Just got this Email, from DARE: When you... - Anxiety Support

Anxiety Support

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Just got this Email, from DARE

Indigojoe profile image
3 Replies

When you have a panic attack, it can feel like the end of the world.

You suddenly become full of fear.

Your heart races, and you can’t breathe.

You feel dizzy and lightheaded.

And maybe bodily sensations like stomach pains, hot flashes, sweating, shaking, and tingling sensations take over your body.

When you’re in the eye of the storm like this, it can feel like you’re losing control.

The thoughts, fear and bodily sensations can feel like too much.

However, the reality is you are completely safe.

The problem is this is hard to believe when you feel panic sweep over you.

This is why it’s important to know what’s happening in your body when you panic so it doesn’t bluff you.

Then you can know you are not going to suffocate and die or go crazy.

No matter what happens, you have complete control of your body and actions.

All that’s happening is stress hormones, like adrenaline, are causing you to experience some frightening symptoms.

As doctor Harry Barry explains:

“The job of your stress system is to keep you safe and alive not to kill you. The symptoms of anxiety are uncomfortable, but they are not dangerous. You have my word as a doctor, this adrenaline rush will not kill you.”

In short, you are completely safe.

There are simple medical explanations for every single one of your fears.

The shakes like jelly legs are caused by adrenaline and other stress hormones.

Strange symptoms like blurred vision can often be caused by fatigued eye muscles.

If you worry about your heart, remember it’s incredibly strong and can beat at high speeds for long periods of time.

If you have a fear of suffocating, take comfort in the fact your body has a built-in reflex which ensures you always get enough air.

If you have a fear of fainting, know it’s uncommon to faint when you are highly anxious - fainting is caused by low blood pressure, and anxiety tends to raise blood pressure.

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Indigojoe profile image
Indigojoe
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Laniben profile image
Laniben

Just been reading this, I’ve been doing ok until recently but I think it’s because I’m going away and I’m working myself up about it. Today I’ve had that fear feeling, touch of tingly/burning arms, so when I read this it did help, thank you for adding it.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to Laniben

I hear you Laniben. Anxiety always needs to make it's present known.

Start some deep breathing and let your mind know that you will do what

you want and nothing or no one will stop you. Putting a positive approach

in your mind will help take down the negatives. xx

Laniben profile image
Laniben in reply to Agora1

Thank you Agora xx

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