Anxiety and Stress Forum - Feeling Like I`m Falling..

Don't feel silly. Congratulate yourself for finally having the courage to tell someone about it. At least on here you know that there's people who can relate to what you are saying!
So well done for saying something, its awful to bottle it all up and hide the feelings. People maybe understand more than you think.

I have recently been having panic attacks (worse than usual) it started after my friend died 10 months ago but in the last few days I feel in a constant state of anxiety and keep feeling light headed, dizzy, and really afraid etc.

You're not alone and you're certainly not silly for telling "us guys".
A lot of the difficulty with anxiety and panic I think is you become afraid of the feeling itself. You become anxious about being anxious, at least that is how I am. You start to expect the feeling, and then it makes it worse.

Ok, I am new to proper panic attacks (i've only ever really had the on-set of one, which I learned to control from the age of 16 and I am now 32...) but this is how I suggest you can get help:
1) tell a doctor
2) try to tell someone who is close to you, if you think they might understand
3) keep chatting to people on here - it may help you to feel more supported or at least less alone in how you feel
4) try not to panic about feeling panic! When I am driving and feel anxious, I take deep breaths. Tell yourself you have managed these feelings for years so yo are in control of it more than you think you are.
5) take a long deep breath and breath out through your mouth, don't breath in through your mouth though. Keep taking deep breaths whenever you start to feel dizzy or whatever it is you feel. Taking deep breaths helps you to calm down.
6) be objective and positive, tell yourself "what is happening around me, I am actually ok, nothing bad is actually happening, this will pass and I can feel better later on". Say "it is only a panic attack, although it feels very horrible, I am not dying and i'll get through it.
7) focus your mind on something else, if you can. Do something, like go for a walk or do a household chore. Take deep breaths and try to think about something nice and positive - easy said I know!
8) feel good about yourself that you have been managing these panic attacks, you can handle it because you have been doing so for years.
9) know you're not alone, hundreds of people get this too.
10) remind yourself it doesn't have to be forever, it can go away!! It really can go away. But you have to be patient and try not to fight it. Accept it, acknowledge it, but take control by not letting it stop you doing things.
Hope this helps. Please do pop back on here and let us know how you get on.