Burt Reynolds revealed his vulnerable side when he realized he was being steered into marriage. One day while browsing the furniture department with his would-be bride, he suddenly collapsed onto a bed and doubled into the protective fetal form. Moments later, he was sucking oxygen through a brown paper bag, his eyes wide and darting.
His panic attack was interpreted in a humorous way for the sake of the movie, but real panic and anxiety attack survivors know there's nothing funny about it.
Impending divorce triggered my first major panic episode. It stirred almost daily, waiting for any event that would bring it to the surface in a full blown attack. Sure enough such an event did arise, but not from any outside force.
While I contemplated taking a shower one day, anxiety swept over me, along with an unexplained dread that something terrible was going to happen. Suddenly, I was afraid to eat, afraid to go out, afraid to stay home alone.
As I drove down the highway, uprooted trees and black garbage bags along the route took on indistinguishable grotesque shapes. Passing through overpasses was particularly alarming as I dreaded losing control and smashing into the abutment. Elevators and stairwells triggered a new symptom: claustrophobia.
Particularly alarming was the day I was afraid I'd lose control and toss myself off the 6th floor balcony. That's when I knew it was time to get help.
Two years of psychiatric treatment eventually brought an end to those terrifying events. Until 10 years later when I decided to switch careers and return to college. I was 37.
Then, it happened again. I was in the huge school cafeteria walking along the self serve line. It began as I became intensely aware of the drone of voices echoing throughout the quadrant. Quite unexpectedly, anxiety swept over me. I thought I'd lose my mind as my heart and thoughts raced and that old familiar dread took hold.
Struggling with the attack, I made it to a seat and tried to eat my lunch but it soon became apparent it wasn't possible. The initial fear was verging on panic. I rushed from the cafeteria to the nursing station at the top of the stairs, but at that point, I felt it might pass.
I continued aimlessly down the busy hallway. All I could think of was getting away from the noise, the bustling students and the insecure openness. Moments later, sitting in the peaceful, dimly lit student lounge, I curled up in an armchair and fell asleep. When I awoke, the attack had passed.
Years ago, my doctor had explained that my attacks were a result of a chemical imbalance. He also pointed out that a lack of confidence and a sense of impending loss of control were related to my anxiety.
During my therapy, I persistently plied him with questions and bombarded him with every sensation I had over the previous week. He was a man of few words, always turning my questions back on me to interpret. Through his few choice words, worries of things going wrong in my life were soon mere flashes, rather than mounting thoughts to stoke my simmering anxiety.
His advice echoed when I emerged from that major panic attack at the college 10 years later. I was in a strange environment undertaking a new career. The attack clearly was brought on by my fear of failing, along with numerous other fears.
It all made sense. I was moving into a new frontier with new faces, new challenges. In all likelihood, I would emerge a new person, but as happened with my divorce, it was a time when I feared I would lose control of my body, my mind and my life.
What saved me was something my psychiatrist said years before when he responded quite simply to one of my 'what if?' questions. His reply has become my 'mantra', if you will.
In an effort to make me focus directly on the issue and think rationally about the outcome, he merely asked, 'So what?' Who could have known that those two small words would become my rock? The moment a terrifying thought entered my head, all I had to do was ask, "So what? What's the worst that could happen?" and it was never as bad as I'd imagined. And today, it always brings me back to earth. There is help for you, too.
Recently, I came across a product that I wish I had when my panic attacks were raging. This e-book provides an equally simple and highly effective solution for people who have panic attacks.
Understanding how the body reacts is the first step to knowing that panic and anxiety attacks can be cured without medication. Joe Barry has taught thousands of people to be panic free. To learn more about his successful formula go to http://www.book-titles.ca/panic.htm.
Sylvia Dickens has struggled and overcome panic and anxiety. Formerly with the Canadian Mental Health Association, she's written, "A Guide to Teenage Depression & Suicide" and offers a book to cure panic quickly and without medication. You can learn more at http://www.book-titles.ca/panic.htm.
weekly home cleaning Lake Forest ..With almost 50% of workers complaining that their jobs are... Read More
Comedian George Carlin once remarked, "Have your ever noticed? Anyone... Read More
"The great lesson from the true mystics, from the Zen... Read More
We've all been there, right? We find ourselves living with... Read More
Often, in today's fast paced world, we forget to take... Read More
Have you ever noticed how we keep falling into the... Read More
Q: We recently had someone come to our company to... Read More
Have you ever said the words, "This job/my life is... Read More
Have you ever noticed what occurs when you are suddenly... Read More
26 ways to minimize and manage the unhealthy effects of... Read More
Work related tensions, personal issues and abnormal lifestyles are the... Read More
Recently I completed some new workshop engagements in addition to... Read More
Stress is more than just unpleasant. It's dangerous. Try these... Read More
Most of us lead busy lives, trying to successfully juggle... Read More
"One day I'm a mother, One day I'm a lover,... Read More
Of all the forms of stress in today's world, computer... Read More
Q: Someone told me that the Chinese symbol for crisis... Read More
1. The Law of StagnationThis is also known as first... Read More
Many people go through the motions during Christmas. If not... Read More
I came out of a nightmare 5-year period of anxiety... Read More
Writing down our thoughts and feelings, as in keeping a... Read More
We strive for excellence in our lives, going at full... Read More
Are you feeling stressed out? Too many things to do,... Read More
Don't let stress wear you down. Next time you are... Read More
Stress seems to have become a constant factor in today's... Read More
best cleaning company Arlington Heights ..Positive self-esteem is very important for our general health and... Read More
To be a safe and predictable person for those around... Read More
Life is funny.Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous... Read More
The fall season signals a shift in most people's minds.... Read More
Managing stress is not easy if you don't have the... Read More
Something the successful business person needs is - lots of... Read More
Quote of the week"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Leonardo da... Read More
One question that is not asked enough by people under... Read More
Conceptualizing stress: Stress often has a negative connotation. Failure, illnesses,... Read More
Q: What is Stress?A: Very basically it is the physical,... Read More
A grandfather, whose grandson came to him angry at a... Read More
More than two-thirds of visits to doctors' surgeries are for... Read More
Most of us are trying to balance work, home, and... Read More
There are two types of anxiety:*Situational *Existential.Most of us experience... Read More
Today we have more stress in our lives than ever... Read More
Q. Help! I moved from the Dallas to Denver. I... Read More
1. Determine your "unique ability" and capitalize on itDelegate the... Read More
My son was watching a Richard Scarry video this morning... Read More
Stress affects different people in different ways, but affect them... Read More
Marshal John Kruger acted by Arnold Schwarzenegger (who else) in... Read More
CHICAGO - According to a recent article in the September... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
It was a self-exploration that made me understand myself. It... Read More
Everywhere I go, I hear the same unpleasant sentence repeated... Read More
Meditation, relaxation and visualisation are the standard recommendations for reducing... Read More
Stress Management |