Any advice about dealing with anxiety?

ginolicious

Well-Known Member
Understood, but man, when it hits and you have no experience with it and no idea what in the hell it is, it can be scary as hell.

I have no idea what brought it on. I was just sitting at my desk at work and then it just came on out of nowhere. Hyperventilating, heart pounding, sweating......thought for sure it was my heart.

I have been there. Light headed. Looks like shit is zooming in and out. My first one was at a fair and everything was spinning. I had to lay down for 5 hours. Only until I got home was I fine. Now I get them still. But they last 5-30 minutes tops. The more you get em the more you know eh it's nothing and then you feel better. I got one while I was in court too. I defend driving offendes. I had to leave and come back and all was well.
 

woolspinner

Well-Known Member
Wow.

This thread is amazing. I did not know about dysthymia, but that must be what I have. I have just been told major depressive disorder with ADD to complicate things. But when I am not in the depths of despair, I have low self esteem, Yada yada...almost textbook what I read on the mayo clinic page.

Changing lifestyle is hard. But I know I need to do it. 20 years on SSRIs (with some breaks) is no fun. And now I worry what I have done to my brain chemistry by taking them for so long.
Depression first manifested at 13, so onset of hormones. In my case, I had a virtually idyllic childhood and this is likely genetic. Grandmother was a depressed alcoholic, mother has depression. This is one of the reasons I did not want to have genetic children.

I echo the exercise tip. And diet. But getting there can be hard if you are mostly sedentary and hate to cook, aka me!

My dog is essential for comfort and to get me out of the house.

Panic attacks are frightening, especially the first time. I find talking myself down by reminding myself it is "just"a panic attack and trying to identify that which may have set it off, and then trying to neutralize the "threat" will help me resolve it on my own.

Thank you all for the sharing and the tips. This was a fantastic read and kept me long at lunch.

Hope everyone is doing well, or as best as they can.
 

grokit

well-worn member
I have been there. Light headed. Looks like shit is zooming in and out. My first one was at a fair and everything was spinning. I had to lay down for 5 hours. Only until I got home was I fine. Now I get them still. But they last 5-30 minutes tops. The more you get em the more you know eh it's nothing and then you feel better. I got one while I was in court too. I defend driving offendes. I had to leave and come back and all was well.
There's many types of anxiety, it sounds like what you and perhaps @lwein experienced is of the panic attack variety. It's the flight part of the autonomic adrenal response kicking in somewhat dysfunctionally; a ptsd attack is an example of the fight response. If you have hypertension on top of any of this watch out.
 

herbivore21

Well-Known Member
There's many types of anxiety, it sounds like what you and perhaps @lwein experienced is of the panic attack variety. It's the flight part of the autonomic adrenal response kicking in somewhat dysfunctionally; a ptsd attack is an example of the fight response. If you have hypertension on top of any of this watch out.
We can all experience anxiety and other mental health symptoms differently. I generally get panic attacks, hot and cold flashes, shaking, restless legs, cold sweats (and just generally ridiculous over-the-top sweating for no reason, makes life very difficult!) etc.

I used to not get so much of the panic attacks, but I've had the rest since I was a kid.

The hot flashes are something I've dealt with a very long time too, and I really get pretty fed up with them! Hot flashes make me extremely irritable and aggressive (which is really out of character seeing as I'm a pacifist and am utterly against violence/aggression), heat really sets me off in general whether because of the climate or because of symptoms of my illness. In fact, I stopped writing this post for 5 minutes whilst flying off the handle because I felt so scorching hot - it's fucking 10 degrees centigrade outside right now!

This should come as no surprise as increased heat has been known in the research literature to lead to aggression - I think my experience of heat is exacerbated by my symptoms so on a mildly warm day if I start getting extreme sweats because of anxiety, it all of a sudden feels like the hottest day on record!

I don't do a hell of a lot of physical exercise, work from home, am not overweight and I sweat like a marathon runner frequently from absolutely no physical activity.

I've had killer anxiety lately, and it has been really interfering with my work and social lives. I am starting to run out of CBD too which is my only effective defense against anxiety aside from benzos which I do not have on hand and do not want to resort to again.

