Post #115,784
8/29/03 5:29:45 AM
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Panic?
I'm feeling very odd indeed tonight. I feel as if an artillery barrage is about to commence - so much dismal news, from bad cops to Torqemadas in govt to prosecutors who do not understand the simplest concept of justice - please someone tell me something good before I just lose it.
I HATE this feeling. I can't sleep, I can't think, I'm scared shitless of something that can't be seen or heard or yet imagined. What happened to the decent world? I can live with any amount of personal misfortune as long as I have some hope for the whole - but, where is the hope?
-drl
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Post #115,794
8/29/03 8:05:11 AM
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Okay, now...
Welcome to my world Ross.
Personally I have gotten used to it. It is called anxiety. I hate it, that "butterfly" feeling.
You learn to ignore it after a while and look for fun things to do. Then all of a sudden, it doesn't matter anymore.
It has taken nearly 10 months for me to get over it... just in the last 2 weeks, my wife noticed I was smiling and laughing more than I have ever done in the last 12 years of Marriage. And no, she means at home where nobody cares if I do or not.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[insert Brilliant, Full of Wisdom, Apropos Saying.]
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Post #115,825
8/29/03 11:10:01 AM
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Re: Okay, now...
Exactly, Folkert.
One of the things you have to do is convince yourself you are safe, which I'm getting better and better at, (or at least as safe as you can be under the reasonable circumstances).
One of the things that's really helped me is determining the root of my fears and tackling those, i.e. fear of fire, (as in the house suddenly being on fire), fear of being shot in a drive by shooting, etc. And once you have the root of it, (i.e. Dad scared me as a kid, drive by shootings in the news), you can then process the probability factor that it will or won't happen. (i.e. we keep our house safe and check for fire hazards, and have fire extinguishers and alarms, and there haven't been any drive by shootings on my street).
And then when the fear does hit, you can talk yourself through it. I haven't had a full-blown Anxiety attack now in years, not even when my dad's car caught fire a couple years ago while I was driving it.... not bad, really, considering I used to have to go to the hospital for hyperventilation regularly in the 80's and 90's.
Nightowl >8#
"I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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Post #115,795
8/29/03 8:09:36 AM
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Attacks...
Physical weakness, racing heart, physical jitters, slight nauseousness...
Feeling like I am swimming through a soup of fear. Nothing specific.
I keep getting the feeling something BAD is about to happen, but I don't know what.
Please let it only be symptoms of the Illuminati mind-control broadcasts going out through mass-media.
Fnord!
Imric's Tips for Living
- Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
- Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
- Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
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Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.
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Post #115,805
8/29/03 9:26:48 AM
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Don't.
I've had a bit of anxiety the last few weeks - a lot more than I'm used to. But it's something I've slowly been able to adjust to. Part of it for me is having no real time off in about 18 months. I'm taking a long weekend to try to compensate. :-)
Change is always stressful - that's one big reason why people don't leave abusive relationships. :-(
Some good news:
1) Your paper is out where others can read it. You know how long it took for that to happen. Enjoy it!
2) You're between jobs but don't have extreme financial pressures. You're actually able to enjoy the down-time. Do so!
3) Amazing computer power is amazingly cheap. Enjoy it!
4) The internet makes it possible for more people to have more access to information and be able to easily converse with people around the world. It's making the world smaller. It's lessening xenophobia and helping to make the world a better place. Enjoy it!
5) We don't have to fear planetary nuclear annihilation. Empty your fallout shelter!
6) We're able to cure more diseases and extend the quality of life for more people than ever in history.
Yes, there are problems in the world. Yes, there's a lot of evil and a lot of mind-destroyingly stupid stuff going on. But things are actually pretty good now. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that the past was uniformly better. Remember that the Greeks thought the [link|http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/bdodge/scaffold/GG/titan.html|Golden Age] on Earth was before humans were created!
[link|http://www.lyricsdepot.com/howard-jones/things-can-only-get-better.html|Things can only get better]. It's good to keep [link|http://www.inlyrics.com/display/Oingo_Boingo_Lyrics/Out_Of_Control_Lyrics/96653.htm|Out of Control] in mind too.
The anxiety will lift soon. Hang in there.
Cheers,
Scott.
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Post #115,823
8/29/03 11:05:21 AM
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Hang in there, bro!
There are a lot of bad things happening in this world, but there always are. We seem to focus on such things here and that makes it only worse. It's much like the front page of a newspaper -- there are no good news.
Don't burden your mind with things you, or any of us, can do much about. Maybe get on that bike and take a ride in the country.
Alex
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." -- sign hanging in Einstein's office at Princeton
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Post #115,824
8/29/03 11:05:40 AM
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Re: Panic?
I have these too, but in a milder form. I have Panic Anxiety, Ross, and I get those feelings a lot, along with the racing heart, and the sleeplessness, and often even actual breathing and hyperventilation issues.
