Of course it was where I left it 
On top of my head, hehe. Physically at least it was. My mind was in a few different dimensions while I was posting that.
Anyway, I did what I thought I “SHOULD” do instead of what I wanted to do. I told my husband “let’s go”. And we went to Red Rock Canyon and had a blast. I took many photos, it was tough terrain, so the climbing/walking up and down was exhausting, I was out of breath. But it helped with all the energy I had.
The desk is still a mess, and I did not check my e-mail or Facebook blog. And the world didn’t end I will get to the desk tomorrow, and catch up on emails and facebook after this post. BUT I am just going to take glances, because I want to start editing some of the photos I took.
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Oh, and I wanted to bring up something that my therapist brought up, that I thought was pretty cool. Seeing it from a different point of view (that is something I DO enjoy when going to a therapist, they help me “see” things that I already know, but in a different way).
Anyway, we briefly discussed anxiety/panic attacks. And he said something of the sort, I am not quoting word for word because I do not remember. He said that people pay to have panic attacks. That got me curious. Then he said, you know those rides on top of the Stratosphere Hotel, they pay for “that feeling”. To have it for a few moments. But when they get off the ride, what happens? They return no ‘normal’. The adrenaline and everything else comes down. He said that our bodies cannot differentiate the stress from an amusement park ride, than when we are actually having a panic attack. The body reacts the same. He also threw in when we watch scary and action movies for good measure I guess. You know, you get stressed for the people in the movie. Our bodies are naturally reacting to the stimulus we are creating/giving it. Maybe next time you find you are getting anxious and are going to have a panic attack, think of yourself on an amusement park ride, your heart will naturally be racing, adrenaline going, and all “those feelings” that come along with the joys of panic attacks. Anyway, just imagine yourself on that ride, enjoying it, accepting it, going with it, not judging it and KNOW that the “ride” will end, and you may step off and then eventually come back to your ‘normal’ senses. I have learned that the more you fight a panic attack the worse it gets, and it just keeps escalating from there, because you are fighting a human response. Do not get angry or mad that you are having those feelings, do not judge your feelings/emotions, they are not right nor wrong. They are just feelings and you have every right to your feelings. I learned this in DBT class. The more you fight it the worse it gets. Once you accept it, it will pass. Another thing I learned, was to focus on what you are feeling, do not think about the past or the future. Think about the moment you are in, this is mindfulness (Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience. Psychology Today). I will post a few links at the bottom about DBT.
NOTE: This also depends on where you are having the panic attack and what is causing it. In some situations, you may have to remove yourself from the situation that is giving you a panic attack. Sometimes when I go to the casino, it gets to be too much for me, the noise, the lights, too much stimuli for me. So if I feel “that feeling” coming on, we leave, panic attack avoided. Other times, in order to avoid this, I bring headphones and listen to calming music (I don’t gamble, my husband does, so I just sit there). After a while you should notice what your triggers are and try to avoid them altogether. These can be events or situations. For example: I know one of my triggers is being in crowds, so I avoid crowds as much as I can. I also have a plan, just in case I end up in a crowd, I hold my husband’s hand, and either lead they way out quickly while looking down, or he will lead the way. Now if I end up in a crowd alone, I would probably just push through and get out as quick as I can. So if you can, try avoiding your triggers. And if you can’t avoid them, have an action plan to help you get through it.
NOTE: I am not a doctor nor a therapist. These are merely suggestions and what has worked for me. They may or may not work for you. If you are having a full-blown panic attack and feel you need to go to the ER, then by all means go. I know what having a full-blown panic attacks feels like (it feels like you are dying), and have ended up in the ER a few times myself. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Helpful Links
