nerves

[chazza]

I get really nervous and suffer from panic attacks in stressful situations. i have tried beta blockers, kalms, rescue remedy, Paul McKennas books, Relora and 5-HTP to control it.

I have an interview coming up and have made a dr appointment, would anyone have any recommendations on what to ask for, or any other suggestions? i have to drive to the interview so it must be something I can take whilst driving.

Thanks

[dot.hawkes]

It shouldn't be stressful to attend an interview, though it can be a nervous time, if you have researched the company and made good preparation for the interview before hand then it should be fine. Is it something specific that is putting you under this feeling of stress, maybe a relationship or a family situation, or an outside influence you have no control over. If you have had to resport to medication and other forms of calming methods maybe there is some back ground that a counsellor needs to investigate, I am sure your GP can help with that. never get stressed over a job interview, it would not help.

[beryllium]

hi chazza, sorry to hear you get so nervous.... have you looked into hypnotherapy? and reflexology is fantastic for calming the system too. Just thinking about you taking drug remedies and they not working, you should start looking at the alternatives that are more natural.

There is also Yoga. good breathing techniques.... very calming.

Tis all about training you again....

take care and good luck in your interview...

B.xx

[chazza]

I havent tried hypnotherapy as it is v expensive, but the Paul Mckenna book does use similar methods.

I have tried yoga too.

Dot, it isn't so much that I wont be able to do the interview, I know I will, but I worry that I will have a panic attack during it for no reason

[beryllium]

chazza, you may qualify for hypnotherapy under the NHS, as i do for my accupuncture........

http://www.nhsdirectory.org/

[little coojy]

panic attacks are the worst things on earth and if youve never suffered your not only lucky but you could never understand the horrible things, ive suffered with them for about 6 years, at worst i didn't leave my home for 7 months in fear of having one while out, so i can understand how your feeling, i take sertraline everyday which helps but it takes a while to get into your system, so it wouldn't help imeadiatly, i also have diazapam for emergancys wjich work in minutes, a small dose like 2mg would relax you but you would still be alert so it might be worth asking your doc and explain about interview, i have had lots of counciling and i found the best was a programme i was put on by doc which consentrated on panic attacks like ocd, a lady came to my house every week and we dicussed the problems and actions i did, we were able to find trigger points and how to cope with them, if you fear one your likley to bring one on, keep mind occupied and think positive thoughts, i know this is easier said than done cause i know when nervous you tend to scan your self all the time and any little thing of not feeling right can explode into a attack, if i feel dizzy instead of thinking oh no here comes one i tell my self i need something to eat or drink etc, also your breathing is essential, i didn't realise i hyperventilated until a doc pointed it out to me that i was doing it as i was talking to them, breath out like your making a candle flame flicker not putting it right out, its hard as your fighting agaisnt your body but it works, hold your breath for 10 seconds, the dizzy ness is caused by to much oxygen, i hope this helps, i wish you all the luck in the world let us know how it goes x.

[Kay]

chazza, I feel for you. I used to be agoraphobic and suffered terrible panic attacks sometimes even indoors. I was prescribed Diazapam 2mg which really helped me along with CBT. The only drawback being Diazapam like any tranx can be addictive. You could get yourself a relaxation tape/cd which will teach you how to breath properly from the stomach.Thats how new born baby's breath and they never panic do they? We lose this natural way of breathing as we grow. Also keep a paper bag with you,when you feel a panic starting cup the bag over your nose and mouth and breath quickly into that. This will slow down the adrenalyn which causes panic.

[Kay]

Think of the bag as an oxygen mask,breath in thro' your nose and out thro' your mouth rapidly. Thats something you can practise now. The adrenylin can only reach a certain point before subsiding and its the adrenylin that causes the terrible feelings that wash over you during a panic attack so use that bag! I still use a relaxation tape for stress. Good luck x

[country_boy]

Hi chazza - I used to suffer with them so badly that I'd end up paralysed from hyperventilating, starting with tingling in my fingers. Usually whilst driving at night! Mine became self perpetuating because I was panicking about having panic attacks, same as you. Good advice from little coojy, I didn't believe my doctor til he pointed it out to me! Beta blockers have helped me as the adrenalin kicking in was my trigger, plus breathing techniques. When one comes on, it is so hard to think positively but it really helps. I used to get to the point where I'd give up fighting it, and then it would subside.
Also I managed to self hypnotise to replace future bad thoughts with good ones. Ultimately for me, not thinking about them over a long time has cured me, I needed to break the cycle.
I wish you all the best, I know what you're going through.