I've been learning to control it for years, and doing a fair job of it. I bought the book "Don't Panic" by H. Reid Wilson, and that was the best thing I did for mine.
Hang in there, we're all here for you, and I understand how you feel!
Nightowl >8#
"I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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Post #115,850
8/29/03 1:56:32 PM
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Stop reading/watching the news, for a start.
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Post #115,852
8/29/03 1:58:07 PM
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Re: Stop reading/watching the news, for a start.
Well, that's a two-fold thing. For some people the news makes it worse, and for some people, like me, it makes it better.
For me, having more information about something eases my mind about it, rather than none or little. It's kinda a personal choice, depending how it works for each individual.
Nightowl >8#
"I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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Post #115,855
8/29/03 2:20:29 PM
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Re: Stop reading/watching the news, for a start.
I DON'T watch the news other than on Sunday morning. I read the papers.
I think it was too much sixty-bean coffee. I'm just fine and mean as ever today :)
-drl
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Post #115,857
8/29/03 2:24:28 PM
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Re: Stop reading/watching the news, for a start.
Just don't be surprised if it returns, normally it comes and goes depending on situations. :)
Glad you're feeling better. :)
Nightowl >8#
"I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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Post #115,864
8/29/03 2:52:56 PM
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rofl
Figured it was transitory. :) You should see my PFY on caffeine--he's got Pectus Excavatum, and an unpredictable heart, therefore. One cup of coffee and we've got to pad the walls. :)
"There's a set of rules that anything that was in the world when you were born is normal and natural. Anything invented between when you were 15 and 35 is new and revolutionary and exciting, and you'll probably get a career in it. Anything invented after you're 35 is against the natural order of things." Douglas Adams
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Post #115,866
8/29/03 3:17:58 PM
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apropos your advice
[link|http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/29/opinion/29FRI4.html|http://www.nytimes.c...inion/29FRI4.html]
This more or less sums it up.
I've always been horrified in a deep, metaphysical way at having to choose when no choice is good, and the best choice is not to choose. The fate of the WTC jumpers branded itself in my soul, a permanent wound. I never understood that my deep reaction to this Melville story was an expression of the same horror.
Without optimism, life is utterly meaningless.
-drl
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Post #115,867
8/29/03 3:20:37 PM
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Re: apropos your advice
Can you give me a link or word to search on for the story? I can't access the NYT, sorry.
Thanks. And I relate to what you said about the WTC jumpers also.
Nightowl >8#
"I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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Post #115,868
8/29/03 3:23:43 PM
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iwethey/iwethey authorizes
"Bartleby the Scrivener"
-drl
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Post #115,869
8/29/03 3:34:14 PM
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Re: iwethey/iwethey authorizes
I read the story, but I still don't quite understand the reference to the New York Times, but that's ok. :)
Thanks.
Nightowl >8#
"I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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Post #115,870
8/29/03 3:50:06 PM
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login/password
iwethey/iwethey
-----------------------------------------
Big Bang Theory explained:
In the beginning there was nothing. Then it exploded.
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Post #115,872
8/29/03 3:58:00 PM
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Re: login/password
AWESOME! Thanks! (Sorry I didn't get it the first time)
(Reading article now!)
Nightowl >8#
"I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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Post #115,874
8/29/03 4:08:32 PM
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Re: apropos your advice
[link|http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/29/opinion/29FRI4.html|http://www.nytimes.c...inion/29FRI4.html] This more or less sums it up. I've always been horrified in a deep, metaphysical way at having to choose when no choice is good, and the best choice is not to choose. The fate of the WTC jumpers branded itself in my soul, a permanent wound. I never understood that my deep reaction to this Melville story was an expression of the same horror. Yay! I got to read it! (Thanks for explaining, Silverlock!) :) Anyway, good article, and I can see why it would get you down, really. I find it ironic that it parallels with my current situation as well, because refusing to do something was what got me fired from the University in the first place. However, it was one of those bad choice, bad choice situations. I either did something that I knew knowingly violated the policy manual, or... I refused. I chose the latter. Without optimism, life is utterly meaningless. I agree, but here's the optimism, Ross. If I had it to do all over again, I would still refuse, even knowing what would follow. Why, you might ask? Well because I can live with myself for refusing, and I could never have lived with myself had I done the request. So the optimism, I would hope would lie in how the choice makes you feel. If you feel good about the choice, despite no good options being presented, then I'd say you made the right one. I know I did. :) Nightowl >8# "I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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Post #115,894
8/29/03 8:01:47 PM
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Know this, you are not alone.
I feel that way too sometimes.
You need something to take your mind off of your worries. Stop watching the news for a while, it only reports mostly negative things. Things that will make you feel worse. Play a video game, watch a cartoon, surf the web for things you wanted to find out about but didn't have the time. Or get a hobby and get busy with that hobby.
