Feeling like I black out for a second

[bitter_biscuit]

Hi guys,

I've been dealing with severe anxiety for just under a year now and have made some progress with counselling etc.

Though I don't panic as much anymore, I still get this weird symptom occasionally where I'll be sitting down (usually on my phone or laptop) and I'd feel like the room just tips over very quickly, I feel like I pass out and my heartbeat become very palpable, and then it'll be gone in just a split second. Like my brains been washed over in a rush of darkness. Sometimes it only happens once, but today it has already happened twice.

Has anyone else ever experienced this and have you managed to find out a cause? And has anyone managed to treat it?

I might go and see a GP just to be sure, as I do tend to think of the worst possible scenario (typical health anxiety... )

It is honestly the one thing that scares me the most and I find myself worrying for the rest of the day.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi bitter_biscuit,

Thanks so much for your post.

I hope if you reply to this you can clarify your username because while reading I'm trying to think of what a bitter biscuit would be 🙂

I'm sorry to hear that you've been experiencing this! Do you actually pass out- how do you know what happens/happened?

For me personally, yup! I went through maybe months of passing out while trying to find a cause. Eventually it turned out to be a medical thing, (not overly relevant) but I did learn so much more about anxiety and how stress can make our body do funny things. Obviously my experience was a worst case scenario, but I'm sharing it anyway because if the cause is anxiety I promise you that you're not going crazy.

I hope that you can get into see your GP soon and get some answers!

rt

[bitter_biscuit]

Hi rt!

I'm actually not sure what prompted my username...I was initially going for just biscuit but that was taken so I just added bitter in front, for some reason xD

I don't think I actually pass out since I'm still sitting by the end of the episode, and fully aware of what happened. I guess it's more like a sudden wave of dizziness/vertigo? I just feel like my body weight is being tipped over by some inexplicable force, yet I never actually fall.

I'm glad you found a cause for that, I can only imagine how frustrating it'd be to not know why you're going through the things you do. Any bit of experience is helpful!

Not sure if seeing my GP will be useful but there's no harm in going!

Thanks for the reply 🙂

~ bb

[Sophie_M]

Hi bitter_biscuit, 

This sounds like it would be difficult to deal with. Thank you for sharing this, it sounds really hard and we don’t want you to feel alone in this. We are really sorry to hear you are experiencing this and we want you to know that we are here for you.  

We agree it's worth talking about this to your GP. There's some advice on our website here about having the conversation with your health professional. It can be helpful to plan and think about this in advance.  

It's good to hear that you’re making progress with counselling. Please remember that if, at any point, you feel you need to talk through these feelings, you can call our phoneline on 1300 22 4636, or you can use the webchat or email.

We're glad you could share your story here, and we hope romanticthi3f's words are helpful to you. It can be really tough to reach out but you never know who will read your post and feel like they are less alone in their own experiences.  

Kind regards, 

Sophie M 

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi bb,

Hah out of all the things you could have added to biscuit.. chocolate, jam, ginger, macadamia, anzac..! Although reading this makes me hungry and thank you for satisfying my curiosity 🙂

How odd it must be, although I'm really glad that you don't fall! I agree going to the GP is an excellent idea, I hope he can give you some support and answers- or at least an easy path to find some answers.

If I had any 'medical advice', it would be to see if you can do some tracking- things that you find make it better or worse, or anything you noticed beforehand. That might be one of the questions they'll ask, so it's always useful if you have any sort of information with you - ok if not of course.

It was frustrating, and I live with anxiety too, so my attempts at googling were pretty awful. I think I just wanted to share it with you because I really know how hard it can be when somethings happening to your body and you don't quite know why. Anxiety doesn't make it easier, but you're not alone in this 🙂

rt

[Gabs_]

Hello bitter_biscuit,

Just a thought, have you looked into derealisation or disassociation? Might be something worth speaking to GP/Psychologist/Psychiatrist about. Earlier this year when I had severe panic attacks, I would be sitting in a room and then all of a sudden, I would flick to like a memory in my mind, but it would only last for, say, 30 secs and then I'd be back in the room but I would be like "what the heck just happened?"

My team kind of explained it to me like my brain couldn't deal with the anxiety, so it just needed to shut off for a few moments. Does that make sense?

Just food for thought. I know I was so frightened when it first started happening, so I completely feel for you.

Happy to chat more x

[bitter_biscuit]

Hi Gabs!

I have a session with my psychologist this Wednesday, so I'll def bring it up. That does sound like a possibility. I went to my GP today after a horrible panic attack that nearly landed me in an ambulance and they still think this is all caused by anxiety.

So they're suggesting medication but I'm a bit scared to start, however at this point my anxiety has become very hard to manage so it might be my only option.

Thanks for the reply!

~ bb

[Hanna3]

Hi bitter biscuit!

From your description it sounds more like an anxiety/panic attack. They can make you feel close to blacking out - I used to get them that badly.

The famous old treatment used to be breathing into a paper bag as you might be hyperventilating which can make you feel faint.

I find taking deep breathing slowly and going somewhere quiet helps.

I think a doctor's visit would be a good idea if only to reassure you it's nothing more.

Anxiety can do Wierd things to the body!

Good luck I hope it goes away for you!

[Gabs_]

Hi bitter_biscuit,

Good luck at the psychologist today. If you feel comfortable, let us know how you go. You're in my thoughts.

The panic attack at the GPs sounds horrendous. It's so hard when you are so deeply "in it". It's so overwhelming.

Re medication - I really didn't want to either. I was determined to "push through". But in the end, you need to do what is best for you and your quality of life. I ended up in hospital and was slowly put on some meds, and it has made a significant difference to my day to day life. I'm not saying it takes it all away, but it allows you to be able to settle enough to keep the panic at bay and work with your psychologist further on the root cause of the anxiety and panic. I still have to rely on prn meds when I become super overwhelmed, but it's only on rare occasions as opposed to what it was (which was consistent).

Have you ever checked out the resources on the Centre for Clinical Interventions website? I have used the workbooks on anxiety, perfectionism and self-compassion, and I find them to be helpful in between sessions to challenge the anxious/panicky thoughts. I've put the link here, if you feel like checking them out: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Anxiety

I found that it really helped challenge my thinking...but that was only after my panic disorder calmed down a bit.

G x