Stress Center Peer Support

Fainting/Passing Out

When we experience high levels of anxiety or panic, it’s only natural for us to feel light-
headed or dizzy. This sensation is scary because it makes us feel very alone and out of control of our bodies!!! It can also cause us a lot of embarrassment when we experience these feelings of off-balancing and dizziness in public, since, we tend to think others are noticing us!!! Dizziness can also occur during stressful circumstances, or in situations where we feel very uncomfortable!!!

We tend to over breathe when we are anxious and we may hyperventilate!!! That is why it is sooo important to use the breathing exercises that we have learned in the program, and use the relaxation tape to calm down our bodies and minds!!!


It is not likely that we will faint from panic attacks because fainting is a result of low blood pressure!!! When our bodies are in a heightened state of alertness then our blood pressure tends to go up preparing us for the fight/ flight response!!!

When we experience anxiety or panic attacks, our blood pressure tends to go up, instead of dropping, therefore, our brains are receiving a good supply of blood during these anxious moments!!!



Fainting when we are anxious or having a panic attack is unlikely, due to the amount of
blood that’s being circulated. Our heart is usually beating fast, and there’s little
worry that the brain would be short of a fresh supply.!!!

Regardless, people who have
fainted in the past tend to be particularly frightened by a dizzy spell because they
feel that if it happened before, it’s likely to happen again!!!



If you’ve fainted before and fear it might happen again, try to remember the
circumstance you were in: Were you tired? Was the temperature very hot? Had you
eaten correctly that day? Fainting can be the result of many different factors, but
generally it has little to do with anxiety and is more frequently associated with
energy levels, diet, or temperature!!!

Remember to not allow the fear of dizziness and fainting to take over your life...Try to not allow to give these fears any weight, at all!!!

When you feel dizzy, or are feeling off-balance, or faint...Just embrace these feelings...Trust your own body...Persevere...Practice your positive self talk, and deep breathing exercises...

You can not faint just because you tell yourself to faint, so, do not allow that fear to hold you back!!!

Say things like..Okay come on right now, let's see just how dizzy I can really get...Give me your best shot here...If you have an extreme fear of fainting, you may sit down while trying this exercise...Say...if you intend on making me faint, then, get on with it, because I do not plan on wasting the rest of my day waiting on you to try and make me faint!!!

Watch how fast these dizzy feeling dissipate!!! Once again, you have turned the tables on your fears, and they are very confused, and have no idea what to do...The more you practice this exercise the better you will get at it!!!

I pray this helped each of you who have fainted, or have a fear of fainting!!!

Have a great night!!! God Bless

Fear of fainting/lightheadedness was a huge problem for me before I found this program. I wish I would have had your explanations then - perhaps I would have worried less.

Since I learned how to avoid panic attacks, I never have that feeling anymore. I truly believe that practice makes perfect.

Unicorn...How do you avoid panic attacks??? I assume you mean that you no longer fear them!!!

Have a great day!!!!

Ms. T Bones, thank you for your encouragement. Fear of fainting was a huge issue for me for years. I have come a long way but still have this fear when driving. I am working on that and I appreciate your words. Thanks, P

Ms T Bones, thanks for this post on fainting! This has been my number one problem for many years now since I've fainted from anxiety numerous times (too many to count). I feel like an oddball anxiety sufferer and a little alone in this struggle since most people cannot faint during a panic attack. I do have other underlying issues like low blood pressure that I'm sure contribute to this problem. Since I've fainted so many times, every time I get lightheaded I get very scared and therefore I'm afraid of fainting pretty much every day (and then the fear gives me nausea, trembling, spaciness...the more common problems that we as anxiety sufferers have). I'm going to a psychiatrist soon which I hope will have some experience with my weird phenomena since I don't want to live in fear forever and will try just about anything at this point.

I like your idea of embracing it (even if I do end up passing out on the floor)...kind of hard to do when you're embarassed and demoralized but I'll try it next time...like you said, I need to trust my body that it's doing the right thing to self regulate.

I'd really love to hear from someone else that is also struggling with this and any advice they can provide! Thanks!

Originally posted by Ms. T Bones:
Unicorn...How do you avoid panic attacks??? I assume you mean that you no longer fear them!!!

You are right - avoiding isn't the best choice of word. Good way to look at it.

Fear of fainting is my biggest anxiety symptom. I've tried just about every technique to get over this fear and it still persists multiple times a day and is holding me back from doing anything.

Has anyone successfully found a technique that frees them from this fear?

I feel sensitive to lights, temperature, ect since I've had problems with panic attacks and agoraphobia -- and I get so hot and tingly during a panic attack, that I feel certain I will pass out due to the heat radiating from within and this only worsens if it's warm out.

I go to therapy, I have the program, but I am still stuck here. I'd appreciate any advice with this!

Say things like..Okay come on right now, let's see just how dizzy I can really get...Give me your best shot here...If you have an extreme fear of fainting, you may sit down while trying this exercise...Say...if you intend on making me faint, then, get on with it, because I do not plan on wasting the rest of my day waiting on you to try and make me faint!!!

Ms. T this is great!

I don't fear fainting but I use a similar dialogue with myself when I feel anxiety coming on and it really helps it to dissipate quickly!

I think anyone who may have that fear of fainting should find relief this way. This really helps with my bladder/intestinal urgency too, that comes on suddenly with anxiety.

Ms. T Bones---

You always post the most inspirational things on here!! You have great advice, and most importantly, you can tell you really care! Thanks for posting this!!

Havefaith...Thank you sooo much for saying such a nice thing!!! You made my night!!! God Bless...