That is totally how I feel. Though I think I've left that worst state of anxiety behind me now. It's that I have a real fear of losing control. Through my life I've been in too many situations where I didn't have control or was too afraid to take control of the situation. And that makes me want to always have control, over me and my environment. I now have to learn that having control over what I do or can do is enough, that I don't have to have control on everything else (since I can't have that).
It's step by step process, and sometimes a step back. But looking back on the last few months made me realise I can get better and I have the power to do so. (Now I just have to do it.. ).
So glad to hear you sound positive and feeling more in control of the situation. Doesn't surprise me at all that your problems have been similar to mine, as we seem to have many similarities. Problems in the past with hormones/fainting, our first panic attack being in the form of claustrophobia. (Mine happened in a psychology lecture funnily enough. I was sat right in the middle of the room with rows in front of me, behind me, lots of people either side and doors at the front of the room. I suddenly felt the warning signs of a faint and thought "I can't get out. I think I'm going to faint and I cannot get out of this room without making a scene." Panic attack then followed and stayed until the end of the lecture.)
When panic is linked to feeling that you are going to pass out, one of the best things you can do is to try to get your body as healthy as possible so that you don't feel that risk anymore. If you can sit and say that there is no real reason why you should faint, then the risk of it happening therefore becomes a little less frightening. Go to a doctor who is sympathetic and thorough and have your general heath tested. If there are problems then devise a plan with your doctor to try to get over them or get them to a state of being as healthy as possible.
A couple of other tips for avoiding dizzy spells and decreasing anxiety in general:
* Avoid coffee, energy drinks and alcohol. All are stimulants and not only will they make it difficult to sleep, they can also put your body in a state that you will confuse with an anxiety attack. Whereas caffeine traditionally makes people more alert, people with anxiety could notice feeling a slight change and immediately associate that with anxiety and fear an attack coming on. Caffeine can also stimulate real anxiety.
* B6, B12, Magnesium and Zinc are all good natural supplements for decreasing anxiety and depression. B vitamins also regulate your hormones, leaving you less prone to highs and lows. A good balanced diet obviously covers these things, but supplements could also be helpful. I take Vitamin B and Magnesium and I feel noticably better when taking them. Talk to a doctor if you are at all concerned taking supplements or want reassurance about their uses.
* Foods such as nuts, seeds, chicken, milk, salmon and bananas have all been proven to have a calming influence. Perhaps when you go out take some nuts or seeds with you. If you are prone to fainting or panic attacks, always have some food with you wherever you go. (natural rather than chocolate bars etc) It will not only raise your blood sugar when you feel you need a bit of help, it will be calming to know you have something that would make you feel better with you.
*Don't cut out all carbohydrates. There are so many "no carbs" diets out there and whilst they may work when it comes to losing weight, they can also cause depression and anxiety. I started Atkins during my anxiety disorder and my disorder got so much worse during this time. When I mentioned it to a counsellor, she said she had noticed an increasing number of patients were coming in who happened to be following no carb diets. Anxiety and depression are linked to a drop in serotonin levels drop in the brain. Sugary carbohydrates like starch, white bread, white flower, cakes, crisps etc drop seratonin levels further, but good carbohydrates such as brown bread, vegetables, brown rice, cous cous, wholemeal flower etc all raise seratonin levels up to a healthier level.
* Avoid sugar crashes. A balanced diet in general is important for any anxiety sufferer. Everybody can be vulnerable to sugar highs or crashes, not just diabetics. These can make you feel faint, tired, anxious and/or depressed. If you eat a lot of sugary foods, your sugar levels in your body will understandably increase. However, if this happens suddenly, they will then counter and crash to a low. The same happens vice versa if you starve the body and then suddenly eat. Try to eat several small meals in the day, based upon healthy foods and as many natural foods as possible, as opposed to processed. This will hopefully keep your sugar levels more balanced and so your mood will be more even. The GI diet is often suggested for anxiety sufferers so perhaps go and look it up. Avoid foods marketed as low fat, unless you have checked their sugar quantity. Many of these things contain lots of hidden sugar to make up for this lack of fat. Not good.
* Drink lots of water - dehydration can cause anxiety crashes/a low mood.
* Get plenty of sleep. Not easy when you're anxious - I used to stay awake until 4am every morning. It wasn't just the anxiety itself, I think I was trying to put off the next day. Perhaps try stuff like hot baths beforehand or lavendar oils. Jazmine is also calming. Go to bed when you feel tired. Even if it's 8pm; if your body feels tired then go to bed and try to sleep. If you lay awake worrying at night for hours, get up and do something different. Don't just lay and think. Get up and leave the room, watch some TV or read and then half an hour later go back and try to sleep again.
* Exercise, exercise, exercise. Helps so much! Do videos at home if you are stretched for time or go on power walks with a friend or with an ipod.
