I feel like I'm having an anxiety attack.

[warrior1]

I know it will pass, but in the mean time I just have to wait it out.

I soon will be retired from the state after 36 years. I'm sort of dealing with a back issues, probably just from wear and tear..

But the most depressing thing of all, I'm ashamed to say is because, god I just hate to say this is way I feel so bad. I missed place a lottery ticket. It hasn't played yet, and I will not know if was a winner, I always do a quick pick. I've looked everywhere. I've tried to convince myself that maybe the clerk forgot to give it to me, but that's probably not true. And yes I know the odds of winning are like 1 in 120 million. Still, I can't shake this anxiety. I feel like a fool, not for just losing the ticket, but for feeling this helpless. What the hell is wrong with me? It's not like a put a lot of faith into ever winning the damn thing, but it's just the thought of cosmic cruel joke, "Maybe this was the one." My priorities are all screwed up. I thought I was ok, but I need a lot of work in to what really matters.

[MiddleFingerMom]

1. Relax. You're only out a buck.

.
.
.
Ya think the cosmos is focused on you and your lottery ticket?
.
.
.
I play the lottery about once or twice a year, if that. One year
(must be 30 years ago now), I'm driving along and I hear a story
on the radio about a lottery ticket that was never claimed and is
about to expire. I realized that it was about the same time that
I had last played and remembered having never checked.
.
I obsessed on finding it (took me almost a full day), but when I
did -- IT WAS THE RIGHT WEEK!!!!
.
Checked the lottery archives (before the Intertubes -- I think a
ticket dealer had all the past winning numbers).
.
.
.
I WON!!!! I WON!!!! I WON!!!! I WON!!!!
.
.
.
.
No, I didn't. All I did was waste a dollar and a whole day.
.
.
.
Relax.
.
.
.

[The Midway Rebel]

2. Retiring soon?

That change would be stressful. Can you talk to a professional counselor/social worker/psychologist if it gets to be too much? I went through something similar and 3 chats with a professional counselor and some vigorous exercise sessions helped me sort though things. It took a while. Change is tough.

[warrior1]

4. I feel like crying

I am so lucky to be retiring and that is a fact, it should feel like just won the lottery. I'm lucky in the fact that I'll only be 55. I'm still young enough to enjoy myself. My sister who has just gone through some chemo, is doing fine and I can spend some quality time with her. But, I did lose my older brother this year unexpectedly. This is how screwed up his death was. He had befriended a neighbor years and years ago. After she'd died, she left him some money. He had just turned 68 and was going to be barely getting by SS, when he got this check for over quarter million. He had made plans to buy a few toys and we all talked him into getting his knees fixed. He died from complication after surgery. I think that it was because of very poor care by the facility, but his daughters were happy with them. My sister and I were talking about, what our parents always talked to us about, never be to cocky. For my sister who has OCD, he wouldn't be dead had he not got this money. He wouldn't have had the surgery. All I know is my brother is dead and he shouldn't be, and I'm having anxiety from losing a damn lottery ticket. How screwed up in your head to have to be to fret over something a stupid as that. My brother had put most his money into a trust for one of his daughters, and that is a very good thing. I'm happy for her, because she is such a good daughter. No money in the world could replace my brother. I miss him so much. I was so looking forward to hanging out with my brother. You see my priorities need to be addressed and I'm not doing a very good job at that.

My priority should be that money doesn't define me, that's a hard lesson to learn.

[Tobin S.]

5. This is clearly about more than just a lottery ticket

There seem to be some underlying issues here and the lottery ticket was just the straw that broke the camel's back. Talk to someone, warrior. There's no shame in that. I've seen a few therapists in my time and I still see a psychiatrist. They have helped me a great deal.

[Tobin S.]

3. I think The Rebel might be onto something there

Take it easy, warrior. You're going through a big, stressful change right now. But I'm just an armchair psychologist. It might be good to talk to sombody who's a pro at this.

[warrior1]

6. I have a Dr's appt

tomorrow. I will discuss talking to someone with her. She does know what's been going on and she has told me that I've been under a lot of stress lately. I feel sorry for myself, and my brother lost his life and my sister has cancer. I feel so selfish. It's caused a lot of fear right now.

[Tobin S.]

8. Good deal

:hug:

[The Midway Rebel]

9. Music sometimes helps me relax and find my humor. Do you like jazz/blues?

This cool tune and the humorous attitude of the lyric got me through a tough pass more than once.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEEWFTZmNhk

"I don't worry about a thing 'cause I know nothing is going to be alright"

Hang in there Warrior...we're all pullin' for ya'.

[seabeyond]

7. go into meditative state, a couple ahhhhhhms, breathing out, cleansing

be in the now....

it really helps.

[kimi]

10. Anxiety attacks suck

But the deep breathing and relaxation techniques do help. If you have an appointment with a doc tomorrow, that's good, and you can discuss getting into some therapy or talking with someone, so you know what to do. It's going to be okay, really. Take care of YOU, not the lottery ticket. You've had major life changes, and it builds up.

Seriously, therapy, sometimes meds, can help immeasurably. Believe me.

You're gonna be okay. Deep breaths. Listen to music, watch some comedy. Divert yourself. It's gonna be okay.

[warrior1]

11. I'm all hot and sweaty

from a 3 mile walk with my dog. I feel a little better, but tired. Thanks to all who responded. DU rocks!

[Old Troop]

12. OK, here's a real freaky thing.

Once in a while I buy a lottery ticket. But I never check to see if it's a winner. I figure thinking about all the things I'll do if it is a winner while driving to work is the best buck I can spend for entertainment. A number of years ago, my wife and daughter found one of the tickets and checked it. It was a $50,000 winner! We ended up with about $36,000 after taxes. It was one week from it's expiration date!

[valerief]

13. The Lottery is a tax for people who are bad at math. nt

[carlyhippy]

14. It will be ok....you have like 6 months to claim a prize, I am sure you will find it

The best thing to do is Wednesday (or whenever the drawing is), check on the lottery website and see if anyone hit the jackpot. If you see no one won, you will know that you are not a potential multi-millionaire. Probably would be all over your local news that someone has a winning ticket.

Breathe, say ooohhhmmmmmmmmm, all is well in the universe. I have anxiety attacks too from time to time, so I know...

[Steely_Dan]

15. Hello Warrior...

I know about anxiety disorders. I suffered from them for a number of years. The only thing I found that was effective (other than the anti-depressants) was to "let the panic have its course." It was only when I stopped fighting it that it would pass. Fighting it gives it power.

I'm reminded of the lyrics from John Mellencamp (sp)..."This getting older ain't for cowards." (I'm 57)

-P

[warrior1]

16. Well

I can breath easier about one thing a least. The lottery rolled over.


I think your right about time. I still feel this empty feeling in my gut and I know it's because it's just been a very hard year.