Today I put a face to the name. I tried to keep this semi private, I didn't want to embarrass my son(as I only do refer to him as my son in the blog), or my family, or maybe even myself. I wanted to help people by sharing my life but for this moment I am really going to commit. You can see my face. I am not sure if this will be a permanent fixture on my profile and I will admit I am feeling a bit anxious now that I have done it.
Physical symptoms of agoraphobia
Sufferers will usually only experience the symptoms when they find themselves in a situation or environment that causes them anxiety. Physical symptoms are rare because most people with agoraphobia avoid situations that they believe will trigger panic. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Accelerated heart beat.
- Rapid and shallow breathing (hyperventilating).
- Feeling hot, flushing.
- Stomach upset.
- Diahrea.
- Trouble swallowing.
- Breaking out in a sweat.
- Nausea.
- Trembling.
- Dizziness.
- Feeling light headed, as if one were about to faint.
- Ringing in the ears.
These symptoms are sometimes related to the physical symptoms:
- Fear that people will notice a panic attack, causing humiliation and embarrassment.
- Fear that during a panic attack their heart might stop, or they won't be able to breathe, and may die.
- Fear that the sufferer himself/herself is going crazy.
- Feeling a loss of control.
- Depression.
- General feeling of dread and anxiety.
- Thinking that without the help of others the sufferer himself/herself would never be able to function or survive.
- Dread of being left alone.
- Low self-confidence and self-esteem.
Just a little reminder about what this is all about. Not just simply MY life, many people suffer from anxiety and agoraphobia.
For me the therapy and the medication really has not done much of anything, it is really just putting yourself out into the world and trying to manage it. Some days are good. Some days are really really bad. I have been doing a little bit better as of late and yesterday I was in Wal-Mart and it started, the panic, the anxiety, that crushing feeling in my heart, my compulsive need to check my blood sugar...all of it, and I have been doing so good. I guess it as simple as that old AA "One Day At A Time". That is all we really can do just take it one day at a time and do the best we can.
Love and Light
Good for you! This is really good information and helpful to many I'm sure. You had a moment in Walmart - did you run from the store? How were you at coping with your anxiety. You talk about it like you failed in some way. We all have moments like this - I can't remember the last time I was in Walmart - I hate those stores - the temp is always wrong and it is way too many people. Sometimes we have to do a moment at a time...
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