Stress Center Peer Support

Ok, I've been dealing with this crap for 25 years.
Just started the program and so far lot so good info.
Even before starting it I've been taking this 'don't give a crap' attitude.
After 25 years none of my fears have come to realization, so they're sure as hell
aren't going to happen now.

I have a question:
I know anxiety can show it's ugly self in many different ways.
Many of them physical.
This started many years ago and when it first happened scared
the hell out of me.
Sometimes when I am driving (I travel about 50,000 miles a year by car) all
of a sudden I have this sensation (sort of like daydreaming), my eyes squint
almost to the point of closing.
My first reaction is to pull over
right away.....last only seconds but is scary as hell.
For that few seconds you question whether you're in control or not.

A few months back I was passing a tractor trailer (several) when my
heart started to pound....my eyes started to squint etc....all the same symptoms.
It was a week or so before I could actually pass a rig without these symptoms.
Many years ago I had a brain scan done and nothing showed up....my personal doctor
said it was a manifestation of the anxiety.
So.....anyone else ever have this happen? If so......how do you handle it?
Thanks in advance for any feedback....love these forums

Hi fonzie.

Just about EVERYONE has or had those symptoms. I hated that feeling like I was in a dream. When it first happened to me I use to talk to people to make sure they could see me and that I was really here. lol It was horrible!

What you have to do is, when it happens, you have to stop yourself from panicking and tell yourself that this is normal for anxiety and that it wont hurt you, because it wont! Just let it happen. It will go away and not come back if you stop panicking. That goes for all of the body symptoms.

If you stop panicking and just "float" with it, it will probably happen a few more times but get less and less until it stops happening for good. But for some people, it stops immediately.

Hi Fonzie,
I have physical symptoms of anxiety too, one of them being that weird spacey feeling you described. This program has taught me to accept the anxiety and not to fight it. I used to fight it and it would just get worse. Now I tell myself that I'm having anxiety and I accept it and it's okay and it will go away because anxiety always does and then the anxiety will go away very quickly. As time goes on it seems to go away quicker and quicker.

I hope I gave you some help. The program is a wonderful tool and it can and will help you if you let it! I wish you the best of luck!
Steph

Fonzie, I can relate but in a slightly different way. I recently have had many symptoms of my anxiety come out physically, including panic attacks. One thing that can trigger my panic symptoms is getting stuck in a traffic jam (feel trapped, unsafe, etc.). During some of these moments, I get a feeling of unreality where I have to squint a bit, remind myself I am all there and in control. From what you're describing, it sounds as though you're having the symptom related to passing semis. Did you have a bad experience once with a semi?

I just received my program yesterday and will be starting it this weekend. I am hoping it will help me (as well as the meds my doc started me on).

Take care! If all it is is anxiety, you are in control and can beat it!

Thanks for the feedback.
You damn right I'll beat this sh*t!!
I'm just damn tired of the little voices
in my head giving me the 'what if' stuff.
Bottom line it's me that creates these events....it's just going to take some time to get it turned around.
The worse thing you can do is sit around and feel sorry for yourself.....gotta pull yourself up by the boot straps and grab a handfull of life.
It's just as easy to think positive...just got start practicing.
Thanks again

Now that's what I like to hear! Stay positive and strong, Fonzie. Ayy!