Sense of doom

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hi,

It is my first time posting on here!

I just wanted to talk about a distressing symptom that I get related to anxiety.

I get this horrible feeling that something awful is about to happen to me and it takes me ages to come down from it. Sometimes it is completely debilitating and I have to rest and go to sleep. It normally happens after a panic attack.

I had a huge panic attack during the first lockdown, and this was followed by a horrid feeling of doom. I just wondered if anyone else has had this. Reading up on it online it does also say it is a symptom of a serious underlying condition so that just makes me more worried and as with anxiety, perpetuates the cycle! I just wanted to know if anyone else has this and what you did to lessen the feelings.

thanks in advance ☺

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1 Reply

  • Posted

    hi Helen. Welcome to the forum! I’m sorry you are going through this. But the feeling of impending doom with anxiety or panic is extremely common and it’s not harmful. Please try to avoid looking up your symptoms online because they rarely give the common non-serious reasons for symptoms and they jump right to the worst case scenario.

    I really wish they would stop doing that. I can tell you that I have had that feeling for many years and I don’t have anything serious going on. so don’t worry about that symptom because it’s normal.

    I know how horrible it feels because I have had it many times and so have a lot of other people on this forum. Anxiety and panic unfortunately can leave us with very negative thoughts and a feeling of impending doom. Even the doctors don’t understand why this happens but we know that it does.

    the main thing we have to do is learn how to manage the anxiety as best we can because that will reduce the symptoms. I know that panic can come out of nowhere , and the more we have the tools to manage it, the better for us. Here is a list of some of the things that I do or did....

    1. counseling helped me a lot. I’m still doing it online virtually once a week. It really helps to talk to somebody else who has good ideas. you may or may not need medication but that’s up to the individual doctor.
    2. I get exercise almost daily and eat a healthy. also, it’s important to stay hydrated with water! The brain needs it.

      3.during the day and when I lie down to sleep, I listen to soothing meditation for anxiety on YouTube. There are hundreds of them and also include panic., Overthinking, negative thoughts etc. also, meditation and yoga are excellent for this.!

    3. do something nice for yourself every day even if it’s just taking a walk outside, a nice hot bath, do something with family or friends, etc. pamper yourself.
    4. when the sense of doom sets in, don’t follow it. I know it’s difficult but the more you go along with it the more it sticks in your brain. Even if I feel that sense of doom, I immediately do something else that is fun or that makes me feel happy.

      those are just a few examples.A counselor can really expound on this . there is a great book that I read called finding quiet. It helped me a lot.I do hope you feel better. Just take it day by day. we are here for you and feel free to private message me anytime! ❤

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