|
Post by gerald on May 31, 2017 11:17:11 GMT -5
Managing Anxiety It is no secret that anxiety goes hand in hand with COPD as symptoms worsen. Once the shortness of breath, or dyspnea, becomes severe enough to cause fear, dealing with anxiety may not be far behind. It is not something that anyone wants in his/her life, but sometimes it is just the reality of the situation. The Circle of AnxietyThe hard part of anxiety is breaking the circle. Let’s say that you have an episode of shortness of breath. Then you have a fear of not being able to breathe, all while you are trying to catch your breath. This creates physical anxiety symptoms. These panic attacks can include symptoms that work directly against your efforts to calm down and breathe. They might include: weakness, dizziness, chest pain, nausea, a pounding or racing heart, or breathing problems.1 Did you see that? Breathing problems… Well that’s why you feel the panic in the first place, isn’t it? It is this circle that needs to be broken, and as your COPD worsens, you will need to find a way that works for you to control it. The big question is: how do you avoid panic when you’re dealing with severe COPD?I think that the real answer is that avoiding it completely is extremely difficult. However, you can learn to manage it. It is difficult, but you must learn to take control of your fear as much as possible so that you can get your breathing under control. Here are a few ways to manage the anxiety. Talk to your doctor. You may be thinking, “Where are the steps to teach me how to control this on my own?” Well, there are a few suggestions coming up, but I would be leaving out one of your biggest allies if I left your doctor out of this very delicate situation. There are things going on in your body, caused by anxiety, that your doctor needs to know about. Think about this. If the anxiety is causing more shortness of breath, wouldn’t it stand to reason that your doctor may be able to help you alleviate the anxiety, and in turn, help you to breathe a little better? I know that there is a stigma associated with the medications for anxiety, but if they can help you, now is the time to talk to your doctor. Learn to think differently. You may need to be reminded during severe dyspnea that it will pass. The vast majority of the time, your circle of anxiety and shortness of breath makes the situation much worse. Don’t let your mind take over and drag you deeper into fear. Instead you need to take control of your mind and see yourself breathing. Maybe seeing yourself breathe the way you used to is too much of a stretch. If that is the case, fix your mind on the best breathing day you’ve had recently and make that your goal. Help your caregiver understand the importance of remaining calm. The atmosphere of a room can change the situation. If the room is overly stressful, your anxiety will only increase. While you are dealing with severe shortness of breath, there needs to be complete calm in the room. If hearing the sound of the ocean, birds chirping or your favorite song brings you peace, your caregiver needs to know. Empower your caregiver with the ability to help you by communicating with him/her ahead of time about your needs. Anxiety is nothing to ignore…especially as you are dealing with chronic illness. With the type of shortness of breath that you experience, it is completely understandable that fear would be a big part of your life. However, it is not a free pass to quit or a time for you to hide what you are going through. You need to know that you are not alone in this. Talk with your doctor and talk with your loved ones. They want to understand you, and it will take your words to make that happen. copd.net/living/managing-anxiety/
|
|
|
Post by ken on Jun 2, 2017 15:06:31 GMT -5
Thanks for posting this Gerald as I have had a few anxiety attacks. They are exhausting.
|
|
|
Post by gnott on Jun 2, 2017 18:35:32 GMT -5
The part about talking to your doctor is necessary, but make sure it is a “Pulmonologist” or someone else familiar with the role of Anxiety in COPD, and first attempt to gauge their opinion, their view, and interest in helping to make sure they actually are familiar. If you get the slightest hint they may not be – SHUT UP. {Go someplace or someone else}
NEVER attempt to talk about anxiety with anyone else – including but not limited to respiratory therapists, APNs, cardio, ENT, etc. Except perhaps in general terms. If the subject comes up - put out noncommittal feelers and attempt to gauge the interviewer’s opinion on the subject. Unless you sense real understanding on their part – SHUT UP. Unfortunately, not only is “there is a stigma associated with the medications for anxiety”, but there is also a general stigma against anyone who suffers from anxiety as well. You can get classified as a “nut case” before you can say “Danger, Will Robinson” – and anything that gets written on a form or placed in a computer is absolute Gospel to everyone that reads it from then on – NO MATTER what you may attempt to do or say later “to set the record straight”.
|
|
|
Post by lavishgail on Jun 21, 2017 12:49:15 GMT -5
Awesome point Gnott!
|
|
|
Post by mary57 on Jun 23, 2017 17:27:42 GMT -5
Good things to know about anxiety and COPD, fear is our worst enemy. Sadly, Gnout has a true and valid point about our/ anyone's comments being written down and coming back to bite us later. A label is easy to get and near impossible to get rid of.
|
|
|
Post by lavishgail on Jun 24, 2017 11:54:16 GMT -5
Just reading this gives my panic, only because I really have it bad, P.T.S.D, is not a man's problem anymore, women have it too, as I know. So it's too hard for me to think about waterfalls and rainbows when in full blown panic and anxiety. I've tried but my mind over matter gives in every time no matter what. Especially if I'm sob and beat red faced I get worse, one time in a store I couldn't catch my breath, I looked for a bench to sit, I almost passed out, found one up at the drug store part of Wal-Mart. I cried like a baby and called Bob to come get me, but then what about my car, and it went from their from worse to worse. Not one person helped me as they just stared at me horrified. I got worse. I hate them and hate talking about it period. Bob talked so kind to me I was able to get out of the store to my car and just balled my eyes out. Trying to breath. After I calmed down I was ok. Thank God I have Klonopins to get me through a day when I'm this bad. But gnott, you have said it right. I understand. I also remember my doctor telling me that sometimes I'm able to breathe but it's my post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety that gets the best of me that's why I can't breathe while this is happening.
Gerald thank you so much for putting this up because it really has helped me to understand my situation. Love Gail.
|
|