Calm Return

A Calm Space to Understand What’s Happening

If anxiety, panic or unfamiliar symptoms have taken over your body and mind, this space is here to help you understand what’s happening, reduce fear and support you in learning how to respond differently so your nervous system can gradually settle. I know how frightening anxiety, panic and nervous system symptoms can feel - because I lived through them.

 

My Experience

I experienced a wide range of debilitating and unfamiliar sensations that I had never felt before, many of which were constant throughout the day. They began suddenly after an out-of-the-blue panic attack - something I had never experienced before.

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Before this, I was happy and functioning well, which left me convinced there must be a serious medical reason for what was happening. My symptoms aligned with conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, POTS and several others.

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I searched everywhere for answers and tried everything - medical testing (all of which came back clear), hypnotherapy, supplements, meditation, acupuncture - yet nothing brought relief. 

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Below are some of the symptoms I experienced. These symptoms are common in a sensitised nervous system and while deeply uncomfortable, are not dangerous.

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​Understanding the Nervous System

Through learning and deep reflection, I came to understand that I had been living with prolonged stress, avoidance of difficult feelings and emotions and unhelpful thought patterns. Over time, these habits gradually trained my brain to remain in a constant state of alert, eventually leading to nervous system overload and panic.

 

Recovery

True recovery began when I stopped fighting the symptoms and learned to accept them, teaching my brain and body that I was safe.

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This was the hardest thing I have ever done. It took courage to respond differently when everything in me wanted to fix, react or escape, yet it became the turning point that allowed healing and personal growth to unfold.

 

Supporting Others

As fear reduced and safety increased, my nervous system gradually settled and healing followed, though the process was far from linear. There were ups and downs along the way, but over time the system learned safety again.​

 

While it did not feel possible during the height of my symptoms, this experience became a pivotal chapter in my life, leading to a more present, grounded and authentic way of living.

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Alongside this work, I have a full-time role. I offer guidance sessions alongside this because supporting others through this experience is deeply important to me.

 

Physical symptoms

• Constant terror with adrenaline surges

• Frequent panic attacks

• Vertigo, dizziness and feeling off balance

• Feeling faint and weak (but never fainting)

• Blurred and altered vision

• Distorted and sensitive hearing

• Extreme fatigue or weakness

• Extreme heaviness in the body

• Leg tingles, cold chills and strange skin sensations

• Muscle weakness, aches and pain

• Constant nervous uneasiness in the pit of the stomach

• Heart palpitations

• Ear ringing / tinnitus

• Restless feeling throughout entire body

• Strong pounding heartbeat felt throughout the body

• Migraines and headaches

• Strong head pressure and tightness

• Numb and fuzzy feeling in the brain

• Brain fog and difficulty thinking clearly

• Body tremors and shaking

• Internal buzzing or vibration sensations

• Loss of appetite and weight loss

• Digestive issues

• Nausea

• Insomnia

 

Emotional and Mental Symptoms

• Dream-like feelings of unreality and detachment
  (Depersonalisation and Derealisation – DPDR)

• Heavy, uneasy sensation in the chest (more energetic than physical)

• Intense panic and fear

• Intrusive thoughts

• Sudden waves of crippling sadness

• Strong morning anxiety or panic

• Feelings of intense impending doom

• Deep depression

• Sinking sensations

• Paranoia or feeling strange when looking at nature

• Feeling off and not myself

• Emotional numbness

• Extreme irritability and impatience

• No motivation

• Feeling flat and disconnected

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These symptoms are a sign of a nervous system overload and can settle with understanding, acceptance and time.