Dealing With Anxiety Attacks (AKA broken brain)

Being a human and a blogger sometimes means being real and vulnerable.

So.. Monday morning I got up at almost the normal time and started getting ready to go to work. My brain has been on full gear since 11:30 pm…(lets be real, been longer then that but I will tell myself the above)

~ 5 days till Christmas ~

No decorations (Thanks trying to get ready to move and things are packed), 

Not the regular company planned (Thanks grinchy Pandemic)

No gifts for others. (Stress is starting to build.) 

The icing on this not so lovely cake that has been hit with a flame thrower of emotions was I forgot to send a card. There was the mudslide of my brain.

Here are some tips to help someone in a full blown anxiety attack. 

• Validate how they feel by listening. People that are in a panic are not thinking with the best part of their brain. Don’t argue with them.
• Provide tissues.
• Get them some water if they are ok to take a few sips.
• If they are ok enough, hold them. Nothing is really feeling safe and ok at the time. They may not want to be touched..
• If they are in a crowded space try to get them to a safer quiet space. Where they can try to regain dignity. Sadly an attack like that will fuel the bad feelings they may be having for themselves.
• Try not to talk too much or ask more questions. Remember they are in flight or fight. The brain is overloaded.
• You can try to help to remind them to breathe. (They might struggle to breathe through their nose.) Encourage slow breaths through the mouth. 
• A warm cloth after they calm down.
• If they have emergency medication, get it for them. Help them get it in their mouth.

If you tried the steps to help the person and they are still having problems ask if they feel they need to go to the hospital especially if this is the first time this has happened to them. Panic attacks feel scary by themselves but are not life threatening. They really suck and take a toll on the human having one.

Being in a state of brain break can be scary for the person going through it. 

Some of the physical things their body could be exasperating..

• Crying, sometimes to the point of sobbing so much it hurts.
• Shaking.
• Sweating.
• Heart palpitation.
• Feeling of pending doom.
• Weakness that they can’t hold themselves up. 
• Flailing their arms.
• Nausea.
• Throwing up.
• Chill or hot flashes (the body had gone into crisis mode and can’t regulate normal function).
• High blood pressure.
• Breathing struggles.

Anxiety is often very scary and fills the person going through it  with guilt and embarrassment.

Panic attacks/anxiety are real medical conditions. I guide you to see your regular medical provider to have tests done.  The care providers need to determine if the stress is caused by some imbalance or medical condition. Sometimes hormones, vitamin deficiencies, food sensitivities and low iron can leave our brain vulnerable. Likely they will want to do a blood test just to make sure you are not dealing with other conditions. They might refer you to specialists. 

Coping Skill

• Get enough sleep.
• Drink some water.
• Eat regular small meals every 4 to 5 hours.
• Try to keep to your regular schedule.
• Have a safe quiet place for self care.
• Take time to recover.
• Read or watch something funny. Laughter helps the brain.
• Singing releases happy hormones.
• Do your hobbies.
• Keep active, walks, stretching, swimming.
• Keep a journal that can help you to learn triggers and share it with your medical staff.
• If you have learned tools like cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) mindfulness, practice when you’re not stressed.
• Try to remind yourself this is a moment in time not your whole life.
• Forgive yourself.
• Remind yourself you are a human and you are allowed to have emotions and you are allowed to not feel ok.
• Work with a therapist (guilt, past hurt and trauma can affect how the brain processes).
• Just because your brain does not play nice doesn’t make you a bad person. 
• Take your medication (if your meds make things harder make an appointment with a doctor as early as you can. Even a teleconference) You have the right to feel okay and safe!
• If you have vitamins, remember to take them too. B complex D can help please talk it over with your doctor and pharmacy before starting herb or vitamins. They can have side effects too.

My wish for you this holiday, happiness and calm. Remember it is ok to be “Okay enough” Be kind to yourself. This is your picture, create the best you in the moment. We don’t need to be super heroes.