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The brain

Discussion in 'The Village Square' started by EJ, Feb 5, 2007.

  1. EJ

    EJ Allotmenteer Extraordinaire

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    My brain worries me, which causes me to worry. Before Christmas, around the time of my late dads birthday, I gave myself a panic attack. I felt a little breathless, started to worry about it, started to imagine I was having a heart attack, the same as my dad, and ended up with chest pains, cold sweats, and wound up in the cardiac care unit of our local hospital, wired up to monitors for the night. Turned out, there was nothing wrong with me, fit as a fiddle. So, I brought the whole event on myself.

    Saw the quack and she told me not to let it rule my life and start panicing about panic attacks. What do you know, last night I could feel myself heading down the same track, and the more I tried to talk myself out of it, the more I worried and the worse I became! I did manage to calm down and relax, but what an amazing thing the brain is. My brain as the ability to knock me off my feet - it seems I have very little control over it.

    My grandad has had a couple of mental/nervous breakdowns and one of his problems is the terrible tinitus he suffers from. The noises in his head drive him wild. The brain is such a complex thing - it has complete control and will do as it pleases.

    Sorry....just in the mood for a ramble and a ponder about my own sanity.
     
    EJ, Feb 5, 2007
    #1
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  2. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    Had a mild case of panic attacks a few years back EJ. Now I know that the best approach is not to challenge the mind when you feel something coming on but to accept it. I found that once you accept that it's ok it doesn't become the overriding priority in your mind and it dissipates. I used to get it on cramped buses something fierce but the new tactic has basically eradicated it. I was a very mild case though.
     
    Frank, Feb 6, 2007
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  3. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    The brain is an extremely complex piece of equipment indeed EJ. It amazes me how it can store so much information about a miriad of different things but at the same time become confused over things like panic attacks. The worst thing about these attacks is the fact that the brain translates them in actual physical symptoms which can scare the h*ll out of you and, as you say, make you panic all the more. Doctors say that if you carry a paper bag around with you and breath into it when you feel an attack coming on it can really help to get your breathing back to normal. Your brain then accepts there's nothing to worry about and settles down.

    Our youngest son suffers from tinitus too EJ and he sometimes can't even follow a conversation properly for the noises in his ears. People think he's not listening to them speaking and can get quite angry until he explains what's wrong.
     
    eileen, Feb 6, 2007
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  4. Polly

    Polly Thumb Gardener

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    I think we all have suffered from some form of panic attack. I too have had them when thinking about my father who passed away many years ago at the age of 50 which is the age I am at now. Mine fortunately are usually not too severe and I can sometimes pray myself through them. Sometimes just having someone close will also help. My husband is great at holding my hand. And you are right about the brain being a very complex thing. My husband suffered a closed head injury a few years ago and his brain will never work the same again but we make allowances.
     
    Polly, Feb 6, 2007
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  5. glendann

    glendann Official Garden Angel

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    I have never suffered through a panic attack thank God but have been around people who have one.Its very scarey to watch someone have one.
     
    glendann, Feb 6, 2007
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  6. reggaefan

    reggaefan Official Poet Laureate

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    E.J. I will pray for you . We do not understand the brain at all. My sister had panic attacks I have had some minor ones myself. Hang in there we all love you here so take comfort that you are loved. With this child murder we just had here being able to vent to my Stew friends meant a lot to me. :)
     
    reggaefan, Feb 6, 2007
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  7. bethie

    bethie Young Pine

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    EJ- I would go online and learn some relaxation techiniques like deep breathing etc. that may help with this. Do it now before things get worse. :idea:
     
    bethie, Feb 6, 2007
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  8. EJ

    EJ Allotmenteer Extraordinaire

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    Thanks for listening guys and thanks for all the support and kind thoughts. I do try deep breathing and relaxing starting at the toes and working my way up, but I find it almost impossible at the moment to control. This is a new thing for me, and something I don't like one bit! I don't know if it is related to dad dying, something I have and will never come to terms with, or whether it is just 'one of those things'. Anyhow, I am thinking happy thoughts and looking forward to spring and longer, sunnier days. Of course, now there's a thought that has just struck me....could it be a winter thing? Some people suffer don't they, from 'SAD' syndrome. I can't imagine that is what it is for me as I am out gardening 5 days out of 7.

    Can you see what I am doing....starting to worry about it....over thinking it. GGRR. Back to my relaxed happy thoughts.

    Thanks again guys, I know I don't post heaps, but I read lots and enjoy your chats, blogs and piccies, and at this time of night, it really does help me to chill before bed. You are all stars!
     
    EJ, Feb 7, 2007
    #8
  9. WUVIE

    WUVIE Seedling

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    Panic attacks...

    Oh, my gosh, EJ, great big hugs from me! :( :-D

    There was once a time I thought panic attacks were nonsense, caused when someone got all worked up about nothing. Until it happened to me. :eek:

    While I may take it in stride and seem fine on the outside, indeed you are right about the brain handling things it's own way.

    Having a heart murmur and a few other conditions, I swore I was dying of a heart attack, certain I should start planning my funeral, getting my ducks in a row. I began taking large amounts of some over the counter stuff, Kali Phox or Phlos or something like that, for stress. I bought a stethoscope to monitor my heart and even contemplated ordering an expensive 'how to cope' type of audio program.

    To be honest with you, what caused my problem was the passive attitude I had about things that bothered me. I would tell myself things did not bother me, but in fact they were boiling. While I thought I was just putting it out of my mind, I was actually just adding to the pot.

    While it is easier said than done, I had to learn how to deal with things head on rather than put them aside or carry that "I'm fine, I'm fine" attitude.

    Oh, how I do not wish panic or anxiety attacks on anyone. Can't catch your breath, can't sleep, can't focus.

    EJ, a few things that helped me through my bad spells:

    Take time for yourself. Allow yourself calm time.
    Speak slowly, say what is on your mind, and then breathe deep. Don't yell. Don't get upset. Don't take part in someone else acting completely out of line. :smt075

    Make your first and last thoughts for the day happy ones. Think about fuzzy puppies if you have to. :-D

    Write down things that are bothering you. There is a song out right now which is talking about just that, putting those words down on paper. "If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
    threatening the life it belongs to."

    Just a few things that worked for me. I look forward
    to hearing more from you in hopes that things get better for you.

    Sign me, been there, done that, and here to help
    if you need it. :setc_026:

    Karen Marie
     
    WUVIE, Feb 7, 2007
    #9
  10. Shanna

    Shanna In Flower

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    EJ I myself have panic and anxiety attacks and yes it is very scary.When I start to feel anxiety coming I take a deep breath and let it out slow and try to calm down.My doctor put me on some meds and it has helped alot.I know what you are going through.Take care of yourself and I wish you the best:)
     
    Shanna, Feb 8, 2007
    #10
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