The Adrenaline Connection

Directions: Check any symptoms you experience and study related coping strategies.
 

Symptoms

To Cope

    Increased blood flow:

       A pounding, racing heart results from a surge of adrenaline that causes stronger, more rapid contractions to increase blood flow. The heart compensates for quick, forceful beats by taking a pause, creating the sensation of thumping, or “missing beats.” Palpitations are a natural reaction to aerobic exercise, infection, exhaustion, caffeine, cigarettes, and troubling thoughts.

Think: The heart muscle is very strong and cannot burst. A “nervous heart” is still in control and will always return to its normal rhythm.

Act: Consult a physician to rule out any physical problems: high blood pressure, mitral valve prolapse, menopause, hyperthyroidism, low blood sugar, anemia, or a heart condition.

Relabel palpitations as anxiety if physical problems have been ruled out.

       Hot flashes and sensations of “heating up” result from blood rushing to the center of the body due to increased heart action. To compensate, perspiration helps cool off the body. Coldness in hands and feet may result from blood rushing toward the center of the body.

Think: “Overheating” is a good aerobic exercise. It is identical to what occurs during heavy exercise.

Relabel changes in body temperature accompanying palpitations as a side effect of an adrenaline rush and increased heart activity.

Chest muscles contract:

       Chest pain that feels like a pinprick or stitch is caused when chest wall muscles become tense. Sharp pain is felt when the lungs expand during inhalation. Deep breaths can be difficult until discomfort passes. A narrowing of arteries causes heart disease.

       Trouble breathing can happen when tense chest muscles do not allow enough room for lungs to expand. To compensate, some people take large gulps of air or start breathing fast. Trouble breathing can also result from obesity, pregnancy, colds, asthma, and emphysema.

Act: Have your doctor rule out heart problems, particularly if you have dull pain or pressure in the center of the chest that radiates to the neck, jaw, or left arm.

Relabel pain as “chest wall pain” due to stress once heart disease is ruled out.

Think: Breathing problems due to anxiety are no different from having trouble catching your breath after heavy exercise. It is impossible to stop breathing—just try holding your breath.

Relabel symptoms as the result of tense chest muscles if physical problems aren’t present.

       Hyperventilation happens when too much oxygen collects in the lungs due to rapid breathing and washes out carbon dioxide.

       Giddiness, Tingling, or Numbness can be caused by oxygen collecting in the lungs due to rapid breathing. Physical conditions of anemia and carpal tunnel syndrome can also cause light-headedness or tingling.

Act: Breath into a paper bag to inhale carbon dioxide if too much oxygen is causing hyperventilation.

Act: See your doctor if symptoms occur at times other than during rapid breathing.

Relabel giddiness and numbness that accompanies troubled breathing as the result of too much oxygen from rapid breathing.

Limb muscles tense:

       Shakiness is the body’s way of releasing muscle tension. It often happens after lifting heavy objects. Trembling can also be caused by hyperthyroidism and low blood sugar.

       Feeling faint happens when blood flows away from the brain to “feed” tired tense muscles.

Think: Shaking can be a way to express joy, as the Shakers and other religious groups did.

Act: Unlock knees and let arms hang loosely so they can tremble freely. This allows shaking to pass more quickly.

Act: Slow down to let any faintness pass. Put your head between your knees to return blood to your brain if necessary.

Throat muscles tense:

       Difficulty swallowing can also feel like a “lump in the throat” or choking.

Think: Swallowing is automatic.

Act: Try chewing a cracker without swallowing.

Jaw clenches:

       Dizziness, disorientation, and floating feelings happen when jaw tension puts pressure on the inner ear. The same symptoms occur when the inner ear is stressed on amusement park rides. Fluid retention from colds, allergies, and thyroid problems can also strain the inner ear.

       Nausea, diarrhea, and blurred vision happen when pressure on the inner ear irritates nerves to the stomach and eyes. Discomfort from fluorescent lighting, cloudy days, loud noises, and freeway driving can stress nerve endings and also aggravate inner ear problems.

Act: Notice how far your jaw can drop with your mouth closed when you’re not upset. Clenching and letting go of your jaw can help during panic. Give symptoms time to pass. See your doctor for possible inner ear problems.

Relabel symptoms as inner ear pressure.

Act: Relaxing your jaw may help blurred vision or nausea pass more quickly. Without rushing, you can find a restroom. If you tell yourself it is okay to vomit, nausea often passes.

Relabel symptoms that happen during anxiety as irritation of stomach and eye muscles.