October 2005

WHY DOES MY BODY DO THAT?

Woman having a panic attack
EVER WONDERED WHAT CAUSES BUTTERFLIES IN YOUR TUMMY, OR SEEING STARS? RACHEL MURPHY GETS THE LOWDOWN FROM HARLEY STREET SPECIALIST MALCOLM VANDENBURG
Rachel Murphy

PINS AND NEEDLES

THE P**kly sensation, medically known as paraesthesia, happens when you cut off the nerve impulses from your limbs to your brain, usually by sitting awkwardly. Initially there is numbness, but when you start to move and the messages circulate again the pins and needles feeling begins.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Wiggling hands or feet can help, but don't stamp or bash them if they are completely numb - you could hurt yourself. Eating garlic or taking a herbal supplement of Ginkgo Biloba (Holland & Barrett, £4.49 for 30 tablets) can improve blood circulation. Pins and needles are also a common symptom of anxiety or panic, so relaxation techniques can help.

WHEN TO WORRY: "If the pins and needles don't go away or skin colour changes it may be a sign of a trapped nerve or Raynaud's Syndrome, a circulatory disorder," says Dr Vandenburg. "So see your GP."

TRAVEL SICKNESS

THIS happens when balance organs of the inner ear are disturbed, causing any combination of dizziness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and sweating. Sea-sickness is due to the difference between what you see and how you feel - messages from your muscles, joints and inner ear tell your brain you're moving, but when you see that the boat itself is moving, your body thinks you're standing still.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Eating ginger just before you travel can help, as can wearing acupressure bands like Sea-Bands (Chemists, £7.99). Sea- sickness can also be eased by standing on a low deck and fixing your gaze on the horizon.

WHEN TO WORRY: "Repeated vomiting can lead to dehydration, especially in children," says Dr Vandenburg. "Keep fluid levels up, take Dioralyte to replace lost salts and see a doctor if the tongue goes dry or fainting occurs," he advises. Dioralyte blackcurrant sachets are available from Boots, £3.49 for 12.

STARS IN YOUR EYES

SEEING stars when you rub your eyes occurs because you have stimulated sensors at the back of the eye, tricking the brain into believing that it's seeing light. The stimulation makes the eye see tiny stars instead of a clear picture.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Get more sleep - so you don't feel like rubbing your eyes. Rubbing eyes doesn't damage them, but it can pull your skin and make you look wrinkled.

WHEN TO WORRY: "Flashing lights for no reason could mean you have a disease in part of the eye or even diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness," says Dr Vandenburg.

TUMMY BUTTERFLIES

THE sensation is part of the body's fight-or-flight response to anxiety or danger.

When you're under pressure, blood is quickly diverted from the stomach to your muscles, so you're left with a fluttering feeling in your tummy.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Don't worry - this level of stress is positive.

WHEN TO WORRY: "If the stress gets too much or never seems to subside, try some relaxation or meditation techniques," says Dr Vandenburg. "Deep breathing can also help."

FUNNY BONE

THAT feeling you get when you knock your elbow is caused by the ulnar nerve that runs the length of the arm. It carries signals from the hand to the brain, but can be triggered by a bang on the elbow. Then the brain gets a message that you've hurt your arm and combined with the twang on the nerve - which causes temporary paralysis - it can make you laugh.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Enjoy the laughter.

WHEN TO WORRY: "If a strange sensation continues for over an hour or the elbow area swells up, you may have a small fracture or torn ligament, so get it checked out," says Dr Vandenburg.

PANIC ATTACKS

THESE sudden periods of acute anxiety occur when there's no real danger. Symptoms include shortness of breath, palpitations, hot flushes and trembling. In most cases, panic attacks are alleviated with some form of counselling, which suggests the problem is largely psychological.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Learning mind-over-matter techniques or self-hypnosis can help, as can talking to a counsellor. Contact self-help groups like No Panic (0808 808 0545) or the National Phobics Society (0870 122 2325).

