Has anyone had specific anxiety attacks directly related to a situation, and at no other time?  I've been managing the anxiety pretty well lately - breathing, yoga, etc.  But it's been a terribly stressful two days here at work, and I'm now sitting at my desk, about 2 hours after my latest heated discussion with a colleage who argues constantly and generally makes my skin crawl, and I'm a mess!  I've got shortness of breath, pounding heart, cold hands, and that weird sensation in the chest that makes you think your ribs want out of your skin NOW!  I know this is directly related to the altercation I had a few hours ago, but the anxiety sensation won't go away!  Anyone have problems like this, directly related to a situation?  I know I'll be fine when I leave work today, but how do I get rid of this awful feeling when it's happening?

SylvryMoon, Hi!

Gosh hon,  I can get anxiety attacks without help...................................:biggrin:Seriously, I hate direct altercations.....I know the ol' heart will pound....I will shake....even feel like fainting! Wish I could help!! Nuthins worse than these attacks.....altho' they are getting easier and easier to handle!!Poor hubby will run for cover when he sees me having one!! :o Can't say I blame him!!  I've been known to throw a thing or two :biggrin: Yup....even me!! Aaaargh!!

Anyhoo........guess I'm not much help here......just tell your colleage to go take a "____________" opps, better not :cheesy: Monday isn't that far off ;)Hang in there........Like ya said, you'll be fine when you leave for home!! *We can always ambush your colleage out in the parking lot* :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

((((((((Huggers from Snowy)))))))))))                  Nancy

Sylvery!I wish I were smarter, wiser, and a calmer person --- so that I could give you some advise on this situation.  I actually can see myself in your shoes!  I swear, there are some people (thank goodness not a lot) who just  know how to make everything harder than it needs to be!   I get that same reaction -- the chest thingy, the stomach thingy -- etc. etc. etc.    Lately, I just try to avoid people like that because I know I'm going to re-act that way.  Not easy though to do  when you have to work with them.  I have worked with a person that just was a complete enigma to me.  I would come home and cry and drink too much wine --- not a good solution.  Lately, I do feel I'm getting a little tougher on the inside.  I find I don't hold these things for as long as I use to.  However, when you're in that moment with all those feelings coming in on you--- well, all I can say is to remember we are here and a lot of us know exactly what kind of feelings you're experiencing today.  If you can, remove yourself from everything for awhile --- go for a walk, get a cup of tea, sit in the sun   -- anything to get calm again.   Hang in there!  A big hug!   Love, E.

Hi sylvry,I have had that happen not at work but at places that an outburst would be out of line and not help the situation one bit. If you can , try to step back and look at the source-the person is the cause and you are not going to let that kind of creep ruin your day! That is what those types of people just love. Well, don't give them the satisfaction. That way you win and THEY can carry around the frustration all day of not getting to you. I know it's hard at first to just walk away, or act like it bothers you none at all, but try it . It really works for me.

Hope the rest of the day goes great and your weekend greater :)hugs,hugs jeanne

Snowy, Eileen, Jeanne -Oh gosh I love you guys.  And Snowy, I love the idea of all of us meno-babes ambushing this guy in the parking lot!!  I can just see him turning and running, screaming in terror while we shake our meno-fists at him!  Love it!

Eileen, great suggestion to remove myself from the situation.  Shortly after I did the first posting, he came back into my office and I knew he had nothing on his mind but trouble.  As soon as he left, I walked outside (where it is 75 and cool and breezy today), inhaled, and felt much better.

And Jeanne - yup, I look at the source, but the source and I just work way too closely together for me to ever be comfortable.

Anyway, the closer it gets to 5pm, the better I feel.  I'll definitely have to remember all your wisdom for next week.

I guess the moral of this story is:  "This too shall pass."  (another AA addage which is applicable in most situations.)  Thanks, sisters.

Sylvery,Yeah for you for getting through the day! :biggrin:  I'm proud of you!  Let us know how it goes next week.  In the meantime, have a great week-end.  We love you!

