Dear Dazed
Isn't it amazing how much people who have anxiety have in common in terms of fears, senses and overall angst. For the longest time I have thought I was completely alone in these thoughts and fears. Then I started asking trusted people questions such as "do you ever feel like this, or does this ever happen to you" It is suprising how many people, those who have anxiety and those who don't have had similar discomforting thoughts. I dare to think that perhaps I "we" are more 'normal' than we give ourselves credit for. You reminded me of the first time anxiety hit me. I was sitting with a friend and then this wave of unrealness washed over me. I remember asking my friend "who are you. Who am I" It was as if I left my body and was watching me from above...I felt so detached. It was the most terrifying event in my life and I thought I was going mad and that made me even more terrified. The beauty of it now is that whenever that feeling has returned over the past years, I can never be as frightened as I was the first time...I see that as improvement and in a strange way comforting. Recently one of my students confided that he had this situation happen to him and I was able to reassure him that he wasn't losing his mind and that he was probably suffering from anxiety....The relief on his face was palpaple...anyhow take care and chat soon, lots of luck and thanks for help me keep things in context...
MIKE