As Sandy's World Turns - Episode 7

Sandy's World

Sandy had always been praised for her calm demeanor and steady hands. However, beneath her professional exterior, she grappled with anxiety, a silent battle that ebbed and flowed with the tides of her responsibilities at the eye clinic. Today, as she walked through the hushed hallways, the familiar pang of worry gnawed at her. She had a particularly anxious pre-op patient to attend to, and the thought alone made her heart race.

Mr. Thompson, a middle-aged man with a weathered face, sat in the pre-op room, fidgeting nervously. His eyes darted around, and he clutched his chest, struggling to breathe. Sandy could see the telltale signs of a panic attack – something she was all too familiar with.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she approached him. "Mr. Thompson," she said softly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. You're safe here." His eyes met hers, wide with fear. "I can't... I can't breathe," he gasped.

Sandy nodded, her own anxiety momentarily forgotten in the face of his distress. "I understand," she said, her voice calm and soothing. "Let's do this together. Focus on my voice."

She motioned to the other staff members to give them space and began guiding Mr. Thompson through a series of deep breaths. "Inhale slowly through your nose," she demonstrated, taking a deep, deliberate breath. "Hold it for a moment, and then exhale gently through your mouth."

Mr. Thompson mirrored her actions, his breaths shaky at first but gradually becoming more controlled. Sandy continued, offering words of encouragement. "You're doing great. Now, I want you to try something a bit different. Instead of fighting the feelings, let's acknowledge them. What you're feeling is intense, but it can't harm you."

He looked at her, puzzled but willing to listen. Sandy continued, "Your body is reacting to fear. It's uncomfortable, but it's not dangerous. Let yourself feel it. Notice the sensations and let them wash over you. Don't try to push them away or fight them. Just float with it."

Mr. Thompson closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing and Sandy's words. "Let the wave of panic come and go. It will pass, I promise. Allow it time to do its work."

Minutes passed, and Sandy noticed the tension in Mr. Thompson's body starting to ease. His breathing steadied, and the panic that had gripped him began to release its hold.

As he calmed down, Sandy turned to the other staff members. "It's important to create a calm environment," she explained. "Keep your voices low, move slowly, and avoid sudden noises. If a patient is having a panic attack, help them focus on their breathing and guide them to accept their symptoms rather than fighting them. Sometimes, just being present and offering reassurance can make a big difference."

The team nodded, absorbing her advice. Sandy felt a surge of relief and pride. Despite her own struggles, she had managed to help Mr. Thompson through his panic attack and imparted valuable knowledge to her colleagues.

Mr. Thompson gave her a weak but grateful smile. "Thank you, Nurse Sandy. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Sandy returned his smile, her heart swelling with a sense of accomplishment. "You're welcome, Mr. Thompson. We're here to help you every step of the way."

As she left the room, the familiar whisper of anxiety returned, but it was softer now, tempered by the knowledge that she could make a difference, not just for her patients, but for herself and her colleagues. And in that small, yet significant victory, she found a renewed sense of strength and purpose.

Panic Attacks- The Unwanted, Unexpected Guest

Panic attacks can be deeply frustrating for those who experience them. The sudden and overwhelming onset of fear and physical symptoms, often without a clear trigger, can leave individuals feeling helpless and embarrassed. The unpredictability of these attacks can disrupt daily activities and social interactions, leading to a constant state of anxiety about when the next attack might occur.

The physical sensations, such as a racing heart or shortness of breath, can mimic serious health issues, causing additional stress and confusion. This cycle of fear and frustration can significantly affect one's mental and emotional well-being, making it challenging to maintain a sense of normalcy and control. Deflating the danger and not fighting the symptoms when they come can make a world of difference in our experience with them.

Deflate the Danger

While panic attacks can be a quite terrifying, debilitating and alarming experience, it is absolutely not dangerous. Understanding this can mitigate the intense fear that makes your bodily reactions even worse, which then makes you more fearful and feeds the upward spiral of panic.  Deflate the danger associated with panic attacks by keeping these 7 truths in mind:

1. A panic attack cannot cause heart failure or cardiac arrest.

2. A panic attack will not cause you to stop breathing or suffocate.

3. A panic attack cannot cause you to faint.

4. A panic attack cannot cause you to loose your balance.

5. You won’t fall over or cease to walk because you feel “weak in the knees” during a panic attack.

6. You can’t “go crazy” during a panic attack.

7. A panic attack cannot cause you to loose control of yourself.

Don’t Fight the Panic

When we feel threatened, a normal response is to fight back or resist the intruder. With panic attacks, taking a counter-intuitive approach can help break the cycle of fear and resistance that often exacerbates the experience. In her book Hope and Help for Your Nerves, author Claire Weeks suggests this 4-step approach for coping with panic:

1. Don’t run from the symptoms, face them

2. Don’t fight against your body, accept what your body is doing

3. Don’t force your path through panic, float with the wave of panic

4. Let time pass

Accepting and allowing the sensations to pass without judgment or struggle can reduce the intensity and duration of a panic attack. This approach, known as "floating," encourages a more mindful response to anxiety, helping individuals recognize that the symptoms, though uncomfortable, are not harmful. By not resisting, one can diminish the power panic attacks have over their life, fostering a greater sense of control and resilience in managing anxiety.

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