Catch Anxiety Before It Catches You: Know the Symptoms

Educating oneself about anxiety attack symptoms is an essential part of the healing process if one suffers from an anxiety disorder. Anyone who suffers from the condition is certainly well-versed in the types of symptoms that accompany anxiety attacks. However, in order to learn to manage and even overcome these symptoms, it is imperative that one must first learn why these symptoms occur in connection with anxiety disorders.

The most commonly occurring symptom of any anxiety disorder is fear. This fear often occurs as a result of a perceived threat. In many cases, this fear may ensue from a threat that is only imagined and not an actual threat. This, however, has no effect on the outcomes of the anxiety attack. When the human brain senses fear, whether it is actual or simply imagined, it behaves with certain biological responses. These responses prepare the body to either stay and fight the threat or flee from it. This is commonly known as the fight or flight response.

Some of the most common symptoms that can be associated with an anxiety attack as a result of a perceived of threat include the following:

Sweating

Hot or cold flashes
Stomach pain

Nausea

Diarrhea

Numbness

Tingling in the hands or feet

Feeling as if you cant breathe

Dizziness

Chest pain

Fear of losing control

A feeling of impending doom

Feeling as if you are out of touch

Heart palpitations

Feeling as if you are about to die

Trembling
The feeling of not being physically grounded

In most cases, anxiety attack symptoms begin to peak within 10 minutes after the start of the attack, and the symptoms will begin to subside within a half an hour from the beginning of the attack. In some cases, however, it could take several hours, days, or even weeks for all of the symptoms to completely diminish.

In many cases, anxiety attacks seem to develop for no absolute reason. In this regard, they may come completely out of nowhere. Unfortunately, the individual may associate his or her location at the time of the attack as a cause for the symptoms they experience. As a result, they might begin to evade that particular area or situation for fear of another attack. This evasiveness can then lead to even further problems such as the development of another disorder known as agoraphobia.

The intensity of the symptoms associated with an anxiety attack can be quite daunting. That intensity level can vary from person to person and within each individual, from one attack to another. With that said, however, it is important to understand that while the intensity of these symptoms is often very alarming, the symptoms themselves are not dangerous. Even though the symptoms of an anxiety attack can certainly feel defeating, it is important to understand they are not life-threatening. Understanding and accepting that the symptoms of an anxiety attack will not hurt you is one of the first steps toward healing. In addition, there are coping techniques that can be used that can minimize the severity and even the frequency of anxiety attacks. Sometimes it can even help just knowing that what you are experiencing is anxiety, and not any threat at all.

By taking the time to learn about anxiety attack symptoms, you can overcome anxiety disorder and be at peace.

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My Top Six Internal Remedies for Anxiety

Hyland's Nerve Tonic

This is something that I always keep with me in my purse as well as at home. It comes in the form of tablets that you simply allow to dissolve under your tongue. Within about half an hour or so, I start to feel the effects of it. Sometimes, it does make me feel sleepy, but I would much rather have that feeling than anxiety. You can purchase and learn more about Nerve Tonic here: http://www.hylands.com/products/hylands-nerve-tonic®

Calm Drops

Calm Drops are great! These are tablets that you can suck on, one at a time, every half hour as needed. They taste sweet. They can work for anxiety as well as insomnia. You can grab some here: https://www.historicalremedies.com/lozenges/calm-drops

Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds are something that you can incorporate into your diet, as well as hemp protein or hemp oil. Hemp has an earthy taste that is not for everyone, sort of like beets. For the least noticeable flavor, I would recommend using hemp oil to cook with. You can buy hemp on the shelf at the health section of some grocery stores. Amazon has some hemp seeds and protein: 

Hemp Seeds

Hemp Protein

Walmart: Hemp Oil

Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B is known for increasing energy for some people, but it can also decrease anxiety and stress. It mostly comes in pills that are hard to swallow, but I take the capsules. 

Schizandra

Schizandra has been known to help with an array of different mental illnesses. It helps with bipolar, schizophrenia, anger management, anxiety, and depression. It has been used more commonly in Chinese medicine for the treatment of mental illness, but you can purchase some on Amazon.

CBD Oil

CBD oil is one of my favorite internal remedies for calming me down. I have been using an MLM brand that I no longer recommend, because it is overpriced. Here are the best CBD brands: 

I hope you can find peace with these wonderful remedies for anxiety like I have.

