Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
I got this topic from another group and thought I could also get feedback here on other's triggers and any experience related to Travel Phobia would be greatly appreciated. I've worked through the Panic Attack Workbook a couple of summers ago and that was immensely helpful.
I started having panic attacks back in 1991 exactly one month after finding my real dad. I had lost contact with him for 30 years from the time I was 8 years old. My mom married a man who became my abuser (sexual, physical and mental) from the time I was 11 years old until I left home at 18.
Until I found my real dad, I hadn't experienced any panic/anxiety attacks at all so when my first one hit, it was out of the blue. My childhood memories are very sparse and I only have partial memories of some of the abuse. I have only had a couple of flashbacks and used to think I needed to remember everything in order to be okay. I'm okay today not remembering my graduation if it also means I don't have to have a repressed memory come forward of the abuse.
All of that being said, the anxiety/panic became much worse over the years until I almost became agraphobic in 2003 and still suffer from some travel phobia today. I finally went into therapy when it became apparent that it was becoming difficult for me to even leave the house.
It was during this therapy, that I was able to identify what my main trigger was and also why they started when I found my dad. When I found my dad, he represented safety to me. Subconsciously, I now felt safe to remember, which was bringing up anxiety. My main trigger was anytime I will feel trapped such as being in a meeting, going on a trip, going to a movie or even meeting friends at a restaraunt. I realized that any time he had abused me, he was between me and an escape route.
I worked through all of that in therapy and with the exception of the travel phobia (now of over 3 hours or more); I rarely get anxious or have a panic attack. I now look forward to outings rather than feel panic/anxiety for days in advance of the plans. The travel phobia is complicated because there were multiple times as a child when I was terrorized in a vehicle (both sexual and auto accidents). That being said, I have many happy memories of extended outings my husband and I have taken as I have been working through the travel phobia. I'd love to hear other people's experience in this area. Thanks, Linda
I started having panic attacks back in 1991 exactly one month after finding my real dad. I had lost contact with him for 30 years from the time I was 8 years old. My mom married a man who became my abuser (sexual, physical and mental) from the time I was 11 years old until I left home at 18.
Until I found my real dad, I hadn't experienced any panic/anxiety attacks at all so when my first one hit, it was out of the blue. My childhood memories are very sparse and I only have partial memories of some of the abuse. I have only had a couple of flashbacks and used to think I needed to remember everything in order to be okay. I'm okay today not remembering my graduation if it also means I don't have to have a repressed memory come forward of the abuse.
All of that being said, the anxiety/panic became much worse over the years until I almost became agraphobic in 2003 and still suffer from some travel phobia today. I finally went into therapy when it became apparent that it was becoming difficult for me to even leave the house.
It was during this therapy, that I was able to identify what my main trigger was and also why they started when I found my dad. When I found my dad, he represented safety to me. Subconsciously, I now felt safe to remember, which was bringing up anxiety. My main trigger was anytime I will feel trapped such as being in a meeting, going on a trip, going to a movie or even meeting friends at a restaraunt. I realized that any time he had abused me, he was between me and an escape route.
I worked through all of that in therapy and with the exception of the travel phobia (now of over 3 hours or more); I rarely get anxious or have a panic attack. I now look forward to outings rather than feel panic/anxiety for days in advance of the plans. The travel phobia is complicated because there were multiple times as a child when I was terrorized in a vehicle (both sexual and auto accidents). That being said, I have many happy memories of extended outings my husband and I have taken as I have been working through the travel phobia. I'd love to hear other people's experience in this area. Thanks, Linda
Also, travel can be quite exciting, yet stressful. This normal stress can be compounded with your memories of traveling when you couldn't escape the abuse you experienced when you were younger. When I was going through a rough time with my anxiety another member on DS sent me this quote: "Anxiety is the silent scream of repressed trauma, pain, and fear." For me, it rings true.
Anyways, just some thoughts to consider.
I remember when we made a Eureka Springs trip (lots of hills and drop offs which are major triggers for me), I had to constantly practice doing the opposite of what I wanted to do such as slow down my breathing, unclench my muscles, stay in the moment etc. It was exhasting but it did finally get me through and my husband has been a wonderful support through all of this! :-)