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As the proud owner of an anxiety disorder (PTSD) I am often stuck in my own mind spiraling out of control until I reach the point of panic or wanting to run and hide any time there is the hint of a change in my life. For example, living on very little income because I do not get Social Security and have issues right now with holding down a regular job in my profession – Social Work/Community Organizer, even something minor like running low on dog food can set me into a spiral. Most of the time, I can catch myself and stop the spiral over the small things but when something big happens like a cut off notice for my electric or my internet (my lifeline to the world most days) then the spiral is more like a train barreling through my head and I just have to get out of the way and let it run past.
Here are two examples of what it’s like when my mind spirals.
The first is spiraling down the rabbit hole into depression. This is not a weeklong thinking process, this is a matter of minutes my mind takes me from a little anxiety right down the rabbit hole into a deep depression which is harder for me to get out of than a panic attack. When I am down the rabbit hole it can take days or weeks for me to even want to get up and take a shower. That rabbit hole is no joke so I try real hard not to climb in it.
No internet = anxiety
Sudden change in routine= anxiety
Not being prepared ahead of time=anxiety
Not knowing=anxiety
Too much quiet=anxiety
Being cut off from the world=anxiety
Other people talking=anxiety
No money=anxiety
No access to my blog=anxiety
No internet=no tv=no phone=no contact with the outside world
No internet=Agoraphobic tendencies exacerbated by losing contact with my support
No internet=nothing to distract my monkey mind from anxious thoughts
No internet=reading a book
No internet=writing in my journal
No internet=cleaning my house
No internet=time to think
No internet=to many thoughts
No internet=depression
No internet=napping
No internet=melancholia
No internet=deep depression
No internet=no one cares
Depression=exhaustion
Depression=sleep
This second spiral takes mere seconds to get totally out of control and develop into an all-out panic attack. Which if you have never had a panic attack it feels like you are dying. It really is like you are having a heart attack and an asthma attack all at once, I know, I have had a heart attack and an asthma attack. You have this feeling like you are going to die and nothing can convince you otherwise. It is very scary not being able to breathe which just makes the panic attack even worse. They are really scary but thanks to the medication I’m on, I don’t have them as often as I used to and when I do have one, I have a rescue drug that works to stop them in just a few minutes.
We have a cut off for the electric again, even though I just paid it 2 weeks ago.
I don’t have any more money to give them.
I guess I can pawn my computer.
I can’t pawn my computer then what would I do sit in a house all day alone.
IF they cut the electric off then all the food in the frig will go bad
Then we won’t have any food and we will starve
There are no food pantries here I can walk to
I can’t take the bus because that costs money
If I spend money to take the bus to go downtown to try and get help then I have less money
What if I can’t get help
What if no one cares that the electric is going to be cut off
What if I have an emergency and my phone is dead because the electric is off and I can’t charge it.
What if it is so hot I can’t breath and the ac and fan don’t work
What if I sell the AC and fan to pay the bill
Then I will be hot and not be able to breath.
I can’t handle this
I don’t know what to do
There is no help.
I can’t breath
Oh my god I can’t breath
And my phone is going to be dead so I can’t call for help
The electric company doesn’t care that my chest is hurting
No one cares about a crazy woman with no electric
They are going to come and take me away
They are going to lock me away because I am losing my mind
O my god I can’t breathe
I can’t breathe
I can’t stop crying
I can’t think
I am going to die
I am having another heart attack and this time I am going to die
Oh my god no one will find me and my dogs will starve
My cats will eat me but my dogs will starve
Oh my god I need help
Someone help me help me
I can’t breath
I can’t breath
At this point, I am laying against the wall holding my chest in a full out panic attack that nothing but my rescue meds can bring me out of. Even writing this made me start feeling those twinges of panic building.
I don’t have an answer or a cure if I did, I would bottle it and make millions. Recognizing that you are spiraling helps but you have to catch it right at the beginning before it gains any speed. Talking and knowing that you are not alone makes a huge difference. I think the thing I am trying to accomplish with this post is shedding some light on anxiety and what it’s like to live with it.
There are prescription medications as well as natural alternatives such as CBD oils, which you need to calculate the CBD dosage to take correctly. Supplements such as St Johns Wort, and Kava have helped many with anxiety. Before you try any of these do your research, consult with your doctor, read medical studies and visit sites like Kava Guides to learn about what may be out there to help you. Not everything will work for every person. You have to find what works for you.
I am in therapy (that I can’t afford, mind you), to help with my anxiety. I have felt or feel everything you just listed. Just know you are not alone.
Thank you. I have been dealing with this for a few years now and have shared a few times on my blog. I feel like by sharing our stories, we let others know its okay not to be okay. Its okay to talk about it and we should not feel stigmatized because of it. I come from a family that was really big on not putting your business in the street so I struggle with how much to share but I find that the times I have shared I have received positive feedback. On another note, mental health services need to be more affordable and more widely available in the community so that people can get the help they need. *stepping off my soapbox now* 🙂
I don’t suffer from chronic anxiety like this, so I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be to manage. Thank you for taking the time to describe the process your brain takes from an observable reality to an imagined consequence.
Blessings to you as you seek answers for coping with this, both medically and spiritually.
Thank you
Sending supportive thoughts your way. I know from family members how difficult it is to get proper diagnosis and treatment for anxiety and other mental health issues. The US is not good at dealing with health care in general and mental health care in particular, although some states are more helpful than others.
Thanks so much. It has been a difficult time with so much in the news about suicides.
Thank you for sharing this. I have beginning stages of Anxiety and panic attacks and this post helps in a way I can’t explain. I am happy I stumbled across your blog.
I am glad you found my blog. The important thing is to know you are not alone that there are others who experience this and are still living life every day. There is help, you just have to find it.
Anxiety is so hard to live with. Mine is very easily triggered and sometimes I fall into a spiral. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Anxiety is hard but knowing others understand is so helpful. I wanted to share my spiral thoughts so that other’s who have no idea what we go through could be a little more understanding.
I have never had such feelings, but our youngest daughter has. It breaks my heart! It’s so hard to know what to do to help. When she has an episode I usually just try to talk to her calmly. She called me a couple weeks ago just sobbing. By the time we got off the phone she was doing much better. I certainly wish there was a cure! Wishing you the very best! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
The best thing you can do for your daughter is to be there when she needs you and not judge her behavior. Talking often breaks the spiral thinking and just knowing someone is there often is enough. The worst thing someone can do is say things like “calm down” or “why are you overreacting”. We know we are “acting crazy” and “being overdramatic” but we can’t stop it when we are in the midst of a full-on panic spiral. That is why it is so important for our loved ones to know how to break that spiral thinking. How to talk calmly and listen to our fears and how to distract us and make us laugh when we need it. I hope your daughter finds what works for her to manage it and until then it sounds like you are being a great mom.
I suffer fromn bipolar and the news ans politics have me at my lowest ever. Some days I don;t even get out of bed. Very timely. Love to see how seomeone else gets to the bottom and what picks them up. Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #OverTheMoon this week. Each Hostess displays their own features so be sure to visit me on Sunday evening and to see your feature! I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please don’t forget to add your link numbers or post title so we can be sure to visit!
Thank you for choosing my post for a feature. News and politics right now is enough to drive anyone into depression. I just have to unplug from it in order to maintain. I can only take it in small doses. We just have to do what we need to preserve ourselves and then we can have the energy to help with bigger issues, but always remember, self-care first.