In this dialogue Julie had been feeling ok for some time and then suddenly had a panic attack out of the blue. Even though we had talked about ‘setbacks’ she was still very surprised and was trying to find a reason why it happened.
R – hi
J – hi
R – so u got triggered huh
J – i was so surprised at today’s panic. it came so suddenly .. i am trying to think..
what happened.
R – don’t try to figure out ‘why’
J – don’t know why
ok
R – Analysing yourself is a waste of time – and causes more anxiety
Then your body tries to help – more adrenaline – etc
lol
that’s WHY people panic
J – and because i don’t know why it happened… i am finding it hard to convince myself that its just adrenaline
R – because it happens WITHOUT reason
EXACTLY
panic can even be triggered in one’s sleep
we can wake up with strange sensations which triggers us into panic
J – really? because i used to wake up in panic ..
R – yes
so what ‘reason’ can there be when we are unconscious
J – i am feeling so shaken up today .. yes
R – u had BIG BIG stress day yesterday
u were down then up etc
J – yes
R – probably u were on edge
then slightest thing can then trigger the fight or flight
and THEN u panic
its JUST sensations
you are in no danger whatsoever
J – yes
R – MILLIONS worldwide right now have these same feelings
same fears
they ALL think ‘the worst’
J – my hands and legs shaking.. i was sweating.. could not utter a word.
R – u were thinking it couldn’t be just Adrenaline
yes because you added a LOT more fear
J – and right now my mouth is dry and feel this strange feeling in stomach
R – dry mouth is fight or flight
so is the feeling in your stomach
adrenaline surge
causes both symptoms
J – and headache
R – that too
it is ALL same thing
nothing wrong
how many times over how many YEARS u had this
nothing ever came of it
J – yes
R – nothing ever will
except feeling frightened
its just like ‘movement’ in your body
nothing ‘bad’ ‘happening’
adrenaline is surging
J – ok
ok
R – the body is causing physical reactions for YOUR benefit
J – yes
R – to fight or run
but the poor body is mistaken
J – yes
R – so all these processes are taking place – to help u
but as they take place they feel ‘weird’ – ‘out of place’
J – yes
R – and they frighten us
J – yes
R – we think we are seriously ill
it’s a mistake
its just physical feelings and sensations
J – Mother was saying come and stay with me. she said don’t stay alone.. i worry about you and Melanie .
she said this before i went into panic
R – maybe that was trigger
u picked up her fear
but REMEMBER – u didn’t go into ‘panic’ about anything other than a very rapid rush of horrible physical sensations
J – yes