High Anxiety - How Can I Make It A Smooth Event?

Re: High Anxiety - How Can I Make It A Smooth Event?

• STARMOON44 member

  

  July 2015

  The good news is you have lots of time! Anti-anxiety meds can make you drowsy, but you have tons of time to find the right dosage, timing, work on other anxiety reducing techniques with your therapist, and make a solid plan for the day.

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• lachattefatale member

  

  July 2015 edited July 2015

  I've only had panic disorder for about 8 months, but I've had occasional panic attacks for about 10 years. I do have a prescription for Ativan, but as you said, it makes me sleepy so I try not to take it. If you feel like you need to be on a steady dose of it instead of as-needed, you might ask your doctor about using a very low dose.

  
  

  I don't know what your therapist has you doing, but mine suggested good sleep hygiene, meditation, and frequent exercise for long-term management, and deep breathing and math/logic puzzles for short-term coping during panic attacks. The sleep hygiene is probably the hardest part for me, since it involves cutting way back on caffeine and cutting off all screen use an hour before bed. I really, really notice a difference on days I haven't slept as well or if I have an extra cup of coffee in the morning. The math puzzles are like magic; they can actually slow the production of the hormones causing the panic. I found a line of books that are like sudoku but with math problems mixed in. I know that kind of puzzle isn't everyone's thing--I had no interest in it--but it really does work.

  
  

  I've also noticed that my anxiety can be affected by my inner ear. I have tons more panic attacks if my nose stuffs up, and on car rides when I'm not the one driving.

  
  

  My plan for the wedding is to use the Ativan a little more freely if I have any attacks in the week or two leading up to the wedding. If at all possible, I don't plan to take any meds on my actual wedding day, but I will probably take one the day after for the plane ride to our honeymoon.

  
  

  Expecting a panic attack can give you a panic attack, and having a panic attack can give you more panic attacks. So my philosophy is to shut down any expectations of panic attacks ("Self, you aren't going to have any panic attacks today. You're just going to do a few sudoku puzzles and keep super duper calm." This is sometimes a lie, but I tell it to myself anyway.) and to medicate when I do have panic attacks to calm my nervous system down and reduce the likelihood of repeat attacks.
  
  I could probably ramble about this all day if you want to keep the thread going.

  

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• [Deleted User] member

  

  July 2015

  Hi there. I have severe anxiety and panic disorder. Have been dealing with it for almost 5 years.
  
  I've experienced some of the same concerns that you expressed. I don't take medication (my personal body chemistry reacted horribly to it) and am not currently in therapy. Previous counseling has taught me many ways to manage it, thank goodness.
  
  Something to consider doing is a "first look" with your FI before the ceremony. Initially, I did not want us to see each other prior to walking down the aisle. However, we both agreed that it may help calm the nerves if w are able to see each other before all of our guests arrive.
  
  Since we are doing a first look, we will not have to spend the cocktail hour taking pics. We are going to spend this time together in the bridal suite just so that we can have a few post-ceremony moments to ourselves before the party begins.
  
  A healthy lifestyle is imperative to controlling anxiety. If you don't already, start developing a regimen of healthy eating, good sleep, and physical activity each day. It could be something as small as a 20 minute walk.
  
  There are some really good guided meditations for anxiety. I usually do one before anything major and will likely do one the morning of my wedding.
  
  Everyone is different, but I hope his gives you some ideas. Good luck!!!!
  

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• ashley2994 member

  

  July 2015

  Thanks for your replies, it really helps put things into perspective by seeing other points of view. I've had therapy in the past where I've learned deep breathing techniques, self talk, and occupying my brain to keep my focus off the panic. I've hit a plateau, however, the last two years which is why I decided to go back to therapy. With the way the venue is set up (we got an all inclusive deal), the pictures are done before the ceremony so guests aren't waiting to eat dinner during the reception. Me and my fiance will be doing a first look alone, before the pictures are done. I've started doing yoga again and I am seeing some improvement in that. I've also practiced good sleep hygiene (no distractions one hour before bed) and I still wake up in the middle of the night. All around, I would say I am an extremely anxious person. I will also have to agree that I'm always expecting a panic attack, since I have one about twice a week. Even if I'm not mentally thinking of a panic attack creeping up on me, I do feel the anxiety in the pit of my stomach.

  
  

  In addition to my fiance, my mother is also my rocks when it comes to my panic, and I believe she will help to keep me calm on the big day. If all else fails, I will take an Ativan the morning of my wedding so if it does make me sleepy, it has time to wear off. Either way, I appreciate advice from you both, I just hope I have enough time to nip this in the bud so I can enjoy it.

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• lovemesomemonster member

  

  July 2015

  I recently posted about this same thing, it came to a point where I couldn't take it anymore and I talked to my doctor about it. She put me on a daily medication and a week later I feel like it is helping and I have until January. I also have an anti anxiety for circumstances where I need it and have been picking up my yoga and running game a lot. You have time, just discuss different options and good for you for going back to therapy, I'm new to this and noticed just talking about it and not hiding it helped a lot. 

  
  

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• lachattefatale member

  

  July 2015

  If you're frequently waking up in the middle of the night, right before bed might be the best time to take the Ativan. (Obviously talk to your doctor first, though.) It'd help keep you asleep and not-panicking, and good sleep helps reduce panic during the day, plus the sleepy Ativan feeling would be worn off by morning.

  
  

  I went from daily panic attacks in January and February down to 2-3 a week and now I'm down to feeling anxiety most days but actual panic attacks are only about once a week. I had one fantastic day in March where I had panic attacks all day. It would stop for five minutes here and there, but it lasted about 10 hours, and that was before I had the prescription help.

  
  

  Even though social media is not an anxiety trigger for me, I find this app really calming so it's one of my go-to panic-stopping actions. It's best with headphones, but even reading it with no sound helps me.

  

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