WHEN TO WORRY: "If panic attacks are disabling your life, see a doctor," says Dr Vandenburg. "Avoiding situations or stopping work are signs you need help."

DEJA-VU

THERE are several theories about why we sometimes feel we're reliving something. One is that it's caused by an electrical short-circuit in the brain. An event gets lodged in the memory before it reaches your consciousness so when it actually happens, your senses tell you you've been through it all before. You have - a split second earlier.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Don't worry - it's not a problem.

WHEN TO WORRY: "If you feel it happens too often, your memory is impaired or you have trouble concentrating, it may be linked to a brain disorder," says Dr Vandenburg.

HEARTBURN

IT'S actually your oesophagus - the tube that connects the throat to the stomach - that burns. Certain foods can make gastric acid from the stomach splash into the lower portion of the oesophagus, causing discomfort. As the tube passes behind the breastbone, the irritation that takes place feels like a burning sensation in the heart.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Avoid the most common triggers - wolfing down your food, eating chocolate, garlic, onions, tomatoes, curries, chillies or citrus fruits, lying down after a meal, smoking after eating, drinking coffee or alcohol, being very overweight, wearing tight clothing and swallowing air. Try taking Pepcid Two tablets, too. They're available from most good chemists priced £3.69 for 12.

WHEN TO WORRY: "Heartburn is also a common sign of stress so examine your lifestyle," says Dr Vandenburg. "If you're a very frequent sufferer you may need tests to check for any internal inflammation."

LOVE SICKNESS

STUDIES have shown that being in love produces chemical changes in the brain that can leave you feeling nervous and make your temperature rise. In an effort to cool you down, blood vessels in the face, hands and feet expand and can make you blush.

Scientists also reckon the break-up of a relationship can cause you to suffer withdrawal symptoms akin to an addict coming off drugs.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Breathe properly - it's calming and stops you going so red. Wear extra deodorant when you're in love as you sweat more - and go easy on the blusher.

WHEN TO WORRY: "If the break-up makes you behave irrationally by drinking too much or seeking revenge through promiscuity, for example, try counselling," says Dr Vandenburg.

STITCH

YOU'RE most likely to get this pain under the ribs when you're running. That's because when you breathe out your diaphragm goes up and at the same time, the force of your foot striking the ground causes your liver to go down. This stretches the ligaments that attach the liver to your diaphragm, causing pain.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Stop running and press your hand deep into your liver to raise it up against your diaphragm. At the same time, purse your lips and blow out against the tightly-held lips as hard as you can.

WHEN TO WORRY: "If you get a stitch when you're not running, see your GP," says Dr Vandenburg. "It might indicate a hernia or gall bladder problem."

HICCUPS

THEY'RE caused when the diaphragm - the major muscle involved in breathing - goes into spasm. It can be triggered by eating too fast, or having fatty foods that irritate the diaphragm.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: There are lots of popular remedies, including experiencing a shock, holding your tongue with your thumb and index finger and gently pulling it forward, and swallowing a small amount of ice. Deep breathing and doing something to take your mind off it can also work.

WHEN TO WORRY: "Hiccups aren't dangerous, but they can become very uncomfortable if they persist," says Dr Vandenburg. "Seek medical advice if a child has hiccups for more than an hour."

This is gonna sound really strange, but I couldn't find my problem in that list.

It's my eyes. I'm having difficulty with eye contact.
I don't know what's happening to me. I used to be really confident and it was even one of my personality traits. It's like I don't know who I am anymore. It's like I'm incapable of conversation or something. I suddenly become the dullest thing on the planet. And I speak very little. I don't even know what I'm so nervous about.

It's like I get sudden panic attacks, I could be acting normally in conversation, then suddenly, for no reason I get nervous. I feel scared of alienating the person so I try hard to talk, but nothing comes out. And all the person sees is someone suddenly gone mute and who's eyes are blinking madly.

