panic attacks at work

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Does anyone else deal with this? Have you found anything that works, besides medication?

This is a relatively new thing for me; I never had anxiety problems before I started nursing school, and I don't know how to deal with them now. I had an anxiety attack that lasted the entire shift. About an hour in I started feeling that dreaded tightness and feeling like I was being strangled or held underwater or something, couldn't take more than shallow breaths which just made things worse. Trying not to cry in patients' rooms (succeeded, thank God. how embarrassing would that have been :( ) and running to the bathroom and vomiting and crying and trying to breathe but couldn't calm down because I was still on the clock and all I could think of was how every minute that I'm in here and can't get myself under control is a minute wasted that's going to count against me.

it's like once it starts, it's this tidal wave and everything that i can usually more or less deal with - nasty co-workers, overwhelmed by having to do too many things at once, mountains of charting that i feel like i'll never get through and then once i finally do there's more all over again, incessant call bells and alarms - just sets off the wave again and intensifies it and i feel like once it starts i can't get in control again.

I got home an hour ago and I still feel sick, and now exhausted from spending my entire shift in panic mode. and i have to get up and do it all over again tomorrow- which will be even faster-paced and more crowded and people will be even more ****** and short-tempered because it's Monday. kill me now.

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Specializes in pediatrics.

I am so sorry that you are going through this. There really is no shame on going on meds for awhile, it might make things much easier to deal with! Talk to your nursing friends too to unwind and try to figure out why you're feeling so anxious. Does it only happen at work?

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I am so sorry that you are going through this. There really is no shame on going on meds for awhile, it might make things much easier to deal with! Talk to your nursing friends too to unwind and try to figure out why you're feeling so anxious. Does it only happen at work?

thanks for replying. the vast majority of the time it's at work, and when it's not it's still work-related, like waking up in the middle of the night and thinking about how i have to go to work in a few hours. i've tried different practice settings, different facilities, and the facility i work for now is one of the best.

i don't want to go into detail about why i don't take medication because i don't want the thread hijacked into a debate (not saying YOU would do that! :) just in general i want to stay on topic.)

the only way i've found to deal with it so far is bury myself ass-deep in an eating disorder; somehow starving myself helps because then i don't have excess energy to have a full-blown anxiety attack. but there have to be other ways to deal with this.

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I can totally relate to you. I was always warned in nursing school that it takes 6 months to A year to feel somewhat comfortable as a nurse. I never really believed that it would take that long until I was actually hired as a nurse. I was not prepared for the intense anxiety, sleepless nights, overwhelming stress that comes with the job. I figured a little Bit might be present in the beginning but I was, and still am, amazed at how much nursing has effected my mental health. I've always had a little bit of anxiety but was able to work through it on my own up until I became a nurse. I started having panic attacks, uncontrollable crying episodes nearly everyday, was unable to sleep, and even started throwing up I would get so upset. It got to the point where I hated going to work because I knew everything and anything that went on that shift, I would panic about later until I'd call the nurse manager (that knew my situation) and he would reassure me. I tried talking to my boyfriend and family and friends but nobody was in the same boat as I was so it was hard for anyone to relate and understand what I was going through. It was truly devastating and I felt extremely self conscious that I could barely get through an entire day without crying. That's when I started visiting this site-it helped reading other peoples stories, knowing they were feeling the same way. I was totally against taking medication as you are an started seeing a therapist after being referred by my primary. Eventually I needed more help. I was sick of living each day hating my life. Medication was the only option I hadn't tried and after much thought, research, talking with others, an persuasion I decided anything was worth a shot. I'm still on it and can say that it has helped tremendously but I know it's not for everyone. I hope to learn new coping skills and be able to control my anxiety on my own soon but for now, this was what I felt was my only option and I'm glad I gave in. I can actually smile and enjoy myself now. Work is still stressful but I am better at leaving work at work and being able to enjoy my days off. I would recommend talking to people, reading these blogs, and keep reminding yourself that you're not alone. I wish you the very best, I know just how hard it is.

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the only way I've found to deal with it so far is bury myself ass-deep in an eating disorder; somehow starving myself helps because then i don't have excess energy to have a full-blown anxiety attack. but there have to be other ways to deal with this.

There are better ways to deal with this, and starving yourself is not one of them... and you know that.

Have you considered seeking counseling?

I've gotten counseling through our Employee Assistance Program when I was going through troubles of my own.

It was very helpful.

Could this be something you can do?

Yes, I'll even toss out exercise, meditation and all that other jazz-- because it can help, but you probably need a counselor if your coping mechanism is starvation.

