Question For Those Who Are Prone To Fainting Ring, How Do You Cope?

[Raidergal2022]

I am a massive wimp when it comes to health - I do all the self talk/CBT stuff but I am still a wimp

I have a strong fear of fainting. I have done it 9 times in my life - explainable causes from illness, pain to ‘freaking out’ on my first day of work (when I was 17 I lasted 15 mins on a conveyor belt before feeling anxious and passing out). Been medically checked out- no concerns.

The main issue is that after fainting I always develop a lot of anxiety about it occurring again. For months/up to a year I will feel anxious when out and about and in the past have even avoided responsibilities/work if I feel there’s a chance of fainting.

I cannot pinpoint why I fear it so much but I think it is the eternal sensations and the ‘emergency like’ situation when comming round when everyone is stood around and the comments they make. For example last time it occured following an ankle sprain someone said that my lips went blue and I was gasping a bit (had heart tests - all normal). I’m
not going to downplay it it just terrifies me. Even my mum says I’m pathetic the way I make a big deal of it but I cannot get rid of the anxiety. F*** knows how I’m going to cope with ill health in old age.

I wanted to ask those people who are prone to fainting do you have any tips on how not to fear it?

[calmck]

I think you need to see a professional who could help you understand the "mechanism" of fainting and how anxiety can contribute to this. You need to learn coping strategies for when you are in a situation that makes you think you will faint. Anxiety can lead to fear and then you faint.From your previous posts you seem to have an unhealthy attitude to ill health. Maybe go to a private GP, have a complete physical exam with blood tests and a cardio gram to rule out any medical condition. A 24 hour cardiac monitor could also be useful. If everything is normal then a discussion with a psychologist might help you to understand and conquer your fear of fainting. I am not saying that you have a "mental illness" but that you need help understanding why you feel as you do and what you can do to overcome this

[Barsel]

Do you find that CBT doesn't help you at all?

[andy-hughes]

calmck is aboslutely right.

This is an irrational fear that is affecting your life.

You need to get to the root of the cause, and eliminate it, and that may well come with a course of approproate counselling.

In the first instance, you should speak to your GP to eliminate any possible physical causes for fainting.

But more importantly is dealing with your fear of it, which sounds extreme, and is making you miserable.

Therapy will help, and you can access that through your doctor, but be warned, you may need to pay privately for it, the NHS therapy resources are underfunded, and there may be a very long waiting list.

[lankeela]

Do you think many other people are prone to fainting in similar circumstances? I have never known anyone who fainted other than for serious medical reasons. I don't believe this is something that can be answered to your satisfaction on a question and answer group. You need to go to a therapist and get them to help you.

[Raidergal2022]

Thanks calmck, I understand the mechanisms behind fainting but I still feel a sense of dread surrounding it all. One thing about anxiety is that it only somewhat listens to reason/rationality, if that.

Barrel I wouldn’t say that it doesn’t help at all it does but I find that cognitive techniques/self talk only work so far in simmering the anxiety down, such as if the anxiety is mild to moderate in nature. Not when it is full on. I am always dreading another fainting episode despite what level of anxiety is present. If that makes sense. It has been going on for 20 years to be honest. I will faint, then have about 2 years of unease and anxiety when out before my confidence increases. I will be fine/confident for several years but then faint again for whatever reason. The whole thing is so stupid yet disrupts my life

[Raidergal2022]

I don’t know lankeela, apparently fainting is quite common but I have never seen anyone else faint.

I have had checks, blood tests, 24 hour ecg all was normal. Most of the instances have been explainable (pain, illness) about 2 haven’t

[Sqad]

Good answer by A-H and calnck.
That is all your need to know.
Commonly known as vaso-vagal attacks.

[Raidergal2022]

^ Thanks

[puzzled54]

Haven’t fainted, but I remember being told that if you feel faint, to tense your big muscles(legs and butt). Maybe it’s just to give yourself something to focus on, but maybe it’s to do with keeping the blood flowing

[Raidergal2022]

I’ve heard this too puzzled, haven’t tried it though

[barry1010]

I fainted once, when I was 8 or 9, and been stood in the school hall with the sun shining through a window on to my back. It was very hot and airless.
Everything started spinning and next thing I knew I was waking up on the floor.
Carried outside, given a cup of cold water and I was right as rain

Nothing to worry about.

I think if clenching your muscles stopped fainting, the guards and soldiers on parade would never faint, they'd be aware of that trick

[puzzled54]

Worth a try tho