I fucking hate living in a prohibition market, I should be growing my own flowers to make my medicine with - running out of CBD would never have been a problem. Instead, this stupid prohibition state has led to CBD strains not generally being available in flowers (since dealers grow for a recreational market and good medical genetics here are pretty sparse anyway).

The irony is that prohibition actually leads to their being not as much of the less psychoactive/less recreationally sought-after strains available for those who could medically benefit from it.

Especially someone like me - we know that experience of depression (especially major depressive episodes) leads to reduction of brain volume in a variety of areas, notable the hippocampus. Earlier onset of depression (starting at less than 21 years of age, I've had it since somewhere around where my age reached 2 digits!) has been shown to lead to even more reduction in volume of this brain area.

This is a brain region which is very susceptible to damage from the individual experience of stress, depression, PTSD and anxiety. The abovementioned subsequent atrophy of the hippocampus leads to reduced brain volume here.

CBD has been shown in many studies (type 'cannabidiol hippocampal neurogenesis' into www.scholar.google.com to see for yourself!) to promote hippocampal neurogenesis (the growth of new nerve tissue in the hippocampus), undoing the literal brain damage which depression, anxiety and varied degrees of stress can do to this brain region and strengthening this important brain region with regard to coping with and responding to stress amongst other things.

Sure, research into CBD is still in it's first decades, but we know enough to be clear that CBD provides generally similar (and in some cases, greater) benefits and is so much more tolerable than the other pharmaceuticals prescribed for depression and anxiety and psychotic symptoms. It is a complete fucking no-brainer to make good CBD material readily available for sufferers of depression, anxiety and psychotic illnesses.

The biggest irony of them all is that my anxiety is exacerbated by the fact that my medicine is illegal and could see me imprisoned.
 
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Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Thank God for this, free for me for life...

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For me it's all about PTSD and those damn fucking adrenal glands. For over 20 years I was an adrenal junkie, then 9-11 smashed it. The variety of symptoms I've experienced run from lump in throat and heart palpitations to restless legs and psycho panic attacks - crawling up headboard at 3AM. Thank God, I'm a real fit guy, no medical issues, and the my therapist and I (same therapist 3 years now) have recently uncovered some real deep shit, which, combined with learning how to dial in on vaping, has helped tremendously.
 
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CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
I've had anxiety ever since I was a child. It's a hard thing to live with. It's like some of us feel certain feelings in a more intense way. I tend to blow things out of proportion and start to dwell on certain things until I'm physically ill with sweats and feeling sick to my stomach.

I can't dwell on things. I need to divert my attention anywhere else. It might even be socializing a bit on FC or getting out and walking in the woods. Watching a really good movie or listening to music. For me it's singing too. For you it might be putting something together.

We only get one chance at this life. We need to make ourselves as happy as possible. Sometimes it might mean being a little selfish. You deserve it.:leaf::peace:
 
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BabyFacedFinster

Anything worth doing, is worth overdoing.
I get panic attacks and you never know when one is about to hit. They do seem to come in waves. My attacks are the basically the same. A feeling of angst that quickly leads to a tightness in my chest that gets tighter and tighter. To the point where I think I'm going down for the count. :disgust: I've learned to breath slowly from the belly and divert my thoughts somewhere else. I can generally get them to pass in 10-15 minutes.

I know this sounds silly, but I read the claims of a few people that chewing on 2-3 peppercorns will end a panic attack quickly. I think they even talked about it in a leafly article. I have yet to try it.
 

530rasta

Well-Known Member
Work
Exercise
Eat healthy
Sleep
Have sex ie relationships

Won't cure anxiety but keeps it at bay

If you are having a real panic attack just remember what it is and that its not real. Chug a fat ass glass of cold water. Hug a dog. Call someone. Usually just talking it out with someoycan really help.

I get panic attacks and you never know when one is about to hit. They do seem to come in waves. My attacks are the basically the same. A feeling of angst that quickly leads to a tightness in my chest that gets tighter and tighter. To the point where I think I'm going down for the count. :disgust: I've learned to breath slowly from the belly and divert my thoughts somewhere else. I can generally get them to pass in 10-15 minutes.

