"Hypersensitivity, And Its Role In General Panic And Anxiety Disorders"

” ‘ Hypersensitivity ‘, And Its Role In General Panic And Anxiety Disorders: A Brief Consideration…”

05/19/12

As ever to my most special, and most dear friends, and constant, loyal readers,

I must begin my thoughts with the note that in no way, am I a professional.  I am not a Therapist, or, licensed in any way, and so….whatever I may wish to share with you is that which is my own opinion; open to discussion, more educative approaches, and—as such—I present it to you, hoping that you may find it to be of some, small help to you, engendering your own opinions on the subject. Nevertheless, it is the product of my thought, my concern for you, consisting of memory, reading, former experience, and inference.  However, I feel the subject important enough that it needs to me mentioned, even though, as has been said, some truths are—in the main—‘self-evident’.

I would like to start by saying that, for those individuals who have been diagnosed with ‘Panic’, or ‘Anxiety Disorders’, whether generalized or not, a very major part of suffering and loss of quality of life is directly due to ‘Hypersensitivity’ to ordinary stimuli, which—at one time—was perhaps caused by exposure to stimulus that was NOT normal, in either amplitude, or duration.

However long the exposure was, how determined life-threatening, or dangerous the stimulus was—at that time, perceived—it became the focus for all subsequent like stimuli, gradually spreading to related forms, all, producing unavoidable anxiety, and fear, and the feelings of dread, and need to escape.

There are several things to mention having been so exposed:

1)           A terrible Fear Reaction was invoked; no matter how ‘modern’ or ‘sophisticated we think we have become, once a primitive (in origin) survival, fear reaction is invoked, the ‘trigger’ will remain, and that primitive part of the subconscious linked to life and death avoidance is a most profound, and powerful trigger; after all, it kept us safe from predators, cautioned us in the necessity and use of fire, and included other fears such as that of drowning, ‘fight or flight’ when confronting attack from other humanoid groups, etc.  Even though these so-called, ancient fears are well-over fifty-thousand years (or more) in the making, how relevant many are still today!

2)           Over time, reactions to fear stimuli become more general, why…I cannot say, for reason should tell us that there is a marked and distinct difference between, say, once having almost trod upon a live, and possibly poisonous snake, to-in the young, especially—finding oneself uncomfortable seeing snakes kept safely behind glass, to feeling uneasy upon seeing stuffed, toy snakes, to finally reacting negatively to simple pictures of snakes.  Or, kindly ponder a moment our ‘generalized’ reactions to spiders !, to the point of feeling extreme and uncontrollable anxiety upon the mere sight of a spider in the room. Or mice. Some react with such fear (remember generalization!) , and will not go near a spider, even a dead one.  Surely, this may be thought irrational, as the ‘trigger’: the spider is now dead, and probably wrapped in two yards of toilet paper, to be flushed down the toilet.

3)           Regarding the generalization of negative stimuli, how many people who fear snakes, fear spiders, and fear roaches?  Could they be but other, fear-inspiring, primitive survival memories?  If so, then why the fear and intense dislike of roaches?

For the person who has ‘ Generalized Panic And Anxiety Disorders ‘, other factors come into play, and all are serious, though, as with many ‘Disorders’, they are—by family members, friends, co-workers—not easily understood, and sometimes, not readily tolerated, which inevitable causes stress and anxiety and the inability to cope worse because—to them—they are not so afflicted, nor can they see the tragic and painful consequences of such a unavoidable, and compromised life.  Thus, everyone becomes miserable in their own way, and social dynamics simply fall apart.

As ‘triggers’ become more generalized, the person will often equate them with that which is perceived of as unknowable, intolerable, frightening, invoking a fear-avoidance reaction.

Thus, a patient may become afraid of a world that cannot be ornately and completely made safe and reliable.  To add to the misery, one’s feelings vary from day to day, moment to moment, even hour to hour, until it is found much easier to remain home, or even in one’s room, or in one’s bed. One’s considered ‘safe zones’, or those that do not produce feelings of dread or fear can also change.

For example, personally, I have become less ‘sensitized’ until I can walk outside to board the County bus to take me to a doctor’s appointment, perhaps fifteen miles away from the assumed ‘safety’ of my home, and yet, too often, I cannot go out to the mailbox, to check my mail, and, although I have a resin ‘bistro set’ on my back deck, I have never sat out there, not do I with any regularity prowl-about my backyard.  I find this notion clinically fascinating, although it still very much installs mental ‘fences’ around myself, and the subsequent inability to expand my ‘safe zones’ a mystery.

It very much has to do with something I wish to speak to you about.  A concurrent ‘Hypersensitivity’, that I presume is a first product of the primitive subconscious in avoidance behavior, that passes to the conscious mind, and, as far as I can tell, remains in place, and at work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, during wakefulness.  And even passes obliquely into the scattered subject of dreams.

I cannot emphasize too much, the role of hypersensitivity in everyday life, for we are at base social creatures (harking back—perhaps—to the implied safety of the ‘Tribe’), and we find that every psycho/social contract is affected.  A grocery store may make one fearful, but it is the drive in uncertain traffic that becomes the trigger.

