You suffer from anxiety?

Mel, I know what you might be going through. For 20 years, I worked in what is considered a very "stressful" occupation - law enforcement - I've been shot at, seen people die, and you just never knew what was around the corner. At the same time though.. statistics suggest that construction workers have more dangerous jobs and they probably do.

It wasn't until after I quit that job - then my father passed away - and about three months later, began having "panic attacks." Couldn't believe it - seldom ever panicked in my life before! I think part of it for me was the passing of my father combined with actually missing the adrenaline rushes I'd have responding to back up calls, or whatever lay around the corner. Or who knows? I don't know! All I know is that panic attacks are not nice.

One thing I learned and that might be helpful to you is to be aware of your breathing. Might seem odd - but I came across some information once that suggested that the majority of those who suffer from panic attacks breathed into their chest instead of their stomachs. That was true for me!

Simple breathing exercises can be very helpful in combating panic attacks and anxiety - and I've pretty much conquered them through a variety of methods.

PM me if you want to chat about it. I thought I was all alone when I first started having them - didn't understand them - I was the LAST person I ever expected to suffer from them and couldn't understand what on earth these weird sensations I was experiencing were called "Panic Attacks." Me? Panic?? Heh.. even when I had the first one, I was thinking rationally about what I needed to do to get medical attention I thought I needed.