Advice Please New to Anxiety

Garp1965 · 11-01-2009, 06:45 PM

Hi Everyone, I'm a 44 year old male, married with two little boys and a lovely wife, with a good job.
I'm very over weight and through my job and life style dont get much excercise.
My Anxiety attacks usually start with a shortening of breath and the feeling that I'm not taking enough air into my lungs, I get scared - very afraid of having a heart attack, I'm restless and once awoken by one of these attacks, I have huge problems going back to sleep. I shout at the kids, I'm moody with my wife.......it goes on and on.

I drink quite heavily at the weekends only and these attack seem to roughly coincide with my drinking.. Usually coming on around Sunday/Monday or Tuesday nights.

This is really starting to effect my whole life as well as my families - I'd love some straight talking advice PLEASE
Thank you, Garp1965

petfinder · 11-01-2009, 10:20 PM

It is said that often people that have anxiety will resort to drinking excessively as a temporary calm. However, it has the opposite affect. Often leading to anxiety attacks or panic attacks. A doctor trained in this area of anxiety disorders could help. Also, biofeedback was wonderful for me. You have to be willing to try these and use them when anxiety begins to rear its head. It helps me as does an antianxiety med and lexapro now. Very low dose, but with absolutely no liquer.

Good luck.

dianajune · 11-02-2009, 12:07 AM

I have severe anxiety problems too, which have caused a range of physical symptoms, including breathing problems (and I have asthma), stomach upset inc. IBS, false alarms with my heart, etc. I would suggest that you see a doctor as soon as possible to help not only with your anxiety, but also with the alcohol.

Another thing you should have checked out is whether or not you have sleep apnea, which can have an impact on a number of issues, including quality of sleep and breathing. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago and use a c-pap machine at night. I'm very overweight as well, and I find that I sleep better when I use this machine.

Speaking with clergy could help as well. Please keep us posted on how you're doing. There's strength in numbers!