I know this sounds silly, but I read the claims of a few people that chewing on 2-3 peppercorns will end a panic attack quickly. I think they even talked about it in a leafly article. I have yet to try it.
I suffered like you do, for years. Not till I realized changing my lifestyle habits and talking to people about life, past present, mental health ect, did I really nearly cure my panic attacks.

Sorry you suffer from this, you may want to try breathing exercises. In through the nose for 8 seconds slow, hold for 4, 8 seconds out the mouth slowly. Hold empty lungs for 3 seconds, try to do that for 15min. Work up to an hour, then 2
 
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DOOM

Well-Known Member
I've been dealing with anxiety since I was a kid. Years ago therapy and xanix worked. I eventually slowly got off the xanax. Now the best tips or things to do whether you're heavy or light user: 1. cbt (therapy) 2. workout/exercise 3. find a productive time consuming hobby that drives you, this is one the things that helped to stop my triggers and negative thoughts.
 

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
The biggest irony of them all is that my anxiety is exacerbated by the fact that my medicine is illegal and could see me imprisoned.
.....................................................

X2 I don't get anxiety attacks/ not at that level BUT do agree with this 100%.
I also get very anxious when vaping nature's best medicine cuz it's illegal here.
Sitting down in the evening to enjoy a nice vape, to relax and to relieve the pain of a few chronic injuries/pains. AHHHHHHHH, then oh crap is that curtain closed as someone might walk by.
How about the patio door curtain and the hard to reach kitchen blinds if I end up strolling thru there....

Should be a totally zen experience, made anxious by our ignorant state/fed laws!!

Fuck you states that don't have rec mj
 
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HomeFree

Well-Known Member
prohibition does cause paranoia, 530, well put. I STILL feel like I am doing something naughty when I use cannabis. many years of 'cannabis is bad'.

But I have definitely had a few panic attacks from cannabis. Actually had one a few nights ago, heart was going crazy and beating weird/fluttering/fast, right arm got all tingly/hot, etc. I just breathed in through my nose into my belly and breathed out through my mouth and that helped, then it started again so I did it again, about 3 times. All the while praying I was having a panic attack and not a heart attack.

The deep breathing seemed to cause my heartbeat to be more normalized, and not all out of whack. Seemed different than a normal panic attack, but my mental status was obviously not normal either due to the cannabis. Strain was sour d, which sometimes does that to me. I think the buds were a little immature as well.

I don't think I have ever heard of anyone having a heart attack from cannabis but I could be wrong. I would suppose that person would be on the road to having one in any case, and maybe cannabis could kick it off by causing an arrhythmia or something? But we would be hearing that from the medical establishment as part of a smear campaign if there were any truth to it.

Anyways, yeah anxiety. Have had it for a LONG time along with PTSD. For me the best thing to do for a panic attack is the breathing exercise and some fresh air, a walk, maybe some yoga and meditation. And of course eating well, and getting good sleep helps too. Sometimes it helps just getting out of the environment you are having a panic attack in.

Avoidance probably isn't the best behavior to engage in for panic attacks because it only helps short term and creates an avoidance habit, but it works for me in a pinch. Sometimes the air around me seems so tense and thick I could cut it with a knife and I just have to escape.
 

Mangled Alaskan

Active Member
I have severe anxiety and have frequent panic attacks. Twice I have been taken from my office by ambulance when despite my pleas they were sure I was having a heart attack. In 2003 I thought I might actually be HAVING a heart attack. I drove to the nearest hospital and discovered saying you had chest/shoulder pain instantly put you at the head of the line and immediately put your Ass on a bed while someone was drawing blood. I was told it was not a heart attack just my anxiety. Both hospitals in Anchorage were/are very familiar with my problem with anxiety and panic attacks. I was relived but embarrassed about being hustled back in front of the 5 or 6 other people waiting to be seen.

That evening I went back two other times and again was told it was my anxiety. The fourth time I called the ER and said I was having the symptoms again. They told me they had dispatched an ambulance and INSISTED I use it. The hospital was only 10 minutes away and I wanted tojust drive over again, but the nurse was adamant. So I went to my balcony to watch for it. After watching it drive past my building for the third time despite my being on the phone trying to guide them in I said Fuck It and drove over myself.

