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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Panic While Walking Across Bridges?

Hi i'm a 35 year old female, i dont know if it is vertigo that i have but when i am walking across bridges with flow of traffic underneath i start to panic, can't breathe properly, i feel as if i'm swaying and can't walk straight, it wouldn't be too much of a problem but i walk to a certain destination with my daughter who is 6 and i feel so out of control when crossing these types of bridges, can you advise what i can do please.
Fri, 18 Jul 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello, thanks for the query. Since when have you started having these difficulties? Also do you also have similar difficulties at heights, closed spaces like elevators, crowded places etc.? Your symptoms are suggestive of situational anxiety or situational phobias. Though you know that this fear of yours is irrational, but you are unable to control it when exposed to that particular situation hence called as PHOBIA. If untreated, this leads to gradual avoidance of problem causing situation. Thankfully, this condition is easily treatable by certain behavior modification techniques known as exposure & response prevention, guided imagery techniques etc. These are taught by Psychologist. Additionally there are medications like etizolam, clonazepam for rapid control of anxiety when exposed to problem situations & drugs like sertraline, escitalopram (SSRI) to help you alleviate the chemical imbalance in brain which is the root cause of this excessive irrational anxiety. You should consult a Psychiatrist for this problem. You can always revert back to me in case of additional queries. Good Luck
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What Causes Panic While Walking Across Bridges?

Hello, thanks for the query. Since when have you started having these difficulties? Also do you also have similar difficulties at heights, closed spaces like elevators, crowded places etc.? Your symptoms are suggestive of situational anxiety or situational phobias. Though you know that this fear of yours is irrational, but you are unable to control it when exposed to that particular situation hence called as PHOBIA. If untreated, this leads to gradual avoidance of problem causing situation. Thankfully, this condition is easily treatable by certain behavior modification techniques known as exposure & response prevention, guided imagery techniques etc. These are taught by Psychologist. Additionally there are medications like etizolam, clonazepam for rapid control of anxiety when exposed to problem situations & drugs like sertraline, escitalopram (SSRI) to help you alleviate the chemical imbalance in brain which is the root cause of this excessive irrational anxiety. You should consult a Psychiatrist for this problem. You can always revert back to me in case of additional queries. Good Luck