Anxiety vs. Hope – Hope wins!

[Matt_T]

A dark cloud continually consumes & plagues my thoughts day & night. I wake exhausted feeling I’m on the verge of going insane. My palms are sweaty, my head is oppressed & I can’t sleep. I’m taking medication each morning just to get out of bed & function. I feel numb, helpless & most of all HOPELESS. I want to escape & rise above it all, but I can’t see the future. I’m mentally & physically fatigued as I battle in private for the mental anguish to be removed. My thoughts drift into dark places where I grapple with ways of “escaping”, although praying for the strength not to follow through.
This was my private battle of anxiety over a 5-year period triggered by an event I witnessed on a flight to Bali. My anxiety grew from being situational (flying) to panic attacks. I had to make a choice, either take action & fight it or live in a medicated cocoon for the rest of my life.
There is HOPE for full & utter restoration & to live a life free of anxiety. Although in the pit of darkness everything seems hopeless, hold on there is an amazing & bright future on the other side of this “giant”. Although the symptoms may present themselves physically, anxiety is not real, it can be controlled, it’s just annoying & uncomfortable.
I want to share some tips / thoughts that enabled me to manage & overcome my anxiety / PA:
Tip 1:Professional help - No shame in seeking professional help, they can provide rational & logical perspective when you can’t
Tip 2: Avoid avoidance - face your fears
Tip 3: Breathing is your anchor - With this it is physically impossible to have panic attacks. Recommend from iTunes Gay Hendricks Ph. D titled “fly without fear”
Tip 4:Thought replacement - Observe them but don’t let them take hold & replace them with positive thoughts
Tip 5:Keep a list of your conquests - This is a reminder of how far you have come
Tip 6:Rehearse how you want to experience the situation & break it up into manageable pieces - So doesn’t seem so overwhelming
Tip 7: Its ok & no shame in medication - I used that for a period when I needed it (properly prescribed by my Doctor) until I could get it under control.
Whether you are a believer or not, the power in the tips noted above are not diminished. For me, my greatest anchor was my faith in Jesus Christ. There was a sermon that my Pastor preached on “Courage beyond our fears” which changed my perspective & set me on a path of freedom.

[MsPurple]

HI Matt and welcome to the forums.

Thanks for sharing your personal struggles and sharing some real handy tips. I myself have done most of them. You are so right there is no shame in getting help

[Gregchant]

Hi Matt,

Gregchant in Brisbane

Thanks for sharing. I think I'm at the situational stage as claustrophobia has now happened on a flight and heading into ct scans. Bit concerned as I am due to fly long haul economy in February and the thought of an episode on board is bringing on a pre anxiety. You seem to have come through a pretty long battle and thanks again for sharing the tips.

[quirkywords]

Matt,

I do not have anxiety but I have moments where I can become overwhelmed so your list is very helpful. I have tried a few. The hardest for me is to avoid avoidance but I am getting braver. Lists of conquests is very helpful so we don't concentrate on the things we struggle with.

Thanks again

Quirky

[Matt_T]

Thanks for responding Gregchant. I completely understand where you are at, ive been in that exact place. The fear of a PA on board etc. It can rob your enjoyment weeks (sometimes months) prior to your flight. Please be assured mate that the anxiety / fear is not real (although it can feel it), and it CANNOT make you do anything. I really encourage you to visualise your flight for 5-10 minutes a day prior to your flight the way you want to experience it. I’d recommend downloading from iTunes a gentleman called Gay Hendricks Ph. D titled “fly without fear”. The breathing practices (deep circular breathing) that he teaches can apply to any type of anxiety, but it will set you free. You can control your anxiety / PA in any situation. The 2 “chapters” that most impacted me was “Breathing: Your Tool to Complete Freedom from Fear of Flying” and “Exercise: the reset button”.

In my pit of despair it was almost impossible to see freedom from it, but trust me you can. I just flew to Texas and then a separate trip to NZ in the last 4 weeks!! if i can do it, so can you. Step out in courage mate. All the best (you wont need it though).