Sorry for a subject that sounds like a headline

Just wanted to share and see if anyone else was having similar feelings. In the past two weeks, I've gotten a real handle on my panic attacks. I know when they're gonna come, and I can stop my anxiety from going into a full-blown panic attack. However, I've found that, strange as this, my general anxiety level is now way up, and I'm a person who usually doesn't have much general anxiety. But now, I feel that on edge, this-could-go-into-a-panic-if-I'm-not-careful feeling on and off all day.

I don't know if it's because, when I have a panic attack, all of the anxiety comes out in one big burst and then my body can calm down, and I now have all of this anxious energy that's not being used up. Part of the problem, I know, is that I haven't been working, and being cooped up all day doesn't help, but I'm still trying to feel "ready," or at least accept that I won't feel "ready" any time soon, not until I get out and do it.

Anyway, I just wanted to see if anyone can relate. I've never really suffered from general anxiety before, so I don't know how to cope very well with it.

Hi Lori,

Yes I can relate to this and this happened to me years ago. My generalized anxiety would get so high, I actually prayed for the darn panic attack and as hard as they were to go through, it 'got all of it out' and I got real sleepy and felt great...after the initial exhaustion and depressed feelings a panic attack will bring. My generalized anxiety would go down tremendously for weeks...and than when stress hit and I didn't manage it well...the gen. anxiety would start to build up and again I would find myself wishing for the panic attack for relief...and most of the time it would not come as I lost my fear of it! Talk about a catch 22!

Is there some stressful event in your life at this time causing the generalized anxiety to build up? I would try to track this in my journal as there is usually always a reason, and once you find the reason, not only will you be panic attack free...but that gen. anxiety will dissipate for you. Look for the reason...it may take you time to find 'it', but I can almost assure you something is on your mind and your anxiety is your minds way of dealing with 'it' as anxiety is more familiar to deal for us than to deal w/issues at hand. I have found this to be the case with me.

Take care

~Angel

[This message has been edited by Angel (edited 02-14-2001).]

Yes!

And thanks for the topic. Sometimes until I see it in writing it doesn't click. Definitely, I feel that I now have "generalized anxiety" instead of "panic attacks". Isn't it funny how that works? I think you analyzed the reasons quite well.

Now that we both put it in writing maybe we will calm down.

I have listened to all the tapes. I am now going to start over and do it like I was told. Like many, even though Lucinda tells us how important the workbook, journaling, and the spiral notebook are, many of us just don't do it the first time around. I think I was eager and lazy.

GOOD LUCK!

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Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)
Happily Married Walton High (Volunteer) Mom.
Anyone from this area (females only), I would like to find a support person, and be a support person. Maybe meet and walk at school or the park or the Avenue. I get around, not housebound, but I still keep my problem a secret. You know, I look "IN CONTROL" but inside feel far from it.

[This message has been edited by EastCobbGABetsyH (edited 03-05-2001).]