Hiya Silvrymoon!Do you meditate?! Odd question, I know, but one thing I have learned is that when we get highly stressed about a situation it is because we don't 'let go' of it.. It was something I didn't know how to do, but meditating for a few months has taught me how. It is quite normal to ge wound up while we're having a row, but once the row is over we need to be able to 'forget' it. Here's how (and trust me, this works if you practice!)Find somewhere quite where you won't be disturbed for at least fifteen minutes or half an hour if possible.Sit or lie comfortably. Close your eyes. Concentrate on your breath as it goes in and out of your nose, and try to breathe with your tummy instead of your chest. Do this for fifteen or more minutes. Just concentrate on your breathing (you can repeat a word over and over if you like, such as 'peace', or just 'one two')As you do this, thoughts will come into your mind, but you don't let them stay, you just let them float away. More thoughts will come, but you let them go gently past you - in other words, don't hang on to them. As soon as you beome aware that you're thinking about something, then let it float off. And that's it! Practicing this every day will teach you how to let things go - and it does definitely work. It will lower your general stress levels too.Good luck!

Hi Jools,

It is great that you have made time for meditation.  I know for me it helps me to have more perspective the rest of the day....Sort of like the real you is looking on and knowing what is important.  Otherwise, I think we can get scattered and go in all directions...

Take care..  

Hi Jools,Thank you for the tips on meditation.  I used to do it often - just staring at my little deck garden where the birds come to eat at my birdfeeder and my flowers are beautiful.  But then I got a kitten (a new friend to live with me since I lost my 18-year old cat in March), and this little kitten gives me no peace!  Running, jumping, meowing.  So much for meditation at home.

Your post inspired me, though - and I'm going to find a little hidey hole of my own somewhere - at church or in a nearby park - where I can go to relax and meditate.  I'll let you know how it goes.

And I'll let you know how next week goes with Mr. Bane (as in "bane of my existence").

Thanks everyone!

when I was working . (I was a poker dealer), I had a really difficult customer. He was the bane of EVERYONE'S existence in the poker room. And to our "delight" , he would play poker every single day. Well, I decided to try to bring him around to being nice. I was so nice and so wonderful to him that he really started to be nice back . Oh he didn't turn into Mr. Wonderful, but at least he was better with the employees. I don't know if this would work with your Mr.Bane Sylvry , but just something I figured I'd mention.If not , well do your best to stay mentally away from this guy. That way you will at least stay calmer.What if you visualized him naked with a rose in  his teeth? Then at least you could have a good laugh :biggrin:Hugs, jeanne

Jeanne - Mr. Bane naked with a rose in his teeth?????!!!!!  Oh my gosh, I can't decide whether to laugh or run screaming in terror!

Thanks for a hilarious suggestion!!  It might just work!

Hugs,

Sylvery,Just wanted you to know I'm thinking about you today! It's Monday and I hope you were okay at work today.  Let us know how "Mr. Bane" is behaving and if you're able to cope with the anxiety of being around him.  I put a hex on him over the week-end -- let me know if it worked.  :biggrin:  Love, E

Hi SylvryMoon,I do sometimes have situation anxiety.  I saw a therapist at a center that specialized in anxiety for 6 months.  He really helped me a lot.  He suggested I  read a book called The Feel Good Handbook that was wonderful.  I still go back to that book and the exercises often.  I also learned that repressed feelings and people pleasing will cause anxiety.  Good luck!!Debbie

Hi Eileen,Sorry I missed your post last week . . . I don't know how.  But I had a pretty good week last week, although Mr. Bane did manage to weasel his way into my serenity a few times.  Sometimes he can bother the heck out of me, other times he's like water off a duck's back.  I think I have figured out his motivation - he's just out to make me miserable.  I don't know why, I'm a nice girl (*grin*).  I'll keep you posted.  Thank you so much for your concern.Hugs,