Hi Everyone,

Thank you Shari, and exactly you can't argue the truth. I love learning, and always get into trouble from my psychologist for doing internet research haha. You sound like you're doing well Shari, you always have great advice.

 Loves trees, that sounds like a good idea, tv always helps take my mind off things too. It's so uncanny isn't it, that they're always around the same time? So many of us get them and I wonder why. Shari mentioned before about a carbon dioxide imbalance, is that the cause for us all? I definitely have to do that research!

That's understandable Hugs4u, work projects and assignments etc are always stressful and then once it's all over we wonder why we were so worried in the first place.

The spiders one was the weirdest of all, my subconscious comes up with the strangest things.

Kaitie

 

Hi Everyone,

 

Yeah this is a lot more common than I had originally thought, Eles7. I find making sure I won't overheat during the night helps a lot, as heat always makes my panic attacks worse day or night. I know what you mean, you start to worry that there's something wrong with you because it isn't 'normal' to wake up during the night. For someone who has extreme anxiety like we do, this is quite normal and you have to remember there is absolutely nothing wrong with you!

I worry about losing control too and this situation feels as though it is totally out of our control, which it quite possibly could be. I guess we'll both have to learn to accept that some things are out of our contol. However, we can control our response to a situation. Lately I haven't been experiencing these attacks as much, although I do still have mild insomnia. When the panic is really strong, all you can do is just let it wash over you, it will pass. Once it's not as strong, distractions work well. I usually keep a magazine, puzzle book, journal so I can write down thoughts etc, water bottle and mints beside my bed so I'm well prepared. Music helps too, there are plenty of apps with meditations and calming sounds on the iTunes store.

Hugs, I've never thought about that before, it would be quick and easy too. At the moment I've been paying for my own pre-paid broadband because I'm not quite 18 yet so I can't have it connected under my name, and money's been a bit short for my parents. This should get better with time though :)

Kaitie

Hi Marjoso,

 

When I first started treatment, I found it extremely hard to identify my thoughts too. As you have said, there is a cycle and at the moment you can identify the feelings and notice your behaviour but you can't quite identify your thoughts. A lot of this comes with time, and over time I have been able to work out what I'm thinking. When it comes down to it, I'm quite sure you do already know what some of your anxious thoughts are. My psychologist always told me our thoughts are like a radio constantly playing in the background. Sometimes you will listen in, such as when your favourite song plays, but most of the time it's just a noise that you don't pay much attention to. As Davit mentioned, the majority of our thoughts are subconscious- the radio in the background. Over time you will get better at knowing your thoughts and that's when you can start challenging them.

I also saw a Buddhist quote once that went somewhere along the lines of, 'The greater the fear, the closer you are to the truth.' When I'm really afraid, worried or having a panic attack are the times my thoughts are the loudest, as though my mind is shouting them. This is when it's easiest for me to identify them.

Hope this helps,

Kaitie.

 

Thank you so much! I'm glad I can help people, and you all help me. This is how I usually am, my 'actual self' as I say. At the moment though, I'm having so much trouble. This year has been so hard, the hardest of my life. I'm so far from where I should be, where I want to be.

I'm going to start a blog on here, so I can tell others my story. Maybe it will help others, but mostly it will help me. So if you want to read it that would be awesome.

Thanks again,

Kaitie

 

Hi Em,

 

You're in the right place here :) I have the same sorts of experiences, only my fear is vomiting, not fainting. For starters, and the thing I am having most problem believing myself, is that you really don't have a reason to faint. From what you've said, doctors haven't diagnosed a medical condition which would cause you to faint. Other than that, you've fainted only when talking about blood or injury, which is extremely common for a blood-injury-injection phobia (it is an actual thing, I promise). I also am prone to fainting, especially when I see an injury. But the injury itself, nor the images that flash through your mind, don't cause fainting. Otherwise everyone who sees blood would faint and doctors wouldn't be able to do their job. I know for me, and most likely in your case too, it's the hyperventilation that causes fainting. There is a section in this program on relaxation, which includes box breathing and you might find this useful. Also, you've had all these panic attacks and not once fainted. If you need reassurance, there is a question about this in the Questions to the Expert link at the top of the page.

With the phobia, there are techniques called desentisation and gradual exposure. Desensitisation involves thinking about injuries and looking at pictures, you might start by looking at a picture of someone with a small cut and feeling the fear but not giving into it until your level of fear decreases. Then, gradually you work your way up to looking at a picture of a gory injury. After a while, your tolerance will increase as your fear decreases and, although you probably will still be afraid, you aren't as afraid as you have been in the past. Section 4 in this program talks about this too, but it's specifically for panic disorder and works on gradually exposing yourself to situations you fear experiencing a panic attack, such as driving.

Another thing you may find helpful is having a plan for if the situation you fear were to occur, if there is a chance it will. This might include making sure you have some water and some form of sugar when you start feeling light-headed. Or while you're driving, winding your windows down so you have fresh air might help. I can't really think of any more off the top of my head, but hopefully you understand what I mean. It's almost like having an escape plan in case of a fire.

I hope this is helpful.

Best of luck,

Kaitie.

Hi Josie,

I was wondering, is it possible for you to vomit during a panic attack?
I have never been able to get a direct answer and it always worries me.

Kaitie.