Bipolar disorder is about mania and depression mood swings. Within these mood swings, we can have a variety of symptoms including anxiety, attention and focus problems, irritation/anger and more.  If you’re depressed and anxious, you’re normal. If you’re in a dysphoric manic episode and are anxious, you’re normal.

Panic attacks are a form of anxiety. A panic attack involves the overall body and mind sensation that there is danger around you and the reaction is one of breathing problems, chest heaviness, fear, the sense that something is wrong and the idea that you can’t go on or function.

Panic attacks are NEVER real. Let me clarify this- they are always about the brain and the body and illness. They are a part of the brain reaction called anxiety. There is no real threat. There is no real problem. If you are actually in danger and have a reaction, this is not anxiety.

What is Anxiety if You are Not Manic or Depressed? 

If you have bipolar disorder and have panic attacks when you are NOT manic or depressed, this is a separate anxiety issue. It’s not a part of bipolar. Bipolar symptoms only exist within depression and mania.

I’ve always had anxiety with my bipolar, but everything changed in 2012 when I had a head injury from a biking accident. My regular anxiety- that was always present with my depression turned into a separate and very serious anxiety disorder that included severe panic attacks. I’d experienced a few in the past, but nothing like the daily breathing problems and anxiety I experienced after the accident. Because of this, I had to modify the bipolar disorder management plan I talk about in all of my bipolar and depression books and learn to mange this new and to be honest, REALLY AWFUL anxiety problem.

Help with Panic Attack Symptoms 

I was in a panic attack when I started this blog. Writing about anxiety is one way I calm myself down so that I can go back to the work that was adding to my anxiety. I have 12 short articles due for a website. I am excited about the project and LOVE the topic:  The Bipolar Disorder Dirty Dozen…twelve substances that can can bipolar disorder mood swings. But every time I sit down to write, the panic shows up. It’s all encompassing. I can’t breath. I have trouble thinking. I worry I will never get the project down. I feel guilt and upset with myself. I feel that the editor will think I’m weak and unprofessional.  These are all symptoms of my anxiety panic attacks. I can give in to them and not work or I can learn to work through them, around them and with them.

Here is what I do to manage my panic attacks to get the work done:

1. Accept that I will not be able to work on a tight deadline.  I may have to spread things out in order to manage the anxiety. I HATE this, but it’s my reality. I can fight the reality or work with the brain I have. This means I have to work with websites, publishing companies and editors who understand my work ability.
2. I breathe.  A lot. I focus on breathing. Here is a video that helps me every time.  
3. I’m nice to myself. I love the book The Four Agreements. I started following the ideas of Don Miguel Ruiz over 20 years ago and they have saved me in so many ways. The fourth agreement is DO YOUR BEST. I am doing my best. When I have a panic attack, I must treat anxiety first.  There isn’t another path. I can’t write more. I can’t buckle down and meet those deadlines darn it! Nope. I have to stop and treat the anxiety.
4. I write. Hopefully you can find a process that works for you. For myself, it’s helping others who are going through the same anxiety as I experience. This calms me down. Writing about anxiety reminds me that it’s my brain and not a personal weakness.

I want you to have a good life. I want to have a good life. To do this, we must manage our brains in the same way we manage everything else in life. If you have anxiety, get help. Use the Anxiety Health Card or the system in Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder to write down what you think, say and do when anxious and then come up with a plan to counter the anxiety when it shows up.

We can do this!

Julie