This isn't a diary, but something that I struggle with, and a lot of people that are close to me do, too. Sometimes in our lives we might feel stressed or anxious about things we can and cannot control. This can be school, work, health or really anything. What happens when these things pile on top, or if something you can't control suddenly happens? Your emotions can be all over the place and you suddenly feel out of your zone. With this you might experience some form of anxiety, also known as an anxiety attack.
SEE ALSO: A Short Account Of Living With Depression And Anxiety
What the term "anxiety attack" means:
Anxiety attack: "A combination of physical and mental symptoms that are intense and overwhelming. More than just a regular nervousness. Immense, impending doom that makes people feel like they are about to die or everything around them is breaking down." (Calm Clinic)
If you feel as though some of this definition does not match what happens when you have an anxiety attack, that doesn't mean you're not experiencing one. I personally feel that everyone has different things that happen to them when experiencing anxiety. Some people might feel the slightest to the most extreme of emotions. Not all anxiety attacks are out of control.
Some people might experience feeling faint, blackouts, feeling of helplessness or embarrassment before, during or when it happens. You might also experience heavy breathing and an extremely fast heart beat.
According to Medical Daily, "Anxiety attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack of even dying."
I feel like everything is falling apart. One minute I think I feel OK, and the next I don't. At school I feel OK leaving the house or my apartment to go to class, and other days I skip because I feel anxious just going outside. It's not because I don't want to hang out with people, or not go to class. I just can't. It's hard for my friends to understand. It's something I can't let go of. I will lay in bed for hours because my anxiety takes control.
What happens to your brain?
The amygdala, which is known for the emotional behavior part of the brain mostly recognized as aggression or fear, is stimulated or "triggered" during the attack and results in the heaving breathing or fast heart beat. (Medical Daily)
Things that you can do to help.
I'm most certainly not a doctor, so please take this advice with a grain of salt... or more if you want.
This list is endless, but a few simple things I've tried: meditating, cleaning, reading and sleeping.
What about your friends/family?
If someone you care about suffers from anxiety attacks, or any kind of uneasy feelings, the most helpful and only advice I can give you is to be there for them. That sounds super typical, but there is nothing more helpful than having someone by your side, even if they have no idea what is going on. You shouldn't expect them to know every single detail, but if they even care about your existence, they should always be there for you.
I hope whoever took the time to read this found it somewhat helpful. I'm not a doctor, but maybe someday.
