How do we cope with this? How do we explain to our closed ones our symtoms. Is there any support groups for anxiety ?
Dear @Patricia82 ,
It sounds like you’re probably going through a tough time with anxiety and panic attacks, and it’s really brave of you to reach out for help. These feelings can be overwhelming, and there are ways to manage them and help your loved ones understand what you’re going through.
Anxiety and panic feelings are natural responses by your nervous system to stress, designed to keep you safe. This reaction is rooted in our biological fight-or-flight response, which evolved to protect us from immediate danger, like encountering a tiger in the wild. In modern life, our brains can sometimes interpret everyday stresses, like tests or work deadlines, as threats similar to a tiger in the room.
Understanding this can help us reprogram our nervous system. By learning to differentiate between real threats and perceived dangers, we can teach our brains that stressful situations are not life-threatening emergencies. Techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, and talking to supportive people can all help calm our nervous system and manage anxiety more effectively. Remember, experiencing anxiety doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means your body is working hard to protect you.
If you’re comfortable, could you share a bit more about what typically triggers your anxiety or panic? Additionally, what has made it challenging to communicate your feelings to your loved ones? Understanding these aspects will enable me to offer resources and strategies that could be most effective for you. 
Hi, my anxiety starts when my gastric starts churning and triggers my IBS. I have afew episodes in the past when im young but just 2 - 3. Than during my pregnancy, it got worse during my final trimester as my gastric is bloated since day 1, i was trapped outdoors while on a cab, heavy traffic (to add on i have motion sickness) so all these makes my gastric churn n run toilet half way on the road. N it didnt end after i went to toilet, i felt dizzy and nauseous and waited for hours till my husband is available to fetch me at that time. This happened 4 times during my last trimester till i decided to go for early maternity leave. I was alright after i gave birth. Till last year 2023, i had dinner with my friends outdoor and during the return , i had gastric issues and norm meds are not useful to me. I went hospital specialist and did all the mri, ct scans, endoscope. Result is i have mild chronic gastritis which was quite common. In btw i have all the common flu cough sorethroat which took longer than expected to resolved . The whole of last year i was mostly inbound and didnt dare travel far as im afraid i may get stuck outside again. So that’s how my anxiety n panic comes about.
Hey @Patricia82 ,
I’m really sorry to hear about the challenges you’ve been facing with your anxiety and gastric issues. It sounds incredibly tough, especially with the experiences you’ve had during your pregnancy and the ongoing issues since then. It’s understandable how these situations could lead to anxiety and panic, especially with the physical symptoms you’ve described.
May I suggest considering the possibility that some of your health struggles could be somatic in nature? Somatic refers to physical symptoms that may arise from psychological or emotional factors. This can happen as a protective mechanism where our body manifests stress or emotional distress in physical ways.
If you’re open to exploring this further, brain-body based therapies like brainspotting could be beneficial. Brainspotting works by helping to identify and process deep-rooted emotions and traumatic experiences that may be stored in the brain and body. It involves using the visual field and eye positions to access these areas and facilitate healing.
For a start to help you feel more grounded, manage anxiety effectively, and begin to foster a sense of safety and well-being in your body, you may consider starting with the following practices:
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Practice Grounding Techniques: Engage in grounding exercises such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness meditation. These techniques help bring your focus back to the present moment and create a sense of safety in your body.
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Try Bilateral Tapping: Explore body-based relaxation techniques like bilateral tapping. This involves tapping or gently moving your hands or feet alternately to calm the nervous system and promote relaxation.
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Practice Body Scanning: Use body scanning as a relaxation technique. This involves mentally scanning your body from head to toe, focusing on releasing tension and promoting a sense of relaxation and well-being.
I hope the above has been helpful and if you’d like more resources or if there is anything else you’d like to share with us, please do. We’re here to listen to you, your feelings are valid and you matter! 
Take care,
Cool Breeze =)