Fear Of Fainting/Stop Breathing

[Cheekychap]

Hello, yeah I was just wondering if any one had any positive outcomes with a similar or the same phobia as I currently suffer myself the "fear of fainting or to stop breathing".

I'm managing it currently watching my nutrition very carefully and using herbal supplements alongside CBT for GAD, low mood, OCD.

However it's listed as anxiety but it's not anxiety in the context that I'm scared of speaking to people etc, it's just the fear of fainting.

This causes a great deal of distress in places such as supermarket, aeroplanes, long car journeys, busy shopping centres where I'll get the physical sensations such as weakness, tingling sensations, dizzyness, and short of breath.

Which then leads me to the thoughts of oh no, what if I faint etc.

I'm thinking about exercise as a treatment although I know the sensations of everyday exercise such as lightheadness and dizzyness will cause distress in the short-term as they did when I played football before.

Has anyone got any advice on treatment options for this kind of phobia or coping mechanisms?

As I believe my low mood etc, all stem from this issue.



Many thanks,
Wish you all a speedy recovery!

[Speranza]

I imagine it's a vicious circle, it feeds the mood and the mood feeds it.

I have had this at various times and I find for me it works to just 'tough it out' - every time I look back and I didn't faint, counts as a positive for the next self-talk!

[Cheekychap]

I imagine it's a vicious circle, it feeds the mood and the mood feeds it.

I have had this at various times and I find for me it works to just 'tough it out' - every time I look back and I didn't faint, counts as a positive for the next self-talk!

Yes, I know it's all down to the Flight/Fight response etc. Hence the vicious circle, summed up well though and a nice positive outlook on it! Just need to remain positive and busy. Hopefully the exercise will help, maybe? Take care.

[Bonnibelle]

I am battling agoraphobia because of the sensations I get in shops. I get weak shaky arms, legs, shortness of breath, very faint feeling in my head and I feel I can't take a breath at times. Which in turn is causing me to feel more and more scared to go out alone.

The CBT4PANIC course will help you, it's helping me, as are the Claire Weekes book. My fear is fainting or collapsing in public which stops me going out. It all is panic disorder/anxiety and these books can help you understand that and lose the fear. Give them a try xx

[Cheekychap]

I am battling agoraphobia because of the sensations I get in shops. I get weak shaky arms, legs, shortness of breath, very faint feeling in my head and I feel I can't take a breath at times. Which in turn is causing me to feel more and more scared to go out alone.

The CBT4PANIC course will help you, it's helping me, as are the Claire Weekes book. My fear is fainting or collapsing in public which stops me going out. It all is panic disorder/anxiety and these books can help you understand that and lose the fear. Give them a try xx

So sorry to hear how you're currently suffering, horrible stuff eh. Hopefully with the right research and therapy we should all overcome it though I believe. Do you get a general sense of low mood alongside it/and mood swings from happy to sad in a matter of minutes for no good reason?

You've summed up my physical sensations exactly though. I suffer from all of what you said, but I wouldn't say I'm agraphobic in the sense I can still work, socialise although it's a struggle.

Fantastic bit of advice, thank-you.
I'll give them a try.

Hope things improve for you soon!

---------- Post added at 11:51 ---------- Previous post was at 11:45 ----------

I am battling agoraphobia because of the sensations I get in shops. I get weak shaky arms, legs, shortness of breath, very faint feeling in my head and I feel I can't take a breath at times. Which in turn is causing me to feel more and more scared to go out alone.

The CBT4PANIC course will help you, it's helping me, as are the Claire Weekes book. My fear is fainting or collapsing in public which stops me going out. It all is panic disorder/anxiety and these books can help you understand that and lose the fear. Give them a try xx

Oh and have you tried exercise as a form of treatment did it help at all?

Many thanks!

[Bonnibelle]

Yes, I suffer from low mood often. I went to see my GP about it today and had a good chat about things.

That's great you can still work and get out, you keep doing that, don't give into it, facing the sensations is what will get you through this. Feel the fear but do it anyway is my moto ;-)

Well I was doing exercise and healthy eating, both helped alot. I did a 30 minute work out on the Wii Fit which helped keep me toned up. I haven't done it for a few weeks but I should get back into it.

Good luck xx

[Cheekychap]

Yes, I suffer from low mood often. I went to see my GP about it today and had a good chat about things.

That's great you can still work and get out, you keep doing that, don't give into it, facing the sensations is what will get you through this. Feel the fear but do it anyway is my moto ;-)

Well I was doing exercise and healthy eating, both helped alot. I did a 30 minute work out on the Wii Fit which helped keep me toned up. I haven't done it for a few weeks but I should get back into it.

Good luck xx

Yeah think it's just where the anxiety takes it out of us more than anything but the more we fight it, well one step closer to freedom again!

Thank-you! Having a look through here just show's how common it all is what we suffer from. Great moto.

Same as, I need to get back into it. Just fight the physical sensations I'll get from it as I know it will help.

Thank-you, and yourself!

[ally b]

Hi
I think exercise is a great idea for u. I also suffer with the dreaded fainting, feeliing breathless,its almost like ur walking on a boat. By exercise it makes u breath correctly (maybe a lil out ov breath but for the rite reason hehe) as iv realise when i av the physical sypmtoms my breathing is very shallow,hense the tingling,feeling faint,wobbly legs. I still get the sensations when in public places,just gotta remember that iv neva fainted before an try to distract myself. Take care

[louloulollipop88]

It is so reassuring to know there are other people who are suffering this. I feel these sensations everytime I am in a public place. I am currently on maternity leave and due to go back to work at the end of January. I have no idea how I am going to cope, I can barely cope with leaving the house. I have never fainted in my life so I have no idea where these thoughts and fears come from but they are so crippling. At least its nice to know I am not alone in this. Hope you are finding support and recovering.