Stress Center Peer Support

i just recently developed a new fear.. fear to go outside cause i think im gonna passout due to the heat.. i think im dehydrated... and im gonna pass out and not know what to do... i find myself worried to be alone.. where i live the temp is 110.. today is 106.. and i have no AC in my car. i stay in but i still have to run my errons. any advice to helping me. i carry and drink liters of water.. and gatorades like crazy. but i cant snap out whats going on in my head..
i know its my anxiety. cause i dealt with the heat every year,with no problems..
i need help..
with this
please


angela

I did not have an answer for you but do want you to know I suffer from the same thing. I always have drinks with me but am very sensitive to the seat and have a huge fear of passing out from it. I will not go out in the heat and I wait until night when the sun goes down. I have always been like this. If anyone has any answers, we would appreciate it.

I think that way to sometimes.

Make sure you are eating good food to keep your blood sugar level, along with drinking your stuff. That will help you minimize adrenaline squirts.

When it gets hot here, and my boys have to play baseball, I send along a cooler filled with icewater and cubes, and a bunch of washcloths. Then they can drape the wet cloth on their necks. That helps alot. I have seen things for sale that look like a handkerchief or scarf that are sewn into a tube like thing. They are filled with gel. You soak them in water for a bit to puff up the gel, and then tie them around your neck like a scarf. The wetness cools your neck and the blood vessels in that area, and then you cool off by evaporation. I've seen them in catalogs like Sahalie or REI.

I think it's a good idea to not go out in the heat of the day if you don't have to. And staying out of the hot car. Sounds like you are doing the smart/healthy thing. Maybe to get over the fear, you could practice being hot for short periods. Can you go to a sauna or something that you can control? Then you would see that it's OK when you do it safely like you are (drinking, etc.)

Hi Angela - I just responded to your question on my post. I believe that if you self-talk yourself about not fainting in the heat you should be okay. Maybe you could journal about this fear. For example: "My Worry - I will pass out in the heat." My Solution - I will keep water with me and will do my errands early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperature is not so hot." If you can come up with a solution, you will feel empowered. By the way, I think that with the heat as high as it is where you live, being concerned about hydration is very appropriate and you should not beat yourself up about it. I wish you the best of luck.
Lisa:)

thanks guys... i know its common sense, but it always makes me feel better when i hear it.. thanks lisalisa...