I've lost my nerves. I'm a wreck. I'm always thinking too much and it's always about the silly little things. My mind is always cross analyzing things, words, actions, like: Why did she say that? Why is she facing the opposite way at the lunch table? Does she hate me? Why didn't he say hello? He must hate me.
These thoughts circle around my head, and I can't run away from them.

This anxiety and depression is beginning to affect my relationships with people.
It’s terrible because I have no reason to feel this way. I have everything going for me. I have a new job, good friends in my new life in this small town I moved to three months ago. Why am I so ungrateful? Whay am I so unhappy? But I can't tell anyone this. They just think I'm being stupid.

I think I'm slowly going insane. PLease help if you can understand how I'm feeling.

Maybe the newness of the situation has brought out the anxiety? Time might take care of it, but I can see how this has you upset.

One thing you want to watch is the messages you tell yourself about the situation. They may be upsetting you more than you realize. For example, a statement like, "These people don't like me!", is very irrational and can lead to your further isolating yourself. What is happening to your behavior when people don't addresss you? Are you slinking off, or saying to them,"Good morning!"

You may want to be more aware of your body language, too. If you are walking with your head down and shoulders hunched in a fast motion, it gives people the feeling that you don't want to be noticed, and they may be seeming to ignore you. You may want to get in front of a mirror and practice saying a greeting to others. There's lots to be said for treating people how we want to be treated. It may be even said that we have to train people how we want to be treated. Watch your posture, and be sure to stay an arms length away when addressing others... No closer and no further, unless you are feeling really threatened. Practice listening to yourself speak and make sure that your voice is loud enough for others to hear and not a whisper.

A good trick for not being able to look a person in the eyes is to look at the space between their eyebrows. They will never know the difference. What do you think might happen if you look directly in their eyes? No one knows anything about you, unless you tell them. Other people at work have no idea how low your self esteem is, so don't worry about it at this point in time. Just try to practice social skills that one uses at work. Communication at work is very important, as are work relationships. Let me know what you think.

Love, Jackie

Hello Jackie,
thanks very much for your reply.
It does help me a lot. You're right. I shouldn't be afraid of talking to people. And it's important that I remember that things aren't really as bad as I tell myself. I 'm trying to stop paying attention to the negative messages I think. I will try to raise my head and walk proudly.

I think I have been stopping myself from welcoming people into my life. I have been shying away from them, even my flatmates. But today, it was really nice of my friend to approach me today and asked how I was. It's times like these I remember that I can be a good person, and that's what my friend saw in me, not the stranger who is hiding herself.

It is the newness of the situation that brought my anxiety. Alll these friends I've made, I wasn't enitirely sure if they were for real. I worry a lot about feeling included and secure. During christmas, I didn't see them for a month. I was worried that they'd forgotten about me and that I'd have to try hard to make freinds with them again.

I am really glad for what you told me about looking a person between their eyebrows. I'll try it . You're right. Nobody knows how low I feel. It's good to know that they can't see it. And I am beginning to think there isn't anything wrong with me. I'm not going to hide anymore.

Thanks again for your help. I feel so much better.
Az

Depression usually underlies anxiety disorders. Sounds like you got into a pattern of negative thinking, and started to believe it. Scarey, isn't it?

I know the perceptual changes that depression can make. It's like nothing out there has changed, but the interpertation sure has. It takes a toll on relationship and self esteem, job performance, motivation, you name it.

I check my thoughts in social situations, and have come up with the usual negative thoughts that people won't like me or I'll say something stupid and they'll think I'm from Mars. Why it is ALEAYS negative leads me to believe that it's the negative thoughts. I ask what's worse? Cutting myself off from social contact and feeling more depressed or going out there and doing what I want? I always feel better when I am social. The negative thoughts seem to linger for a couple of minutes, but after I'm there, I try to cut the preoccupation with being a failure, and get involved in conversations.

I think one part of dealing with anxiety is to realise that it's your thoughts 'feeding' your emotions and physical responses some 'super-charged' negative responses. After awhile, you body begins to automatically respond to things and situations like it's on over-drive, and you get the panicy feeling coming on strong, like it goes out of control. Usually meds can help gain some control over this learned response until one gets used to a more 'normal' response to situations. Almost like retraining yourself a rational response so you don't have panic-mode thoughts.

