Stress Center Peer Support

I’ve had one of the most struggling weeks this week that I’ve had in a very long time. I have started Week 3 and feel like I’m going downhill fast. I must say that I have been fortunate to where I do not have to take my medication for my anxiety to get through the day nor does it limit me from work, school, etc. Not that I really have a choice in the matter.

One of my major underlying problems is that I faint when I get shots or see blood. Never fails, ever since I was little to this day. I passed out getting my blood pressure done once as well. I think that what fuels my anxiety is the fact that I may ACTUALLY faint! Listening through these sessions I listen to them talk about having the fear of fainting and but you won’t but I feel like I come very close especially this week.

For the last six months I let myself go and decided to get my hair cut and colored. The whole day before my appointment I kept getting negative thoughts about “what if I pass out” and actually visualizing it happen and of coarse wondering “what will everyone think of me if I do?!” I listened to my relaxation tape, I listened to week 2 but nothing helped. I tried positive self talk but everytime I tried, its like MY MIND was WORKING AGAINST ME and would overpower me. I literally almost did not go into my appointment but did anyways, which is a good thing. However, it was a hair cut, and that has never bothered me before. WHY DO I FEEL THIS WAY? HOW DO I GET MY NEGATIVE THOUGHTS OUT OF MY HEAD? HOW DO I STOP MY ANTISIPITORY ANXIETY?

Then today, I decided to go tanning. They have a new sign in thing where you put your finger on a red light to scan your fingerprint. Believe it or not, I thought I was going to pass out. I get feeling the adrenaline pump through my body and I felt light-headed and wanted to get out of there. I felt all the symptoms that I normally do before I faint minus the blurred vision, fuzziness, etc. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? Sitting there in the booth, althought I’ve tanned several times prior, for those 6 minutes was like hell to me.

I try to think positively, what HOW DO I DO THAT WHEN I HAVE FAINTED BEFORE AND I KNOW IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAPPEN AGAIN? WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PASSING OUT AT SHOTS THAN JUST PASSING OUT BECAUSE OF MY ANXIETY?

I’m losing my concentration and I am now getting worse than better. I want to have kids but if I cant handle a doctors office nor anything related to blood how is this possible? How can I overcome this thing?!


I need all the input I can get at this point, anyone with same experience etc. Also, I know there is a help line we can call. Can someone please give me that information?

Let me start by saying the very first girl I ever fell in love with when I was 14 was from Tennessee, she was living in Ohio at the time. In session 2 Lucinda tells us to allow are self to have the panic attack, it sound as if you know that is what is happening and you did not faint. You should be giving your self a pat on the back not knocking yourself. You’re not from Knoxville are you? Just kidding, but seriously remember to slow down. Are you taking your medication as the Doctor prescribed? I am not afraid of the site of Blood but I hate needles and I used to half to get my blood taken every six months growing-up. I am at work otherwise I would give you the Phone number you requested.
Stop betting yourself up, judging by your picture you are a very pretty young lady. Allow you’re self to have the panic attack you will be ok, and even if you do faint what are you really afraid is going to happen to you other than feeling embarrassed.

actually I have relatives in knoxville. Lol, but originally from MI, ended up around Nashville. You are right that I should be saying good for me, but my mind see's it as another "scary" place and I will want more than ever to avoid. A year ago when I started getting panic attacks, my doctor gave me a 2 week supply (i still have it) they took tests and I went for a follow up, mentioned they were addictive and gave me the open of getting a full perscription. My father having an issue with anxiety growing up told me if i can deal without the meds, then to do it because I wouldnt want to become dependent.. so i took myself off taking a quarter and then none. However, I carry A PILL with me in my purse, gets its a security thing.

What am I afraid of when I faint? Exactly what you said, embarrassment and if people will know what to do with me.. lol

Philip, my fiances mom met her husband when he was 14, in Ohio, and she was from Tennessee. Weird.

And I live in Knoxville, more weird.

Very strange thread, haha.

Anyways, I also have a terrible fear of fainting. If I am laying in bed, and get up so slowly just to avoid that rush feeling that feels like your going to pass out. My BP is always pretty good, but, I'm still so afraid of fainting. I was scared I was going to faint on my balcony the other day. What if everyone saw me? or worse yet, what if NO ONE saw me and I just laid there and died.

Vomiting, fainting, seizures, and death are my worst fears ever.