in my behaviour. It's not how I want to live. Something is different this time and I need help.