I've had depression for a few years now; it had been improving, but the lady I'm living with is getting dementia and becoming emotionally abusive and quite controlling, and the depression is coming back more and more. It's not as bad as it was before February (theoretically), but now I'm dealing with something new--anxiety attacks.
Last night was quite bad, with uncontrollable shaking, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, and a racing heart.
Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this, from a Christian perspective?
1-888-888-1906
>> FORUM HOME
|
|
About •
Track Order •
Outreach •
Wholesale •
Employment •
How We Give •
Customer Service
• FAQ • Locations • Corporate • Need Jesus? • Affiliates • Blog
• FAQ • Locations • Corporate • Need Jesus? • Affiliates • Blog
C2:8 Christian T-shirts, Inc ©2013 -
-
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
6 replies on this topic
Stephanie - 10/5/12 @ 3:35 PM
I struggle with anxiety issues. Pray. A lot. Also, intercessory prayer helped when I was having panic attacks on a regular basis. Camp out it Philippians 4:6-7 which says: "do not be anxious about anything, (J)but in everything by prayer and supplication (K)with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And (L)the peace of God, (M)which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Also, to stop a panic attack once it has started: Practice breathing in deeply but comfortable through your nose and slowly out through your mouth. Try to picture watching a ball slowing rising and falling over a hill on repeat. lol Sounds dumb, but has been helping me calm down even when it's just a little bit of anxiety.
Lastly, this is kinda gross, but it will stop a panic attack. If you activate your gag reflex, it will stop a panic attack. It is called a vasovagal response. You do not have to actually cause yourself to throw up, just have to gag as if you were going to. That's why people get nauseous when they get nervous because if they either throw up or faint, it is the bodies way of regulating itself.
KingsKid2 - 10/6/12 @ 11:20 AM
As Steph said, prayer is so important. Anxiety attacks are an attack of the devil. He wants to keep your mind off of God and on the anxiety. When he comes to attack you, pray and claim the blood of Jesus over your life, mind, and everything. Quote Scripture, even outloud. The Word of God is so powerful!
Some Bible verses for you:
Psalm 27:1
Psalm 32:7
Philippians 4:6-7
Read the Word of God when you feel an attack coming on. Tell someone who will pray with you. The devil is a liar! You can overcome this through the power of Christ.
Sarah32 - 10/8/12 @ 10:08 PM
I feel like depression, mood disturbances, anxiety, etc. are interconnected with three different realms: the spiritual, the physical (our bodies), and the mental.
To begin with the spiritual, realize that your fight isn't with flesh and blood. If that truly is the case- if what we're fighting is not manifested in front of us in the tangible world, then we must fight with the root cause in mind. This means praying, taking up your Sword (the Bible), and having truly deep devotions with God (not that disingenuous five minute deal we like to say is our devotion so we can check it off of our list for the day.;)God wants us to have a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7) Fight for a sound mind in prayer.
There is also the physical to consider. Certain foods can actually effect your mood. I used to have panic attacks on a regular basis. At the time, I thought it was just the burden I would have to bear through life. In the past two and a half years however, I've been sugar free and I've been eating healthy. In that time, I've never had a panic attack. To add, I only have depressive symptoms when my medical condition is active. When I have my medical treatment, I'm good to go! When I don't, I have major issues. See if there is any physical link to why you're feeling the way you do. (For Clinical Psychologists, they have to actually take note of medical conditions on a form because they KNOW they're interconnected with the psyche!)
Onto the third sector- the mental. This is the tricky part. This is where you have to uncover your triggers, look beyond what you're conscious of, and dig deep to find the root to your behavioral patterns. For example: some people are extremely hurt when someone shows up late to meet them. They confront the person who was late in an angry manner, yet, they really don't know WHY they're angry or hurt. In this case, the hurt may be due to a past abandonment. If someone's late to pick them up, or fails to meet up with them, they feel the same abandonment from years ago take place again. In this case, you have to be your own counselor or problem solver to some extent.
Some questions to ask yourself: was there someone emotionally abusive to you in the past? Is this bringing up old wounds that haven't been healed? Do you need to go through a process of forgiveness towards these people?
Onto the next part: the solution or the goal. What can you do to correct the situation? Is there a way you can talk to this woman about her behavior and construct your own boundaries? Is there somewhere else to live? (Because that is NOT a healthy environment to be in!)
A super important key to remember is this: the Holy Spirit is your ULTIMATE COUNSELOR. He will come to your aide. He will unveil to you the why's of what you're feeling. I ask the Holy Spirit to counsel me all the time. And you know what? He does! He is so, so awesome like that!:)
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:26-27 (Read the whole of John 14. It's very comforting to think of the active role the Holy Spirit has in our own lives:)
KingsKid2 - 10/9/12 @ 8:46 AM
Sarah32, is that another chapter for that book you're gonna authour? ;) It was great.
Sarah32 - 10/9/12 @ 2:04 PM
Thanks KingsKid. You're a wonderful encourager.:) Maybe I will use it in a book- who knows? But it will probably be more likely used when I hit private practice. I'm going back for my master's in Professional Counseling at a Christian University in January, then, I plan on going for either a Nutrition degree or Neuropsychology. In that way, I can combine the spiritual with the counseling and the physical body.:)
KingsKid2 - 10/10/12 @ 9:01 AM
Way to go! :)