Anxiety

Sorry for the late reply, over a month! I too have an anxiety disorder and suffer panic attacks. They truly are awful- I feel very sick, sweaty, dizzy, hyperventilate and simply cannot cope unless I run away pretty much- I avoided many things before I got therapy and got help to cope. Now my life is back to Normal!

There really is no alternative to therapy. My therapist helped me find the causes of my panic (in my case I feel trapped and unable to escape) and how to cope (eg know where the exits to a Room are, have an excuse if I need to leave in a hurry, sit at the back of the room to avoid embarrassment if I need to step out- near the door). Knowing what caused the panic and having strategies to cope when the symptoms overwhelm really helped me not panic in the first place- because I knew what plan to enact if I did panic!

I'm also on an antidepressant which is very effective in balancing out the chemicals in my brain, and it just makes everything easier to deal with- my panic is far far better controlled. Rather than being completely overwhelming to the point that I avoid the things that trigger in (in your case you can't avoid nurse school and you shouldn't! You need to go to school if you want your qualification)- instead my anxiety is very controllable. As long as my coping mechanisms are in place- the ones that my therapist helped me to figure out were the right things for me- rather then some generic crap off the internet- then my anxiety is not a problem.

its now just a back thought in my head- like when I go to a place that triggers my panic attacks, I'll automatically enact my strategies- I look at where the exits are, place myself somewhere in the room I feel safe and able to leave, and then I can actually settle and relax. When I feel the panic coming on I enact my strategy, step out to a bathroom to do some deep breathing and relaxing then come back.

if all else fails I go and talk to my therapist, tell her what overwhelmed me and why my strategies failed or what it was that triggered it and we work through what happened and figure out a way to prevent that panic reaction in that situation again.

I suffer with panic attacks and they are one of the scariest things that can happen.

I'm taking 40mg prozac and it takes the edge of a bit.

I just have anxiety; nothing as severe as panic attacks, but I find if I run a minimum of 30 minutes 3-4 times a week, it almost eliminates it. Probably not what you're looking for, but it helps me. :-)

Frequent regular exercise has been keeping mine at bay for two years. Starting nursing school exacerbated my anxiety attacks to the point of needing meds...I've had almost complete elimination of my symptoms since I started working out regularly. Sometimes I lift, sometimes I walk, and as of late I've started riding a bike again. 15 minutes on a bike, wind in the hair, just resets my brain and well-being and I'm ready to face the world again.

Seconding therapy. I found that being able to have a one hour block to talk to my therapist very constructive.

Your anxiety has nothing to do with nursing school per say. It has to do with your thoughts ABOUT nursing school. Any job can be stressful and people burn out even working behind a desk...Changing your thoughts, changes your emotions, changes your experience.

Meditation and exercise help as well...

I started getting anxiety attacks after working my first nursing job, as the anxiety at work increased. It was after a mistake at work... once I got home. I see a therapist and much better now. I wouldn't try the techniques by yourself. Having a weekly appointment to have someone walk you through your anxieties can do wonders. Plus the stress will continue past school and into your first job so you might as well seek professional help now. I pay cash without using my insurance for a price that I discussed with this Dr that I had found... and it is very well worth the money!

Exercise, Valerian root, Passion Flower, and Bachs rescue remedy help with mild anxiety. As well as talking to someone about your causes. Professional help and meds if needed