Crowd and health anxiety

[Mickey2012]

Tonight I was at dinner with my husband and another couple, I was fine when we got there but then I started to focus on things and I started feeling like I was in a dream. Then I started feeling like I was going to pass out and my heart was going so fast I had to excuse myself to go to the bathroom. Took a couple deep breaths and go back out I felt a bit better but still dizzy, now we are home I stand up and my head pounds. Also I have been clearing my throat quite a bit always feel like there is something in there. And sometimes there is. I am just so sick if anxiety!!

[Sunshine425]

Ive experienced this so much in my life. It feels impossible to focus with anxiety...social anxiety can be brutal I have a saying ill have to find it that bests describes what it feels like for people like us. Ill find it and post it here.

You are not alone💕 it took me a long time to learn to cope and be comfortable in my own skin. The more I focused on myself, the more confidance I was able to gain. It made it easier. You are stronger than you realize.

[Sunshine425 in reply to Sunshine425]

healthunlocked.com/anxietys...

I just posted this for you.

[bbanxiety]

Been there with those feelings and sensations, it's rough.

But there's a few things to take from what you've said which may help.

1) The sensation you felt of being in a dream or dream like state is called derealisation/depersonalisation. This can be attributed to your brain trying to escape from the anxiety. In other words, you brain is actually trying to protect you from an intense bout of anxiety and it's falsely identifying normal everyday situations as a red flag. One way to overcome this is knowledge, knowing that you're not going crazy is half the battle. Acceptance and understanding of that feeling is the second. You embrace it, don't argue with the feeling in your mind and breathe a sign of relief. Easier said than done, but it is very effective.

2) You won't pass out. You can't pass out for one significant reason and that is, your blood pressure is elevated when you experience anxiety. Passing out is from a very sudden drop in your blood pressure, this can only be achieved in number of ways but I can assure you, anxiety and panic is not one of them. What is actually a solid base to build from, is that your anxiety can make you feel that way. Anxiety can draw blood away from your limbs, which gives you that dizzy feeling.

3) Clearing your throat, another anxiety symptom. There's nothing there, maybe some phlegm, but it's another anxiety trait, you're fine.

The important thing to remember in those situations is that acceptance of those feelings is key. You accept them because when your brain is giving you a red flag that something is wrong, you will become anxious, but whats important is to create a positive feedback loop to signal to your brain that "hey, there's no problem here, I'm just enjoying a meal with my partner and friends".

It's a process, if you think for how much that negative feedback loop has been reinforced, it's maybe going to take time to undo it, but the good news is is that each time you do it, your body and your brain start to normalize it. Your twitchy nerves, your nausea, your feeling of dizziness will all soon become damped to the point that in the future, a bout of anxiety will hit and almost automatically you accept it, it does it's little song and dance and then as you pay it no attention and it's done.

You're doing great and this state of anxiety you're in will not last forever. It'll be replaced by good feelings and better days.

[Mickey2012 in reply to bbanxiety]

Wow, that was amazing feed back thank you so much for that, it definitely helps!

[bbanxiety in reply to Mickey2012]

You're welcome.

[Agora1 in reply to bbanxiety]

bbanxiety, it is an amazing and thorough response.

You know your anxiety xx

[bbanxiety in reply to Agora1]

Thank you