My hope is with God, hope that God will do something to make things better. So far I've been blessed with getting on disability so I don't have to face the stress of a job and can spend more time with my family. I figure God wants me to take a break for a while. I buy Powerball tickets just in case I win something, maybe not the jackpot, but even winning a few numbers matched would help.
"Lady I only speak two languages, English and Bad English!" - Corbin Dallas "The Fifth Element"
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Post #116,074
8/31/03 4:05:51 AM
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Ross
Mate, "Life's a pup"
there is so much to sniff & explore (no matter how many years you've been around)
The problem with anxiety is that in can become self feeding. In classic psych it
is considered that shallow breathing is a defence mechanism we learn in childhood
to overcome fear (kids instinctively hold their breath when frightened or terrified).
As adults we tend to master the same art through shallow beathing. But breathing deeply generally means we feel what is going on around us & that can be difficult.
Sometimes, out of of habit, we can induce anxiety. If any of us choose to focus on negative news, on past fears, on what is wrong rather than what is right, we can easily justify anxiety.
My guess is that anxiety is more likely to occur when we don't have a tight focus in our lives (of course there are justifiable cause for anxiety attacks but lack of focus seems to exacerbate the condition).
I hope this next sentence makes some sense...
From where I sit today, there is really nothing to get anxious about in this world. Que sera sera.
(But I didn't feel that way at all prior to Iraq adventure - thankfully I am not a US serviceman in Iraq else my anxiety levels would be stressing me to the extreme).
It is all relative.
Cheers & have a cold one for me mate :-)
Doug
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Post #116,075
8/31/03 5:00:34 AM
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Re: Ross
There was a story here about prosecutors who KNEW a man to be innocent, because his DNA does not match his crime, but they insist on being "right". Still, he rots in jail. They are more than willing to condemn a man to a living hell based on DNA evidence. The next day, a story of how prisoners are coerced by being forced to wear "stun belts", where at an officer's whim, am incapacitating jolt of electricity is coursed through him. Our jails are full, our jobs are gone, our leadership is from the Dark World, there are no jobs, the people are hateful, stupid, and crazy. I often feel as if I am a great soft jelly-thing, leaving a trail on the bulkheads of a subterranean metallic hell as I shamble to and fro - I have no mouth and I must scream.
I want to declare myself stateless and get out of this suffocating nightmare place, but there is nowhere else to go.
Another bad night.
-drl
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Post #116,088
8/31/03 11:20:53 AM
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Re: Ross
Sorry you had another bad night.
Can I ask a few questions?
For example, are you waking up in the middle of the night with pain or feeling like you can't breathe? Sorta like gasping for air?
Do you know how to deep breathe? (Don't think I'm being silly, it took me years to learn it).
Do you have other specific symptoms of a "bad night" i.e. night sweats, or tremors or anything you can describe?
Do you have insomnia?
I relate, Ross. I used to wake up in the middle of the night thinking I was dying, my chest would hurt, I'd be gasping for breath, I almost went to the ER once. Then I learned what it was, and how to cope with it, and now it's rare that I wake up like that.
I'm willing to help you out if you can answer the questions. :)
Take care, Ross.
Nightowl >8#
"I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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Post #116,089
8/31/03 11:25:35 AM
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Re: Ross
The problem with anxiety is that in can become self
feeding. In classic psych it This is so true. I had to learn not to allow it to feed upon itself, which wasn't easy but once mastered, has been fairly succesful except in extreme circumstances. is considered that shallow breathing is a defence mechanism we learn in childhood to overcome fear (kids instinctively hold their breath when frightened or terrified). As adults we tend to master the same art through shallow beathing. But breathing deeply generally means we feel what is going on around us & that can be difficult. Exactly, and I had to really work to learn the art of deep breathing. Biggest problem I have still is remembering HOW to deep breathe when I need it the most, so practicing it every day when I'm already calm is important. Sometimes, out of of habit, we can induce anxiety. If any of us choose to focus on negative news, on past fears, on what is wrong rather than what is right, we can easily justify anxiety. My guess is that anxiety is more likely to occur when we don't have a tight focus in our lives (of course there are justifiable cause for anxiety attacks but lack of focus seems to exacerbate the condition). Well, mine isn't "self-induced" per se, but I have learned the things that induce it and have worked hard to prevent them or react differently to them. As a rule I succeed. But if I'm suddenly shocked or scared or startled by something, it can still occur without warning. I believe there is plenty to be anxious about, but... the big question is, is this worth my health? And if the answer is no, which it usually is, I do my best to alleviate that anxiety. :) Nightowl >8# "I learned to be the door, instead of the mat!" "illegitimi nil carborundum"
Comment by Nightowl
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