Anxiety / Panic Attacks anyone else?

[Davidglen77]

I had kind of a roller coaster week this past week. I had interviewed with one company 3 times, and on Friday which was what I thought would be the last interview, they told me I was a strong candidate, but that they would make a decision after their vacation - at the end of November. Half of my english classes (that I am giving to earn money) were cancelled. And - my TV broke, it just stopped working, but I do have another one, no big deal I hardly watch TV. This weekend was quiet, yesterday I gave classes in the morning, and then took a long walk around the city. My partner went out of town to see his family, and today I went to San Telmo and I danced in the murgas (street percussion band). That really made me feel good. Physical activity is a great preventative measure against depression and anxiety. I am going to sleep tonight with my head up and huge smile on my face

 

[tangueraintrepida]

George, As you can see from the posts, you are not alone. I have also experienced anxiety and depression off and on over the years too, particularly during times of high stress (getting divored, business failing, house in foreclosure, etc.). It seems very easy to just say, "Forget about it, this too will pass, etc." but it's much hard turn our brains off, isn't it?

Most recently in September, just after moving here, I had about 2 weeks of not wanting to get out of bed, or leave our apartment. I was riddled with doubts, depression and negative thoughts. I keep an anti-anxiety medication on hand for the extreme anxiety attacks, and I also found that when I am depressed, a small amount of caffeine in the morning helps my mood. (I don't normally drink any caffeine, so the small amount I drink gives me a boost.)

I have found that your idea of getting out of the house works best for me too. Positive energy promotes more positive energy and can definitely lift the spirits for the long term. I forced myself to start getting out of the house for at least an hour everyday and that has helped considerably. Haven't used my medication or caffeine for over a month. When I go for my "wanders" as I have started calling them, I specifically seek out things that will lift my mood. I marvel at odd advertisements (like photos of ham lasagne) and quirky Argentine customs and goings on. I look for kindnesses of strangers (like people paying bus fares for others). I hang out with the cats in the parks that amuse me considerably since I miss my own pets terribly. I find something in my neighborhood that I didn't know was there before like a rooftop park or an empanada shop I hadn't tried yet. I don't let myself head for home until I feel better than when I left. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Nounou]

So sorry to hear what has happened.

Can't say that I've experienced this, and I am by no means an expert, but I work with clients who do. As previous posters have advised it's vital that you take good care of yourself, diet, excercise etc, and be aware of your triggers, anything that sets you off! George, it sounds to me that social isolation could be a reason for yours. Try a gym, better still maybe someone here who's local can meet up with you for a coffee. Chatting is a great way to de-stress, face to face, on line is no substitute for a real person Give it a go, and good luck mate

 

[citygirl]

You are living in a high stress city, in highly stressful times and as an expat which under the best of circumstances is stressful. And it sounds like you aren't here with a strong local support network which makes all of the above even more hard to handle.

1) Give yourself credit for all the amazing things you have already accomplished in just getting here. Sometimes taking a step back and realizing all that you have already overcome and done can help relieve a little bit of the anxiety about the future.

2) Exercise, exercise, exercise. It's a great way to burn off built up stress, tire yourself mentally and give yourself a new activity. Buy a bike and hit the streets - you'll see more of Buenos Aires than most people (but be careful and wear a helmet!). Join a gym and make gym friends.

3) Cut out all the crap from your diet that you can. I'm not one of those evangelicals preaching about the evils of: caffeine/sugar/whatever but a healthy diet will help you in the long run

4) Start getting out there and doing things. Reading between the lines of your posts, it sounds like feeling isolated in a big issue. Take Spanish classes. Take tango classes - or go to milongas for free. Go to Spanglish and start practicing your Spanish - it's a great way to meet people. Taking up a hobby is a GREAT way to meet people. There are running/cycling/knitting/painting/whatever clubs - you have approximately 182838399339 options to choose from here. Any of them are a great place to start (or more than one).

I moved here from NYC and at first, it wasn't the easiest for me. I was coming from a city/life where I had 100 people I could pick up the phone and call and a circle of friends that were (and are) amazing. I hadn't had to "make new friends" in forever and the idea of it was daunting. But I knew exactly 1 person when I moved here so it was something I had to force myself to do. So I had a policy that first year of going to any activity I could, going out on "friend dates" as much as possible and once I got over feeling awkward, I found I had a blast and met fantastic people from all over the world.

Esp if you're not here for a lifetime, make friends with expats as well as locals. Sometimes its fun to go out and share a beer with someone who shares your bewilderment about things here. But do things with locals as well - it's important to not stay in the expat bubble (something I learned a little later than I should have).

Anyway, long post but wanted to say many of us have been there when it comes to feeling stressed and overwhelmed, whether or not we had panic attacks. There are lots of little things to do to make life better here and you'll find that they start to multiply and sooner rather than later, you'll be having more things to do than you could possibly handle in a lifetime. Good luck!

 

[arlean]

Hi, I'm not prone to depression/anxiety (though it can happen), I am aware and if I sense anything bothering me I get my thoughts on something more positive, also exercise and being busy with a purpose. I know SO many people who are depressed. As someone else said here, you're far from alone.

But I did hear Dr. Russell Blaylock (brain specialist--I always catch him when I can) say that niacin is good for mental/emotional outlook and function and recommended 3,000 mg a day (for people who need it, not as a daily dose for everyone). I don't know if you can get that here but I'd sure try it. Also, for Heaven's sake avoid sugar. A lot of people don't realize that sugar contributes to stress. I really hope you can find a solution that works for you. And when you do, pass it along. Lots of people will be grateful!

 

[snowboarder]

DO NOT TAKE BENZODIAZEPAM based drugs for more than 4-6 weeks. Anti anxiety drugs like Rivotril/Clonazepam and all other related drugs are very very addictive and YOU WILL SUFFER HORRORS when you stop taking them. Argentine doctors will drug you (and others but here there is a major problem here everybody is on tranquilizers) and you will be sorry. Even if you very slowly withdraw your are looking at MAJOR ANXIETY and DEPRESSION that will be MUCH WORSE than what your experiencing now. Learn how to breathe and relax. Drink more water, eat more fruit and vegetables, meditate, breathe deep dount 10 let the bad go on it's way, do yoga and exercise daily. Search the web and study modern positive pyschology. SAVE YOUR ASS before it is too late.