Blackouts/Fainting

Does anyone here suffer from blackouts/fainting when you get overwhelmed? I am just wondering if
this is a common symptom of PTSD ?

I think this happens to me because I stop breathing and hyperventilate. I have tried various breathing patterns, but nothing to date has really worked for me. I think I need to practice proper breathing throughout the day instead of when it is too late.. Is there something I can practice during the day to help develop better breathing habits? Just wondering what works for some of you..

thanks!

Tija,

I think yuo should think about what it is that causes your PTSD in the fisrt place, and to try to feel more comfortable with it. You could practice breathing techniques and such, but that would just be temporary solution. If you tackled the PTSD at its heart, then Im sure things would improve. Have you talked about the PTSD to a doctor or anythng?

Kevin

Hi Kevin. Thank you. Yes. I have been in treatment for a tiny bit over 1 year. Therapy has helped me loads
and I do understand all the why's, the triggers, and how it is all connected to my childhood. Still, my recovery is
not complete yet, and sometimes suffer a setback.. When I get too much stress from other areas, my system gets overwhelmed and my body tells me so. I have a feeling that my hyperventilation is a problem when I am highly
stressed and I read somewhere that breathing techniques can really help..
thanks

Hi again,

That's okay - i mean, if you think that these techniques will be good for you, then I implore you to do them. Just be aware that you might not be able to resort to them forever. They will help you cope, but ultimately you'll have to tackle what causes the stress in the first place. I suppose it's like putting a bandage on a cut and allowing it to heal, but then going out to cut it again! My therapist taught me this... ...if you just resort to these simple coping techniwues, then you'll grow too reliant on them and won't ever tackle the core of the problem(s).

Let me know how things go.

Kevin

Practicing breathing at moments of the day helps me.

I find steadying my breath right when I begin to have a difficult time breathing helpful.

Hello, i have blackouts,and hyperventilate ...

breathing excercises has helped me in the past when I'm in a crowded room with familiar people. but after a while it stopped working. I think desensitizing yourself to yor triggers will prove helpful. My theapist tried all the techniques she could, but once I started facing my fears (slowly) my blackouts and hyperventilating temporarily ceased. the key to this is not giving up on the treatment plan. Continue to seek help even when you think you don't need help any more becuase this is a life long process.

Hi. I am glad that you are in treatment! Keep with it, it really works.
Here is a quick video that might help you with your anxiety.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7rq5DmWXcQ
Take special care!
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