Finished the program about 4 months ago and went about 6 months without a panic attack. I was laughing in the face of fear until I was in seeing a customer where I had fainted in the lobby about 2 years ago. This time we were in a meeting at the customer with about 10 other people when all the sudden I got that old feeling of fainting again, within 20 seconds I got up to excuse myself to go to the washroom to distract myself and "boom" down I went. Ever since then all I can think about is "what if I faint again"
my only fear I still have is fainting all other fears no longer exist except what will people think if I faint in public.
Since this happened 2 weeks ago I keep getting panic attacks about the possibility of fainting.
I have never been on medication and hope to avoid doing so. Any ideas on how to get back on track as my life feels on hold again.

Paul
Take a look at what passing out symbolizes to you. What is it about fainting that is so frightening? How long were you passed out? Did you injure yourself? Is it a matter of LOOKING in control? How do you feel about yourself after you have passed out?
Do me a favor and write a list of 10 things about yourself that do not change because you passed out. (ex. l. I am compassionate 2. I am honest... etc) You will see that just the act of fainting does not change WHO YOU ARE. What others think of you is not WHO YOU ARE. You know you better than anyone. Anyone who thinks they can sum up who you are by seeing you pass out is a fool. Passing out has nothing to do with your character. Do not buy into that thinking. It will keep you stuck and limited and you will never find out how really special you are.
So get started on your list.
Tammy

Hey Paul,

I too used to be afraid of fainting. Then I fainted once but not from panic, due to a needle. Once I fainted, I was not afraid of it anymore. I've seen other people faint. I don't think poorly or any less of them. I wonder what is wrong with them. If you should faint, people don't have to know why you fainted. Just tell yourself that it is no big deal and eventually your fear will go away.
Good luck

Tammy & Marija thank you both for your comments. I have started to put into practice some of your ideas. I now understand that it is really only me who is judging myself when I faint, other people have been nothing but concerened and compassionate toward me. I was out for a business lunch today with a customer and co-worker and started to get that funny feeling when the restaurant started fo fill up. Instead of keeping everything inside I made light of the situation by telling them my problem and that if for some reason I fainted that I did not need some big guy to try to administer CPR as I would be just fine thank you. As you could imagine the conversation grew from there and when we all finished making jokes the lightheadedness was long gone.
Bottom line for me is to think positively about myself and surroundings. I am an account manager in the high tech industry and there seems to be nothing but bad news and negativity everywhere I turn. I am working at getting back to finding the positives I have in my life and pushing the negatives out of the way, not an easy thing to do. I started the program again last week and it sure does help remind you of what really is important in life and how to go about reprogramming the mind.
Thanks again for your ideas!!