Anxiety Attacks – Aren’t They Just the Most Fun?

“Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” —Arthur Somers Roche

So aside from battling depression during my divorce, I received another fun gift – occasional crippling anxiety attacks. Yeah!

I have never had noticeable anxiety in my life before two (almost three) years ago. They have definitely been moments of high stress but nothing as fun as waking up in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning (those are when my attacks most often occur),  in the middle of an anxiety attack with my brain trying to figure out what’s happening as my body has a physical reaction to whatever is causing the attack . Next comes the round of negative thinking because my brain has finally woken up enough to jump on the anxiety train and I start stressing over every decision I’ve made or need to make in the near future. And I begin to spiral for an hour or two in the middle of the night, because of that lovely little gift called anxiety. 

I have a few techniques that I try to get my brain to focus, but it isn’t easy. I know most people recommend trying to meditate. I struggle with meditation because I can never quiet my brain enough. Without an outside distraction my brain just continues to ruminate on whatever it can latch onto in the silence. A Tibetan singing bowl has helped with stress when I’m awake – but not something I want to start in the middle of the night because it will just cause issues with my the cute but certifiably crazy dog I’ve written about.

The techniques I use to try to focus include: saying the alphabet backwards, attaching words to the letters in the alphabet which I say backwards, multiplication or any form of counting, gratitude lists and positive mantras (my latest is “new year, new space, new energy, new me”). 

I have also tried CBD gummies which have some effectiveness, but it only lasts about 4 hours. If I take it before bed it usually wears off before my attacks occur. I take some more, but then I have to wait for them to kick in!?!

While each technique has a certain level of effectiveness and I am thankful that the attacks are becoming less frequent. However, I would be happy if they would disappear altogether. 

I am also thankful that they have never blossomed into a full-blown panic attack, which carries its own set of challenges.

Therefore, if you feel comfortable, my dear reader, I would like to ask you to talk about the tips or tricks you use to combat anxiety. What works and what doesn’t? Talking about your experience may help a fellow traveler in need.

I also hope that by talking about anxiety and its effects we can minimize some triggers, making one aspect of life a little easier for ourselves.