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." - Hippocrates

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Don't Put Off Happiness Until Tomorrow If You Can Help It Today

If you want to be happy tomorrow, you must strive towards it today. This is not to simply look over the fact that there are many people who are depressed, and can't help it; sometimes I am one of those people. On the days when I feel stronger, however, I try to take advantage of that strength if I'm able. Some people linger through their lives, expecting happiness to arrive on its own, but it never comes. Others make an endeavor to create wealth but still aren't happy, learning that money only brings a whole new set of problems. Happiness is a state of mind. It is certainly not the amount of money that you have in your bank account. Happiness is something that is felt from within, and cannot be physically touched. Each individual needs to work on creating his or her own happiness.

I like how Richard Bach put it when he said, "If your happiness depends on what somebody else does, I guess you do have a problem."
To find happiness, you first have to understand where happiness comes from. Memories are to the mind what a mirror is to the eyes – a reflection. The mirror reflects the physical while our memories reflect the emotional. When you look in the mirror, it reflects what you look like; when you look in your mind it reflects who you are. One big difference between the two is that you can change what you see in the mirror but you can't change the memories reflected in your mind.

We tend to spend a lot of time trying to enhance what we see in the mirror, but little or no effort trying to revise or improve our thoughts. Everything we do, and everything that happens around us, creates a memory. Do you really think that the person who is bitter and upset today was filled with joy yesterday? If a person does something that perturbs or angers us, we can either add to the unpleasant memory with our own negative actions, or we can replace them with positive actions and create uplifting memories.

If you want to be joyful tomorrow, you must carefully choose what you do today. Everything you do today will be in tomorrow's reflection. In other words, today's actions will be reflected in tomorrow's memories, and you cannot make them disappear. The next time a person frustrates you, instead of acting out, try imagining that you are holding up a mirror that bounces the reflection back at him, knowing that his actions or words are a reflection of him and not of you.

We all want to be happy with what we see in the actual mirror. To be truly happy, we also have to like what we see reflected in our minds. What the mirror reflects is not nearly as powerful as what the mind reflects, for it reflects our words and actions.

What will your memories be filled with? Will your memories be filled with cheerfulness and joy or with resentment and anger? What have you done today that will bring you happiness tomorrow?

"Take care of all your memories, for you cannot relive them." - Bob Dylan

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On the Road to Healing: It’s Okay to Have Good Days During the Process

A few years ago, I gained weight from a medication that I had to take for my mental illness. I took it for about nine months, thinking that my body would get I used to it and that I would stop gaining weight. I didn’t stop gaining weight, however, for the entire nine months of taking that medication. By the time I had finally discontinued it, I had gained seventy pounds. I felt awful about myself, and knew that I needed to make some change. I slowly started to lose the weight, and I eventually got down to a healthy size once again. During my weight loss, I hid myself. I wasn’t content with my body. The thing is, even after I lost the weight, I still wasn’t quite content with it. I had a considerable amount of stretch marks. Even to this day, the stretch marks are faded, but still there. What I learned from all this was that even if I wasn’t healthy or content, it didn’t mean that I still couldn’t be happy. I didn’t mean that I still couldn’t try to get healthier while doing so, either. I'm definitely healthier than I was, and I don't ever want to go back. I'm currently taking a fitness class twice a week along with clean eating everyday and it is helping my health and confidence.

I’ve also seen that I could apply my struggle to chronic illness as well. If someone says that they have chronic pain, but are having a good day, others around them are in disbelief. 

“Are you sure?”

“You don’t look like you’re in pain.”

“I think you’re fine.”

You see, it’s completely alright to feel okay while having a chronic condition. It’s alright to have happy days on the path to healing. In fact, it’s great! It’s something that should be celebrated. It’s all a matter of taking things one step at a time. Let no one invalidate your happiness and success.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.” — Albert Einstein

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Living with Schizophrenia: Looking Toward Recovery

There are many ways to describe Joe of Salt Lake City, Utah — he is forty-two years old. He is a brother, a son, a friend, a student, and a patient with schizophrenia.

Joe attributes his enhanced ability to function to better compliance with his treatment. Now able to better control his symptoms, he is aiming towards finishing the goals he and his treatment team have set. He feels he has also arrived at the point where he no longer describes himself according to his condition. In other words, Joe is not a “schizophrenic” — he is simply a person who lives with schizophrenia.

