Suffering in silence | Coping with anxiety disorder

For people with anxiety disorders, worry and fear are constant and overwhelming, and can be crippling.

An anxiety disorder is diagnosed if the person’s response is not appropriate for the situation, if the person cannot control the response or if the anxiety interferes with normal functioning. Anxiety disorders can get worse if not treated; however, effective treatments are available.

TESTIMONIAL:

I cried! I had held everything inside for so long; I was suffocating. Afterwards I literally felt my entire being collapse on the inside, but I kept going. I got back to my desk, and tried to finish writing, as I counted down the time to get my son from school. The pangs of hunger began to rage war inside my stomach. Absentmindedly, I heeded the warnings as the worms seemingly started World War 3 in my stomach. I made my way to the canteen; the menu was the same and the cashier knew my   order without even having to ask. 

I didn’t feel unusual in anyway, just the regular hang over effects from crying; maybe just a little too much. I looked at the food on the plate and sighed; I really needed to eat-I had to eat! Taking small bites while going through YouTube on my phone, I started feeling a bit hot. This wasn’t unusual as there were many persons in the canteen, and overall, the air conditioning was less than favourable most of the times.

I started shaking! I didn’t have a fever and then my head really started to hurt. After a few seconds I started gasping for air and realised I was having difficulty breathing. I am not one for drama, so without alerting anyone I slowly got up off the chair, took my unfinished meal and began to head to the counter. I remember one of my colleagues saying to me, that it was better I hadn’t taken the food if I was going to waste it. I smiled back at her and responded that was how life was sometimes.

Depositing the plate on the counter I walked slowly to the bathroom adjacent to the canteen, still breathing heavily and at this point about to pass out. I put down the seat on the toilet in the cubicle and sat down just in time. What I experienced afterwards was nothing short of an out of body experience. My head was all over the place, and I literally felt my spirit leave my body. Subconsciously I prayed as my life flashed before me, and after literally seeing myself from the ceiling of the bathroom, looking at me body sitting on the toilet seat, I figured it was over!

Suddenly, I reconnected with my body, and started sweating profusely. In the true definition of the Jamaican paralance…’cold sweat start wash me! With little or no energy, and my head still swirling around in circles, I reached for my cellphone.  I called my supervisor and in what was barely audible, I managed to give her my location and asked for her help.

I could barely stand and I still felt out of place, when she came to me. Instantly she began praying and as my mind continued to race, she immediately went to get the company nurse. After doing her checks, the nurse announced that I had suffered an anxiety attack. Now, somewhat calm, but very lightheaded and dizzy, and difficulty breathing, arrangements were made to have me taken to the doctor immediately.

I didn’t want to die! Well just not yet, as I thought of my very young son, who was waiting patiently for me to get him from school. The ride to the doctor’s office was literally like a scene from cops and robbers, and by the time I arrived I was winded; breathing was now a luxury!

Thankfully, it took very little time for the doctor to see me and his diagnosis also corroborated that of the company nurse. I was prescribed anti-anxiety medication and was referred for an assessment from a mental health professional. The company nurse was quite supportive, and as arrangements were made to have my son picked up and for me to get home…I wondered! What had I done?!

ADVICE CORNER: DR Orlando Thomas

What is an anxiety attack?
It’s a sudden onset of intense fear or worry accompanied by real symptoms such as chest pain, heart racing, shortness of breath, dizziness, numbness and tingling and many other possible symptoms.

Is an anxiety attack serious?

• The symptoms have their basis in nervous system dysfunction (nerves problem) and there is nothing wrong with your heart, lungs, limbs or internal organs.
• It can be very frightening to those observing it and even more frightening to the person experiencing the attack.It makes one feel fearful, feel out of control and uncertain. It can be embarrassing and can restrict you in many ways including but not limited to being unable to sleep and fear of going out or being alone.

Can you die from an anxiety attack?

• You will not die from a panic attack but you can certainly block out when the symptoms get extreme.

What to do during an anxiety attack?

• It’s important to understand you are not dying and try to control your breathing and stay calm.
• Close your eyes and reassure yourself it will pass. Take slow deep breaths in, hold for a couple seconds and breathe out. Keep doing this as long as possible until the attack subsides.
• Persons have also tried breathing into a paper bag covering the mouth and nose and this seems to help a lot because when you re-breath your own carbon dioxide it seems to have a calming effect on the brain.
• Visualization also helps during the attack.  Try to imagine yourself in a serene and calm setting or any pleasant or reassuring image. This will help a whole lot to calm you down.

Keisha A. Hill is media practitioner and communications consultant. Send feedback to kanhillcommunications@gmail.com or editorial@oldharbournews.com. Visit Jamaican Chronicles to read more blogs by the author.