Again the line was for other poor bastards sick as Hell. This time after they had tested my blood they told me I was having a heart attack. I actually said something like "Thank God! I was bummed out thinking I was wasting all of your time!" I decided it would be ok to ask for some pain med because it really hurt, but they had already put some in my IV. As it dawned on me I might be dying I asked what was going to happen next? I was told surgery! And when I asked if it would be the next day they said I had an appointment with a gas passer and chest cutter in minutes.

I told them it was going to have to wait until I could contact my Cat Sitter and give her my keys. Stunned silence followed by vigorous attempts to get me in the operating room NOW.
The next day I had sort of a parade of Dr's and nurses who wanted to see the idiot that refused heart surgery until he was assured his Cat was going to be taken care of.

He's a pedigreed Tonkinese named "Viva Tonk Merlin The Wonder Cat" but I call him either Merlin or occasionally "Tuna Breath". He is a legal Therapy animal.

Did you folks know there are only two types of animals that can be considered SERVICE animals, and hence be allowed to go virtually anywhere with their owners?

Dogs and HORSES. HORSES!

When I had my forearm amputated and that series of strokes Merlin was allowed with me in the ER and half a dozen times in various hospital rooms for the first month. But when I BEGGED to get into the tiny Rehab ward I spent my fist day in a room with another patient, they didn't have a private room for me until the next day. I told the nurse checking me into the Unit I would hold off having Merlin brought over for a visit until I had my own room, not knowing how my fellow patient thought about Cats.

I was told he wasn't allowed there was a LAW that prohibited him in a hospital. I got HIGHLY argumentative! And shortly the Units manager came in. She said it wasn't a law but a hospital RULE. I shot back that during my previous hospitalization He had always been allowed and there were a lot of hospital staff that recognized me by sight, they all knew Merlin by name!

Unfortunately this woman actually knew the real law,as did I only dogs and horses can be SERVICE ANIMALS. so for three weeks I was bereft of Merlin's love and companionship. I didn't see him again until my two 'field trips" home to see if I could handle getting in and out of a car and was able to get up the three steps to my door and the horrific stairs leading to my bedrooms and shower.

For several years when I first was nailed by the anxiety and especially the panic attacks I was hospitalized MANY times and often for a week or two in mental wards. My Dr kept urging me to get a service dog but I refused asking who would take care of the dog when I was hospitalized? He said the dog would help me not require hospitalization as often.

Then I saw a picture of a Tonk and became fascinated by the breed. When I asked my Shrink what he thought he said "Hell it's furry and has a tail, get one!".

Since I got the Kitten I have only once been hospitalized for my panic attacks. Nobody was more amazed by this than I!

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http://www.catchannel.com/blog/viewbio.aspx?apid=15597

Due to all the events that started this February I'm surprised he hasn't developed bald spots. It's as if he were Aladdin's Lamp and I was lost in a cave totally devoid of light and desperately rubbing my lamp!

EDIT: The Dr's think I have PTSD caused by my experiences in the Loma Prieta earthqake. It was the only World Series game I didn't go to. A close friend in Seattle begged for tickets to one game at Candlestick for himself and his wife. I'd decided to watch the gme in my office instead of my house. It was one Hell of a quake, I was maybe 5 miles from the epicenteI tried to get to the door frame but couldn't stand up. The Plate glass windows in front of my Office shattered,file cabinets were tossed about, and I sat there covered in dust and glass ASTOUNDED. When I looked out the window frames the lines of cars in the parking lot looked as if they were boats tied up on a rough sea. They were on rolling waves. 63 people were killed, the Bay Bridge had gone down killing a driver who went off the edge, the two story Cypress Viaduct collapsed crushing people as they were driving, it was one Hell of a quake. My new home overlooking Santa Cruz Bay had gone down the mountainside but I would not know about it for a few days as 17 was shutdown.

Eventually I was told I had a "control issue". There is definitely no way to control an earthquake. As far as I'm concerned the more FIRMA the less TERRA!"

So I decided if I had to put up with that I might as well move to Alaska. At least I could fly fish for trophy Rainbows without having to get on a jet.

