Fear of fainting in public - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

Uptight · 05-21-2001, 10:24 AM

I was wondering if someone could help me. About a year ago I fainted in a public restaurant due to dehydration. It was real embarrassing. A few times, the morning after drinking, when I woke up early in the morning to urinate, I have fainted within 10 seconds of begining. I know this could be due to low blood sugar levels, and also because many times if I know I am going to drink that night I will eat very little if not nothing, but I have developed a constant fear of passing out in public. First off, has anyone ever heard of fainting the morning after drinking?, and second, has anyone developed a fear of passing out, and if so, how did you cure it?
Thanks

Cap114 · 06-23-2001, 12:40 AM

I don't exactly have this fear, but I have passed out once at school going up the steps... I'm scared of going up steps because after that I'm afraid that I'll fall all the way down. My heart starts pounding and by the time I finally climb them, I'm all sweaty and out of breath. My friends that I know can take steps two, three at a time, and all I ever tink is- "What if they pass out and fall back and kill themselves?".
Nothing happened to me bad, though, I was a bit dizzy before passing out and I don't remember much of it. As much as I can I take the elevators, b/c I feel oddly safer in them. (Like maybe I can't hurt myself in them.)

Uptight · 06-23-2001, 10:04 AM

See, this exactly the same thing, even though slightly different situations. It's a feeling of anxiety that is brought about by a certain situation. I should take my own advice, but until we realize that is all in our heads, we will never truly be at ease. I was thinking of trying hypnosis. What do you think?

kristis2 · 06-24-2001, 04:41 PM

I have this fear as well but i have a panic disorder and never have passed out before! I am sometimes so scared to go into my basement as i fear that I will pass out and no one will find me and help me! I have allowed this to restrict my entire life and i avoid almost everything due to my fear of passing out!there are alot of us out there who have this same fear! What scares you the most about it? Embarasment? Fear of illness or being hurt? Take care all and don't let this spirral out of control like I have!!All the best,Kristi

Uptight · 06-24-2001, 05:28 PM

Thanks for replying. I am just starting to get over it. I guess every day is further verification that this won't happen. The fear that we have is called agoraphobia, I believe. And yes it is common. It is also referred to as Social Phobia. It is usually do to fear of embarrasement, and this is where my anxiety stems from. It can also be the fear of nobody being around to help you, but for me that's not really the case.

There is medication for this that you can take. Maybe some type of anxiety perscription, talk to your doctor. I was also thinking about hypnosis so I could totally forget about that this event even happened which would make my anxiety dissapear. But I don't know how well that would work. But this is definately some serious ****. If you let it it can definately control your life. You have to develope a "**** it, I don't even care" attitude about it, that for me works the best. You can't let it control and ruin your life, because you and me both know that it is all in our heads!

Good luck with it!
Regards