I'm a few months away from a move to Monterrey Mexico for 2 years... from North Dakota. I've been hit pretty hard with anxiety in the past week. I have an appointment with a counselor next Tuesday. In the meantime I know we have some medical professionals. I'm definitely leaning towards getting some medication. Any thoughts. Does anxiety medication work? Any other thoughts would be helpful.
Not to be snooty, but if this potential move has you this unnerved you might want to consider not moving there to Mexico. If you need to get out of North Dakota I am sure there are plenty of options where you can get the thrill of being someplace new without giving you the anxiety attack.
Well let me write a few things that might help as I know from my personal experience and I didn't use meds at all (not dissing meds, just saying). And if it doesn't help feel free to ignore it and/or dismiss it as garbage
Definitely consult a doctor about meds. There is nothing wrong with that.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or a psychiatrist:
As for handling your anxiety if you do decide to move or for any other situation remember to slow down your breathing and inhale for a few seconds and then slowly exhale and even say to yourself in your head, or out loud if no one is around "I will be okaaaaaaaaaay" in a slow elongated voice. When you go through a panic attack your breathing becomes rapid-you want to do the opposite and slow it down.
In a panic attack, your heart starts beating faster and you may feel weird sensations in your limbs or forehead and other symptoms. And what happens is that these symptoms make the person to take notice so they get even more anxious as they "oh my goodness my heart is beating even faster make it slow down make this bad feeling stop"-it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. It's called the anxiety cycle, your heart beats faster (applies to other symptoms), you notice and get more anxious, which in turn makes your heart beat even faster or makes your other symptoms worsen indefinitely.
A psychological solution that people have used that works:
You might think your heart is about to burst, but it won't. Most people don't recognize how fast their heart can beat until you really have a problem. Again, I say this as a disclaimer, everyone is different and I don't know if you have heart problems.
When you feel like a panic attack is about to start, accept it and tell yourself in a nonchalant manner "ok, a panic attack is coming" much like you would notice some clouds and casually say "oh it looks like it's going to ran", you would never panic over rain.
Tell yourself you like these symptoms and invite and wish you had more of it in high volume. Yes, I know it sounds dumb and counterintuitive. By doing this you will break the anxiety cycle and the symptoms will decrease-I know this from personal experience. But you have to really wish for greater symptoms you can't be insincere and fake it when in reality you want your symptoms to go away and quickly, that won't work. Once you endured a panic attack do some exercise like running, walking, jump roping, or lift weights to release and diminish the cortisol from your system.
Well, I hope this helps and wish you the best.
Now back to the Conference Realignment board