I had Panic Disorder and it was one of the worst times in my life.

Hope you keep thinking in a more positive light about situations. It's great to hear that you understand where I was coming from. I once asked a friend of mine if she had ever had excessive anxiety and she looked at me like I was nutz! Yikes!! Until I actually saw her in the condition, herself and could identify it for her did she understand what I met when I would tell her that my anxiety was high.

Being in a panic state is no picnic. It's difficult to get your thoughts under control and from flying around you brain setting all the whistles and alarms off for the 'fight or flight' response one can go into.

Have you had any problems with this? Have you been able to get it under control?

It's my eyes. I'm having difficulty with eye contact.
I don't know what's happening to me. I used to be really confident and it was even one of my personality traits. It's like I don't know who I am anymore. It's like I'm incapable of conversation or something. I suddenly become the dullest thing on the planet. And I speak very little. I don't even know what I'm so nervous about.

Hi ScrunchedUpPaper,

I have some problems with eye contact I am sure for different reasons. It bothers my eyes to look into theirs. My job requires me to make good eye contact with my patients. I have always had difficulty looking at people with bright grey and blue eyes. I don't know why. Always did. I learned a trick though I will look at their eyes for only a few seconds to see if I have their attention and then look at their forehead area. I can still see if I have their attention by movement of the facial muscles. I can glance down without my obvious movement of my eyes for a quick check from time to time. I don't know if this is still a problem for you if it is I hope it helps.

From some of the rest of your post it sounded as if you were a little shy in your new town/situations. Try to think as I have learned to deal with shyness. I am who I an and if they don't like me as I am it is their loss.

I hope some of this helps,

Have a great day
Slim

hey,
i know how you mean about the eye contact. i also feel that, ive had a few job interviews recently and im fine when i first get in there, i can be talking away, but in a flash i can just trigger my mind to think a negative thought and BANG!!! im all over the place. my heads gone. i just start worrying and im desperate to get out of there. its not nice

Welcome, whizz79!

The trick with looking right between the person's eyebrows that you are talking to works.

I hate anxiety and wish we could stomp it out, but it's here to stay. A little lets you know something is bothering you, but I usually get mine in big doses, which are out of porportion to what's going on.

Happy Posting!

Jackie

'WHEN TO WORRY: "Flashing lights for no reason could mean you have a disease in part of the eye or even diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness," says Dr Vandenburg.'

Can anyone confirm that this can occur from an angle and not directly in your sight? Every once in awhile (both indoors and outdoors) I will see a bright flash of light from my right. It's a quick flash like a photo is being taken. The first time it occured I asked the people I was around if they saw anything, and surely enough they didn't. Always comes from the right too. I should probably see an eye doctor, right?

Yes. Whenever you have any symptoms with your eyes, the safest thing to do is go to the eye doc.

Let us know how this turns out, and take care!

Jackie

I never actually knew that was the reason for hiccups. Thanks for the info'.

I have an eye contact problem too, I feel embarassed if I look into people's eyes. I'm trying to force myself to do so, but it really is a hard thing to do.

welcome to the boards come to chat sometime

Couture

The best advice I can give you for this is to look between their eyes when you talk to them. You know, the area between their eyebrows. It appears that you will be looking into their eyes and they'll never know!!

Jackie

And Welcome to the room!!

Wow, i always wondered if i was the only one who felt the same thing during a panic attack. Thought i was just a very unique freaker...helps to know it's not only me.

There are many of us on this forum who have had the experience of panic attacks. It's been said that depression and anxiety often go hand in hand. Some of us get a small amount, but the people in this room usually have had a ton to deal with! When it keeps you from working or going about daily life, you are in need of treatment!

Would you be willing to talk a little bit about your experience?

Jackie

We're so glad that you came to be with us!