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what does an anxiety attack feel like? I think I'm on the verge of one but cant tell. I've been drinking to cope with my stress so I'm not sure if the depression is adding to the problem. Until now i havent really thought I had a drinking problem. I have a few when I get home from work to relax after a stressful day but now I think that I'm overdoing it a bit. I had asked my doctor for maybe some medication for my stress due to work but she advised against it. I'm not really sure what to do. I feel a bit like my head is going to explode.......

I've heard it's like a heart attack. One of my friends had one in highschool and disappeared for a week from school.

You might try to take a vacation or something to take your mind off your worries. Relaxing things like fishing with friends and a 12 pack might help.

It 100% feels like a heart attach. You get wicked chest pains, you might feel dizzy, out of place.....

They suck! You will think you are dying. I had them in high school. I actually blacked out from one. Woke up in the hospital. Then they told me I was a diabetic and had an ulcer to boot. Sucks because I was only 17.

For starters don't get all worked up over single and dual voice coil subs. Just kidding man. I hope you are in good health.

I've had small ones in the recent years due to money issues making me think I couldn't save my car (I won't lose another Subaru wagon if I can help it) and the inability to take out stress on someone else or through sex like the old days brought them on. Anyway, I had three. Two while driving, but all times my heart raced, I hyperventilated and got real dizzy, but never passed out. Trying to slow my breathing to bring my heart rate down didn't make a difference, but I think telling myself I was a pussy while having them may have prevented them from getting worse. Never really had any bad chest pains, though the worst one felt a little like minor heart burn. I'm damn glad I have money now.

Steve

I've never had a anxiety attack but from what I understand they're pretty intense. I'm not much help there I'm afraid.

I've been pretty stressed lately too and sometimes it gets old, the same routines and the same problems, but there are plenty of good things. Keeping a sense of humor makes a big difference, granted not always easy. One of my friends likes to say 'Everything is alright in the end, so if it's not alright it's not the end'.

And for what it's worth, I've seen several close friends go lots of struggles due to anti-depressents/anxiety. I'd highly suggest finding another way of relieving your stress first.

Just breathe deep and repeat 'Subaru...Subaru...' .

My problem was that I kept all my stress locked up inside. You need to get it out. Talking doesn't do shit. You need to do something that will let you relax but yet get those agressions out.

Got a baseball bat? Got a mattress? GO for it!

Got a punching bag? hit that bitch!

Got a hammer? Got some piece of something that you would love to distroy....there you go.

Who is your favorite band? Pop their CD in and go for a ride.


Go someplace alone (unless you like to scare people) and let out a giant yell...curse....make strange noises at the top of your lungs.


It all helps. I knjow it seems a bit physical and violent and it is. But it's not hurting anyone and it helps.

Sometimes when I feel like shit I will grab one or both of my kids and squeeze them tight and tell them how much I love them. At that point I know what keeps me on this planet and it's like my stress just melts away.

If all of that doesn't work...I take a little pill...or 2.

Get a cat. Pet it. Works wonders.

Honest.

+1 for hitting things designed to be hit
+1 for going on a solo drive to nowhere in particular

We forgot violent video games as an alternative when you can't hit anything and you can't go anywhere. Tekken... GTA... GT... so many entertaining titles.

also +1 for a little pill if that don't work

Yeah, I used to get them all the time during high school. I still do to an extent, but not nearly as often as I did then. Didn't realize that it was that common a thing though.

Thanks for all your input in an effort to self diagnose myself. I dont think I'm having anxiety attacks after all now after reading how bad it can be. After taking a few alchohol dependancy online exams last night I think I may just have a drinking problem. Well I think the drinking is a form to try to cope with the stress so I think its a second problem caused by the first. I guess I need to try to cope with my problems and not drink so much.