Funky Symptom

[Kixxi]

A while ago I decided to go out no matter what, no matter how bad the fear is getting. I decided to just do it and stop letting this "thing" control my life.
On the downside, I developed this lovely side-effect called psychosomatic seizures (after a good 5 visits with the doctor), where my body just shuts down because it cannot handle it any more. The problem is that I am still fighting my anxiety, instead of just letting it happen and be nicer to myself. I'm still trying to control it, especially when there is a good amount of people around me. Any tips for me?

[gypsylee]

Can you explain these seizures? What actually happens?

[Kixxi]

Well, first I get a fizzy feeling in my head. Then my vision goes blurry and all my muscles go limb. I fall over and then regain control again in 5-6 seconds.
The doctor had some tests done just to make sure, but she pretty much said from the start that it was probably psychosomatic seizures. They took my blood and an ECG, but all normal.
Even though it is nothing serious, it is very annoying and embarrassing lol.

I read in one of your posts about the diaphragm breathing, which I try to do whenever I get a panic attack. Was this something that made the difference for your anxiety?

Thanks in advance
xx

[gypsylee]

Well, first I get a fizzy feeling in my head. Then my vision goes blurry and all my muscles go limb. I fall over and then regain control again in 5-6 seconds.
The doctor had some tests done just to make sure, but she pretty much said from the start that it was probably psychosomatic seizures. They took my blood and an ECG, but all normal.
Even though it is nothing serious, it is very annoying and embarrassing lol.

I read in one of your posts about the diaphragm breathing, which I try to do whenever I get a panic attack. Was this something that made the difference for your anxiety?

Thanks in advance
xx

Absolutely. I actually did it last night because I was trying to fall asleep (I was anxious) and it worked. If I could teach people with anxiety only one thing it would be diaphragmatic breathing. It does take a while to get the hang of though. Have a look at a picture of what the diaphragm actually looks like then you can visualise what it's doing as you breathe. When you breathe correctly you stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which is not working properly when you're anxious because the parasympathetic is in overdrive. It basically thinks you will be attacked by a bear if you fall asleep. So what I do is focus on my breathing and calming the nervous system. It's not some magic bullet and I've had to practice, but I've found it really does work.



P.S. Another thing you can do is sing. When you sing you naturally breathe with your diaphragm. I do it mainly when I'm driving and I get very anxious. Music takes the focus off your anxiety and singing works the diaphragm.

[Kixxi]

Absolutely. I actually did it last night because I was trying to fall asleep (I was anxious) and it worked. If I could teach people with anxiety only one thing it would be diaphragmatic breathing. It does take a while to get the hang of though. Have a look at a picture of what the diaphragm actually looks like then you can visualise what it's doing as you breathe. When you breathe correctly you stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which is not working properly when you're anxious because the parasympathetic is in overdrive. It basically thinks you will be attacked by a bear if you fall asleep. So what I do is focus on my breathing and calming the nervous system. It's not some magic bullet and I've had to practice, but I've found it really does work.

I agree with you there. I've used diaphragm breathing when I got bad flashbacks and could not get to sleep. I find it harder to do outside the home though, maybe I need more practice? Have you used it for panic situations, for example agoraphobia or social anxiety?

[gypsylee]

I agree with you there. I've used diaphragm breathing when I got bad flashbacks and could not get to sleep. I find it harder to do outside the home though, maybe I need more practice? Have you used it for panic situations, for example agoraphobia or social anxiety?

Yeah I try to but I find it much easier when I'm at home obviously. I haven't had bad agoraphobia or social anxiety in a while though so it's hard to say.

[Kixxi]

Yeah I try to but I find it much easier when I'm at home obviously. I haven't had bad agoraphobia or social anxiety in a while though so it's hard to say.

Just quick question, what steps did you to get rid of that nasty agoraphobia? It is still one of my biggest issues. The anxiety at home I have under control. I just like to hear what other people have to say about their recovery from it.

[Kixxi]

Absolutely. I actually did it last night because I was trying to fall asleep (I was anxious) and it worked. If I could teach people with anxiety only one thing it would be diaphragmatic breathing. It does take a while to get the hang of though. Have a look at a picture of what the diaphragm actually looks like then you can visualise what it's doing as you breathe. When you breathe correctly you stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which is not working properly when you're anxious because the parasympathetic is in overdrive. It basically thinks you will be attacked by a bear if you fall asleep. So what I do is focus on my breathing and calming the nervous system. It's not some magic bullet and I've had to practice, but I've found it really does work.



P.S. Another thing you can do is sing. When you sing you naturally breathe with your diaphragm. I do it mainly when I'm driving and I get very anxious. Music takes the focus off your anxiety and singing works the diaphragm.

I agree that singing helps. I tried to hum in the supermarket to get rid of my anxiety and it did work, although the strange looks I got were not helping lol! Was quite the sight though lol

[Im-Suffering]

What the medical community does not recognize is that whether physical (epileptic or so called abnormal electrical charges), or psychological the stresses are always repression (suppressed) _of emotional energies. The fight itself to press on - that decision (without sufficient clearing) was enough to bring on these 'episodes'. For you, it's about letting go (there would then be no fight, just a 'normal' life). But you haven't done any full releases. Meaning you've conceptualized the problems but not released their energies (grip). The intent would be to do that, if not it's for naught.

It is not the recall of the issues (hurt memories) that causes this problem, but the pent energies behind them. An 'attack' (epileptic or psychosomatic) is a representation of a semi-release, but not a conscious one, which would heal.

[Kixxi]

What the medical community does not recognize is that whether physical (epileptic or so called abnormal electrical charges), or psychological the stresses are always repression (suppressed) _of emotional energies. The fight itself to press on - that decision (without sufficient clearing) was enough to bring on these 'episodes'. For you, it's about letting go (there would then be no fight, just a 'normal' life). But you haven't done any full releases. Meaning you've conceptualized the problems but not released their energies (grip). The intent would be to do that, if not it's for naught.

I totally agree with you. I have problems letting go and just letting "it" happen. Maybe some part of me is still afraid of the panic symptoms? Do you have any tips for me so I can fully let go in these situations? I will not let it win, I won't let it win.
What you are saying is really powerful and I really agree with you. The more you fight it, the worse it becomes. Having a need for control and perfection certainly gives my anxiety more control over me, so anything you could tell me about letting go would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance,
xxx