Panic mode

I had an appt today and it was to do with ongoing back pain....my friend was supposed to come with me but she couldn't make it. So I had to go on my own and once I got there, I just went in to panic mode. My heart was racing, I was shaking, had to work to control my breathing and just wanted to cry, whilst I was in waiting area and it wasn't even a bad appt! Why am I like this?! I just felt ridiculous. Anxiety has really increased these last few weeks

Hunni, I totally get it. Anxiety sucks. Do you have coping mechanisms to help? Grounding? Breathing exercises? Etc

I have some grounding techniques, yes...was trying to work on breathing when this happened. It's so silly, isn't it. I never used to be like this

I am a very logically minded person and for many years I tried to find a logical explanation for a completely illogical condition. Anxiety is basically a heightened sense of danger. We are over compensating to protect ourselves from perceived threats. Everyone is different but for me I found graded exposure therapy very useful. It never “cured” my anxiety, and I now know that other things which I can’t really control were a contributing factor but I can control how I react and GET gave me tools to try and combat it and as a result along with other aids I am now able to do thinks that a few years ago seemed totally out of reach.

I've tried exposure therapy, it was a bit too much for me...couldn't do it. I think some of the grounding techniques I have are useful.

Also,
Adding this here, as poss relevant/connected? I had a something come up, some that came around like a bad dream type thing. I don't know if it's real or not ��(swear)♀️ How do I know if it's real? I would put it down to what's been going on/talking about little ones dad but it wasn't about him. It was about someone else. The memory of this person coming up behind me and of being pinned down to the floor by my wrists and other bits that I won't go into. Is it a good thing, when things start to come up like this? It's messed with my head. Not a good way to start the day! Is it worth mentioning to therapist, even though I wouldn't really want to go into the details....

Absolutely talk to your therapist about it! Hunni, that’s what she’s there for.. I’m sure she’ll say you only need to give as many details as you can (panda)

Hi Pixie anxiety can be a real problem and tends to form a vicious circle, as Paula says talk to your therapist.