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Topic: Lack of Confidence,and Panic Attacks
| Author | Message |
| writerwhowantsNY | Posted – 5/12/2008 3:06:43 PM | show profile | email poster I used to be confident in my writing. I used to think I could conquer anything,and have continuously worked hard at any publication I've been a part of. Most recently, though, I've been suffering from panic attacks. Right before I went to an internship interview at a major publication, I almost broke down. Somehow, I made it through the interview. This has been happening more and more-I feel like I'm losing my mind, and going crazy. Any ideas? |
| snappiness | Posted – 5/12/2008 3:19:36 PM | show profile It may not have to do with your work? I started having panic attacks last year after a death in the family. They were uncontrollable, unpredictable and completely debilitating. The weirdest things would set me off. If I had been employed somewhere I would have filed for disability. As a freelancer, I had to slog on with this massive handicap. I saw my doctor who prescribed daily Valium as a short-term measure to see if they got worse or better (if worse, he would have talked to me about therapy and anti-anxiety meds). Happily, after several months, I was better and got off the Valium as soon as possible. I still have the feeling sometimes that an attack is coming on, but it doesn't escalate like it did before. A long-winded way of saying SEE YOUR DOCTOR or therapist now and address this, because it can be crippling. I'm afraid, actually, that I burned one editor relationship over it. |
| Jill of all trades | Posted – 5/12/2008 5:46:28 PM | show profile I second snappiness See your doctor. You need to take care of this-- it's not good for you. Take it from someone who threw up a days a week for about a month thanks to stupid work (and other) things. It's no way to live. Meds and therapy work wonders. |
| Vox-o | Posted – 5/12/2008 9:04:46 PM | show profile I would suggest that you exercise, starting tomorrow. And if you already exercise, start something even more intense like boxing the heavy bag. I am not saying that you shouldn't see a doctor, but give exercise a chance in the interim. (Regardless, exercise isn't going to hurt!) I had a panic attack so severe I went to the emergency room because I felt I was going to have a heart attack. Long story short, for me it was all about stress, and boxing has almost eliminated it. |
| snappiness | Posted – 5/12/2008 10:39:31 PM | show profile Good point... the doctor also told me heavy exercise and give up caffeine to minimize the risk of having them. |
| Write On | Posted – 5/13/2008 12:40:53 AM | show profile | email poster panic attacks You are not alone. I felt the same way when I switched careers to become a journalist. Somehow, I was able to hold myself together during an internship, but it got increasingly difficult when I started my first real job. I started taking a low dose of zoloft and it worked wonders. I'm not saying that medication is the right route for everyone, but this is a serious issue and you should see a doctor. Your mental health is very important and should be addressed. Otherwise, your ability to have a happy life will be hindered. Also, if you are switching to an office job for the first time, like me, make sure you take time to exercise and eat well. I didn't at first, even though I had maintained a healthy life style before the job. Now that I am exercising and eating better, I feel much better and more relaxed. Hope this helps. If you want to chat more about the subject, feel free to e-mail me. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 5/13/2008 3:20:39 AM | show profile | email poster I have noticed a few panic episodes creeping into my routine -- last month I realized with startling clarity it was right before that time of month and relieved with onset of menses. I looked up the symptoms of PMS and found I had 10 of the symptoms of PMDD, a more severe form, when just 5 symptoms indicated a problem. On the advice of my sis in law, I have almost completely eliminated caffeine and alcohol (I only had an infrequent half-glass of anything anyway) and started an exercise and B6 regime because I don't want to deal with that. I have a friend who takes a fraction of a Zoloft I think it is for fibromyalgia and it does wonders for her. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 5/13/2008 3:22:53 AM | show profile All the advice about seeing a doc is GOOD. These things don't just happen in a vacuum. Majority of times, a lot of these symptoms can have their roots in physical problems. No harm in treating with exercise, stress relief, vitamins, etc. but sometimes there's a medical root. Good luck to us all ;) |
| BruisePristine | Posted – 5/13/2008 11:31:20 AM | show profile I thought I was the only one. Oh geez, I went on an interview last week and I cried in the waiting room! Needless to say, I had to leave, and that was it at my shot with that company. If you don't pay attention to this now, it could spiral out of control. It can go away on its own, but don't bet on it. Visit a doctor. If you're uninsured, seek a low-income clinic. And, see a therapist. An MSW is fine - it doesn't have to be a shrink, just someone neutral with whom you can discuss your problems. If you live in a city, you'll be surprised at the number of therapists out there who charge on sliding scales and do low/no fee work. |
| Canadiana | Posted – 5/13/2008 1:04:42 PM | show profile I saw a therapist for anxiety about 10 years ago and it changed my life for the better. I'll always be indebted to her. The idea about exercise is great, too. We could all use some more of that. |
| jobhunter08 | Posted – 5/19/2008 4:19:59 PM | show profile Hmm. Article idea: Panic & anxiety in the media industry |
