The diagnosis of anxiety related illness has exploded in the last couple of decades. Has life suddenly become more difficult or is it only now that the symptoms of these often invisible ailments are being officially recognised as serious?
In my early twenties I lost my dad in visually bloody and traumatic circumstances. Long after the initial grieving, (it never really ends, it just becomes more manageable) I began to develop mysterious symptoms. Strange aches all over my body, chest pains, breathlessness, dizzy spells and an inability to relax, amongst many other feelings of illness.
Reading them as a list on page doesn't really do them justice and that is often the problem with anxiety related illness, people can't see how bad you feel. All of those symptoms and reactions were genuinely very frightening and the doctors couldn't really tell me anything, other than after tests and umpteen check-ups, that there was nothing physically wrong with me.
One would think, that after an "all clear" message, normality would return, but things just got worse and there seemed to be no help or hope left, since after all, the medical world had told me I was fine! Where to turn now?
Eventually, to cut a long story short and to hurry you along to the good bit, I saw a counsellor who provided me (along with informing me it was likely I was suffering from post traumatic stress) with a revelation. Fear of Fear! I know it doesn't sound like much of an amazing tip as declared in the title, but please allow me to explain.
What happens when you are having panic and anxiety attacks? The Panic and anxiety increase, because all of the symptoms you are experiencing are terrifying and result in yet more fear. Eventually, you feel afraid of those feelings of panic and anxiety before they even arrive and a vicious circle is born. Fear of being anxious, fear of panic and fear of fear.
So what is this amazing tip? Attack the fear of fear, wage war on the fear of anxiety and stand toe to toe with the fear of panic. My counsellor told me to remind myself of what happened last time I had an attack. Did I keel over and die? Did I pass out in the middle of the street when I was dizzy? Did I have a heart attack during my last bout of chest pain or breathlessness? The answer to all of these questions is of course, NO!
This is the key to getting through those dreaded panic attacks and episodes of anxiety, to recognise that although what you are feeling is both real and very uncomfortable, it is not life threatening or dangerous. It is at this moment that victory becomes not so much instant, but a possibility, and hope is born again.
When I first realised that I was ensnared within a cycle of fear, that I was not only suffering from anxiety and panic but I was also afraid of those very things, it was as though a bolt of lightening jolted me awake. The moment I stopped being afraid of the symptoms themselves, was the moment I started the journey to recovery. Please don't misunderstand, this technique doesn't cure panic and anxiety attacks, it helps you combat them, before, during and after they occur. It's a pill you don't have to take and yet still get the tonic of the medicine.
I cannot stress enough, just how liberating taking this step or achieving this goal can be, to be free of the fear of those terrible symptoms. Here's a brief breakdown of what to do, if you have been diagnosed by your doctor as having symptoms of panic and anxiety, everything else has been ruled out, and those moments of discomfort arise:
Remember you are suffering from anxiety and that many, many symptoms and pains around the body can be triggered by this condition.
Once you have mastered the first point, repeat over and over to yourself, " this is not a life threatening pain, I have had them many times before, I didn't die or get rushed to hospital and as horrible as the feelings are, they DO pass!"
When the feelings have passed, remember the process you just went through and ask yourself if you coped better with the situation this time than you have in the past. It is quite likely you will have noticed a difference so pat yourself on the back, encourage yourself, congratulate yourself and be determined to beat this thing that has imprisoned you.
Rinse and Repeat Go through the same thing each and every time you have an attack and you may find yourself eventually being almost unmoved and untroubled by your panic attacks and you can concentrate on the many other things that will help make you better.
Of course it is impossible to claim that these methods will work for everyone as personal situations are varied and often complicated, but the basic outline of fighting the fear of the symptoms rather than the symptoms themselves, has worked for me and lots of my friends and family that I have shared it with.
Anxiety and panic related illnesses, unfortunately, often come packaged with a stigma but these techniques are certainly one way in which you can begin the fight back and not let these horrible feelings of pain, discomfort and fear, hold you down anymore.
If you have not already been diagnosed as suffering from anxiety and panic and are suffering chest pains or any other undiagnosed pain for that matter, then these tips are NOT for you! Visit your doctor as soon as possible to get checked out.
Currently studying freelance journalism, Julian is a creative writer and poet and writes both professionally and for pleasure. Professionally, Julian writes articles for an internet marketing company and although he is often restricted by topic, his writing still maintains his own unique style. He has written a series of heartfelt and impartial articles about the success and controversy surrounding the electronic cigarette. He has found the discipline involved with this work to be a great writing exercise and believes it enhances and improves the rest of his writing. Julian's articles at Searchwarp are of a much more personal nature, where he feels he can express his views and interests in the world around him.
You are so right when you say anxiety and panic related illnesses come packaged with a stigma. That's very unfortunate because these illnesses are very real. People can't see them, so they don't understand them. Thanks for sharing your story Julian. I have no doubt that your article will help many people. Knowing they are not alone in their feelings will be a first step in overcoming their illness. Good job!
Hi Brianna, thanks so much for the thoughtful comment. That stigma is a real problem with panic and anxiety related illnesses. Try and explain it to someone and often you are greeted with a blank expression or a complete lack of understanding, yet these things can hit anyone, anywhere and at any stage of life. The beauty is, although terrifying and debilitating, panic and anxiety problems don't have to be permanent. Off the back of the help and inspiration my counsellor gave me, I went on to complete a basic level certificate in counselling myself. Time and financial restraints prevented me taking it further, but my point is, fullness of life can be totally restored even after the darkness of an illness like that. Thanks again Brianna. Julian :)
Good, workable technique, Julian. Generally useful for many circumstances, I have used similar techniques on myself.
Could your anxiety be symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder? It's certainly not just something combat vets get, but can be found in anyone who has experienced trauma, such as what you describe.
Thanks for your comment G. I believe at the time there was an element of post traumatic stress disorder involved, at least as a trigger. Glad you think the anxiety techniques are decent. Appreciate you taking time to read. Thanks again. Julian
Many thanks for the timely article. I am the worried mother of a "so" child --- so beautiful, so gifted, so smart. yet so paralized by anxiety and stress. Just about every symptom you described she has experienced since about the age of ten. She recognizes that there is a problem, but as a medical student she is also painfully aware of the stigma attached to her condition. I will be forwarding your article to her. Thanks again.
Hello Felwe, Thank you for taking time to leave a comment about this article. It is one of the most personal articles I have ever written, so I wanted and hoped I would do the topic justice. I do hope your daughter is able to draw some comfort from at least some part of article if she reads it. Every situation is different and often difficult but panic and anxiety can be defeated! Thanks again, Julian
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