Please, get help and take care.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I'm sorry you're having panic attacks. You've received some good advice. I can't add anything better. I'd just like to let you know you're not alone.

I avoid medical intervention of all kinds. However, after one panic attack at work, I sought counseling and started meds. Just one. I couldn't bear the thought of the second one.

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Specializes in PACU, presurgical testing.

As one who has had panic attacks (after the death of my mom), I've found that they aren't as uncommon as I thought, especially among nurses. We work in a complex, challenging profession, and especially when we are new (are you? perhaps I'm assuming incorrectly), that mountain of challenges you mentioned can spin us out of control. It takes time for the overwhelming nature of the job to subside. There is no substitute for time and practice.

In the meantime, compromising your physical health by undereating is going to deplete your reserves and make it even harder for you to cope. Some of my worst workplace stress showed up on mornings after I had not slept or eaten well the previous night. Please take care of yourself. You don't have to use meds, but you need to find a healthy way to cope while you get your feet under you. It will happen eventually, and that list of stressors will seem commonplace!

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Wow, after reading this, I felt like I was reading my own post! I started getting panic attacks in college and went to just about every specialist you can think of because I did not know what it was. After getting it under control through therapy and some, not so harsh medication, I thought I had it conquered. I have come from the corporate world, and just now have gotten my first job at a hospital (I never thought I would go back to school, but something always dragged me back to nursing) and I find that I am getting panic attacks more and more. Hands down, Nursing is a VERY difficult job. Yes, all jobs are difficult, which is why they are called jobs. Being a nurse doesn’t just mean you are physically burnt out from being on your feet for over 12 hours with barely enough time to pee, but it is emotionally and mentally challenging. This is not a job that the everyday person can do. What I started doing, when I felt a panic attack come on was taking a 'time out', which is literally a minute, but it helps. I gather my thoughts and realize that a lot of the panic attacks are because of my wandering mind. It’s not easy, but you literally have to train your mind. The truth is you just need to begin by disciplining your mind. Don’t let it run all over town, thinking negative thoughts. And if you have panic attacks from stress, nursing is one job that will make or break you. Don't let it break you!!! You are a nurse for a reason and many people want to be in our position. They hate the corporate world (I used to sell natural gas and place CEO's in Accounting departments, done just about everything, but the grass is always greener). Most/All of it is in your head!! You start getting short of breathe, feeling completely overwhelmed and incompetent and how much you have to do, yet feel there is no way you can get it done. You are pulled in a million directions and dealing with people's lives. Most people would have panic attacks doing our job for 15 minutes! When you feel them coming on, simply step out for a breath of air (yes, it is hard to get away from anyone, but I always say I need to use the restroom) and just think about the situation. The human mind likes logic and order and reason. It likes to deal with what it understands and can control. Feeling out of control leads to fear and worry, which then leads to anxiety, which creates this vicious cycle. Changing your thoughts will change your behavior.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Neuro-trauma.

This is me right now. I've had my fair share of issues my whole life with Anxiety and depression, well since high school anyway. I went through the loss of a pretty serious relationship and my mom all in 3 days and started to really lose myself. I was work 90 hours easy at times so I wouldn't have to be alone which took it's toll on me pretty hard. I have suffered from bulimia since middle school and it resurfaced due to everything going on. I got help and it seemed to go away for awhile. I just got taken from work by ambulance due to what ended up being a MAJOR panic attack because I, along with my coworkers, were convinced it was something else (I have known heart issues) and ever since then I've been terrified at work to have another. I haven't been wanting to go, but I do, yet when I'm there I'm so detached and lost in my head that it's not a good place. But I'm learning to talk myself down at the first signs, I've learned my triggers or at least some of them. I keep reminding myself that it's just anxiety and it'll all pass shortly. The more you tend to dwell on it, the more severe it gets. Try to find distractions, allow yourself to get busy. It usually works for me :)

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I've never had a panic attack but I do have IBS. It's gotten a lot better now that I am older but when it was at its worst I learned this..Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) - Emotional Health It's called "Tapping". I know you might think it sounds a little crazy but I figure its better than nothing and you can do it in the bathroom without anyone knowing :) The method I used also had me acknowledge my stress level (0-10) by repeating, " I accept myself at the stress level of __" over and over while tapping...as I switched spots, I would assign a lower and lower number as my stress reduced (until I felt I had reached a number I could cope with). Ok, now I KNOW I'm sounding crazy lol It couldn't hurt to try! Hope ou are feeling better soon :)

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