Joe and other people who are competently living with schizophrenia demonstrate the need for better understanding about the mental illness that affects 2 million people in America — more than the combined populations of North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming — and yet still remains widely misread by the general public. 

As stated by The Mental Health Research Association, “schizophrenia is a severe, chronic and generally disabling brain disease. While the term schizophrenia literally means ‘split mind,’ it should not be confused with a ‘split,’ or multiple, personality. It is more accurately described as a psychosis-a type of illness that causes severe mental disturbances that disrupt normal thoughts, speech and behavior. Schizophrenia is believed to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.”

The severity of schizophrenia is different in each person, and symptoms may vary over time. These symptoms may include delusions (false beliefs, such as the feeling that the FBI is following you), hallucinations (such as voices that insult you or tell you to do something), disorganized thinking or speech (such as speaking without making sense or inventing words), irritation and decreased emotional expression, which could also be known as flat emotional effect.

A number of very effective medications known as antipsychotics have been developed to treat these symptoms of schizophrenia. However, because people with schizophrenia often don’t believe they are sick — a condition known as poor insight — they resist taking medications. According to Dr. Robert Conley, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, having an option that takes the daily focus off the need to take medication can help move patients toward recovery. “For example, we are seeing significant success with long-acting injectable medications that allow patients to think less about taking their medication and more about how they define themselves outside their illness and the goals they have for returning to their families, their jobs and their communities,” says Conley.

According to The Mental Health Research Association, with appropriate treatment, symptoms can usually be controlled, and most people with schizophrenia can lead fruitful and fulfilling lives. Treatment is believed to be most efficient when it is started early in the course of the illness.

Overall, as I’ve said previously, I desire to give hope (and help!) to those whose loved ones are suffering with such an overwhelming illness. When my mental illness first began, I was young, and my parents were constantly worried. Now that I have an effective treatment plan, and have accepted my illness, my family and I can be at peace knowing that I’m truly taken care of. I am also, most importantly, now at peace with my illness knowing I am not only taken care of, but that I am loved.

“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” - Mother Teresa

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Hope for the Future of People with Schizophrenia

Today, I want to dive a little into something that is very complex in the world of mental illness — schizophrenia. It is a complex neurological disorder that typically starts in patients who are ages 15-30 years old, but can affect young children and the elderly as well. The term schizophrenia means “split mind.” The mind is split, so to speak, between reality and delusions and/or hallucinations. There are many other symptoms that come along with schizophrenia, such as anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, just to name a few. There hasn’t ever been a known cure for schizophrenia, but doctors are getting closer. Here are some excerpts with links to their original sources that discuss progress toward finding a cure for schizophrenia:

Cures for schizophrenia have been thought of in recent decades as the ways in which people with schizophrenia obtain recovery. Recovery from schizophrenia is typically attained through the use of a combination of approaches.

The foundation of recovery from schizophrenia has been medication, specifically, antipsychotic medication.

By utilizing multiple therapies and medication, recovery from schizophrenia is possible.

Researchers are actively working on sequencing the genes that are thought to put a person at high risk of schizophrenia. In the future, treatments that are specific to a person’s genes may be available and more effective than current treatments available today. Moreover, gene therapy may one day be available to fix any malformed genes directly.

Source: https://www.healthyplace.com/thought-disorders/schizophrenia-treatment/cures-for-schizophrenia

Johns Hopkins researchers say that an experimental anti-cancer compound appears to have reversed behaviors associated with schizophrenia and restored some lost brain cell function in adolescent mice with a rodent version of the devastating mental illness.

Source: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/experimental_cancer_drug_reverses_schizophrenia_in_adolescent_mice

Over the years, certain genes and proteins have been found to play a role in the development of schizophrenia. Of particular interest is a protein called disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), which is coded by a gene of the same name.
This protein has a range of vital roles, including regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration, and nerve growth. Individuals with hereditary schizophrenia have lower levels of functioning DISC1.

A recent study, carried out at the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom, investigated a way to maintain higher levels of this protein in the body.

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/amp/318530

In the end, there will most likely have to be a complex cure for schizophrenia, since the illness itself has many aspects and is so complex.