While one stranger is still viewed with some normal suspicion, a hundred, or two hundred of them tips the avoidance scale.

And hypersensitivity affects our moods at any time; thus even a word, a feeling an implied emotion can have differing, varying responses by those thus diagnosed.  A joke can make one cry, as can an offhand word; a television program or movie may become intolerable to watch, when once it was watched without negative response.  Family members or friends are baffled, and do not know exactly what to say that is considered ‘safe’.  Tensions mount, until the entire family unit is upset. Until reunions, and harmless ‘get-togethers’ are no longer planned for.

I emphasize this tendency to be hypersensitive, as I believe it to be a major part, not widely spoken of, of Panic and Anxiety Disorders, and their proposed treatment.

1)           The very first approach is to seek out professional help; Psychiatrists being familiar with the condition, able to speak openly, and honestly with the patient, to describe reactions, possible triggers, past, potential, causal events, as well as current life situations.  Often, he or she can prescribe the appropriate medication as may be needed to relieve the ‘hot spots’ of panic, anxiety, or dread.

2)           This should be combined with effective therapy to increase the patient’s knowledge, and to reassure them that they are not—in fact—‘crazy’, but afflicted with a Disorder that is treatable.

3)           ‘De-sensitizing therapy’, or, Cognitive Behavioral therapy, can help by lessening the effects of both triggers, and resultant panic and anxiety behavior.

And I cannot underestimate the ‘healing’ role of a supportive, loving family, and friends, to the person so diagnosed with—frankly—any psycho/social disorder.

Both spouses and children (who, hopefully are both loving and caring) will soon know the patient’s limits.  Being unsupportive will not help; being unkind or intolerant will not help; being verbally sarcastic will not help. Neither will ignoring the situation, feeling that it—somehow—will resolve itself in time will help.

What WILL in fact help enormously, is understanding, and education; of—if possible—and where indicated, attending therapy sessions, or watching pertinent videos will help.  A concerted attempt to avoid, but very gradually, the themes that seem to be triggers.  Sometimes, a situation once to be avoided at all costs, may be gently explored by ‘safe’ family members or friends who can—with the afflicted person move most gradually to the implied limits of a trigger.  This involves the absolute trust of the patient, who becomes certain that that person will never hurt them, or allow them to be exposed to harm.

Patience, trust, tolerance, trust, time and…love will help in ways unimaginable; the goal is to—with ancillary treatment modalities—lessen the unease, avoidance, and, most of all, the hypersensitivity of the afflicted person.

Yes, the person may evidence intense Agoraphobia; perhaps some Obsessive/Compulsive behaviors as the person who is active suffering tries to lessen anxiety by trying—for example—to create rigid order in the house, or of reliable habit, etc.  This is an attempt, often a desperate one to try to keep chaos and uncertainty at bay. Incontestably, the world—outside—is full of all sorts of unknown, and unknowable variables.  Many of them fraught with REAL, potential dangers that exist far-outside one’s ability to control.

One may also expect contrary moodiness, the frequent need for quiet.  Hypersensitivity does not—in general—respond well to loud noises, over-bright lights, too much motion, or over-quick changes. Crowds, or crowded places.  Too many cars, almost anything that can be prefixed by the words: too much.

I hope to have made more clear the role of ‘Hypersensitivity’ in Panic and Anxiety Disorders, and what you (as patient), and you (as friends and family members) can do to ease the intense suffering, further understanding, and…to facilitate the healing process.

I must confess to you, my very, very dearest, and supportive friends, and welcome, loyal readers, that my exposition, within the scope of being a ‘diary entry’. Must—perforce—be most limited; and that persons differ as situations and approaches differ.  I—too—have been diagnosed with—among other things: ‘Acute Anxiety and Panic Attacks; Severe Depression with Agoraphobia, so you may rely upon my feelings coming from my heart; these psychiatric diagnoses, along with many medical ones have drastically reshaped my life.  And—frankly—at my age (I am fifty-eight), I feel the press of time and circumstance to weigh most heavily upon me; yet, in my sincere gratitude for you befriending me so that I somehow feel less alone, my mind AND heart would seek to speak with you.

And, should I prove wrong in any way, I hope that with your kind PM’s and comments, you will correct me if you will.  For any misinformation is wrong, and hardly my intent.

Meanwhile, my precious friends, please allow me to wish for you days of lessened or of ‘no pain’; and that you be full-surrounded by loving familys  and friends who genuinely care for you.  I wish for you a quiet day of ease, of blessings, and to not know want; please, please always report abuse should you even suspect it.  And I wish for you a quiet evening unto night, and a glowing calmness, free from fear.  I wish you peace and—at day’s end—a wonderfully warm, descent into a dreamy sleepiness, and sleep that is refreshing, sound, and restorative, knowing that you are loved and cherished, and kept ever safe by angels to protect you, and to keep foul nightmare far, far away. And I ever wish you all the love and happiness that your kind hearts can hold.

Please know I think about you often, and that I love you dearly,

‘Zahc’/Charles