"Free of fainting"

I have always suffered 'panic attacks' about taking dizzy spells when standing for any length of time (queues at supermarkets, waiting for public transport etc) and increased stress levels in crowds (especially middle seats in rows at events or anywhere I felt enclosed in) but following Menopause/Covid the symptoms were more frequent to the point that I made excuses not to meet up with friends unless they were coming to my house.  I had lost so much confidence in myself that I would not drive or go out the house unless I had a family member with me. I sought help from my GP who provided excellent support and I was referred for various hospital tests to check blood pressure and heart rate (all came back normal) I was also put on Propanadol which helped only slightly so medication changed to Citalapram. This helped slightly but as all others courses had been checked my GP felt that I would benefit from being referred to Occupational Therapy.

I received an initial phone call to discuss my anxieties followed by an email containing handouts on - What is Anxiety, Cycle of Anxiety and Thinking Styles.  These were excellent and such a relief as I could identify myself and my current approach to life from them and helped to emphasise that there must be many people suffering the same as me. This was followed by a face to face meeting with a Therapist at my local GP surgery who was great - she remembered our phone call and we discussed the sheets she had sent to me.  One of the video clips she showed me was that as my anxiety levels increased the chances of me fainting became less (and not more likely as I had in my head) this was a great help when I was faced with 'panic' situations as I now keep reminding myself that I am not going to faint.

We then set goals for the next 2 weeks including relaxation and breathing techniques.  All this helped greatly and I managed small trips to local shops on my own. By the next meeting my self confidence levels had risen and we discussed my progress and it was great to get encouragement on my achievements and just having someone to listen and make me articulate how I was feeling.  We talked further about breathing strategies including Finger of Five movement which I am continuing to use and was set a diary task to track my anxiety levels which helped me identify patterns in my behaviour.  By the next visit my mood levels and confidence had increased thanks to the medication and support/encouragement from my Therapist. After a joint discussion and a handout on Situational Exposure it was decided that my initial score levels had increased and that I could be signed off although assured that help was always available if I felt I needed to come back.  It is now a few weeks since my last appointment and I have managed to cope with travelling abroad while although nervous, I kept thinking on the video clips and therapy discussion sessions and have moved from catastrophising thoughts to putting situations more into perspective. 

I continue to look over all the handouts received to reassure myself that it is not just me and that there are others with similar 'symptoms' but that there are positive strategies to help me cope.