I put this article together to try to bring comfort for those whose loved ones, or those who are simply struggling with schizophrenia itself, can be filled with true hope for the future. When I first battled with my mental illness, all I wanted was a bit of hope to keep me going. This also, though not solely, is still at least a part of my recovery journey. 

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” - Helen Keller



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Being Alone but Not Lonely

In our modern-day, constantly rushing society, we have adapted to filling the awkwardness of silence with superficiality. We look to many distractions as a means of avoiding feelings of laziness or monotony. The main thing we wish to escape, however, is loneliness. Solitude does not have to be divisive or lonely. In fact, solitude and lonesomeness are distinctly different. For one example, being alone is something that introverts are pretty comfortable with. However, everyone still has their limits.

The passing of a loved one or the lack of ability to find someone who understands you can leave you feeling alienated. Webster's Dictionary plainly describes being lonely as being without company. It is reasonable to feel an empty inner void while longing for love or to be accepted. Loneliness is therefore an emotional state that can be felt whether or not the person is physically alone.

It was Geoffrey F. Fisher who said, "In cities no one is quiet but many are lonely; in the country, people are quiet but few are lonely."

We tend to fill loneliness with all types of diversions. For example, some single women would rather spend an evening with a man they have no legitimate interest in, than spend the night alone. They seek a way to kill time while they wait for a man they are actually interested in. Then, there are young adults who are involved in circles of people where they can hardly relate to their peers. However, they would rather feel accepted on a superficial level than risk feeling unwanted. So what is the thing about being by ourselves that scares us? 

Do not be frightened by the foreignness of silence. It can be an amazing thing. Silence enlightens one on how to truly listen. It gives the opportunity to pay attention to what is going on inside of oneself. Only when we are alone can we have the capacity and serenity we need to think without being pressured by outside influences. Therefore, it becomes simpler to make crucial decisions as well as identify whatever feelings are culminating within.

Get in touch with yourself so that you can make clear-minded choices rather than simply reacting to emotions. Be grateful for the time you have to yourself. Let the serenity and understanding you find better prepare you for all the excitement of todays world.

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Eliminating Mental Health Stigma

Having a family member that is suffering a mental health disorder can be taxing at times. Depending on the severity of the disorder, many families have been broken up because of this. Sometimes, this be can be because of the lack of love or patience a family member can offer. Some just cannot face the stress, and others just cannot endure the shame.

If the people around a person with a mental health condition feel awkward, then what about what the actual person with the condition feels? Many or most of these people are too nervous or embarrassed to share their disorder with other people because they fear being mocked or judged.

Even though seeing a therapist, psychiatrist, or taking psychiatric medicine has become more common, many people still distrust a person with a mental health issue; they feel that they are too unstable and unpredictable. Fearing what they do not know, this ignorance causes more depression and loneliness to a person with a mental health disorder.

Conquering the Fear

What mental health patients desire is for them to simply be considered normal individuals. The only difference is that they may need more compassion, acceptance, and reassurance. Treat a mental health patient the same way as you would anyone. This could help him or her feel more accepted and at ease.

As they feel more understood and joyful, they increase the chance of being at the comfort of being truly integrated in society with everyone else. Also, be prepared; educate yourself about the condition that has affected your family or friend. 

For patients: try to learn about and accept your disorder. Do not be afraid of what people will think or say. Open up your about your disorder to them. If they can’t handle it at first, be patient; for some people, it just takes time to accept that their loved one has a disorder. However, don't put more stress on yourself by being around others who do not accept you because of your illness. For the time being, keep a distance from those people, and surround yourself with those who are compassionate towards you and what afflicts you. Remember that there are many people with mental health disorders; some are not just as obvious. Hold your head up high and keep the faith that one day, things in the realm of mental health will continue change for the better. 

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Beginning the Journey: Hope Beyond Anxiety

Anxiety can be a life-altering condition. It can happen without our knowledge and can change a life forever. That is not to say that the changes are for the worse. If we are actually aware early on that we are experiencing stress and anxiety, then we have a great opportunity to change things for the better. This positive change can then dominate our lives.

There are varying effects anxiety has on the human body, mind and spirit. Anxiety can often take a toll on our body. Stress and anxiety go hand in hand and both promote heart problems, respiratory problems and can cause us to age more rapidly than if we were to have a healthier, slower paced lifestyle. 

