Do you have any fears/phobia? I'm struggling with mine

[wonderbunny]

I have two, one is the extreme fear of heights; and the other is guns. I get sick/nausea from high buildings. Every time I have to enter an office building over say 7 stories I get the willies. And guns, I can faint on visual contact. I see them on tele and I'm ok, but in real life---- flatline. It becomes a Cindy Brady moment - frozen stiff.

[quirky]

I'm afraid of driving in traffic....but I'm actually getting better at it.

[JT Carrey]

lately I've had a fear of sleeping and eating, I had to be rushed to the ER on the 26th (day after Christmas) cuz I broke out in hives and had a lump in my throat, I don't see an allergist until January 24th, I'm just really scared cuz I've never had allergies before, and it seems to have all developed suddenly, no matter what I eat, I get a lump in my throat and I'm nervous and scared and think I'm going to die I don't know what's wrong with me, the doctor at the ER said it could be stress, if that's all it is, I would hope that getting rid of my stress would get rid of my allergies, but who knows, is anyone on here allergic to anything and what do you do?

[quirky]

I used to get hives. Taking a bath with some baking soda in it helps.

[fluffy]

It sounds to me as though you may indeed have had an allergic reaction on the 26th but now it's been focused on it's developing into a psychosymatic response and basically you are sufferring from acute anxiety as opposed to stress or depression..........it's as though cognitively you have associated the feelings of choking with anxiety and visa versa........so you are constantly worried about it now............
it's called a choking/swallowing fixation and is more common than you think...........
You may well have actually had an allergic reaction on the 26th and now you are scared it will happen again so you are fixating subconsciously on it...............The truth is if you had had a serious reaction you would have experienced anaphylaxis which is a life or death situation..........so you can rest easy knowing you have had a scare ....but you wouldn't have died.............

There are various ways to tackle the problem head on in the meantime.......
1)Firstly i would explore an exlusion diet.......you'll find the details on the net...keep a note of EVERYTHING you eat and drink........then you can present your DR with the details on the 26th.........they will have to take you seriously ..........
2) I'd be looking at a few cognitive techniques.....i would make sure i carry water and when the feelings start and your throat starts to constrict sip it.............it'll cool down your throat and re-assure you that it's open
3) Count from 100 backwards.............it's really hard and believe me it breaks the panic chain..............
4) breathe deeply from your chest through your nose.......it's a Yoga technique and you can't hyperventillate easily ..........it's a recognised technique for over breathing............
5) pinch the piece of skin between your thumb and forefinger hard.....the focus switches from panic to Pain then.............pain is more receptive.....
6) As a last resort medication may be the answer.........but try the above........

I've had a lot of success working with kids and teenagers and even their parents using the above techniques...........

Let me know how you get on JT.........

cheers
fluffy

ps..and if you are wondering how i know these things i'm a behaviour specialist for Aberdeen city council i can be called upon to trouble-shoot serious behaviour issues in schools.........

[thecablegal]

I have an allergy which broke out the same, I got hives all over my body. It was originally triggered by a food (I have no idea what), but now it's developed into Cold Urticaria, an allergy to low temperature. Basically, I break out in a rash if my skin gets cold. It's HORRIBLE. I have to take strong tablets. I work with chilled food at work, and my ears and face STING so bad when I'm in the chiller. If I scratch, I scar. So there's my first fear, getting cold.

I fear death, I fear being alone, I fear heights (but conquered that on a Roller Coaster earlier this year), I fear spiders to the point that I will leave the room if I see one.

I'm terrified of driving. I have to learn. I started learning last year, and I got a lot better, but I was in a crash about a year later (I wasn't driving) and I haven't driven since. I WILL do it!

[fluffy]

Do you have Reynauds too Jenna??......do your fingers go really cold and numb ??.......and you get awful chilblains??

fluffy

[thecablegal]

I frequently get numb hands, but I've never thought that it was a problem!

[JT Carrey]

man, well I hope things get better for you cablegal, it's scary how things develop over time without you knowing until it's an emergency

[thecablegal]

Thanks JT

I'm kinda learning to live with it, but I HATE itching, it drives me mad.

I hope you find out what's causing your problem soon.

[JT Carrey]

thanks

[Niobe]

Crumbs, phobias are a terrifying thing. Sometimes you can try and find out a logic behind them and trace a moment back in time that may have triggered it. Other times, it's a total mystery.
In the former, I think you can go back to tackle those issues head on to help solve current problems (I know this can be done, from my work), but sometimes it's about managing the concerns as they are here and now.

Cablegal: had a bad RTA myself and found, what worked for me, was to get back in the car behind a wheel as soon as I could. But I know it's not the same for everyone. When you're a passenger it's another angle. Re-introducing yourself gradually can de-sensitise you. Whatever works.....I wish you all the best!

[rirumo]

i dont have a phobia in especific, but im afraid for the reptiles and the lizards ; and the places very close with very much people ( the conglomerates) like a street parades or some thing like that

_______________
RIRUMO

[fluffy]

It sounds like Reynauds Jenna...........check it on the net..........it's to do with your blood vessels........it's extremely common and not serious albeit irritating....................
you can use stuff like cinnamon and black pepper oils to warm the skin........but the best advice is to keep well covered up and cosy..........there are drugs available but it's best to leave them as a last resort................

fluffy

[fluffy]

Re-introducing yourself gradually can de-sensitise you. Whatever works.....I wish you all the best

!
Good advice..................

when i saw the old lady being flattened by the train in Dundee, i wouldn't go near a level crossing for ages and i'd start to shake near trains but then i decided the best thing was to go back to the scene of the accident and wait for a train to go past..........
Yeah i shook and got a little teary but as soon as i did it i knew i was ok...........
and now i don't give it a second thought.....................
i guess it's the old analogy of getting back on the horse once you have a tumble...........there's truth to it..........

fluffy