Realization: I had an experience today... - Anxiety and Depre...

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Realization

Bigbread profile image
9 Replies

I had an experience today that I thought may be beneficial to share...

Some context: When I’m struggling, anxiety often presents itself as claustrophobia and panic when surrounded by large groups of people. For that reason, I subconsciously strategize my tail off to ensure a speedy escape route when in cramped, public settings (sitting at the end seat of row, positioning close to an exit, mentally archiving distraction techniques, etc).

Well today I found myself compelled to go to church (a relatively rare occurrence for me). I was accompanied by a couple of not so close friends who aren’t aware of the anxiety I struggle with.

Upon entering the service, I hinted at my usual preferences by suggesting we sit in the back near the exit. Overruled by these two guys, we ended up heading for the front section of seating. No luck on grabbing an end seat either, as availability required us to squish smack dab in the middle of the row.

I could have been more forceful at avoiding what was a perilous set up for me, but not having had any anxious experiences for some weeks and yearning badly for a sense of normalcy after so many years of battling anxiety, I decided not to protest.

The experience started out uneventful, but as the lights dimmed for a testimonial, my chest began to tighten. The room felt like it was closing in on me and that somehow the mass of bodies around me were crowding in closer. I quickly summoned my usual repertoire of strategies (controlled breathing, closing my eyes, undoing and redoing the buttons on my shirt, repeatedly pinching my arm), but to no avail. My breath became belabored as if I was sipping air through a straw and my thoughts jumbled in panicked confusion. I could feel the “fight or flight” adrenaline taking over my body.

As I began to gather myself to get up and flee, it occurred to me that the testimonial playing out in the background of my anxious episode was a mother tearfully recounting the overdose death of her child. I could sense that each of the thousand or so members of the congregation were transfixed by the profound sadness of this woman and the courage with which she shared her experience. Disturbing the moment by getting up to leave (and having to have others shift aside in their seats to make room for my exit), seemed a firm impossibility.

Faced with the prospect of either a full blown panic attack or being socially ostracized, I chose the prior. I fearfully settled back in my seat an braced for what was to come.

However, rather than allow the progression of catastrophic thoughts to kick into overdrive, I was somehow inspired by a sense of safety in the midst of it all. I spoke directly to my higher power and explained that I was in the middle of panic, and that was ok. I would allow this sensation to remain, if it chose to, and cease to fight against or run away from it. I knew at that moment that the force that governs all existence, my existence, ultimately conspires for my well being.

I rarely have such faith, but today I was resigned to allow the storm to come with confidence that it would ultimately pass.

And pass it did.

Strangely enough, I didn’t leave shaken by the chaotic experience. I had fully surrendered to the most awful malady I have know in my life... and I felt lifted by it... light as a cloud.

After years and years of therapy, drugs, and other strategies to manage anxiety, the conclusion I’ve come to is that surrender is the only choice. There is wisdom in the mantra of “no escape”, in sitting with what you fear most and allowing it to run its course.

For every sufferer on this forum, I honor your path to relief, whatever that looks like for you. What I have learned is that the end of anxiety for me rests on a foundation of non-resistance.

Be well.

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Bigbread
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9 Replies

Great story and it shines the light on the true battle...fighting and resisting this terrible feeling....and then just allowing it to come....and pass. It's very easy to say, harder to do...but you did it. Awesome and congrats!

Bigbread profile image
Bigbread in reply to

I appreciate that, my man! Well said - Resistance (with a capita ‘R’) is the seminal struggle. When I’m on my game, I throw a jiu jitsu move on that anxiety shit and allow the heat of it to burn bright, and ultimately burn itself out. The other 99% of the time I’m in the muck just like all the rest of us are, scratching and clawing in complete aversion to the discomfort

Wow!

Hey Martin I just read your Wisdom of the Ages post of two years ago. Something to aspire to. Well, patience with yourself has made you strong.

What a wonderful reward.

Bigbread profile image
Bigbread in reply to

Thank you for being interested enough to dig that puppy up! I had to give it a gander myself to remember what I wrote. Good reminder that dusting off the writings of the Stoics is definitely in order. I always stand a little taller and a little more self assured after putting gobbling up some Seneca or Epictetus

Ragdoll15 profile image
Ragdoll15

I can relate to what you say about sitting at the back and at the end of a row in church. I always have to have my escape route 'just in case'. Sitting in the middle of a row is my worst nightmare. Very well done for overcoming your fear. As it's said 'God works in many ways, his wonders to perform" and it did happen in church!!!

Bigbread profile image
Bigbread in reply toRagdoll15

Many thanks! It’s natural to muster all our mental faculties to scheme and plot ways to avoid painful experiences. I’m convinced it also prolongs those very same experiences...

Agora1 profile image
Agora1

Bigbread, The saying "Oh ye of little faith" was confronted and torn down today

when you decided to (not fight) but to accept that this will pass. As you accepted

the confrontation anxiety gave you, it backed off and you were in control once more.

More power to you my friend. I spent too many years in the back pew, at the end,

having people crawl over me because I needed to be free to escape if I had to.

Not any more. Congratulations, you did good :) xx

Bigbread profile image
Bigbread in reply toAgora1

Thank you! I’m hopeful that in sharing the story and receiving kind words such as yours, that my resolve to surrender to feelings of anxiety rather than fight will be strengthened in the future

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