Scared I'm going to pass out at my own wedding

You need to find time to sleep. Period. No excuses. Medication, you should try more than just one. If your doctor is any good, they will work woth you to find the correct medication. Vitamin D deficiency can cause severe fatigue, get that checked. Keep with therapy.

I'm a psychologist as well as a person who has anxiety and panic disorder among many others.

Anxiety, in and of itself, should not cause you to pass out. Is it from hyperventilating? These sound like panic attacks and you really should get it under control. What medication did your doctor prescribe and how long were you on it? Have you tried meditation? Have you tried therapy? There are a number of treatment modalities that can help. You should not go through life hyperventilating to the point of passing out. It's not safe or healthy. The wedding should be the least of your concerns.

To be honest it was such an alarming experience being zombified that I never, ever want to try meds again. I'll try anything else, but not them. It's the only thing I'm adamant about.

Will check the vitamin D deficiency you suggested, and promise to do my best to rest before the event - though this will likely mean that I'll have to stretch myself extra thin to plan the rest days. I even told my maid of honor to plan a pampering spa session or something and not a wild party for my hen's. At this point though, I'm stressing out about stressing out if that makes any sense. Even thinking about that day triggers a black-out and it's in October. I'm feeling light headed as I'm typing this...

Thank you for the advice, especially since it's coming from someone who's been there. I'm at the right place!

While I can completely respect not wanting meds, how much time did you give them? It took a while for mine to level out before I really felt non-zombie like. Having less anxiety was a very odd feelings for me at first as well, again only time on the medication helped me adjust to my new normal.

The doc(s) called it vasovagal syncope with stress being the trigger. I honestly don't remember the name of the meds, as it was a year ago and not in the most lucid period in my life - I threw them away. Stayed home for a month, couldn't leave the sofa. Let me see if I can track the name down...

I'm sorry you're going through this - I am in the same boat! I've had anxiety for years and it has become severe over the past year. I completely understand fainting as a symptom of an anxiety attack. It's important to be in counseling, especially now, even though I'm sure you're short on time. Above all, don't forget to take care of yourself by eating and sleeping enough. Take breaks from everything, including (and especially) wedding planning. Set aside specific times to plan, and NOT to plan. I hope you find a way to feel better. That will mean there's hope for me, too!

Try the smiling mind app. Download on your phone and practice the first couple exercises with the audio on during some quiet time at home. Practice a couple times a day and you can train your autonomic nervous system out of that stress response (of passing out). It is simple biofeedback but it just takes practice. It will also reduce your overall stress. We use this with medical issues, anxiety, syncope etc.

OP, I have vasovagal, but my trigger is pain. If you're anything like me, you can feel a fainting spell coming. Some things I've learned to do are to put my head between my knees to keep the blood in my head. I've also found that cold helps bring me back to the moment and keeps me conscious.

As for dealing with stress, I'm not sure if you're planning a first look, but I got completely overwhelmed getting dress and the second I saw my husband's face, nothing else mattered. It could really help to calm you down. I don't like being the center of attention, but honestly, I didn't notice anyone else during the ceremony, but DH. Just focus on him and being in the moment and everything else just kinds of fades away.

It was Seroxat, found it. I don't feel the fainting spells coming until it's too late. I've passed out when out with friends (no alcohol), sitting at home on the computer (broke a tooth), you name it, I floored it! All I can think about is how embarrassing collapsing in church is going to be... yes I realise I'm self-fulfilling my own prophecy by doing this but can't help it this is not a logical thing going on inside my head.

I absolutely understand. I have been on and off a variety of medications since I was 15 years old. Now at 25 I have found a combination that works for me. It has taken the past two years of tweaking to find something that works. I'll give you a breakdown of what I did just to show the progression and that you are not alone!

So I wasn't sleeping, I have had sleeping issues my entire life. (I also have night terrors from PTSD.) My doc prescribed Trazodone to help me sleep. It's a mood stabilizer with a drowsiness side effect. It's ok, not something I would recommend. I was on citalopram but that stopped working for me. About two years ago I switched to sertraline starting at 50mg. We kept increasing it until I was up to 200mg. I finally felt relief. I was a zombie but at least I could function in society. That has been the struggle. I eventually dropped down to 100mg, slowly. I had a conversation with my doc about side effects, like lack of libido (the mixture of an SSRI and birth control can make your sex drive zero), feeling nothing at all ect. This is when she prescribed bupropion (150mg) to counteract that effect. This is when she also tested my vitamin D levels which was found that I had a severe deficiency. (Which is pretty pathetic considering I live in Florida.) Due to my panic disorder, I have a mild case of agoraphobia. Since I never left the house unless necessary, I was not getting enough vitamin D. I was put on prescription strength vitamin D and the new medication. It was like a fog lifted. Everything became clear again. I hate being on medication for a number of reasons. It makes me feel dead inside but it also makes me feel like a failure. This was until I found the right dosages of medications. I know you are against medications and I understand that, I just wanted to share so you know that you CAN find what works for you. Also, medications like these are generally used for a year or two long period. I say this because it is hard to deal with psychological distress when you have a physiological problem. The medication helps with the physiology so you can get help for the psychological aspect. Every person is different, however.

I have a similar symptom with panic attacks. When I start having a panic attack I chew, yes CHEW, a lorazepam. It is gross but it will help my symptoms as fast as possible. Having a medication specifically for panic attacks gives me peace of mind. Maybe that is something to consider? Just having something available can trick your mind.

I apologize for such a long post, I just really want you to know that you are not alone. We want you to feel better. I know how much it sucks. I know it all too well.

ETA: I know this sounds crazy but have you talked to your doc about possible narcolepsy?

