Scaredtoolong
26-05-04, 02:45
Hi everyone,
I just thought I'd pop in to give you an update and to the new members perhaps some encouragement. Life without panic is...POSSIBLE!
As some of you may remember... "I was THE worst case of panic disorder"....Ha ha.
Since my recovery began (again a million thanks to Nicola, Meg and this group for your help) life has just progessed into "normal" whatever that is. I now know what it isn't....it isn't having panic 24/7. It isn't fear every little tummy twinge, heart flutter, lightheadedness, etc. It is knowing that 99% of those symptoms were brought on or exaggerated by my own FEAR. We create the "monster" and we are the only ones that can tame him.
I have had these little realizations that occur...for example...I was in the department store and I was standing under the air conditioner vent in the checkout line. I got chilled, so I folded my arms. When I did I noticed I could FEEL my heart beating. It seemed to be beating kind of rapidly. During my panic days, that would have immediately thrown me into full blown panic. On that particular day I realized that 1. My heart was beating fast because I had been in a hurry that day to get my shopping done...2. Because I was aggravated that the cashier was slow and the line was long. My heart was beating fast because that was a NORMAL reaction under the circumstances.
What we panic sufferers don't realize is that it we create our own panic. We exaggerate normal feelings. I know it SEEMS to come out of the blue. I could be watching tv or lying down trying to go to sleep and BAM a panic attack would hit me out of no-where. Or so it seemed. NOW...I realize these were just NORMAL physical reactions to everyday life occurences that I had blown out of proportion. So I am a little tired. Of course I am going to feel foggy headed. So, I am irritated because this is taking too long or someone cut me off in traffic, of course my heart is going to beat faster and I might breath a little faster and shallower. NORMAL NORMAL NORMAL! If we could all just realize that we are doing this (creating panic) to ourselves...Dr.Claire Weeks said it best..."You are being bluffed, duped by normal physical sensations." It's funny, but when I read her books and listened to her tapes back then, it just didn't register. Now it all makes sense. Another hahaha.
Well, before this turns into a novel...I hope that this helps someone who is on the road to recovery. NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!
Take care ALL!
Hugs, Susan
I just thought I'd pop in to give you an update and to the new members perhaps some encouragement. Life without panic is...POSSIBLE!
As some of you may remember... "I was THE worst case of panic disorder"....Ha ha.
Since my recovery began (again a million thanks to Nicola, Meg and this group for your help) life has just progessed into "normal" whatever that is. I now know what it isn't....it isn't having panic 24/7. It isn't fear every little tummy twinge, heart flutter, lightheadedness, etc. It is knowing that 99% of those symptoms were brought on or exaggerated by my own FEAR. We create the "monster" and we are the only ones that can tame him.
I have had these little realizations that occur...for example...I was in the department store and I was standing under the air conditioner vent in the checkout line. I got chilled, so I folded my arms. When I did I noticed I could FEEL my heart beating. It seemed to be beating kind of rapidly. During my panic days, that would have immediately thrown me into full blown panic. On that particular day I realized that 1. My heart was beating fast because I had been in a hurry that day to get my shopping done...2. Because I was aggravated that the cashier was slow and the line was long. My heart was beating fast because that was a NORMAL reaction under the circumstances.
What we panic sufferers don't realize is that it we create our own panic. We exaggerate normal feelings. I know it SEEMS to come out of the blue. I could be watching tv or lying down trying to go to sleep and BAM a panic attack would hit me out of no-where. Or so it seemed. NOW...I realize these were just NORMAL physical reactions to everyday life occurences that I had blown out of proportion. So I am a little tired. Of course I am going to feel foggy headed. So, I am irritated because this is taking too long or someone cut me off in traffic, of course my heart is going to beat faster and I might breath a little faster and shallower. NORMAL NORMAL NORMAL! If we could all just realize that we are doing this (creating panic) to ourselves...Dr.Claire Weeks said it best..."You are being bluffed, duped by normal physical sensations." It's funny, but when I read her books and listened to her tapes back then, it just didn't register. Now it all makes sense. Another hahaha.
Well, before this turns into a novel...I hope that this helps someone who is on the road to recovery. NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!
Take care ALL!
Hugs, Susan