Hi Caitlyn. I’m sorry that you suffer with anxiety and panic disorder. I appreciate you sharing your experiences and the things that have helped you. I’m getting the eye drops. I’m wishing you well.
First of all, I just came across your Substack and I absolutely love it. Your writing has been inspiring me so much. Thank you for putting such honest and thoughtful work into the world.
I wanted to share something that helped me, in case it’s useful to anyone navigating extreme anxiety or panic attacks. I haven’t had a single panic attack since November, which still feels unbelievable to say, considering what the last few years have been like.
A little backstory: 3 yrs ago, I was in a traumatic car accident. Just a month later, my stepfather, who I was very close to, was diagnosed with cancer, and he passed away the following year. I’m a stay-at-home mom, and my eldest daughter has autism and moderate intellectual disability. To say I was under stress would be an understatement.
The panic attacks started shortly after the accident. At first, only in the car. But over time, they began happening everywhere: in crowds, at home, even in my sleep. I’d wake up in the middle of the night in a full-blown panic, heart racing, unable to breathe. I ended up in the ER more than once. I had every test and scan imaginable, and of course, everything came back “normal.” I also couldn’t take medication for it, so I felt really stuck.
My functional medicine doctor had been recommending vagus nerve stimulation for a long time, but I kept putting it off. I wasn’t sure it would help. But eventually, I was so desperate I decided to try it. I couldn’t even take my daughters out in public without my husband because I was afraid of having a panic attack alone.
So I got the Neurosym device (no affiliation, just a very grateful user). I now use it for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening…while I read, meditate, write, or even eat breakfast. And I haven’t had a panic attack since.
After 2 years of daily episodes, often multiple times a day, this feels like a miracle. The device isn’t cheap, but for me, it was the best investment I made last year. (I know there are other options on the market too, but this is the only one I’ve personally tried and can wholeheartedly recommend.)
I hope this helps someone out there feel a little less alone, and maybe a little more hopeful. 💛
Omg tqsm for these tips… I should be keeping these in mind.. when I get panic attack cause of phobia or something my legs stand still and I won’t be able to move at all.. I should figure something out soon for that
Thank you so much.❤️ I’ll have to sit down and think which ones to try, because if I hear about meditation and breathing techniques one more time, I’m going to sincerely lose my mind.
so so helpful. haven't had an episode in months (thankfully) but this is such a great reference. do you ever get to the point where you can't move at all? it happened in school when i was 15 and i didn't know what was going on. i think that was the first time it happened too
I’m so sorry that happened to you 😔 I can definitely relate! The last time I went to the ER I was shaking so badly they thought I was having a seizure lmao I’m glad you’ve been able to control them better
Hi Caitlyn. I’m sorry that you suffer with anxiety and panic disorder. I appreciate you sharing your experiences and the things that have helped you. I’m getting the eye drops. I’m wishing you well.
Thank you so much! I hope it helps you, too ☺️
I will be referencing this post really often. Thank you!!!
i really really hope you can find some things on here that help <3
Girl this post is great, so many great ideas that resonated with me that I'll have to try, that also aren't: "have you tried 4-7-8 breaths?"
i'm glad you can resonate with this. and yes! i can't with the breath work.. like my mind is dying how can i think about breathing patterns rn?! :(
First of all, I just came across your Substack and I absolutely love it. Your writing has been inspiring me so much. Thank you for putting such honest and thoughtful work into the world.
I wanted to share something that helped me, in case it’s useful to anyone navigating extreme anxiety or panic attacks. I haven’t had a single panic attack since November, which still feels unbelievable to say, considering what the last few years have been like.
A little backstory: 3 yrs ago, I was in a traumatic car accident. Just a month later, my stepfather, who I was very close to, was diagnosed with cancer, and he passed away the following year. I’m a stay-at-home mom, and my eldest daughter has autism and moderate intellectual disability. To say I was under stress would be an understatement.
The panic attacks started shortly after the accident. At first, only in the car. But over time, they began happening everywhere: in crowds, at home, even in my sleep. I’d wake up in the middle of the night in a full-blown panic, heart racing, unable to breathe. I ended up in the ER more than once. I had every test and scan imaginable, and of course, everything came back “normal.” I also couldn’t take medication for it, so I felt really stuck.
My functional medicine doctor had been recommending vagus nerve stimulation for a long time, but I kept putting it off. I wasn’t sure it would help. But eventually, I was so desperate I decided to try it. I couldn’t even take my daughters out in public without my husband because I was afraid of having a panic attack alone.
So I got the Neurosym device (no affiliation, just a very grateful user). I now use it for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening…while I read, meditate, write, or even eat breakfast. And I haven’t had a panic attack since.
After 2 years of daily episodes, often multiple times a day, this feels like a miracle. The device isn’t cheap, but for me, it was the best investment I made last year. (I know there are other options on the market too, but this is the only one I’ve personally tried and can wholeheartedly recommend.)
I hope this helps someone out there feel a little less alone, and maybe a little more hopeful. 💛
these are so great, thank you for compiling these !!!
Omg tqsm for these tips… I should be keeping these in mind.. when I get panic attack cause of phobia or something my legs stand still and I won’t be able to move at all.. I should figure something out soon for that
Thank you so much.❤️ I’ll have to sit down and think which ones to try, because if I hear about meditation and breathing techniques one more time, I’m going to sincerely lose my mind.
I love this post!! I needed to read this today and some of your tips have already helped me <3
The title of this post is so real. Thank you for sharing!
This is genuinely so kind of you and helpful! Thank you so much :)
so so helpful. haven't had an episode in months (thankfully) but this is such a great reference. do you ever get to the point where you can't move at all? it happened in school when i was 15 and i didn't know what was going on. i think that was the first time it happened too
I’m so sorry that happened to you 😔 I can definitely relate! The last time I went to the ER I was shaking so badly they thought I was having a seizure lmao I’m glad you’ve been able to control them better