Anyone Else Have Constant Fear Without Reason?

[greenleaf]

@cupfish, you mention yoga; have you tried adding in some exercise that elevates your heart rate for around a half hour per day or more, if you're physically able to do that? One can't start too fast. There are lots of options depending upon joint issues etc.

I try to get the rate up past about 120; this depends upon age. (How did I get to be this old, by the way????) For me, this seems to help burn off the results of random fear during each day, and sort of resets my nervous system to a calmer state. It's a maintenance thing for me, not a cure. I think adrenaline is partly to get the body to perform better in physical emergencies, so it's always made sense to me that working some of it out physically into some other chemicals would help my whole system. I feel calmer after, more so than sitting and trying to calm down, if I've had a lot of adrenaline. In other words... For me, there is often a level that is hyperaroused but the calm, deal-with-reality-and-look-normal part has always been there too, sort of a two level awareness; what I assume is getting rid of some adrenaline chemically through exercise makes me much happier than just medicines did.

 

[Recovery4Me]

I would really be interested in learning more

I will try to offer a little as not to 'jack' the thread nor give the appearance of self-imposed authority. I just know it is working for me.

Anthony actually has some data somewhere (I think in the trauma diary Exposure Therapy Instructions) that couples and extends with CBT. It is the basis of the same principle and he spent some considerable time in the effort. (He is impressive, yes?)

T's (and some additional other areas) are also researching and utilizing with success rerouting or matching stimulus minimizing some Amygdala developmental functions within PTSD or from nuerotransmitter imbalance. These articles can be found in science forums (such as Science Daily) or abstracts for free.

There are books also on N.A.R.M. (Neuro Affectic Relationship Model)-such as "Healing Developmental Trauma" by Laurence Heller PhD and Aline LaPeirre PsyD but I received no feed back in asking others if they had read it or were under that form of that extended with consideration therapy.


Solara who posted the quote below may have some thoughts (and/or others) on Nuerofeedback usage:

Neurofeedback isn't a mainstream PTSD treatment, but it *can* help with the physical symptoms of PTSD

Thanks btw Solara for bringing that up! Would love to chat down the road (perhaps not hogging Cupfish's thread) on that aspect within your recovery. Awesome.

Sorry Cupfish, I am hoping this info could be possibly offer an additional thought on your constant fear state:hug:. If not boot it to the curb!:clown: I aim to please.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I started therapy in 1985 and I was one big ball of fear for so long. But I wanted to become a real person and had no idea how messed up I was. It was a process and a lifetime journey but I have overcome the fear to a low grade anxiety disorder and no more panic attics.

I take several medications to get me stable and I am doing very well right now. I still have to work on my healing and recovery because of childhood abuse and multiple traumas.

I went through so many bad experience until I began to really study and research and study on getting better.

I wanted to leave you with some hope. Keep on working on yourself and do so much self care and learn about what you need and want and get them met.

I used to be a person that had no boundries at all with anyone. I did not know about boundries. I also had to get rid of the self abuse of self talk and get rid of false beliefs and so many illusions had to go.

I am amazed that you can function so well on the outside and perhaps, just my opinion is the root of your fear. Do not give up on you, you are so worth fighting for and in time, you will be so much better.

I happen to believe that PTSD is a lifetime thing so learning good grounding skills and coping is execellent.

But I remember being in my closet all rolled into a ball and it was so bad. Bad for a very long time. You did not get this way overnight and your survival skills are now working against you like mine did with me.

I really wish you the best on finding some real relief from the fear soon.

 

[Laura 2]

You did not get this way overnight and your survival skills are now working against you like mine did with me.

That's a really good way of putting it and something for me to ponder on today. Many thanks ;-)

 

[cupfish]

@KwanYingirl . Well put. I am sitting on my couch at 5am trying to put on my weekday work suit, filled with dread,and I have the best job in the world. Awful. Other people don't have to live like this.

 

[cupfish]

I so appreciate all these replies. I made an appointment with my doc to start looking at what chemically is going on inside of me -- blood work et al. I want to know if I have elevated or absent blood levels that would be a result of the constant pit of fear inside. What is chemically going on and what is its impact on my body? It can't be good; hypervigilance in the absence of danger is a terrible state of being. I will talk to her about cortisol and adrenaline, at very least.

 

[Laura 2]

Well put. I am sitting on my couch at 5am trying to put on my weekday work suit, filled with dread,and I have the best job in the world. Awful. Other people don't have to live like this.

It's no consolation, I absolutely know that, but there are millions of people all over the world who feel like this.

If I had to work (if I could, that is), I'd be sitting there in exactly the same way: full of dread, probably in tears, fumbling everything, heart beating 19 to the dozen, thoughts racing, churning stomach, dashing to the loo every 10 mins...

Personally, I'm angry that other people and the world traumatise us so badly that we are so profoundly terrified - and they get away with it. In these moments, you feel like you're utterly alone - but you're not. My heart goes out to you....I hope you made it through today...:hug:

 

[Recovery4Me]

I will talk to her about cortisol and adrenaline, at very least.

Wonderful step of courage Cupfish. Proud to know you.
Peace and prayers sincerely being offered your way.