But now I might not be able to ever again wade and fish the Alagnak or the Upper Kenai. It's breaking my heart.
 
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Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
My anxiety start as a young child. I was obsessed with the world ending, my parents dying, stuff like that... I grew up in Brooklyn, in a pretty tough neighborhood, and my friends all got into some serious trouble, jail, blah, blah, blah --- anxiety through the roof. I'm not a violent, aggressive guy, this isn't where an anxious kid shoulda been. I started doing drugs, but wound up giving it all up at 17, except cannabis daily and a few beers occasionally.

In my early 20's I was hired by the FDNY, and ALL my anxiety disappeared. Like a miracle - gone. I became a brave, confident, professional, and went on to become a captain, leading my men into some crazy situations for a couple of decades. NO ANXIETY EVER

In the late 90's I was diagnosed with Graves disease, and fighting fires was over. I was devastated, and anxiety started to creep back. I wrote a book, got it published by HarperCollins and things moved forward, anxiety at bay.

9-11 = panic, anxiety, irrational fear, depression, insomnia (the worst) guilt, loss, grief, loss of identity

I began to have full blown panic attacks right after 911. I wasn't afraid for me, I was afraid the world was going to end - mine just did.

Over the last 14 years, I've been through the mill. Right now, my biggest problem is my life situation. My wife has had it, putting up with my issues, and I get a lot of "what about me?". I get it, but I'm on my own, no family, no kids, few friends, PTSD has effected everything in my life. I'm not afraid or fearful, I'm flooded with adrenaline, the panic is not over anything physically threatening me at this moment, it's my mind just racing outta control with what if's, irrational thoughts bouncing around, sometimes no basis in fact. I've had a host of physical symptoms including, heart palpitations, lump in my throat, frequent urination, ears ringing, insomnia, restless legs, irritable bowel, and more, sometimes all at once - but the symptoms just make me feel more helpless, less control. NO CONTROL, TO ME, IS THE DEFINITION OF STRESS.

It's getting better, but I need peace and calm. I exercise, meditate, walk and train my dog (love of my life), vape, and think way too much. Sometimes I find it hard to get off my ass and go out. I just can't stand people's company sometimes, just wanna be alone. I go through a pattern that I need to break...

SAD
ANGRY
ANXIOUS

The key is to get the fuck out of your own head. With anxiety, you are you're worst enemy. I pray for anyone who knows EXACTLY what I mean.

God Bless you all.

PS: at the beginning of my vape experience, I did get a bit of anxiety (never got from smoking). That passed, and I can dial in my high just right now, with just about any vape.
 
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Ricardo

Well-Known Member
I have dysthimia, aka persistent depressive disorder. I think my earliest signs of it started showing when I was about 7 or 8, but it's basically a constant low-level depression with cycles of major depression. I got the bonus diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety when I finally caved in to pharma treatment/help. Point being, it's the kind of thing I have been living with forever.

This is a good thread - hopefully it will help us all in some way.

I identify with so much of all the above. Add alcohol dependence from mid teens till mid forties (sure, helped overcome social anxiety but was always excessive and caused a lot of problems) until mid-forties when I finally quit for good. Question: Which came first, the alcoholism or the depression? However, as drink was my social life, quitting totally removed that and left me with ... nothing. I've tried to fill that void with exercise, study, various aborted hobbies - find music, cinema, sport, literature .....mindfulness all help to make me feel happy and satisfied but in a very introverted way. Anyway, I've been on Mirtzapine (for depression) and Bromazepam (for anxiety) off and on for about 15 years now. Everytime I've tapered off them I get hit with a major depressive episode.
BUT, I got into weed about 4 years ago after not smoking for about 20 years (and then only sporadically). Vaping came along about 2 years ago and man I love to vape.

And HERE is my question? Does anyone (like me) only feel alive/100% engaged with reality when vaped as opposed to the rest of the time pharmaceutically medicated to some extent? At first my sessions were always accompanied by bouts of anxiety which often ruined the high, but time and practice has pretty much eliminated that. I now know (pretty much) when, where and how much to use.

