Yesterday I was on the edge of a panic attack. I don't usually have panic attacks, just general long term anxiety. But yesterday it started snowing and the snow kept piling up and up. When it snows here the power frequently goes out and I'm left alone in the forest in the dark and the cold. It freaks me out. So as it snowed and snowed, I paid my bills, did the laundry, took a turn on my eliptical and took a shower but the panic kept getting worse. I didn't know what to do. So I logged on to this cite and found the chat room but no one was there. Then someone, I think "MightSurvive" came in. I was so messed up I can't even remember for sure who it was. But it was a she. She told me to breath and passed some time talking to me and kept telling me to breath and after a little while I felt much better.

I would just like to thank "Might Survive" or whom ever it was who helped me. I actually cried a little because there was someone there and it helped.

Thanks for caring.

Notsohappybooker

Hiya Notsohappybooker

You are so welcome sweetie. No need to thank me really, just happy i could help and that i have actually made a difference to someone. Thats what this site is for. For us to help ourselves and to help others. Its nice to know that im capable of giving help as well as receiving it.

Maybe now you have a technique that will help you to get through future panic attacks. I was just passing on help that i have been given myself in the past from a friend - I'll let her know that the help she gave me is now helping others. There are lots of other coping strategies too.

There was a book i read that helped me to understand and deal with my panic attacks. Hopefully you will find it a worthwhile read too. Its called "Coping Successfully with Panic Attacks (Overcoming Common Problems)" by Shrley Trickett.

Please know that i will do my best to help both you and others whenever i can. Please feel free to contact me anytime. I'm glad that you now know that you are not alone. Youre never alone. Even though it seems like it sometimes.

Take good care of yourself

I have a constant "what if" ritual. What if when I go to the store I get attacked, so I bring a knife. What if someone else is driving and there is an accident, I prepare my body to do what it needs to do to remain safe, also on motorcycles.
What if the power went out due to snow, can you make a fire? Is there candles available to light so its not dark. Can you sit by the window and enjoy the snow if the electric does go off? the what if game for me helps alot, I may do it way to often, but the other side of it is, what's the worst thing that can happen, I die. Is this realistic? No. Can I overcome the dilemma? Yes. Am I self sufficient enough to get by? yes.
hope it helps

Since I'm a librarian I might be able to locate a copy of Coping Successfully with Panic Attacks but becasue it is a UK publication it may not be available here in the U.S. I have already purchased some of the titles Anthony has listed as a sticky on top of many of the forums for our library. No one where I work knows of my problem so I can't go too overboard in getting titles about PTSD, anxiety etc.

I kind of do "What If". I have plenty of candles and I light a fire at the first sign of snow. I have water for drinking and flushing stored. (I have a well so when my power goes out I lose my water also.) Last summer I got a car that drives better in the snow (a Subaru) my old car was horrible in bad weather and I couldn't even get out of my driveway when there was only a few inches of snow.

In the past I used to love the snow. I saw the beauty and silence as a treat since it usually doesn't snow often where I live. This year is an exception. We've had snow off and on since just after Christmas. Now I see any sign of bad weather as a threat.

I have gone so far with the "What If" to think "could I die?" and of course it is not realistic and it does help a little.

Interestingly, typing this post has helped me more than most anything else I've tried. I have lurked around this site for awhile and have been reluctant to post. Maybe I will write more often.

Thanks for listening
Notsohappybooker

Hiya

I'm so glad to hear that this post has helped you. Theres lots of us out there to help and over advice when you are not in a good way and lots of positive stories too. Keep posting whenever you can.

Take care