Anxiety 101?

[gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN]

For to those of you who know me, you know I have been thru Heck over the last couple years. Well, I have reached the wonderful place where I am now having major anxiety attacks at the thought of going to work. I have tried all my release strategies to no avail. I am looking for a new counselor (as my old one retired a few years ago). But, in the mean time I have to continue working. Any advice?

[AgentBeast, BSN, RN]

Avoid self medicating.

Some form of self administered cognitive behavioral therapy may help until you are able to speak to someone trained in either clinical psychology, or psychiatry. Preferably sooner rather than later.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

See your primary care doc. Get some relief, best to not wait too long. The longer you wait the more learned the response becomes, the harder to break once in therapy. IMHO> what ever it takes to keep you on the job

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

caution: do not self medicate with pills or alcohol, etc. Only compounds the problem

[roser13, ASN, RN]

caution: do not self medicate with pills or alcohol, etc. Only compounds the problem

I hope that you're not referring to prescribed anti-anxiety medications as "self-medicating." Speaking purely from personal experience, prescribed anti-anxiety meds can save a life, a career and one's self-esteem.

Please do not hesitate to see your primary care provider in the interim and accept temporary (or not, as the case may be) prescriptions.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

When you know that you will be going to work, wake up extra early so that you have time to eat and to just relax with a cup of coffee in the early morning when things are quiet and calm. Go over what you expect from yourself during the day, making sure that your goals are small so that you will have a sense of accomplishment. Get to work early so that you will not feel the anxiety of starting your day behind the 8 ball.

If you feel an anxiety attack coming on, focus only on what you are doing: "I am writing my nursing notes. I am knocking on the door to my patient's room. I am reading my MAR, etc." It sounds elementary, but when you are feeling really out of control, if you "talk" to yourself when completing tasks, it MAKES you focus, and you will learn to ignore the static in your head. I was diagnosed with OCD and I had to learn this, and let me tell you, it made a huge difference. Tasks tend to pacify you when you are feeling anxiety.

I don't know what you have been through, but I gather you really got put through the ringer. Just remember to take each task as it comes and don't feel badly about asking for help from your co-workers. They will understand.

It is very important-I will even go so far as to say it is KEY-that you are your own cheerleader. Do NOT let negative thoughts into your head, because it will snowball and you will become paralyzed with anxiety. To combat negative thoughts, give yourself a pep talk and if you are starting to feel the negative thoughts enter your head, stop what you are doing. Think of an electrifying moment in your life where you were SOOO happy. I am a big NFL fan, and I imagined what I felt when my team won the Superbowl. Think of your favorite song. Music is one of the most emotionally powerful tools that we have. Sing this song to yourself. Your spirits will automatically lift. Continue with the positive energy.

Break down your day into steps so that you are not looking at this overwhelming shift that you have to get through. Check off the goals that you have set for yourself. This matters. It will help you tremendously and you will gain MORE strength from achieving these goals.

I can empathize with your situation. I also know that you CAN do this. I am pulling for you!

[gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN]

Thank You All for your advice. I lucked out and found a therapist who just happened to have a call out for today. He will be contacting my PCP and teaching me some new relaxasion techniques. I would never self med. I don't drink and seen too much damage done from drugs. I'd rather get help for this than attempt it on my own. But TY for your concern, I can see how some might go that root.

[AgentBeast, BSN, RN]

I hope that you're not referring to prescribed anti-anxiety medications as "self-medicating." Speaking purely from personal experience, prescribed anti-anxiety meds can save a life, a career and one's self-esteem.

Please do not hesitate to see your primary care provider in the interim and accept temporary (or not, as the case may be) prescriptions.

Self Medicating refers to drinking copious amounts of alcohol.