I've read a couple of testimonials in this thread about quitting SSRIs & benzos, but I am very wary at present, would hate to go through another major depressive episode. So, can self medicated vaping ever replace conventional medication or must they always be parallel?
 

Vapor_Eyes

taste buds
This is a good thread - hopefully it will help us all in some way.

I identify with so much of all the above. Add alcohol dependence from mid teens till mid forties (sure, helped overcome social anxiety but was always excessive and caused a lot of problems) until mid-forties when I finally quit for good. Question: Which came first, the alcoholism or the depression? However, as drink was my social life, quitting totally removed that and left me with ... nothing. I've tried to fill that void with exercise, study, various aborted hobbies - find music, cinema, sport, literature .....mindfulness all help to make me feel happy and satisfied but in a very introverted way. Anyway, I've been on Mirtzapine (for depression) and Bromazepam (for anxiety) off and on for about 15 years now. Everytime I've tapered off them I get hit with a major depressive episode.
BUT, I got into weed about 4 years ago after not smoking for about 20 years (and then only sporadically). Vaping came along about 2 years ago and man I love to vape.

And HERE is my question? Does anyone (like me) only feel alive/100% engaged with reality when vaped as opposed to the rest of the time pharmaceutically medicated to some extent? At first my sessions were always accompanied by bouts of anxiety which often ruined the high, but time and practice has pretty much eliminated that. I now know (pretty much) when, where and how much to use.

I've read a couple of testimonials in this thread about quitting SSRIs & benzos, but I am very wary at present, would hate to go through another major depressive episode. So, can self medicated vaping ever replace conventional medication or must they always be parallel?
I've been wondering this a lot lately. I am reluctant to share too much at this point for various reasons, one of which is my anxiety issues. It's kind of a catch-22.

I have just recently quit combusting so I am far from an expert on this. In my limited experience I am having a lot of success with vaping as opposed to conventional medication. I am thinking it may be possible to quit taking all conventional meds, under doctor supervision of course.

One of my biggest breakthroughs is low temp vaping during the day, it is working wonders for my anxiety. I would have sporadic success with this while combusting, but it was very strain dependent and hard to dial in. With low temp vaping it is simple, I just have to resist the temptation to bump up the temperature.
 

mikeben

Well-Known Member
I must say a vape session really cools me out. The only problem I have is remembering that when I do feel bad. I hate labeling myself but I guess I had what you would term anxiety of sorts since childhood. Cannabis really helps me there as well as IBS, headaches, and insomnia. A wonder medicine.
 

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
@Bravesst i liked what you said about getting the fuck out of your own head. Wow @Mangled Alaskan thank you for sharing your story with the FC community. You've struggled and suffered, you have managed to have come across to the other side.

Those of you that have experienced unimaginable horrors in life and have managed to get to the other side are truly an inspiration to the rest of us. That almost anything is possible if we can set our minds to it.

Animals are really amazing when it comes to their calming powers. A pet is something that gets your mind off of just yourself. You can love and hug them, take care of their needs instead of just concentrating on your own. I think so important especially if you live alone.

When I reach the end of my life I don't want to have to think about all my waisted hours I spent worrying about something that may or may not happen. That's what I told myself the last time I had an anxiety attack.

When I think about people that live there lives in a stressful manor every day like doctors, police and fire fighters. Even people that have the stress of living in big cities or having to commute large distances to work. I tell myself that my life is pretty easy and simple compared to that.

I try to reason and talk myself out of my anxiety. Cannabis seems to calm my mind down.
 
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hibeam

alpha +
Do you not eventually suffer adrenal fatigue/burnout and adrenal exhaustion?
That is why it is so important to adjust lifestyle issues accordingly! It really helps to be aware of other genetic issues. I found I also have a defective metabolic methylation cycle so my body needs a lot of help getting enough of the right (methylated) B vitamins. However because I break down protein too fast I have to deal with excessive ammonia build up and I am highly sensitive to high sulfur foods. Anxiety is just one symptom of the way my body deals with food unless I eat according to its unique needs. I cured lifetime chronic migraine with the knowledge I got from my genetic profile and reading online articles after I quit letting dox poison me with pharma designed to mask my symptoms rather than address them.
 
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