Anxiety and panic attacks

It is hardly surprising to suffer from anxiety and depression when unemployed, there are likely to be many issues going on that can contribute to this, examples are income and debt issues, anxiety about the future and if you will get a job at all, pressure from welfare benefit agencies, feelings of low self-image and value in front of family, friends and society because you do not have a job.

Generalised anxiety disorder is something that many do not realise they have, or do not like to acknowledge they may have ….it is almost constant anxiety with things arising that then make it worse. As a constant state of heightened anxiety arousal, it may become so familiar that it hardly seems that troublesome but can cause far worse mental symptoms and physical ones such as high blood pressure, also problems with social interaction and confidence, all of which need to be addressed to get and keep a job.

Panic attacks can truly have a sufferer think they are close to death and can arise at times when you do not even feel you have something to panic about. Once your body is used to the surge of anxious emotions, chemicals and hormones going around your stressed body and mind, it needs no trigger to feel panic. Many have both constant anxiety and panic attacks, if you have a sudden feeling that you cannot breathe, need to get away, that you are having a heart attack, while such symptoms must be checked out, you may well be having panic attacks, they may be set off by something, e.g. a financial crisis, or they may reach the point of seeming to come out of the blue. Symptoms can include chest pain, sweating, vision difficulties, cold sweats, hot sweats, feelings of depersonalisation …that you are not part of what is going on around you, breathlessness and many more strange symptoms.

Any such symptoms do need to be checked out by a doctor, Google believe it or not will not be able to tell you for sure if your chest pains are panic attacks or that your high blood pressure is about to cause a heart attack, but if diagnosed with anxiety and or panic, a lot of help is available online and from support at e.g., the doctor’s surgery and community centres.

Social anxiety is very common when you are under stress, if you are unemployed and have money difficulties, it affects your confidence and your ability to take part in things with friends and family socially. I am currently studying for a BA Hons in Social Sciences and recently had to write an essay on the consumer society that according to social scientists we now live in, and how it creates inequality and exclusion for those who are unable to take part.

Some people cope and feel reasonably ok when they are alone or with people that they know very well and are comfortable with such as family, but have panic and anxiety when with new people or in crowds and other social settings such as parties. There are different types of social phobias, from being afraid of most people, not feeling comfortable around strangers, or just having phobias with larger groups of people. Some people experience it mildly, while others have it so severely they avoid public situations altogether.


Other types of anxiety include agoraphobia where you are afraid to leave your home or claustrophobia where you have a fear of confined spaces. These phobias can be helped and even cured …and the best place to start is a trip to your doctor. Also, it can help to avoid certain situations ~



Some are born with a greater tendency to anxiety than others, or circumstances lead to a greater likelihood, but certain habits such as not enough sleep and a poor diet can make things worse. Coping with difficult situations and anxiety is easier when you take care of yourself.

It is very hard if those closest to you are going through tough times such as your family, but it helps to try to stick around positive people. Too much caffeine, sugar, chocolate and alcohol and a generally poor diet can add to anxiety along with a deficiency of certain vitamins including B vitamins, vitamin D, and vitamin C that affect the nervous system. proper nutrition is essential to treating your anxiety naturally. One of the more important nutrients to make sure you get each day is your omega-3 fatty acids. Try to aim for 2-3 grams of omega-3s every day, as they will help you to lower stress chemicals, which can then reduce your anxiety and panic. You can take a supplement, but it is better to get nutrients from natural food sources. For omega-3 fatty acids, this means fish like salmon and tuna, as well as whole grains, flax seeds, and walnuts. The best way to get more vitamin D is through sunlight. Try heading outside for 15-20 minutes a day to soak in that vitamin D, and you will start feeling a lot better. It will not only help with your anxiety, but improve your overall happiness and can even make you feel more energetic. There are a lot of ways to fit in some extra sunlight, whether you take your lunch break outdoors or you go for a walk in the afternoon before the sun goes down. An excellent way to combine sunlight and exercising is to go for a walk outside. Even if you don’t want to exercise outside, getting more physical activity is great for anxiety. You get your blood pumping, distract your mind, and can de-stress as well, all of which will help if you have high blood pressure due to your stress.

Gradually decrease the amount of coffee you drink if you know it is too much and talk to your doctor if you are struggling with alcohol addiction and/or google support services online.

Exercise is very helpful, but you may as I and many do, have health issues that affect the amount and type of exercise that you can do. However, do try to get up and start moving around more often. With regular exercises, you boost the serotonin levels in your brain and help to release your endorphins. These happy chemicals increase your energy and happiness, and can also have a very positive impact on stress and anxiety. With less stress, your anxiety tends to be less severe as well. You will be more energetic during the day, but also sleep better at night.

It may well be that you have been coping and coping well with your anxiety but would appreciate finding ways to manage it better, and a lot of help for this is available on the web. There are many things that we can take part in to even on a limited income distract us from anxieties and worries, without such as alcohol does, only giving a temporary respite but then making things worse. Try a new hobby such as keeping a journal, adult colouring, scrapbooking and stamp collecting. Many hobbies can still be taken up on limited incomes and while tied to the house with health issues, they have social media groups for them and if you can get out, even meet-ups. Maybe, as many do, you enjoy listening to music, almost all music genres and eras have Facebook groups which not only support your interest in e.g. sixties music but also help you to make friends, many internet friendships if close enough in distance end up with meeting each other.

While it is important to take any medication that your doctor recommends, you may if your doctor agrees wish to try other possible remedies such as relaxation techniques and natural remedies such as oils.

One of the top ways to treat anxiety naturally is with essential oils. Oils are extracted from flowers, herbs, and plants, and then used to calm you down and keep away the panic and anxiety. Certain essential oils are better for anxiety, creating a calm environment and reducing the amount of panic attacks you experience. Here are some essential oils to use for stress:

* Lavender

* Chamomile

* Frankincense

* Bergamot

* Vetiver

* Rose

You can add some drops to your bath at night, use an essential oils diffuser, or even make tea with some of these oils. However, do check for any contra indications with medicines that you are taking that have been prescribed by your doctor.

If you have any obvious and distressing signs of having an anxiety disorder, it is a good thing to talk to your doctor. You may not need therapy, but it is a good reason to visit your family doctor and talk about these symptoms. For example, there are physical signs of having anxiety such as blurred vision, a rapid heart rate, aching joints from being overly tense, and headaches. Some other signs to look out for include:

* Trouble concentrating

* Constantly feeling a sense of dread

* Avoiding certain places or situations

* Being irritable a good amount of the time

* Feeling like your mind has gone blank

Panic attacks at times of stress are very common, if you are getting panic attacks then it is a good time to see a doctor. Your doctor can look at your symptoms and help you figure out a good treatment plan.

When your anxiety gets to the point where things in your daily life are affected, this means it is no longer something you can manage on your own without outside help. This might include struggling with your job if you have one, finding it hard to cope with the pressures of job hunting and or the difficulties’ of not having an income adequate for your needs and or having debt issues, having a social phobia that keeps you from spending time with friends and family, or not being able to drive anymore because you have panic attacks behind the wheel. These situations show that you are kept from daily tasks because of the anxiety, which is when it is time to seek professional help.

Valerie Hartland