Yoga, deep tissue massages, and even routine exercising can be beneficial in reducing anxiety. All it takes is a phone call, a minute of searching the Internet, or even a chat with your physician or pastor to begin the process of healing. Once you have discovered that anxiety is indeed the culprit for what afflicts you, the road to healing awaits you.

Being in denial about anxiety is a step in the wrong direction. When you discover you have symptoms of an illness (serious or otherwise) and all physical elements are ruled out you must look long and hard at how you are living. There is part of us that most are not even aware of until our health plummets and we are forced to look more closely at how we live. 

Most of us can fully benefit by slowing everything down and easing up on what we squeeze into one day. Sometimes it is as if we have to fill each moment of everyday to the bursting point in order to feel as if we have accomplished something. Stepping back and doing nothing is a challenge. And it is challenge well worth the effort and one we must take into serious consideration. 

Slowing down is the first step to pushing out the anxiety that can easily be brought on all of us as humans. Planning a stragedy of attack on the urges and pitfalls that lead us further into the realm of anxiety is essential. The war against anxiety begins with the acknowledgement that it exists. For the longest time, I didn’t know that I had anxiety and depression, but when I was finally able to put a name to it, then things slowly started to get better from there. I was able to address my problem, seek help for for ways to solve it, and begin my journey to healing. Know this, however, that the process of healing is not a one-and-done thing. It is a long-term process that has bumps along the way. It may even be lifelong, but know this also: there can be relief. It can be better than it was. You can be happy again.  You are bigger than your fears.

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My Top Coping Skills & Tools for Anxiety and Depression

When I'm able to focus enough to remember my coping skills, I am sure to use these when I'm feeling anxiety or depression. Here are my favorite coping skills that I use that actually work for me:

Binaural Beats

Binaural beats are a wonderful way to calm down during an anxiety attack, depressive episode, or just during any kind of stressful time. They can even be used for physical pain as well. Binaural beats are just sending vibrations through sound waves to your brain. You will need headphones for it. Here are some of my favorite tracks and YouTube channels that I use to help when I’m stressed or in pain:

Headache & Migraine Relief:

https://youtu.be/5jmrIggwCXc

Anxiety & Insomnia Relief:

https://youtu.be/GOIzOHsaKUU

Anxiety Relief Binaural Beats:

https://youtu.be/1dFvc42g8CA

Relaxing Music & Binaural Beats:

https://www.youtube.com/user/sleepezytonight

Binaural Beats & Calming Sounds

https://www.youtube.com/user/AudioEntrainment

Tactile Items

Sometimes I like to ground myself when I’m having a hard time. Two of my favorite things to do are popping bubble wrap or messing with my fidget spinner. Even if I don’t have access to those things, I will try to just grab what is closest to me, wether it be the furniture I’m sitting on, or maybe even just a wall. Anything that I can touch around me will do.

Weighted Blanket (Or Ankle Weights)

One of my all-time favorite coping skills is using my weighted blanket when I’m having anxiety, especially when it gets super bad. It feels like a warm embrace. It also helps me feel grounded and secure. You can can weighted blankets here:

https://www.mosaicweightedblankets.com/?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4_iZ89Oa3QIVRbbACh19DAZTEAAYASAAEgKKbfD_BwE

https://www.mycalmblanket.com/

If you can’t afford a weighted blanket, simply try some padded ankle weights and place them wherever you feel you need them the most.

Comedy Movies and TV

When I have anxiety and feel deeply sad or stressed, sometimes I just sit myself down and watch something that makes me laugh. Some of my favorite shows are Home Improvement and The Middle. If you’re an old movie junkie like me, you might like The Great Race or Bringing Up Baby.

Snuggling with My Pet

When I’m upset and want the company of someone who doesn’t talk back, I will snuggle with my kitty. I lay close to him, pet him, and let him purr while I try to calm down. There are fewer sounds I like better than the purring of my cat. Not to mention, dogs are great snugglers too! They may not purr, but they are very loyal and sure to give you cuddles when you need it the most.

Talking with a Loved One

When I actually want to have a fulfilling conversation with someone, I will go to the people I trust most and just start talking about anything with them. It doesn’t even have to be about the stress I’m dealing with at the time — just talking with and being in he company of my loved ones can make me feel better.

I hope that my tools I use to help with my anxiety will help you too!

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