Relapse! Coping, Symptoms and Tips.

[BlueIris]

Sorry you're feeling awful, but well done on the progress you've made. You should be proud of yourself.

[Carnation]

Thank you BlueIris x
It was an horrendous storm last night, so didn't sleep well at all. Lightening and thunder all the way through the night until about 6.30am. And although I hardly slept I found our new home quite safe and coped with my fears.
Unfortunately more on the way today, so I won't be venturing out today.
Storms are a major fear of mine and its something I need to handle better. It's all part of nature and storms happen to clear the atmosphere and bring down the heat.
Strange thing is it's not been that hot here, but as it originated from France with their 29c temperatures, the UK Copped the lot as well as another storm from Turkey and felt like being attacked from all sides! In the end I was not sure what storm was coming in from the sea or going out to sea, it was like the two storms met in the middle and not a pretty sight or pleasurable experience.
But got through it as we do most things in life.
And another monsoon is expected this afternoon, so hopefully after that we can all breathe some fresh clean air and get back to enjoying some nice sunny days.

[BlueIris]

I love storms normally - I like the heavy rain and how they clear the air. I think I have an idea how you feel, though - an ex of mine had parents who owned a small yacht. We were staying with them in the Netherlands, and one night there were tremendously heavy storms. Being so exposed and surrounded by tall metal objects, I felt profoundly uneasy.

[Carnation]

Exactly! I was in a position once when I had to drive in a metal object, (a car), through a long country lane in the dark and the early hours of the morning through trees and nothingness and the effect was very real and extremely scary.

[BlueIris]

Yeah, something like that can create an instant phobia, I think. Hoping we get the storms instead of you today.

[Carnation]

I hope you don't BlueIris, they were nasty ones. It was like I was sleeping under the 'Blackpool Illuminations' in monsoon conditions.
And another bad night's sleep. :(
Looking on the bright side, it's given me the excuse to be lazy today.

[DustingMyselfOff]

I suspect that the challenges these creatures offer you are far more beneficial and therapeutic than anything the pharmaceutical world can offer you, Sue? No side effects either.

Bingo, Pulisa! Nature, wildlife, and other non-human life are the best medicine.
Sue

[DustingMyselfOff]

Sorry you feel that way about storms.... it amazes me the things that some of us take for granted that really challenges others. I happen to like the storms, my husband and I often open the garage door, set up lawn chairs, and watch and listen to the storm outside. But then again, I'm afraid to go on vacation (which most people love) so who's to say what's a "valid" fear and what's not? If it causes us anxiety, it's a valid fear!

I received negative reinforcement last night about one of my valid fears: becoming unwell while out in public and away from home. We went to the casino (which I love) but within 10 minutes of getting there I was hit with overwhelming fatigue. I was slumped over a slot machine and not enjoying it at all and just wished I wasn't there. But since my husband was attending a concert at the facility I knew I would be there another 2-3 hours, which I normally LOVE and wish would last longer, but not so when you don't feel well. As I struggled to stay upright, I then got a bad dizzy spell, the kind that causes you to grab onto something because you feel like you're going to fall and that really put me over the edge. I got myself to a ladies room, tried to meditate in a stall, and then headed back out. The fatigue continued, and as a last resort I popped a tranquilizer. I know that seems counter-productive but in the past when I've tried that, it actually works. And it kinda did last night, too. About 40 minutes later the fatigue lifted and I started enjoying being there. I have no idea if that's because the tranq stabilizes your equilibrium or if it's because it reduces the anxiety, but I was then able to get through the next two hours.

Now that I think back on the day I was actually not myself on the ride to the casino, either. I normally enjoy the hour of spending quality time with hubby and listening to my favorite music, but I was very silent and not even wanting to listen to my songs. Don't know if I'm coming down with something, or if I just need to accept that we have good days and bad days, and there's not much we can do to prevent or predict them, damn it.
Sue

[Carnation]

After a whole day of being highly anxious and fearful, I've noticed that my muscle twitches have returned, particularly in my nose, eye and the left hand side of my abdomen. My lightheadedness has slightly returned too and it always amazes me how quickly symptoms can reappear.
But now I have the knowledge I know they can't harm me, they will go away and I know the reason why I've got them.
The post fatigue will right itself too with a little tlc.
I've taken it easy today, not even ventured out except for the back garden. Anxiety sufferers need more maintenance and patience than the average person and we need to remember that.

[Carnation]

Sue, I was writing a post, not knowing you were writing one too.
I have some answers that might be of help.
First of all, the last time you had a trip to the Casino you had a funny turn and a rough ride home.
This is stored in your memory and becomes a trigger.
Did you know that you have to replace a negative place/person/event at least ten times with a positive result to wipe out the negative thoughts. I didn't, but now understand why when I face my fears by returning to the place that brings out my fears or a person that sets of my twitches, I am now understanding why I don't get results straight away.
As for your trip to the Casino, well it is a place and event that will pump your adrenalin to it's highest and slot machines are designed to draw you in giving you an almighty high and at the same time, an almighty low.
It's not the best place for an anxiety sufferer, but you probably already know that.
You know it gives you pleasure and you know you pay for it in terms of suffering.
Your adrenalin will also pumping as you think about going there and by the time you arrive, your body will be raging with the adrenalin and instead of ridding it, you sit down with nowhere for it to go but your head.
That's why the tranquilliser worked.
Your decision will either be to expect a reaction like that and prepare for those feelings or not go.
I wouldn't mind betting, (excuse the pun), that It hasn't just happened a couple of times there and that's one of your hardest drives.
There are some things that fuel anxiety sufferers and they are not particularly the things that you might think.
If you had gone dancing, you would have felt better because you are working the anxiety off, but there's one thing you must remember when you feel like this, you are NOT going to die, it's adrenalin and anxiety which will eventually dissipate in time.