Over-exagerration of problems (bless)

[Jaymes]

Is there an actual name for this? I notice just about every time I have a panic attack or get really bad stress headaches it's because I blow things way out of proportion. "If I get a shot it'll hurt and I'll struggle and the dentist will pin me down and stab me and I'll DIE!" This obviously makes no sense whatsoever, but it just seems to build up from something logical ('shots hurt') to something completely untrue ('if I get a shot, I will die').

[Sunstone]

I don't know the name of that symptom, but I would assume that it's caused by the panic attack, rather than that it causes the panic attack.

[Feathers in Hair]

Hmm... I'm not sure if there's a name for it or not. It seems like it's a bit like pessimism gone nova. Sometimes, one's mind kind of lends itself to worse-case scenerios, especially when one is the creative type. One of Terry Pratchett's books positively described the attribute of "being blessed with no imagination whatsoever." Whenever my mind decides to continually take me on thought processes I don't want to go on, I think that would be a wonderful attribute to have!

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I don't know the name of that symptom, but I would assume that it's caused by the panic attack, rather than that it causes the panic attack.

Now that I think about it, that makes sense. I always just assumed that my panic attacks were caused by me blowing things out of proportion, though.

[Feathers in Hair]

For me, they're just as Sunstone described. The panic attack brings on the worst-case thinking, which leads to furthering the attack. Mine are usually related to social interactions and driving and just being in a car, even if it's someone whose driving I trust in. People, observing the panic attack, sometimes roll their eyes and ask "C'mon, what's the worst that could happen?"

It suprises some of them when you quickly explain, in great detail, what the worst that can happen is, since you've usually formed a very intense image of it in your mind already.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Jensa

Is there an actual name for this? I notice just about every time I have a panic attack or get really bad stress headaches it's because I blow things way out of proportion. "If I get a shot it'll hurt and I'll struggle and the dentist will pin me down and stab me and I'll DIE!" This obviously makes no sense whatsoever, but it just seems to build up from something logical ('shots hurt') to something completely untrue ('if I get a shot, I will die').

Wow. It ,makes complete sense. I feel the same way often times. It's the stress factor. I attribute it to my heart palpatations and headaches, which at the age of 29 is pretty un-common. The doctors can't even come to a conclusion on whats causing this. Although, I'm sure it has to do with stress. When a stress attack occurs with me, I just sit back, breath deaply, and meditate (clear your mind of everything; usually something is on your mind whether concious on un-concious that is causing the stress). Clearing my mind, meditating, and taking a few deap breaths usually helps.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Todd

Wow. It ,makes complete sense. I feel the same way often times. It's the stress factor. I attribute it to my heart palpatations and headaches, which at the age of 29 is pretty un-common. The doctors can't even come to a conclusion on whats causing this. Although, I'm sure it has to do with stress. When a stress attack occurs with me, I just sit back, breath deaply, and meditate (clear your mind of everything; usually something is on your mind whether concious on un-concious that is causing the stress). Clearing my mind, meditating, and taking a few deap breaths usually helps.

Also, thinking about stress attacks usually causes stress attacks. Like I said, clear you mind, breath deaply, and the stress attack should deminish.