Try to pay attention to the signs. For me, my back tingles and gets really hot. If I don't do something right then, then I'll pass out. I can't pinpoint the exact moment of fainting, but there's signs that I'm going to faint. In coping with vasovagal, it helps to be able to recognize when a spell is coming. At the very least, you can probably pinpoint when you're stress level is creeping up. I think for your wedding day, the best thing you can do is breathe deeply and focus on your FH, but I'd highly encourage you to try medicine again longterm, especially if you don't get warning signs. I've passed out in some dangerous situations and I can't imagine having stress as the trigger. Since I've learned to recognize when it's coming and know some things that help, it's been a year or 2 since I've had a spell.

I can't believe to tell you how much I appreciate you opening up and telling me of your progress... thank you so immensely much. I'm seeing a nutritionist on Tuesday (the one thing I haven't tried) and will get some blood tests done. Alternatively, I'll just get some supplements and see how those work.

What you described, feeling like a failure etc, is what I felt. The day after the first dose, my fiance came home to check up on me and I couldn't even find the strength to turn my eyes and look at him. Me, the overachiever, the seemingly tireless robot who always did 5 things at the same time and didn't have any sort of trouble for the first 30 years of her life. I couldn't even look at him. It terrified me and I never took another dose. Most probably a mistake but I would take hyperventilating over them any day. The thought of them still terrifies me, which is why I don't want to lose control like that again. For anyone who's pushed on through such side-effects, I take my hat off to you, you're much braver than I. Thank you for understanding, was expecting a telling-off...

ETA: Yes, because I have a friend who's narcoleptic and I know she switches off during strong emotions. Doc ruled epilepsy and narcolepsy out with an EEG.

My warning signs, brief as they are, is heat on the bridge of my nose and loss of sound, shaking of hands and clammy palms. That gives me about 5 seconds during which I may, or may not faint. Ice cubes often help!

What you are taking is an SSRI, which is a class of meds that some people need to play with before finding the one/dose that works for them. If you are adamantly against trying another medication, then I urge you to get therapy. Vasovagal episodes can be dangerous and anxiety is truly something that can be managed with the right treatment.

That's a good start to know. It's not a lot of warning, but it's something. If you have a table nearby during the ceremony, you could have a cup of ice on it or with your MOH or parents. The biggest thing is to try and relax. Honestly, for me everything leading up to the wedding was more stressful than the wedding itself. Standing at the end of the aisle, holding my husband's hand, and listening to the officiant was nothing compared to how emotional I got getting dressed.

For the getting ready time, make sure everyone knows about your condition so they can keep an eye on you. People have also told me that the instant before I collapse my face drains of all color, so that might be something others can watch out for. Just warn those who will be around you if you don't already know, so they can be ready to catch you.

Been seeing my therapist for a year now. Hella expensive but it has helped a lot. I just fear it's a more long-term treatment than the 3 months left until wedding date.

I attended a friend's wedding a month ago and maid of honor was a friend of mine who also has vasovagal episodes and I remember her coming out of the church after the bride saying "Whew, nobody fainted". And I was like... I feel you, sista.

DJ, you give me hope!

For clarification, I'm not in the States. I'm in Cyprus, and in these parts, church lasts an hour, you don't get a table or ice as it's considered inappropriate for church, and then you have a reception where you stand there for like 2 hours until everyone has greeted you. It's a brutal yet necessary thing, nobody enjoys it but it has to be done. A bride is expected to stand and smile and hug a long line of people, and that all happens even before dinner. My friends and family know and I arranged for a quiet room at the venue if things get too oozy. Planning a backup plan has helped...

Also my fiance got pretty good at telling when I'm about to bite the floor. He says when my eyes are open and I'm looking at nothing, it's grabbing time!

Look up CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). I can't really say more than that, but do your research.

Looking it up, and it doesn't sound like my therapy sessions... think I should bring this up at my next appointment and request a coping plan? I just answered my own question. Ok, will bring it up.

It's important for you to know that this is NOT a failure but a physiological condition. I have struggled for 10 years and if I can help one person even a little, that makes me happy. It is especially difficult when perfectionists (I'm using that term loosely and not negatively.) have this type of disorder as they feel like it is something they should be able to control. While it is a disorder of the mind, remember it is a PHYSIOLOGICAL and psychological disorder. Something in your brain chemistry is not adding up. There was nothing you could have done to prevent that.

I wish I had a copy of this graph that I've seen but I don't so I'll try to explain. Follow me here: Each person is born with a certain amount of heredity that can lead to a psychological disorder. Since we all start at a different level but the end point is the same, some people are more susceptible to develop said disorder. This is why a rather small event to the outside world can trigger a person to develop anxiety while a tragedy for others has little effect. On a scale of 1-100, 100 being development of a disorder, we all are born with a number. Let's say I'm a 65 and you're a 5. I only need 35 more points to develop something while you need 95. That being said, this is why you cannot feel like a failure. You can't compare yourself to others and I know it is hard. It is something I have struggled with. You will get there. I am not a psychiatrist so I can't give you advice on what medications/supplements will work for you; I am glad you are seeing someone soon.

I see that you are from Cyprus, that adds another layer to things. I'm not sure what the culture there is surrounding psychological disorders. I am so sorry this is happening to you. It's a great idea to have a space to get away at the wedding. Sometimes I need to just get away from everyone or I'll have a panic attack. That is a good idea. It sounds like FH will stand up for you. Also, what is the worst thing that could happen? You faint during your ceremony. You will wake up, and you will get married. I know it isn't ideal but don't stress yourself out. If you faint, you faint and it is OK! All you can do is the best you can and that is what you are doing.

I feel like I am forgetting something but I can't remember...